A recent report of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) brings forth the dichotomy between digital divide and India’s transition towards a cashless economy. The rural-urban divide in access to computer and internet is quite stark, according to the report entitled 'Key Indicators of Household Social Consumption on Education in India, July 2017 to June 2018'. The 75th round National Sample Survey (NSS) report on education finds that...
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Chronic gaps in health and justice -Vanita Leah Falcao, KC Sachin and Sabhil Nath Painkra
-The Telegraph There is an urgent need to address chronic delays in Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana payments Malti Devi (name changed) gave birth to her first child in May 2017. She submitted an application for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana three months later. The PMMVY is a Centrally-sponsored conditional cash transfer scheme that guarantees women Rs 5,000 for their first live birth. This amount is disbursed in three instalments during...
More »Less cash economy fails? Currency in circulation zooms 17% in FY19
-PTI Currency in circulation jumped a hefty 17% to Rs 21.10 lakh crore as of March 2019, the Reserve Bank of India said in its annual report for 2019. Mumbai: Despite many an effort to shift to digital payments and usher in a ‘less cash’ economy post-demonetisation, the currency in circulation has jumped by a hefty 17% to Rs 21.10 lakh crore as of March 2019, the Reserve Bank says in its...
More »Civil society activists condemn the statement by Rural Development Minister in Parliament on discontinuation of MGNREGA scheme
-Press statement by NREGA Sangharsh Morcha dated 19 July, 2019 While it is heartening that a discussion on rural development lasted for nine hours in Parliament with important issues on MGNREGA being raised, we are deeply disappointed at the statement of the Rural Development Minister that not only displays a lack of understanding of the program but also betrays the clear anti-poor sentiment of this government. On the central issue of inadequate...
More »A new mandi tax -Harish Damodaran
-The Indian Express A 2 per cent TDS on cash withdrawals beyond Rs 1 crore may hit the farm trade hard. One of the 2019-20 Union Budget’s less-discussed proposals, having significant implications for agricultural trade, is the levy of a 2% TDS (tax deducted at source) on cash withdrawals exceeding Rs 1 crore in a year from any bank account. The levy — aimed at promoting “digital payments” and a “less cash...
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