-The Times of India MARGAO: Locals who have been regularly attending gram sabhas of Cavelossim panchayat criticized the panchayat body both past and present for its inaction in implementing gram sabha resolutions causing heavy loss of revenue to the panchayat. The gram sabha members even pointed out that the recently held gram sabha last Sunday should have been held in the month of October as per provisions of law and after much...

-Farmlandgrab.org Oxfam’s Phil Bloomer reports on the shocking scandal of (mostly) secretive land-grabbing, usually from those least able to defend their rights Land grabbing has fast become a major threat to poor communities in Africa, Asia and South America. Poverty-stricken women and men are being driven from their homes and the land they rely on to grow food to eat and make a living, usually without compensation. In many cases this is...

-Express News Service Dikshit releases Delhi Statistical Handbook, says city an attractive destination for all. With more than 5 lakh vehicles added to the Roads in the last year, Delhi recorded the biggest jump ever in motor vehicle registrations. But as the number of vehicles increased, no significant change in road length was recorded in the Capital. The figures were made available when Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit released the Delhi Statistical Handbook, 2012,...

-The Hindu Chennai: Four years ago, the Vengaivaasal Village Panchayat won the Centre’s Nirmal Gram Puraskar for ensuring sanitation and awareness of hygiene. Today, the garbage dumped by the local body on a stretch of the Medavakkam – Mambakkam Main Road is a source of major irritation to both residents of the vicinity and motorists. The Medavakkam – Mambakkam Main Roadlinks two arterial Roads – Velachery Main Road at Medavakkam and Vandalur –...

-Agence-France Presse Mumbai: Mumbai Police has said they had arrested a woman for criticising on Facebook the total shutdown of Mumbai after the death of politician Bal Thackeray, as well as a friend who "liked" the comment. The two were due to appear in court later in the day charged under the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act, said Police Inspector Shrikant Pingle. "The two women will be produced in a...