Even though the Central Government agreed to link the wages paid under MG-NREGA to the Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers (CPIAL), it shied away from paying statutory minimum wages in various states of India. Their logic for this: Lack of clarity on who will bear the extra financial burden—the Centre or the states? A letter from the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to UPA and NAC Chairperson Sonia Gandhi dated 31...

The government has begun discussions with Dalit entrepreneurs on what can be done to promote business ventures set up by members of their community. As a part of its discussions with various groups before it finalizes the 12th Plan for 2012-17, the Planning Commission has sought suggestions from the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Dicci), a business group, on what can be done to spur Dalit capitalism, how these...

Since 1947, successive governments have missed innumerable opportunities to put the country on the path of sustained, inclusive growth. Time and again, quixotic ideology has led to meaningless debates, antediluvian policy and inexplicable strangulation of capacity buildup in both physical and social infrastructure. Even today, while the gap between current and projected national demand and supply is well acknowledged, the government continues to drag its feet in creating the policy...

Two years after the Tatas moved out of the Nano compound in Bengal, Singur is set to return to the forefront of a political tug-of-war next week. Chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee will address a public meeting in the area on January 9, and Trinamool Congress will follow suit a few days later. But on the ground, the defiance has mellowed to a murmur. Landowners have given up hope of getting...

Two years after the Tatas moved out of the Nano compound in Bengal, Singur is all set to return to the forefront of a political tug-of-war next week. CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee will address a public meeting in the area on January 9 and Trinamool Congress will follow suit a few days later. However on the ground, the defiance has mellowed to a murmur. Landowners have given up hope of getting their...