Make State a role model: Manmohan
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has advised Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy to convert the State into a role model for others in strengthening the rural economy.The Prime Minister was particularly happy at the prospects of the rural economy scaling new heights with the proposed interlinking of Godavari and Krishna rivers.When …
Employment Bill falls short of expectations
The Government introduced a Bill in the Lok Sabha, to guarantee the rural poor 100 days of employment every financial year. However, the Bill fell short of the expectations of those hoping for a full-fledged employment guarantee Act. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Bill, 2004, specifies that if the applicant …
Government asked to expedite work on 7 World Bank-aided projects
The World Bank has asked Pakistan to speed up execution of seven projects funded by it, noticing slowly progress due to some regulatory problems. They said that these projects were Trade Transport Facilitation project, HIV/Aids Prevention project, National Education Assessment System (NEAS), National Highway Rehabilitation, Public Sector Capacity Building, Azad …
Equality of opportunity still elusive: World Bank
The World Bank has come out with a three-pronged strategy to combat inequity and promote development. The strategy includes investing in people; expanding access to justice; and promoting fairness in financial, labour and product markets. World Development Report 2006, which focuses on
Kalam outlines 7-point action plan for auditors
The President, Mr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, came up with a seven-point action plan for the members of the Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG), with specific emphasis on online near real time audits. Inaugurating the 23rd biennial conference of Accountants-General, Mr Kalam asked the CAG to establish a secured e-governance grid with …
WB development report advocates safety net for poor
The World Bank's World Development Report 2006 favours inclusive growth to ensure that the poor have access to health, education and safety nets. The report, titled 'Equity and Development', says growth will reduce poverty in an equitable structure, and hence improve access to justice, and infrastructure like roads, power, water, …
Govt vows to add land to Lal Dora
Government assured the Assembly that it would soon take up the task of extending borders of 340-odd villages in Lal Dora under provisions of the Land Reforms Act. The assurances came at the end of a heated discussion in the Assembly on extension of village boundaries. The discussion digressed to …
Keralas plan outlay for next financial year at Rs 5,369 cr
The Centre pegged Kerala's annual plan outlay for the financial year 2005-06 at Rs 5,369 crore, an increase of about 9% over last year, chief minister Oommen Chandy said. The annual plan size for the cash-strapped state was finalised during a meeting Mr Chandy and finance minister Vakkom Purushothman had …
Plan outlay for State fixed at Rs 5,369 cr
The Planning Commission fixed Rs 5,369 crore as the annual Plan size for Kerala for 2005-06. The decision was taken at the discussion Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had with Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahuluwalia here. Last year's Plan allocation for the state was Rs 4,800 crore. The outlays …
Of poor Gujarat and rich Bihar
India's poorest district is neither in Orissa nor in Bihar. It is Dangs in rich Gujarat. The state has two more districts that figure in the list of the 20 poorest districts of the country. Contrary to general perception, no district from Bihar finds a mention in the list. The …
$325 mn World Bank loan for Maharashtra
World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz today had a series of meetings with top finance ministry and Planning Commission officials during which the government projected a funding requirement higher than $3 billion per year
Neglected by CPWD, ravaged by cattle
Maintained by the Central Public Works Department the park has an area of 75 acres, apart an area of 75 acres, apart from the forest range bordering it which is maintained by forest officials. Landscaped in the traditional sense with a canal in the midst of the park to nourish …
`Statistics-planning synergy vital for economic growth`
The Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation, Mr Oscar Fernandes, has called for synergy between statisticians and planners, as it is vital for economic growth. Releasing the results of the 58th round of the National Sample Survey (NSS) here on Friday while inaugurating a seminar on its outcome, Mr Fernandes …
`Curb corruption to kill poverty in sub-continent`
The con and racket that goes in the name of welfare schemes is common knowledge. But now there is a report quantifying it. The Independent South Asian Commission on Poverty Alleviation (ISACPA) says poverty in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan can be reduced by 25% if they can curb existing corruption …
`Govt. claims on achievements lofty`
The policy formulation, declarations and achievements of the Government in the context of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were examined in a report released in Jaipur on Saturday with the observation that the rural areas were witnessing a "severe crisis" depicted by starvation deaths, farmers' suicides and migration …
Reforms hit jobs in rural areas: study
In the post-reforms period, both male and female workforce participation rates (WPR) have seen a decline in rural areas while they have improved in urban areas. A study on worker participation rates based on the 2001 census data by professor Arup Mitra of the Institute of Economic Growth (IEG) and …
Govt plans housing for urban poor
Buoyed by the success of co-operative housing for the middle class, the government now wants to do the same for the urban poor. And if this works out,
Govt uses 7-yr-old BPL base for pro-poor schemes
The Central government is going ahead with a seven-year-old census on below poverty line (BPL) population as the base for doling out benefits to rural poor. In fact, the UPA government has given a major thrust to rural development and nearly Rs 9,000 cr will be earmarked every year for …
World Bank to double aid to India
World Bank chief Paul Wolfowitz is reaching here on Friday amidst hopes that the international organisation will double its assistance to India.In New Delhi, Mr Wolfowitz will be holding talks with top Indian leaders including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, finance minister P Chidambaram and Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh …
Finance panel tilts balance towards grants for states
The Twelfth Finance Commission report on sharing of taxes between the Centre and states for 2005-10 on Friday was submitted to President APJ Abdul Kalam. "We have addressed all the issues mentioned in the terms of reference
