The accusation of ‘coercive' practices to recover the loans has been laid at the doors of some leading players Micro Finance institutions (MFIs) that are for profits are in the news for the wrong reasons. The ‘for profit' MFIs have grown spectacularly in recent times. But along with the large profits have come allegations of sharp practices. In Andhra Pradesh, where such MFIs have a sizable presence, the climate has now drastically...

It is the latest face off between Sonia Gandhi led National Advisory Council and Manmohan Singh led UPA government. The Council and the Rural Development Ministry have come to blows over what should be the minimum wage under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. The NAC's resolution that endorses the urgent need for increasing wages is in direct conflict with the position taken by the Rural Developemnt Ministry. At the heart...

A temple dedicated to 'Goddess English' coming up in nondescript Banka village of Lakhimpur Kheri district is facing trouble with the builders of the structure alleging that the police has asked them to stop its construction. "Local police led by Uchauliya police station in-charge today asked our workers to stop construction work by citing a Supreme court ruling that no place of worship can be installed without prior permission of the...

The Rs 51,000-crore Posco steel project in Orissa, that has been delayed for five years, faces the prospect of getting delayed further. The ministry of tribal affairs is now looking at the possibility of whether the South Korean steel project, which also represents the largest foreign direct investment (FDI) in India so far, has actually encroached into the land owned by tribals. The Union ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) has...

The state government is likely to file a special leave petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court on October 29 Challenging  the judgement  of  the Orissa High Court to set aside recommendation of prospecting license (PL) in favour of Posco  . As per section 11 (5) of Mining and Minerals Development and Regulation (MMDR) Act, the state government  will  urge the Apex court to lease out Khandadhar mines on the basis of...