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.
Employment in India rose from 394.6 million in August to 404.2 million in September, and while the numbers are still below pre-Covid levels, the increase is encouraging.
The BJP is working to address the post-Covid unemployment crisis in the state that could mar its prospects in the assembly elections scheduled for later this year.
In pre-budget meet with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, BMS calls for income tax exemption for senior citizens, constant interest rates for FD schemes.
Social justice ministry noted that its field report indicated a deepening of caste division within village communities over segregation of workers into SCs, STs and others.
Rural ministry statement comes week after a report in ThePrint highlighted problems being created by caste-based salary disbursal under MGNREGA among workers in Karnataka.
The last time this matter flared up was when Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, in a very similar directive in April, called for the relocation of stray dogs in the capital.
Finance ministry says the proposed revamp will focus on structural reforms, rate rationalisation & ease of living, & will be deliberated upon in the coming weeks.
The project is meant to be a ‘protective shield that will keep expanding’, the PM said. It is on the lines of the ‘Golden Dome’ announced by Trump, it is learnt.
Now that both IAF and PAF have made formal claims of having shot down the other’s aircraft in the 87-hour war in May, we can ask a larger question: do such numbers really matter?
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