-Down to Earth Demand farm income commission; urge political parties to make it an election issue A number of farmers' organisations got together on Thursday to demand a minimum living income equivalent to that of agricultural scientists for all farm households in the country and asked political parties to make it a part of their poll manifesto. Citing NSSO findings, they said the average monthly income of farm households in the country...
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Parties must adopt an agenda that guarantees women their rights -Jayanthi Natarajan
-The Hindustan Times The women's reservation Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha in 2010 but has not yet been passed in the Lok Sabha. No other legislation in our Democratic history has been discussed for so many years (15 years) without being passed or rejected. Such a delay has happened even though major parties support the Bill and there are 1.2-1.5 million women who hold elected office at the local level...
More »A faulty food security plan-Jean-Pierre Lehmann and Suddha Chakravartti
-The Financial Express The Indian success story increasingly looks like a tale of naivety and optimistic complacency. The Indian success story increasingly looks like a tale of naivety and optimistic complacency, with the fantasy of ‘India Shining' obfuscating the reality of widespread deprivation. Despite rapid economic growth during the past decade, millions continue to live in poverty and hunger. The Indian government aims to address abject hunger and malnutrition with the National Food...
More »30% of MPs spent half of expense limit in 2009 polls
-The Times of India NEW DELHI: The government's move to give parliamentarians a Rs 30 lakh hike in election expenses appears as misplaced generosity with 30% MPs spending less than half of their funds. Election expense declarations, analyzed by Association for Democratic Reforms, reveals that the average amount of money spent by 437 MPs in the Lok Sabha elections 2009 is only about Rs 14.62 lakh or 59% of the expense limit....
More »Crisis of credibility hits govt Lokpal search panel
-The Times of India NEW DELHI: Days after senior lawyer Fali Nariman declined to be part of the Lokpal search committee, more embarrassment was headed the government's way with former Supreme Court judge K T Thomas turning down its offer to head the panel. Thomas wrote to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) declining consent and raising doubts over the two-layered procedure to finalize the chairman and members of the anti-corruption watchdog. Noting...
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