Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are among the Indian states that have failed to name an ombudsman to handle grievances and prevent graft related to the central government’s flagship rural jobs programme, even two years after they were directed to do so. Only 15 of the nation’s 28 states have appointed the ombudsmen, according to the ministry of rural development. Assam, Haryana, Kerala and Tamil Nadu also haven’t appointed the watchdog. Setting up...

After Mansa, now the farmers in Bathinda and Faridkot districts are up in arms against the state government over the land acquisition issue. Though their land was acquired by the state government many years back, the state government may face renewed agitation from farmers, who think the land was `misused` and sold off to colonizers. Two agitations have already been witnessed in Bathinda and Faridkot in the last couple of weeks...

Under pressure from big business to end the political stalemate, India’s self-proclaimed anti-corruption campaigner Anna Hazare yesterday broke his 12-day fast at the Ramlila Maiden, a public ground in New Delhi. On Saturday, the Indian parliament passed an “in principle” resolution agreeing to include three of Hazare’s demands in proposed Lokpal or ombudsman legislation. Though tensions have eased, nothing has been settled. Hazare, who headed large anti-corruption protests, has backed away...

-The Hindu   The Election Commission has asked the Chief Electoral Officers of States and Union Territories to obtain the standard advertisement rate cards of television and radio channels and the print media six months before the Lok Sabha/Assembly Elections so as to check ‘paid news' and the misuse of the media by political parties. In a recent letter to the CEOs, the Commission said this was to ensure uniformity while dealing with...

Seeks explanation on why Lokayukta has not been appointed in the State The Gujarat High Court on Thursday issued a notice to the Narendra Modi government asking it to explain why no Lokayukta had been appointed in the State so far. A Division Bench comprising justices Akil Kureshi and Sonia Gokani, issued the notice to the Chief Secretary, asking him to file an affidavit detailing the latest status. The court notice comes a...