‘No further funds for the job scheme if norms are not met' Several States, activists oppose new provisions Financial proposals now to be made online The Centre has made construction of the controversial Bharat Nirman Rajiv Gandhi Sewa Kendra mandatory out of funds earmarked for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and warned that States which fail to do so will not receive any money under the scheme which...
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Rural job scheme shines in Maoist districts by Cithara Paul
They may be at the bottom of all social indicators but most Naxalite-affected districts have better scores to show in the rural job scheme than areas that are not under the insurgency shadow. The main reason was better implementation, the direct result of the resolve by the state and central governments to counter the influence of the rebels through a development surge. The other reason, rarely stated but tacitly acknowledged, is...
More »Sonia against cut in PDS kerosene allocation
Never mind the Kirit Parikh committee's proposal for a 20% reduction in pan-India allocation of subsidised kerosene to stem oil companies' under-recoveries, the UPA government might do just the opposite. It is mulling not only the retention of the commodity—used by a vast segment of rural India for lighting—in the targeted public distribution system (TPDS) but also introduction of another item: edible oil. Even as she is about to take over...
More »Fresh hopes over food security
The June 1 announcement by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, while releasing the Report Card for the first year of the second term of the United Progressive Alliance Government, that the Food Security Bill was under preparation and that the Bill would be placed in the public domain for scrutiny and wider consultation has raised hopes about early enactment of the law to ensure the people's right to food as part...
More »Population, incomes tilt India towards food imports
India's anxiety over erratic monsoon rains will become more acute as rising incomes and a growing population push up demand for farmed produce faster than supply, turning the nation into a major importer within 5 years. Forecasts of a normal monsoon this year have stirred hopes for smooth supplies and low inflation, reversing setbacks from last year's poor rains. But the country must boost yields if it is to feed...
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