-The Hindustan Times Some time ago I visited a Dalit hamlet in Rewa district. It was hemmed in on all sides by the fields of upper-caste farmers, who refused to allow any approach road to reach the hamlet. There were short roads inside the hamlet, but they stopped abruptly at the edge of it. The hamlet felt like an island, surrounded by hostile territory. I wondered whether any other country still...

-The Indian Express Tension prevailed in CudDalore district on Tuesday after members of a Scheduled Caste Community and caste Hindus clashed this morning. A few huts of Dalit families were ransacked and set on fire. Police said trouble began when a girl belonging to a Hindu community was allegedly taunted by a Dalit youth in Pacharapalayam village in CudDalore. The girl’s relatives and others took on the Dalit families in the area...

-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...

-Outlook CudDalore (TN): A group of persons set ablaze eight huts and ransacked an equal number in a Dalit colony at Pacharapalayam village in the district following a clash between caste Hindus and Dalits triggered by the teasing of a non-Dalit girl. Seven Dalits suffered injuries-three in the clash and four burn injuries, officials said. CudDalore Sub-Collector Lalitha told reporters that police were maintaining tight vigil. VaDalur Inspector T Balakrishnan said the clash occurred...

-The Economic Times The government's ambitious plan for direct cash transfer of subsidies is facing implementation hurdles even as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday set a January 1 deadline to roll out the scheme in 51 districts. While the PM's announcement was a formality, the petroleum ministry has pointed out that once the Cabinet approves the new mechanism on oil and LPG subsidies, it will take 11 months for a rollout. This...