-The Hindu The Centre's rural employment guarantee scheme can be substantially improved, but it has undeniably helped Dalits, Adivasis and women find work In an era of growing globalisation and rising inequality, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) stands out as a unique attempt to provide a social safety net via a massive public works programme. The government as an employer of the last resort is an idea that...
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Schools without children, children without schools -Suvojit Bagchi
-The Hindu Funds from Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan are pumped into ‘schools' in Bastar that don't exist On the day the Chhattisgarh government issued a statement emphasising how the Prime Minister's adviser, T.K.A. Nair, praised the efforts to educate children, 32 students of Koynapada primary school in Darbha block in Bastar district did not attend school. In fact, they could not as the school does not exist. An official confirmed that the disappearance...
More »Gay sex law raises mental health fears -GS Mudur
-The Telegraph The 153-year-old law that criminalises gay sex is likely contributing to hidden Depression and possibly even substance abuse among homosexuals, mental health professionals campaigning for its repeal have said. The experts have said the Supreme Court's ruling earlier this week re-criminalising gay sex could lead to a surge in Depression levels across the community. They have cited international studies that point to higher levels of mental health problems among gay...
More »US opposition to ambitious Indian program a 'direct attack on the right to food'-Timothy A Wise
-GlobalPost.com Opinion: The Obama administration's objection to India's newly approved Food Security Act is an act of hypocrisy. BALI, Indonesia - In the lead-up to this week's World Trade Organization negotiations, the Obama administration has tried to block the implementation of a new program approved by the Indian government that could help feed its 830 million hungry people in a cost-effective way. The Obama administration's objection to the program is a direct attack...
More »Grain glut -Jyotika Sood
-Down to Earth India faces a surplus of foodgrains. Is exporting a good option? With India's grain mountain set to implode, the government is desperate to push the exports of rice and wheat. However, a global glut and the resulting Depression of prices are dimming the prospects of foodgrain exports. According to the Food Corporation of India (FCI), the nodal agency for grain trade in the country, India is sitting on 34 million...
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