An inconvenient truth? Or yet another case of shoddy data collection by state agencies? The government is scrambling to prove that it is the latter, after data on the UPA's flagship poverty alleviation programme shows that it may not be reaching its intended beneficiaries, those classified in official-speak as below the poverty line (BPL). A recent note circulated to all state departments by the rural development ministry revealed that only...
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FDI in Retail: Misplaced Expectations and Half-truths by Sukhpal Singh
The central government claims that allowing foreign direct investment into India’s retail sector will benefit small farmers, expand employment and lower food inflation. What has been the experience in India with organised retail so far and what has been the global experience with FDI? Sukhpal Singh (sukhpal@iegindia.org) is currently at the Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi. After being under relentless attack for a week, the United Progressiv Alliance government was forced to...
More »We must view farmers as ‘agri-preneurs', says President by Gargi Parsai
Recognising the impact of schemes such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), President Pratibha Patil on Thursday called for their further utilisation in the agriculture sector in the emerging scenario of “farm labour shortage and food security.” The President's comments are significant in the context of Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar's recent letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urging him to suspend the MGNREGS during crop harvesting...
More »Govt rules out extension of working days under NREGA
-IndiaInfoline.com Indian Labour Conference in its 43rd session recommended to increase the number of working days along with the guaranteed statutory wage under MGNREGA. Government has ruled out increase in the number of working days under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme from the existing 100 days to 200 days, saying such a move will result in a competitive disadvantage towards agricultural productivity. Indian Labour Conference in its 43rd session...
More »MGNREGA has not led to shortage of farm labourers
-Press Information Bureau Government has said that there is no definite findings indicating shortage of farm labourers due to Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Since MGNREGA is a demand driven scheme, backed by legislation, State Governments are obliged to provide up to 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to every rural household for doing unskilled manual work, if demanded, at any time of the...
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