-Down to Earth Grand old party of India renews some old promises and makes some new ones, but will Congress live up to its promises if it wins a third term? The Indian National Congress (INC) presented its manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on Wedneday. The manifesto committee claimed the 48-page document was prepared after wide consultations by engaging millions of people, grassroots congress workers and every section of the...

-BLOOMBERG Keeping the economic data available on website may violate the Election Commission's code of conduct, says state economic statistics director New Delhi: Gujarat led by Narendra Modi, whose party leads in polls to win general elections starting next month, has blocked access to official economic data on its website during the campaign. The directorate of economic statistics in Gujarat, the state Modi has run since 2001, has removed access to publications...

-The Indian Express If parties are sincere about the women's reservation bill, why hasn't there been a minimal debate about its flaws and possibilities? The Congress manifesto commits the party to "the enactment of the Women's Reservation Bill to reserve 33 per cent of all seats in Parliament and state legislative assemblies for women". Other parties are sure to have similar, perhaps even more time-bound, pledges. Those of us who thought that once...

-Down to Earth Demand income security and sustainability, and redressal of grievances relating to land matters which they say are the biggest source of corruption and mis-governance The apathy of successive governments of Andhra Pradesh towards the deepening agrarian crisis has resulted in farmers groups organising themselves to put pressure on political parties during election time. The Rythu Swarajya Vedika, an umbrella organisation of various farmers' groups and non-profits working in the...

-The Hindu Madurai (Tamil Nadu): Following a wane in farming activities - the only means of livelihood for a large number of villagers - owing to failure of rain and other intangible reasons, women in rural areas have sought refuge in self-help groups (SHGs) for income generation. There is a proliferation of women SHGs in villages across Madurai district. They get help from non-governmental organisations (NGO) and National Bank of Agriculture and...