Move comes almost a year after Centre made digital capturing of attendance under MGNREGS universal. Aim is to weed out ghost beneficiaries and reduce financial irregularities.
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.
The launch of Bharat Dal and Bharat Atta shows that the government is worried about the distress people are facing. It has no choice but to take action.
'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.
LibTech India analysed MGNREGS data for first 6 months of this fiscal & found net deletion of 80 lakh workers' names. Deletions highest in UP, while poll-bound Telangana saw increase.
Activists representing workers' groups, who opposed slashing of MGNREGS budget, allege govt trying to phase out programme that guarantees minimum 100 days of paid work to rural families.
Rural Development ministry decided against extending deadline for 3rd time. With 19% workers still to be linked, activists fear the move may result in deletion of job cards.
West Bengal (83.36 lakh) saw the highest number of name deletions under MGNREGS in 2022-23, followed by Andhra (78.05 lakh), Odisha (77.78 lakh), Bihar (76.68 lakh) and UP (62.98 lakh).
Currently, all information regarding projects is manually maintained by engineers. Rural development ministry has held talks with private firms, IITs, IIITs, it is learnt.
The US military operation in Venezuela raises global concern. Experts say that Trump’s action could weaken global legal standards and fuel geopolitical instability.
The latest comment comes as New Delhi and Washington have yet to sign a trade agreement. India’s purchase of Russian oil has reduced, but Moscow remains top source for crude.
If deal goes through, Greece will be 2nd foreign country to procure vehicle. Morocco was first; TATA Group has set up manufacturing unit there with minimum 30 percent indigenous content.
Many of you might think I got something so wrong in National Interest pieces written this year. I might disagree! But some deserve a Mea Culpa. I’d deal with the most recent this week.
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