-The Times of India In a rare move, government on Saturday released a compendium of independent studies on job guarantee scheme — both appreciative and critical of the programme — prompting Prime Minister Manmohan Singhto ask the rural development ministry to fix the issue of delayed payment for workers and minister Jairam Ramesh flagging corruption as a problem.  Top policymakers of UPA gathered at the PM's residence for the release of "MGNREGA...

-The Hindu Business Line DHARMASTHALA, JUNE 23: Chartered Accountants will begin certification of accounts under MGNREGA scheme at village panchayat level from April 2013. Addressing presspersons on the sidelines of the 30-year celebrations of the Shri Kshetra Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) at Dharmasthala in Dakshina Kannada district on Friday, Mr Jairam Ramesh, Union Minister for Rural Development, said that the accounts of the 2012-13 will be audited at village panchayat levels by...

Justice Markandey Katju's prescription for a regulated media regime is a misplaced step that can actually de-democratise the fourth estate. IT is open season on the political class and the news media. But then, again, it's more like a chase of one's own tail. A self-righteous, delusional, Anna-Baba NGO-ised fringe sets out to stigmatise politics and Members of Parliament; the news media salivate at the prospect and rush to provide...

The World Bank's allegations of fraud and corrupt practices in highway projects funded by the multilateral agency could just be the tip of the iceberg. The Bank's report has an annexure of "collateral" evidence showing how contractors produced fake invoices and certificates to get advance from National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The investigation team of World Bank's Institutional Integrity Unit tracked down three companies supplying aggregates (construction material) in Nepal...

-PTI Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh today said about Rs 1 "I am going to announce in Parliament on large scale expansion in the work schedule of MGNREGA by May 8. (Planning Commission member) Mihir Shah-headed expert committee recommendations are accepted (in this regard)," Ramesh said at a press conference here. "One of the important additions is Souchalaya (toilet system), in which Rs 1,200 crore could be allotted, he said and added...