The life and properties of tribals are under serious threat from existing model of developmental in the country and, therefore, they need to jointly fight against the forces that exploit the natural resources for economic growth of the corporate houses. This was the gist of the deliberations among 250 delegates representing tribal groups from nine states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and West...

AIDWA wants Planning Commission proposal immediately withdrawn The Planning Commission's proposal for relaxing the ban on sex determination tests has evoked sharp reactions, both for and against. The proposal envisages relaxing the rules for sex determination in foetus but giving incentives to stakeholders and mothers, if it is a girl child, to ensure safe delivery. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) chairperson Shantha Sinha says the government should ensure the...

-The Pioneer   Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take part in Beti Bachao campaign. In a quasi-official letter in this connection, Chouhan has given details about the campaign and appealed to him to take part in it. Chouhan has informed in his letter that the Beti Bachao campaign is being run in Madhya Pradesh since October 5 with a view to improving girls’...

As sex ratio worsens, Plan panel makes taboo proposal As the first line of defence against female foeticide, sex determination tests on pregnant women have been illegal in India for years. But in what could end up as a major policy shift, the Planning Commission is proposing relaxing the ban for rural areas as part of a programme of “adopting” female foetuses and generously incentivising families and health workers to ensure the...

-The Times of India   The president of Keeripatti Panchayat, P Baluchamy, who alleged that he was being prevented from contesting the upcoming civic poll, plans to begin his campaign under police protection on Friday. Baluchamy, who claims to have carried out works to the tune of Rs three crore in this economically-backward village, says it is unfair that people (read non-dalits) are trying to stop him from becoming president again despite...