In civil servant-run Gram Panchayats, spending is 62 per cent more strongly correlated with men's preferences than women's. These representation gaps widen when politicians allocate spending.
A local environmentalist and Pratapgarh officials used MGNREGA funds to mobilise 30,000 residents to revitalise the 28-km Sakarni River in Uttar Pradesh.
Gradual increase in number of women seeking work under scheme attributed to involvement of women SHGs, horticulture related jobs, and 'women mates' who supervise MGNREGS works.
The highlight of Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2022-23 is that the share of rural households' expenditure on cereals has fallen below 10% for the first time.
While activists also say the number of work days should be increased, they stressed it could be done only if adequate funds were allocated for the scheme.
Over 170 districts in India don't have an ombudsperson, a mandatory requirement under the job guarantee scheme. In some states, 1 ombudsperson allotted for 2 districts, it is learnt.
'Unnati' initiative was launched in December 2019 with aim to train 2 lakh workers registered under MGNREGS by March 2022. Earlier this year, the deadline was extended to March 2025.
Six months into FY24, many states have either exceeded or sanctioned over 90% of their work days under programme, it is learnt. Some have also sought review of their labour budget.
A dedicated fund for start-ups in rural India is a much-needed thrust but Budget 2023 has unexpectedly slashed allocation to the agriculture ministry and reduced funds for MGNREGA by 33%.
Growth next year is expected to slow down due to global headwinds & fading of favourable base effect. Budget must put economy on sustained growth path, consider spending priorities.
Indian cuisine is rooted in fresh ingredients, rich spices with antimicrobial properties, and time-tested cooking methods. We are not a freeze-and-serve fast food nation.
In Episode 1544 of CutTheClutter, Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta looks at some top economists pointing to the pitfalls of ‘currency nationalism’ with data from 1991 to 2004.
The decorated Naga officer from Manipur also served as envoy to Myanmar & Nagaland chief secy. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a museum dedicated to the Tawang hero Thursday.
While we talk much about our military, we don’t put our national wallet where our mouth is. Nobody is saying we should double our defence spending, but current declining trend must be reversed.
Thats not democratic