The ambitious plans of another charity of the Satyam founder, the Health Management Research Institute, in partnership with the Andhra Pradesh government, are under scrutiny.
Despite its success, EMRI is as much under a cloud today as its founder Ramalinga Raju, with a public interest litigation in the Supreme Court questioning the way he got 12 state governments to implement it and reimburse 95 per cent of its expenses. The key issue is that the states entrusted Rs 18 billion annually (if 10,000 vans are to run in all the states by next year) to a private company without going through a transparent selection procedure.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit says in an interview that the Centre can continue to handle the city's law and order situation but should reform the police system.
British Telecom's sustainability index aims to rank Indian companies according to their corporate social responsibility initiatives, says Sreelatha Menon.
The policy also asks for a suitable accreditation machinery to recognise institutions, professionals and services related to safety, health and environment at workplace.
Jean Dreze, who is also member of the Central Employment Guarantee Council, Ritika Khera and Anirban Kar - all from the Delhi School of Economics -- have pointed out that though bank payment of wages is seen as a magic solution to delayed payment and non-payment of wages under the Rs 25,000-crore (Rs 250-billion) scheme, making bank payments mandatory is a step taken without necessary precautions.
'Sweetheart' and 'darling' have been Sheila Dikshit's favourite words for decades -- they go well with her trademark warm, grandmotherly smile. And now, the capital has reciprocated. Dikshit has become the 'darling of Delhi'.On December 8, she became the only chief minister of Delhi to enter into a third successive term. In the 123-year history of the Congress, she is the third chief minister to have this record.
At least seven Bills initiated by the labour ministry are awaiting Parliament's nod, but just one - the Unorganised Sector Workers Social Security Bill - has been listed for the House session beginning on Wednesday.
India's diamond cutting and polishing industry fails to see logic in adhering to the ban on trade in diamonds used for funding conflicts.
"Some powers of the state police have to be taken over by the proposed central agency to function. This will require changes in state laws and also some central laws. If we go for a constitutional amendment, the Bill can take care of all related changes," said a top UPA minister.
United Way, an alliance of MNCs and social agents, works on a belief that philanthropy finds new ways of giving in times of economic distress, says Sreelatha Menon.
The finance ministry has appointed a Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority, which will soon roll out a National Pension Scheme for the informal sector or for whoever wants to join.
A new government plan aims to multiply the number of skill development centres and the number of people who get vocational training.
Private security industry is now five-million strong, but lack of rules ensures that the guards are exploited, says a report by trade unions.
India is yet to devise a government mechanism to compensate those who live atop mineral-rich areas in Orissa, Chattisgarh and Jharkhand, says Sreelatha Menon.
State Bank of India alone has extended a majority of the 1,900 loans. The National Housing Bank, which developed the scheme that is meant for people aged above 55 years, feels that the poor show is due to the lack of awareness among senior citizens, who number stands at 76 million according to the 2001 census data, and lack of enthusiasm on the part of the banks.
The minimum wage of Rs 80, which is applicable to central public sector undertakings, will see a 30 to 40 per cent jump in a single year once the changes are notified. The decision to hike the minimum wage level was taken by the Central Advisory Board at its meeting chaired by Minister for Labour and Employment Oscar Fernandes last week. The National Floor Level Minimum Wage of Rs 80 is likely to cross Rs 100 once the notification is issued.
Central officials said despite many enquiries by the ministry about the condition of the embankments, the state government kept silent. It did not bother to inform the ministry even when the embankments gave way, they said. In fact, the Bihar water resources department's daily newsletter said a day before the breach that the embankments were standing strong, officials said.
Increased bank interest rates and new capital adequacy norms of the Reserve Bank of India will soon weigh heavily on the poorest of the poor as microfinance institutions are also contemplating raising interest rates.
The ruling coalition, which survived the confidence vote in Parliament on Tuesday, is aiming to cover 60 million households (or about 300 million people) across the country in the next five years under the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana, which it announced last year. Already, 300-odd patients insured under the scheme have availed of this facility in various listed hospitals in Delhi and Haryana.
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