-The Economic Times A new book by Bibek Debroy on Gujarat looks at how this much-talked about state has performed in economic terms. The author argues history, luck and administrative clarity have been the determining factors. There has been a discernible pickup in Gujarat's growth performance since the 10th Plan (2002-07), the five-year Plans being natural periods for breaking up the timeline. It's tempting to argue that there is nothing exceptional in...

-NDTV A letter written by BJP president Nitin Gadkari lobbying for contractors building a mega-dam project in Maharashtra has the Congress demanding his resignation, and the BJP on the defensive. Written on July 30 to Water Resources Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal, Mr Gadkari asks for Rs. 400 crores to be released to the contractors hired for the Gosikhurd dam in Vidarbha. The main contractor is Ajay Sancheti, a BJP member of the...

-The Hindu The government’s claim that it will dampen inflation, bring higher prices for farmers and lower prices for customers may be somewhat exaggerated With the intention of signalling a strong commitment to reforms, the UPA government has announced a hike in the price of diesel and liberalisation of foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail, justifying the measures as growth-enhancing and inflation-dampening. They have been termed bold by India’s corporate sector...

-PTI Pawar resigned after reports alleged his involvement in Rs 20,000 crore Irrigation scam Maharashtra Governor K Sankarnarayanan today accepted the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who quit following reports about his alleged involvement in a Rs 20,000 crore Irrigation scam. Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan met the Governor this morning and handed over Pawar's resignation. "The Governor has accepted Ajit Pawar's resignation as recommended by the Chief Minister," a Raj...

-The Hindustan Times BJP president Nitin Gadkari on Thursday sent a legal notice to India Against Corruption (IAC) activist  Anjali Damania, for alleging he had tried to cover up the Irrigation scam in Maharashtra when she approached him. Gadkari has demanded an apology from her. The IAC, however, defended Daminia with Arvind Kejriwal posing four questions to Gadkari over his alleged proximity to NCP chief and union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar. In his...