-The New Indian Express The recent socio-economic and caste census (SECC) 2011 data on deprivations is profoundly disquieting. At the global level too, the latest data on economic inequality is equally disconcerting. That 75 per cent of rural households in India earn less than Rs 5,000 per month or around Rs 33 per capita per day and that over 40 per cent are landless and work as manual casual labourers even...
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Centre to reduce its share of Sarva Siksha Abhiyan to 50%
-PTI NEW DELHI: The Centre has decided to reduce its share of funding in the flagship Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) programme from 65 per cent to 50 per cent, a move that could trigger strong protest from the states. The revised funding would be in the 50:50 pattern instead of 65:35. The scheme, which seeks universalisation of elementary education, has already seen a steep slash in allocation this fiscal, down from Rs 27,758...
More »Why toddlers are on a leash in Delhi -Amulya Gopalakrishnan
-The Times of India Though laws mandate creches, daycare is like a dream for unorganized labourers. A house is being built in Vasant Vihar, one of the many plots in the neighbourhood under construction. Men and wom en are hard at work. On the ground floor, two-year-old Jitin has been standing by a plastic can for a long, long time. A string around his ankle tethers him to a table. "He could hurt...
More »Centre slashes aid for 18 social sector schemes -Brajesh Kumar
-Hindustan Times The Centre has decided to slash its share of funds in about 18 social sector schemes including flagship education programme Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in a cutback that has been criticised by states. The central government and states would contribute equally for programmes such as SSA, Rashtriya Uchchtar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), a departure from the previous 65%-35% formula. Sources said the department of economic affairs...
More »Subverting the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 -Santosh Verma
-Economic and Political Weekly After coming to power in 2014, the National Democratic Alliance government took several measures to dilute the pro-poor provisions of the Land Acquisition Act of 2013. Though it has backed down, several questions remain over the way the Modi government has dealt with the issue of land acquisition. Santosh Verma (santosh.econ@gmail.com) is at the Council for Social Development, New Delhi. Land acquisition—by private corporations or the state—has raised vital...
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