Hyderabad, Feb 13 (IANS) The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, enacted in 2005, may be destroying enterprise in rural areas and creating an army of unskilled labourers unfit for employment elsewhere, finds a new study. The study, undertaken in 100 villages of Medak district in Andhra Pradesh and funded by the Consultative Group to Assist the Poorest (CGAP) of the World Bank and Ford Foundation revealed that casual labour, which the rural employment guarantee scheme is creating, may deter long-term growth. While describing MGNREGA as a good scheme to put money into the hands of the very poor in the short run, the study advocated the need to implement it in a way that does not hamper enterprise.
New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) Police Wednesday told the Delhi High Court to continue the ban on media access to the trial in the Dec 16, 2012 Delhi gang-rape case.
New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) The central government Wednesday informed the Delhi High Court that the Right to Education (RTE) law did not apply to nursery admissions and a state government may have its own policies for this class.
New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) The Supreme Court Wednesday sought the names of officers of the CBI, Income Tax department and Enforcement Directorate who would scan the transcripts of former corporate lobbyist Niira Radia's telephone intercepts. The investigators would ascertain if there was anything in the transcripts that attracted action under law. The apex court bench of Justice G.S.
New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) Amnesty India has set up a unique phone line for women across India to call and express their views or to vent their ire on the issue of sexual violence or gender discrimination. Part of the 'One Billion Rising' campaign, which aims to unite people across the globe to fight violence against women, the number 092437-23939 can be used to know more about the campaign and to raise one's voice on gender violence, said a statement
New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) Amnesty India has set up a unique phone number for women to express their experiences, thoughts and even their anger in a "world that does not always treat them fairly". One in every three women on the planet will be victims of sexual violence or gender discrimination in their lifetime, Amnesty said Wednesday, urging Indian women to raise their voices and speak out against sexual violence. The number 092437-23939, it said, "is also an opportunity for men to stand up in solidarity to women and take a vow to do their bit to end violence against women"
New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) The Congress-led UPA government hopes to introduce and pass the National Food Security Bill in parliament's Budget Session starting Feb 21, a minister said Wednesday. The food bill is expected to give right to food to around 67 percent of India's 1.2 billion population. Food Minister
Moscow, Feb 13 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, has approved a bill banning smoking in public places. The ban, which takes effect June 1, was passed by a 441 to one vote
Moscow, Feb 13 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russian President Vladimir Putin has submitted a bill to the State Duma prohibiting officials from holding bank accounts abroad or owning foreign-issued shares and bonds. The ban applies to people holding government positions, the prosecutor general's deputies, members of the Central Bank's board of directors, federal civil servants and officials at state-run corporations, foundations and other organisations established under federal law, who can only be appointed or dismissed from their posts by the president, government or the prosecutor general, the president's bill says. Putin and the government have had their sights on officials' foreign assets for some time, as part of the wider effort to stamp out rampant corruption in the country
Moscow, Feb 13 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Special volunteer patrols will be created in Moscow to assist the Federal Migration Service (FMS) with enforcing immigration rules, a top official has said. Alexei Mayorov, head of the Moscow city government regional security department, said the volunteer groups will help monitor compliance with immigration laws, legitimacy of migrants' residence and employment permits, participate in city patrols, check documents and detain illegal migrants together with FMS officers. Checks will be conducted on a daily basis at construction sites, outdoor markets, railway terminals and other spots across the city that are popular with migrants, Mayorov said
