Scheme meant for the tribals has been hijacked by mining firms, claim activists The construction of 24 fortified police bases in the midst of Saranda, an 800-sq. km. patch of forested hills veined with a quarter of India's iron ore reserves, has sparked concerns among political activists who believe that a development plan intended for tribals in Jharkhand has been hijacked by mining corporations. In October last year, Union Minister for Rural...

-The Times of India The government's white paper on black money, tabled in Parliament on Monday, listed a one-time tax amnesty to recover funds stashed abroad and a gold deposit scheme for locals as possible ways to deal with the menace, while suggesting that individuals get the tax department's go-ahead for all property deals and face undue scrutiny on cash in their possession. It also called for setting up of independent regulators,...

-The Hindustan Times From a crackdown on dubious charity contributions to encouraging the use of credit and debit cards, from tracking realty deals to monitoring jewellery purchases, the government has proposed a wide range of measures to combat black money. The proposals are part of the white paper on black money tabled in the Lok Sabha on Monday by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee. The white paper does not, however, disclose names...

A campaign to help the elderly spend the evening of their lives with dignity and without want is being launched by Pension Parishad with a dharna in Delhi from May 7th to May 11th 2012 at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. The idea is straight and simple, and is something whose time has come. Just read on and reach the venue for more information and interviews with the campaign participants.   “One...

-The Hindustan Times The National Advisory Council (NAC) has cast serious doubts on the government's cash-incentive scheme to check female foeticide and correct India's skewed sex ratio, saying the money given out under the plan is indirectly promoting dowry. The Centre and 13 states have been offering cash incentives to poor families with the twin aim of saving the girl child and supporting her after she turns 18. The scheme was introduced...