The countrywide share of corporate retail in food distribution tripled in the past four years when retail food prices showed the greatest increase. THE dramatic increase in food inflation over the past two years has been associated with several surprises. One major surprise has been how the top economic policymakers in the country have responded to it. The initial response was one of apparent disbelief, followed very quickly by the...
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30% pay hike for workers under NREGS
The Central government has revised wages of agricultural labourers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. The new wages are based on the consumer price index (CPI), as suggested by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and are retrospectively effective from January 1, 2011. Linking wages to CPI has enhanced them from 17% to 30%. The revised salaries will benefit over 50 million people across India. The base wage, which was...
More »Scheme hits agriculture
The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) may have revolutionised rural households in more ways than one but on the flip side the UPA government’s flagship scheme has affected agricultural production. Reports on the “negative influence” of NREGA have poured in from every nook and cranny of Meghalaya though the scheme aims to enhance the livelihood and security of people in rural areas by guaranteeing 100 days of wage-employment in a...
More »Plan to link NREGA wages to inflation hits CP Joshi wall by Priyadarshi Siddhanta
Rural Development Minister CP Joshi has refused to move on a proposal by the Planning Commission to link wages under the national job guarantee scheme to the consumer price index. In fact, the Plan panel’s proposal was echoed by the National Advisory Council chaired by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.In a presentation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh recently, the Planning Commission made a strong case for aligning the wage levels to...
More »CPI(M) Calls Adivasi Conference, AVP Calls Bandh
CPI(M) will organise a two-day state level adivasi conference at Malbazar in Jalpaiguri district from December 28. But adivasis under the aegis of Adivasi Vikas Parishad have given a call for a 2-day bandh coinciding with the conference. John Berla, president of Adivasi Vikas Parishad, told newsmen here yesterday that the CPI(M) had not given attention to the plight of tea garden labourers, distribution of patta to tribals, proving education facilities in...
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