-The Hindu Chennai: The launch of bio-metric scanner to obtain fingerprint impressions of people involved in land transactions and installation of cameras in sub-registrar offices has already speeded up the registration process. Officials of the Registration Department expect the initiatives to usher in transparency and eliminate fake land deals. The new initiatives were launched last November across the State as part of steps to boost e-governance. Unlike earlier when people had to...

-The Times of India BANGALORE: In a blow to government employees, including those who have retired, the Central Government Health Service has announced withdrawal of cashless medical service in private hospitals empanelled with the CGHS scheme from March 7. Patients will henceforth have to cough up hospital charges and later claim the amount from the government, according to the new rule. The move will affect 50 lakh serving employees and over 30...

-The Guardian International Monetary Fund paper dismisses rightwing argument that redistributing incomes is self-defeating   The International Monetary Fund has backed economists who argue that inequality is a drag on growth in a discussion paper that has also dismissed rightwing theories that efforts to redistribute incomes are self-defeating. The Washington-based organisation, which advises governments on sustainable growth, said countries with high levels of inequality suffered lower growth than nations that distributed incomes more evenly. Backing...

-The Times of India LUCKNOW: Learning a lesson from the lavish anniversary bash of the United Progressive Alliance, which had a number of exquisite food items, the Aam Aadmi Party decided to invest less on food items served during the December 28, 2013 swearing-in ceremony of Arvind Kejriwal held at Delhi's Ramlila Ground, and settled for Rs 405 per head, while the overall expenses stood at Rs 6,33,802. This is in stark...

-Outlook For every rupee in government kitty, as much as one-fourth will come from market borrowing in 2014-15, lower than the current fiscal ending March 31. The government's dependence on debt has come down from 27 paise in the previous Budget to 25 paise in the coming year, reflecting ease of pressure on revenue collections. As per the proposals presented today by Finance Minister P Chidambaram in the interim Budget, net borrowings of...