The total expenditure on central schemes for the poor and on the major subsidies exceeds the states' share of central taxes. These schemes are chronic bad performers due to a culture of immunity in public administration and weakened local governments. Arguing that the poor should be trusted to use these resources better than the state, a radical redirection with substantial direct transfers to individuals and complementary decentralisation to local governments...

-Outlook The government has not made any assessment on presumptive losses following the CAG report on the 2G spectrum issue, Parliament was informed today. "No assessment of the value of presumptive loss caused to the nation after the publication of CAG report in 2G spectrum matter has been made by the Government of India," Minister of State for Finance Namo Narain Meena said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha. To a...

-Rediff.com Bihar Rural Development Minister Nitish Mishra on Monday ordered an inquiry into the allegations that nearly 73 per cent of the funds allotted for implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in 38 districts of Bihar, between 2006 and 2012, have been embezzled by authorities "The department will inquire into the corruption and will conduct physical verification of all facts related to the scheme," Mishra said. The Bihar government...

-The Times of India The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has asked the oil ministry not to approve any more investments in Reliance Industries's KG-D6 oil and gas block till the company submits all records of its spending in the Andhra offshore field till 2011-12 for scrutiny. In a November 9 letter to the ministry, a top CAG functionary also suggested a similar action for the Panna-Mukta and Tapti (PMT) group...

-The Economic Times The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), in its Performance Audit of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), highlighted deficiencies such as less effective regulatory control on medical x-ray units and lack of inspection of few types of radiation sources that have greater hazard potential, among others. These need urgent correction. CAG should not have offered advise on the possible structure and constitution of a regulatory body when...