-The Business Standard NGOs have been asked to run MGNREGS in the country's 184 most backward blocks Will handing over the management of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) ensure the scheme works? The rural development ministry seems to think so, at least in Naxal-hit areas. Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, NGOs are allowed to run the scheme, provided gram panchayats run...

-Outlook The state elections rolled out smoothly, but it's money power which ruled on the ground As we celebrate the smooth working of a massive electoral exercise-simplistically dubbed by many as the semi-final to the greatest show on earth, General Elections 2014-a realisation has dawned that the role of ‘money power' is reaching alarming proportions. Sure, elections are more fool-proof today than in the past, and most (rightly) salute the EC...

-Outlook New Delhi: As they bask in the post-poll glory, issues like water, education and unauthorised colonies figure high on the winning candidates' agenda. 26-year-old Prakash who left a managerial job in a private company to join the Aam Aadmi Party credited his win to "lack of works done by his predecessors". Prakash dealt a severe blow to Congress and BJP in the polls by amassing 51,646 votes from Deoli constituency in south...

-Outlook Jaipur: As BJP wrested power from Congress in Rajasthan today, a total of 25 women candidates emerged victorious in the state. Among the 25 winners elected for the 14th Vidhan Sabha, 19 are from BJP. There were 29 women MLAs in the 13th assembly. Maximum women winners are from BJP, including its chief ministerial candidate Vasundhara Raje. While NPP has two, Congress has one and there is one Independent female winner, two...

-Outlook Indian Inc today said the outcome of elections in the four states should be seen as a strong message to the government as well as political parties for ensuring corruption-free rule and good governance. "Congress has been shown the door for poor political leadership and unconvincing approach to corruption," said businesswoman Kiran Mazumdar Shaw in a stern message as the poll results pouring in showed rout-like situation for the party in...