—PTI National Democratic Alliance convener and Janata Dal (United) president Sharad Yadav alleged on Sunday that a “Bellary-like mining scam” was going on in the Jabalpur-Satna region and demanded that Madhya Pradesh Government take action against those involved. “In the mineral-rich region of Jabalpur, Katni, Satna, Sidhi and Singrauli, a Bellary-like mining scam is taking place as no environmental clearances were taken for carrying out mining there,” Mr. Yadav alleged at a...

The Bihar Government on Thursday approved the draft of the State Lokayukta Bill, 2011 after a Cabinet meeting took the decision to this effect. The Bill is expected to be passed during the State Legislature's Winter session, which commences on Friday. However, the Bill's provisions and amendments would be clear only after it had met with approval from the Governor's office and discussed threadbare by all parties in the Legislature, said Cabinet...

Up to three-fourths of villagers and half of city dwellers will be entitled to subsidised food grains under a new bill, with the Centre refusing to budge on the volume of grain entitlement and continuing with upper limits for beneficiaries. The National Food Security Bill, redrafted on the basis of feedback from states and civil society groups, will soon be sent to the cabinet so that it can be introduced in...

The Mamata Banerjee government is planning to take politics — or at least political symbols — out of panchayats, the foundation on which the Left built the edifice that remained impregnable for 34 years. “We would like to have non-political rural bodies as it would uproot petty politics that often halts development projects in rural areas. If things go as planned, the required amendments in the act would come into force...

  -The Times of India Shops and commercial establishments in many cities across the country have downed their shutters to protest government's decision to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail. However, the impact of the strike is varied from state to state. In Maharashtra, round 35 lakh small and medium traders have kept their shops shut in response to the bandh. "We have received good response for the bandh in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai...