Venkaiah moots SHGs in all villages in 3 years
Union minister for rural development M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said his ministry had planned to set up one self-help group (SHG) in each village in the country within three years. Speaking after the launching of support to training and employment programme at Anhaneyapuram, about 25 km from Tirupati, at …
World bank to probe conduct of economist after critical article.
The World bank has launched a disciplinary investigation into the conduct of one of its most published economists, William Easterly, after printed in the Financial Times. In it he said the $1000bn spent on aid to developing countries, with the help of the International Monetary Fund and World bank, have …
A wave of Narmada dam protests
The Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) has taken its struggle against the Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) to the national capital. The dam-affected people, mobilised by the NBA, staged a weeklong dharna from November 11, first at Raj Ghat, the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi, and later at the Parade Ground behind the …
Call to link loans with rights
The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund should integrate human rights considerations into their loan packages, Human Rights Watch, the US-based advocacy group, said. The group said in its 2001 world report that the institutions should condition loans on the creation of national institutions to enforce human rights and …
Metros to adopt Euro III norms by April 2005
After the auto policy, the government is considering the adoption of a radical auto fuel policy. Under it, the seven metros would embrace Euro III auto emission norms by April 2005, while the rest of the country would adopt Bharat II standards.
World Bank sees developing-nation growth
Developing countries are likely to enjoy health growth over the next decade, but the risk of a U.S. recession has darkened their immediate outlook, says a new World Bank report. Although the Bank still projects a gentle slowing of U.S. economic activity, officials there fear the nation's huge trade deficit …
World Bank to fund MP rural development project
The World Bank and the ministry of finance today signed a $110.1 million project for the rural poor in Madhya Pradesh. The programme, to be known as the Madhya Pradesh District Poverty Initiative Project, is part of the new series of lending opertions of the World Bank that seeks to …
Making gram sabhas work
The Government of India declared 1999-2000 as the "year of the Gram Sabha". All chief ministers were issued a circular dated 17-3-1999 by the Union Minister of State for Rural Areas and Employment soliciting active support and positive action in realising true democratic decentralisation at the lowest rungs of soceity.The …
WTO set to admit China
China will clear the final hurdle for admission into the World Trade Organization late next week, with Taiwan receiving approval for membership the following day, sources close to the negotiations said. The Geneva-based trade organization's working group on China is expected to approve the country's membership application on Sept 13.
Legal battle looms over protests in Washington
A legal battle is brewing over demonstrations at this month's meeting of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank as protesters contest police plans to cordon off the centre of Washington DC.
HP village is India's richest
Thanks to apple produce, two villages in upper Shimla - Baaghi and Kiary - are competing with each other for highest per capital income in the country. At present, Baghi village in Kotkhai tops the list with annual income of this village of 40 families running to about 6 crore …
Model village scheme
As part of its rural community outreach program, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital along with the FICCI (Socio-Economic Development Forum) today launched its first total community development programme for Jasola village. The programme entails the adoption of the village and forming a comprehensive multi-tiered development model which incorporates adult continuing literacy, child …
World to face major water shortage by 2025
According to a report, "Running on Empty," by British-based development agency, 'Tearfund', two out of three people in the world will face water shortages by 2025. The supply of freshwater is finite, but demand is soaring. By 2025, when world population is expected to be 8 billion, 48 countries with …
India think-tank gives a serious subject comic appeal
Frustrated at the failure of India's government and opposition to argue the case for economic reforms they both advocate in theory, one of the country's leading think-tanks has taken to the streets-with comics. The Rajiv Gandhi Foundation has just launched the first in a didactic series aimed at persuading ordinary …
UP has done little to reduce poverty
World Bank : Fiscal crisis, frequent changes in government and poor governance are reasons behind the disturbing high-level of poverty in Uttar Pradesh, a World Bank report said.
State set to steal Andhra's thunder on e-governance front
Andhra Pradesh and Chandrababu Naidu may have a headstart over other states in the digital age, but Gujarat may have the last laugh when it implements a major e-governance project about a month. The first phase of the ambitious Gujarat State Wide Area Network (GSWAN) project, connecting all district collectors …
Gulbarga becomes first to get human development index
Gulbarga has earned the distinction of being the first district in the country to have a District Human Development Index, which would take the taluk as a units. The study has been taken up by the State government with assistance from the World Bank.
Package for North-east
The Centre has increased the Prime Minister's special package for socio-economic development of the north-eastern region to a total of Rs. 12,390 crores, signaling a raise by Rs. 2,119 crores this year.
