-Down to Earth The employment scheme worked as a lifeline for rural Indian households during the COVID-19 pandemic Lack of awareness and complexity of application process hold women back from applying for work under the central government’s Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), according to a recent report. Women beneficiaries struggled to enrol in the scheme, the report suggested. Most of them found enrolling for work a complex and time-consuming process....

-Down to Earth Over 2,000 households surveyed across four states; Massive expansion of work scheme needed to meet demand, finds study  About 39 per cent of all job card holders seeking work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005 did not get a single day of work during the national lockdown imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021. The findings were revealed by a study conducted by Azim...

-Down to Earth The annual rise of material price came after a pause of 2 years because of the pandemic The Centre has increased allocations for materials cost for mid-day meals at schools by 9.6 per cent, after two unprecedented years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The measure, however, is insufficient to protect against rising inflation, stakeholders and experts complained. In absolute figures, the hike translates to a measly 48 paise for a primary...

-Down to Earth Could diversify feedstock basket, help secure long-term sustainability with improved economics  Ethanol-blended petrol is regarded as one of the most acceptable alternative fuel blends for transportation; however, the use of molasses and broken grains for its production raises the question of food vs fuel. Second-generation (2G) bioethanol could help to secure long-term sustainability with improved economics for the Indian biofuel market.   Union Minister of State (Ministry of Science and...

-Down to Earth Funds allocated in July for diesel subsidy haven't reached many farmers yet; irrigation projects needed, say locals The agriculture department of the Bihar government has allocated Rs 100 crore in diesel subsidy October 14, 2022 to help distressed farmers get diesel subsidy.  The plan announced in a public address by the newly appointed agriculture minister of the state, Kumar Sarvajeet, is in line with the state’s action plan to help...