Although MGNREGA has been looked upon with suspicion by the Government, industry as well as the landed farming class for various reasons including inefficiency, leakages, corruption, rise in rural wages, cost escalation etc., a new report reveals that the programme reduced poverty among its participants between 2004-05 and 2011-12 by providing employment. The report entitled Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act: A Catalyst for Rural Transformation has estimated that...

-The Hindu Kerala: 'Vithu Muthal Vipani Vare Vishudhi' launched by Earth Care Foundation to ensure maximum price for farmers and toxin-free food for consumers. The Earth Care Foundation Trust, a non-profitable organisation working for spreading zero-budget farming methods, has launched a project ‘Vithu Muthal Vipani Vare Vishudhi’ in the district on Tuesday aimed at ensuring a steady market for the produces of registered natural farmers. Besides, the trust also aims at giving them...

-The Times of India NEW DELHI: Just four of the 26 persons executed in India since 1991 belonged to the Muslim community, and yet a perception has been created by some media channels in the aftermath of the hanging of Yakub Memon that members of the minority community are being targeted, said government sources. An internal report by the I&B ministry has taken exception to the "tenor of discussion'' in the four...

-DNA Narendra Modi's Swachh Bharat Mission has not only failed at his constituency, Varanasi but also in the nation's capital, Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Swachh Bharat campaign that started a year back hasn't achieved desired goals yet.  In a recent assessment on cleanliness carried out by Union Urban Development Ministry, Modi's own constituency, Varanasi ranked 418 on a list of 476 cities.  Meanwhile, the capital is also on the bottom of the list....

-The Times of India NEW DELHI: Information and broadcasting ministry's notice to four TV channels — Aaj Tak, ABP News, NDTV 24x7 and NDTV India— for their coverage of Yakub Memon's hanging has been slammed by media associations and eminent citizens who see this is an attempt to intimidate and muzzle the media. The channels have been accused of casting aspersions on the integrity of the President and judiciary, inciting violence and...