-The Hindu While the UPA is showcasing cash Transfers as a key initiative and has even made a provision for it in the National Food Security Bill (NFSB), there is a strong resistance to it. Major Opposition parties are moving amendments against cash Transfers, food coupons and cash allowances in lieu of food even as the law is to come up for approval. So far, Delhi and Bihar are keen on providing cash...
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Why the food security bill matters to developing Asia-Vinod Thomas
-The Economic Times For all the controversy around it, the breathtaking scope of India's food security scheme for nearly two-thirds of the population sends a powerful message across developing Asia. The region leads the world in the pace of economic growth, yet public spending on social protection as a share of GDP is lower than that in any other region except sub-Saharan Africa. Economic growth is a proven means to lift millions...
More »In memoriam: Sharmila Rege (1964 -2013)-Uma Chakravarti
-FeministsIndia.com In the last six months or so the small community of feminist scholars cum activists has been hit by major losses: in February Lotika Sarkar who was among the signatories protesting the Mathura judgment that initiated a new and hugely important phase of the women’s movement passed away; at the end of May Vina Mazumdar who spearheaded the parallel women’s studies movement also passed away. But at least we had...
More »UPA launches second leg of Bharat Nirman campaign
-The Times of India NEW DELHI: The UPA government unveiled a Rs 40-crore Bharat Nirman campaign on Wednesday which showcases policy initiatives like the direct Transfer scheme to intended beneficiaries, Aadhar, land acquisition, food security, women's empowerment and RTI. Describing the "Glimpses of India Story-II'' as a small step to showcase a "silent revolution of empowerment of people'', the I&B minister Manish Tewari dismissed NDA's India Shining campaign as "imaginary.'' Asked about the...
More »Government should reward progressing states, not backwardness
-The Economic Times The government, reportedly, is creating a new composite development index to rank states that use new, more comprehensive criteria. Since the 12th Finance Commission recommended special grants for backward regions, in addition to special allocation of Plan funds to so-called Special Category states, there has been some enthusiasm among state leaders for accentuating their respective state's backwardness. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has invested a lot of political...
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