-The Hindu    Will not just help provide livelihood, but also protect land The Congress-led government in Rajasthan has taken up development of pasTure land in tribal-dominated Udaipur region under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) by involving a voluntary organisation in the work. The project has been launched in Chhali and Amleta villages of Udaipur district. Inaugurating the project at the two remote villages this past weekend, State Rural Development...

The members of Bhartiya Kisan Union on Tuesday threatened to take a six-month holiday every year for 10 years from framing if the government fails to take note of the hardship faced by farmers over rising prices and acquisition of farm land for commercial activity. Rakesh Tikait of Uttar Pradesh said with increasing input costs, farmers were finding it difficult to cultivate round the year. “If the government does not pay...

The Union government's desire to give the Lokpal constitutional status will not in any way delay the proposed legislation on the subject, Law Minister Salman Khursheed said on Tuesday. Expressing surprise at the response of the Opposition and Team Anna — that it was a delaying tactic — he said that while the government was totally committed to getting the Bill passed, eventually it was the responsibility of Parliament to...

With the focus now on the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, scheduled for early next year, the Congress led-UPA government has once again displayed its keenness to position itself with the agitating farmers by trying to ensure the passage of the Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill during the winter session of Parliament. Assuming that the Parliamentary Standing Committee attached to his department is likely to give all stakeholders a fair...

-The Hindu   No talks were held on Tuesday between the management and the striking workers of Maruti Suzuki India Limited's Manesar plant following the management's decision to go ahead with internal inquiries against three office-bearers of the unrecognised union that the workers have named Maruti Suzuki Employees' Union. However, negotiations between the striking workers of Suzuki Powertrain India Limited and that company's management continued for the second successive day on Tuesday. Workers of...