My attention was drawn to “An Open Letter to the Chief Minister of West Bengal” which was signed by thirty members of the civil society of Kolkata and Delhi. What disturbed me was the tone and tenor of the language used in the letter in denouncing Ms Mamata Banerjee’s bold initiative in inviting the Maoists of Junglemahal for a dialogue after “ceasefire”. May I ask with all humility who among the...

A trained volunteer on a motorcycle loaded with an LCD television, a sound system and a generator set could be touring the districts soon to spread the word about the landmark unique identity project that has already seen as many as 34 lakh receive their numbers in Jharkhand. E-Avas, or Ekal Audio Visual Awareness System, designed by a local entrepreneur, will get on the road once an awareness film on the...

-The Assam Tribune   The much-hyped MGNREGA has once again failed to meet its main target – providing 100 days employment to each jobcard holder in Tripura.   The startling revelation came to light at a review meeting of Rural Developmentdepartment held at Civil Secretariat here on November 4 last. While job generation under the national flagship programme against each jobcard holder stands at 45 mandays in Dhalai district, it is only 32 mandays...

-The Hindu   The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered five Preliminary Enquiries (PEs) relating to alleged irregularities in the funds allotted to the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in Uttar Pradesh since its inception in 2005-06, CBI spokesperson said here on Saturday. The PEs were registered on the directions of the Allahabad High Court's Lucknow Bench. They pertain to civil works of Director-General (Family Welfare), procurement of medicines and equipments and information,...

All men and women above 30 to be screened for diabetes in 100 districts by March 2021 The Union health ministry has released the findings of the results of the first round of the nation-wide campaign for screening diabetes in rural areas. Pathanamthitta district of Kerala has the maximum number of diabetics—16 per cent people in the district suffer from the lifestyle disease. Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh has the least...