Bid to add social content to UID scheme, otherwise in limbo   With the AADHAR scheme apparently in limbo, the Centre is making a desperate effort to provide it social content. As of now, only 3.5 crore unique identification cards have been issued as against an enrolment of 10 crore people across the country. Matters turned worse when the Reserve Bank of India issued a directive that bank accounts could not be opened on...

The changing stances of the Planning Commission reflect the influence of the political climate. THE short note on the history of the Planning Commission on its website concludes thus: “For the first eight Plans the emphasis was on a growing public sector with massive investments in basic and heavy industries, but since the launch of the Ninth Plan in 1997, the emphasis on the public sector has become less pronounced and...

-PTI The implementation of the Right to Education Act in Bihar hit a roadblock with over 25,000 private schools across the state observing a total strike on Wednesday paralysing teaching works to protest against the state government's bid to 'impose registration' on schools. The strike was called by the Confederation of four school associations -- Independent Schools' Association, Christian Minority Association, Bihar Public Schools and Children Welfare Association and Muslim Education Welfare...

-The Hindustan Times   With India accounting for 58% of all open defecations in the world, the government on Sunday sought active involvement of all parties concerned including women panchayat representatives to sensitise the people in creating awareness about public hygiene. "On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, I would like to mention one such case which is a shame on all of us. No other country in the world where about 60% women...

-The Times of India   Different associations of private schools on Monday gave a call to all the private schools to observe one-day token strike on September 28 in protest against the state government's directive to them for compulsory registration latest by September 30 to ensure implementation of the provisions of Right To Education Act. The Bihar Public School and Children Welfare Association, Private Schools and Children Welfare Association and other associations...