The Government proposal to make cash transfer in place of food grain to poor families has drawn mixed reactions. Raghuvir Nagar on the western outskirts of Delhi has of late turned into a turf for a war between two schools of thought. The war has not been limited to campaigns and debates and purportedly escalated to the level of allegations, even intimidation, so much so that the Government of the national...

The government's move to make tax evasion a criminal offence has drawn strong criticism from former policymakers and commentators, who say if such a move is implemented it will hurt economic activity, undo years of tax reforms and increase harassment. A panel headed by Central Board of Direct Taxes chairman Prakash Chandra, which held its first meeting on Thursday, will examine the proposal. The proposal appears to have been made because...

* It requires altering the distribution pattern * Permission from Centre needed for procuring additional quantum Implementation of the government decision to enhance the quantity of rice distributed through Public Distribution System outlets may be delayed as altering the distribution pattern followed by the previous administration and meeting the requirement as announced by Chief Minister N. Rangasamy is an arduous task. Immediately after Mr Rangasamy took charge as the Chief Minister on May...

-The Hindu   Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia said on Friday that the 12th Five Year Plan, which commences in 2012, would have to contend with a “severe water crisis.” “The water crisis is even more serious than the energy problem,” Dr. Ahluwalia said at a two-day regional consultation meeting of the southern States. Urging for a political consensus on the adoption of the Public Trust Doctrine in the...

Women speak out fears of resisting deep-seated taboos associated with menstruation, viewed even today as polluting in much of India The status of women in India, despite all the brave talk, remains as precarious as ever. This is, after all, a culture which not just condones, but actively encourages the termination of foetuses determined to be female. Other crimes of violence against women are routine. Can things ever change? We took...