Even though the Central Government agreed to link the wages paid under MG-NREGA to the Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers (CPIAL), it shied away from paying statutory minimum wages in various states of India. Their logic for this: Lack of clarity on who will bear the extra financial burden—the Centre or the states? A letter from the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to UPA and NAC Chairperson Sonia Gandhi dated 31...
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Mahasweta Devi seeks Binayak's release
Members of ‘Bandi Mukti Committee' — a human rights organisation — and a section of the city's intelligentsia demanded the immediate and unconditional release of renowned physician Binayak Sen here on Thursday. Dr. Sen was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Raipur sessions court on December 24 last year on sedition charges. Criticising the way Dr. Sen's lawyer was not allowed to give explanation supporting his client after the judgement, Magsaysay Award-winning...
More »Dalit women's aspirations brought home impact of 'double discrimination'
Emily Esplen visited a community in Dhaka where inspiring community organisers are showing change is possible When I met members of the Dalit Women's Forum in Dhaka last month, they told me about the changes they want to see in their lives and communities. They want their daughters to go to school and stay in school. They want privacy and security when bathing in communal areas. They want health care and...
More »'RTI activism full of danger'
At tribute meet for slain info activist Satish Shetty on death anniversary, his brother says he will not take up RTI as his life's mission as it's a lone and dangerous battle "MY brother was a courageous RTI activist, but I will not continue his mission and become one," said Sandeep, younger brother of Satish Shetty. He was speaking at a public meeting in the city yesterday to pay tribute...
More »Prisoner of conscience by V Venkatesan & Ajoy Ashirwad Mahaprashasta
The trial court judgment holding Binayak Sen guilty of sedition has led to widespread outrage. IN India's legal history, no trial court judgment in a criminal case has perhaps caused as much international outrage as the December 24, 2010, judgment of the Second Additional District and Sessions Judge of Raipur, B.P. Verma, did. In his 92-page judgment, Judge Verma convicted Dr Binayak Sen, the well-known human rights activist and medical...
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