-The Indian Express Raipur: In May 2010, Hindi TV channel Sahara Samay presented a five-point proposal to the public relations department of the Chhattisgarh government about covering government activities during 2010-11: 1. Two-minute special package: Sahara Samay will show the package 15 times a day during news bulletins. It will contain “CM’s speeches, government policies, and special news related to various departments.” Cost: Rs 3.28 crore per year at Rs 3,000 per...

-The Times of India RAIPUR: Expert in public policy and capacity building T R Raghunandan, a former IAS officer of Karnataka Cadre, said on Thursday that transfer of cash subsidy to the beneficiaries was not a "magic wand" but it could help create purchasing power among the masses in the respective areas. Speaking at the media capacity building workshop, organised by the centre and the UN joint programme on convergence here, he...

-The Economic Times The government will roll out a United Nations-assisted livelihood security programme in 10 Naxal-infested districts in a bid to tackle the growing influence of Maoist rebels. The rural development ministry, which has been spearheading the developmental approach to this Left-wing menace, has in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme worked out a five-year plan to make markets work for the poor, ensure that state governments are more responsive...

-The Indian Express MHA’s decision to replicate the Chhattisgarh model in all Maoist-affected states is timely Taking a cue from the Chhattisgarh police’s efforts to socially rehabilitate Maoists cadres who have surrendered, the ministry of home affairs (MHA) has issued an advisory saying that all Naxal-affected states should facilitate reverse vasectomy operations for Maoists who wish to join the mainstream. The states should bear the medical costs for the operation, which will...

-The Hindustan Times Chhattisgarh police found something out of the ordinary during a recent raid at a Maoist camp in Abujhmad forest: Primary-level textbooks for children. Police fear the books — which cover subjects ranging from social studies to mathematics — are being used by Naxals to teach Maoist propaganda to children in the area. “We only had sketchy inputs about Naxals teaching their doctrines. This is the first time primary-level books...