Often criticised for lapses in the past, Uttar Pradesh is now credited for it's initiative to implement the Centrally-sponsored Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme successfully in the state. "I could see the increasing participation of people in it (MGNREGS) and the openness to reforms on the part of the government," said a Planning Commission member, Mihir Shah after attending a state-level discussion held here on Wednesday titled 'MGNREGS in...

The Latehar district administration has sent a report to the Union home ministry, highlighting the possible reason of the murder of MGNREGA activist Niyamat Ansari. Ansari, a social activist and an associate of socio-economist Jean Dreze, was beaten up by an armed group of Maoists and members of Van Raksha Samiti on the night of March 2 after he was dragged out of his house at Jerua village in Manika block...

A fact-finding team comprising Rights activists and United Milli Forum (UMF) has demanded a judicial inquiry into the killing of MGNREGA whistle blower Niyamat Ansari and sought immediate compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of the victim. Ansari was the sole bread-earner of his family comprising elderly mother, father, wife and three children, a divorced sister along with her daughter and an elder brother all dependent on...

Ashok Gehlot's Budget speech lays emphasis on social welfare measures Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's Budget speech in the Rajasthan Assembly here on Wednesday laid emphasis on “positive results” of the State Government's work during the previous year for development of various sectors, and made a number of announcements for the welfare of different sections of society. In a significant declaration, Mr. Gehlot said a State-level Advisory Council would be constituted shortly in...

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme (MGNREGS) is bringing about a silent revolution in rural areas in this drought-prone district. The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, inaugurated the programme in a remote village, Bandlapalli, in Anantapur district on February 2, 2006. Since then, the scheme has been providing employment to rural youth and checking migration from the district. About 700 residents in Malakavaripalli thanda in Tumula Village Panchayat in...