-The Times of India NEW DELHI: There were signs of onion prices falling in CERTain cities on Monday. Similar correction in prices are expected in the next few days as arrival has increased almost two-fold at Asia's largest onion market in Lasalgaon. Similar was the trend in Pimpalgaon and Delhi. Food ministry sources said higher quantity of onion arriving at markets will increase supply across the country in the next few days...

-Down to Earth   Quota for free treatment of economically weaker sections in private hospitals under-utilised; less than half of the children referred from government hospitals get treatment in these places Children from the economically weaker sections (EWS) in Delhi are unable to avail treatment at private hospitals despite the fact that these hospitals have reserved beds and out-patient department facilities for people from EWS category. This is the finding of a survey conducted...

-The Times of India NEW DELHI: In a report on Union government accounts tabled in Parliament last week, the comptroller and auditor general (CAG) has raised serious questions on the government's claim of its expenditure, saying the "integrity of the data provided to audit on Plan expenditure was doubtful". There is huge variation in Plan expenditure as per data maintained by different wings of the government. According to the finance accounts, the...

-The Times of India LUCKNOW: Illegal mining in Uttar Pradesh between 2005-11 caused a loss of Rs 1,400 crore to the exchequer, says a draft report of the comptroller & auditor general. The report, prepared on the activities of state geology and mining directorate, belies state government's claims on checking illegal mining and indicates that illegal mining is widespread. It reveals several procedural gaps in legal quarrying as well. The auditors, who...

-Outlook Various programmes under the National Rural Health Mission are likely to be affected in Uttar Pradesh as the Centre has refused to release funds to the state for 2013-14, citing non-fulfillment of CERTain conditions. According to Union Healthy Ministry officials, the state could not claim its share of funds last year also. The Ministry has refused to release Rs 2,763.43 crore, allocated to UP under the scheme, citing non-fulfillment of...