Anna Hazare’s team today said the Lokpal bill was a “cruel joke” on the country and warned that people would teach the government a lesson after the Gandhian begins his fast at Jantar Mantar from August 16. The group also said the Supreme Court would strike down the legislation as unconstitutional if it kept the Prime Minister out of the ambit of the proposed anti-corruption ombudsman. “It is a deceit on...

-The Indian Express   Chief Minister Raman Singh has said the Cabinet has approved the “Chhattisgarh Auxiliary Armed Police Force Ordinance 2011”, and added that the report has been sent to the governor for his assent. Stating that the new force is being raised keeping in mind Special Police Officers (SPOs), local tribals, who are engaged in anti-Maoist operations, Singh said over 5,000 SPOs will be inducted into the unit, which will...

-PTI   Maoists have indicated their willingness for talks with the West Bengal government for lasting peace in tribal 'junglemahal' area, a human rights activist engaged in parleys with the Naxals said on Friday. "There are many stakeholders in junglemahal who are willing to talk to the state government... The government has already initiated some positive steps and is willing to talk (with the Maoists)," Sujato Bhadra, who was among a six-member...

The UPA government has decided to consult all the Chief Ministers, political parties and other stakeholders after posting on the web the draft land acquisition and rehabilitation and resettlement Bill by Saturday. Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh told journalists he would be sending a copy of the draft legislation to all the Chief Ministers and seek their comments. He will also be conferring with some of them personally. Mr. Ramesh...

While Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi is on Bharat Bhraman assuring Dalits, tribals and other unprivileged their share in growth, rural development minister Jairam Ramesh has tasked himself with ensuring party scion’s mark in the government policy. Livelihood compensation for displaced landless on a par with landowners, share in the price appreciation of land with the project, acquisition in strict accordance with the tribal and forest dwellers acts are the...