Asit Ranjan Mishra &Amp; Sreelatha Menon In New Delhi

Stories by Asit Ranjan Mishra &Amp; Sreelatha Menon In New Delhi

RBI report on states' finance draws flak

RBI report on states' finance draws flak

Rediff.com   24 Dec 2007

The Reserve Bank of India's observation that developmental expenditure in better-off states like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa is declining as a percentage of gross state domestic product (GSDP), whereas such expenditure is rising in underdeveloped states like Bihar and Jharkhand, has invited criticism from analysts.

In search of clean energy

In search of clean energy

Rediff.com   24 Dec 2007

The main "culprit" for CO2 emissions is coal-based energy which has 24 per cent share in India's emissions and 41 per cent worldwide. While coal accounts for 25 per cent of energy, the role of renewables is 13 per cent. Of these, wind, solar and bio masses contribute just 4.1 per cent.

Commission may do away with Plan, non-Plan divide

Commission may do away with Plan, non-Plan divide

Rediff.com   15 Dec 2007

Government funds spent on productive asset creation through programmes and schemes are termed "Plan" expenditure, while "non-Plan" is a generic term that refers to all expenditure (including establishment and maintenance activities) of the government not included in the Plan.

Ogilvy takes sports to villages

Ogilvy takes sports to villages

Rediff.com   11 Dec 2007

Ogilvy has signed on with the Madhya Pradesh sports department to pump up an awareness drive about the sports centres or the Grameen Yuva Kendras among the villagers. But, for Ogilvy, the drive stretches beyond the villages into the ears of the industry.

GDP growth in Q2 may fall below 9%

GDP growth in Q2 may fall below 9%

Rediff.com   30 Nov 2007

A relatively slow performance by the industrial sector and a high base effect may slow down gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the second quarter (July-September) of fiscal 2007-08 to below 9 per cent, feel analysts.

The laptop schools of Mewat

The laptop schools of Mewat

Rediff.com   28 Nov 2007

These schools bring literacy to women in a one-month course.

Montek blows hot on climate change recipe

Montek blows hot on climate change recipe

Rediff.com   28 Nov 2007

He rejected the recommendation of the report that "major emitters" in developing countries should aim at an emission trajectory that peaks in 2020 and leads to a 20 per cent cut by 2050.

India a new hub for climate change research

India a new hub for climate change research

Rediff.com   23 Nov 2007

The DEFRA project with MoEF is yet to identify a research institute in India and the bidding process is to start now, Coyne added. However some green groups in India look at this rush for climate change research in India as a ruse to promote technologies like genetic engineering.

Unemployment up among the disabled: Study

Unemployment up among the disabled: Study

Rediff.com   22 Nov 2007

The study commissioned by the Government of India and based on a sample of 2,000 households in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh says that employment rate among people with disability (PWD) fell from 42.7 per cent in 1991 down to 37.6 per cent in 2002.

Now, no Cabinet nod for projects below Rs 150 cr

Now, no Cabinet nod for projects below Rs 150 cr

Rediff.com   16 Nov 2007

In order to provide greater leeway to central government departments and ministries to finalise centrally-funded projects, the Department of Expenditure under the finance ministry has increased the financial limits of projects requiring approval from various cost-approving bodies.

Plan panel mulls cess for rural roads

Plan panel mulls cess for rural roads

Rediff.com   7 Nov 2007

Faced with huge cost overruns due to a delay in building the rural roads under Bharat Nirman, the Planning Commission is now looking at alternative ways to fund the ambitious rural development project of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.The rural road project, christened the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), has seen tardy performance on the target of constructing 146,185 km of rural roads by 2009.

Post dept may collect inflation data

Post dept may collect inflation data

Rediff.com   30 Oct 2007

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI) is in talks with the Department of Posts to take the help of its staff in collecting sample data for the proposed Consumer Price Index for Rural India (CPI-R). The data for the index would be collected from 1,000 villages, Chief Statistician of India Pronab Sen said on the sidelines of a national seminar on the results of the 61st round of the National Sample Survey.

FinMin sees no need for Noida airport

FinMin sees no need for Noida airport

Rediff.com   30 Oct 2007

The finance ministry has opposed the proposed airport at Greater Noida, and has instead favoured upgrading infrastructure at Delhi airport, which it says makes more economic sense. This has come as a shot in the arm for the GMR group, the private sector developer of Delhi airport, which has been opposing another airport so close to the existing one.

Good news for govt staff, salaries to rise

Good news for govt staff, salaries to rise

Rediff.com   17 Oct 2007

The Sixth Pay Commission is likely to significantly raise basic salaries for an estimated 4.5 million central government employees. The recommendations are expected to be submitted in January, a few months ahead of schedule, and the award is likely to come into effect from January 2006.

Orissa: More scams in NREGA

Orissa: More scams in NREGA

Rediff.com   16 Oct 2007

Orissa, where the programme was already under a cloud after an NGO alleged false data were being entered on the state's NREGA website, is now uncovering more scams. A team of researchers led by economist Jean Dreze and Ritika Khera, which is doing a survey focussed mainly on the corruption in the programme in Orissa, recently dug out a doctored muster roll in Badhigam gram panchayat of Boudh district.

Violence-hit Posco turns to Gandhian NGO

Violence-hit Posco turns to Gandhian NGO

Rediff.com   16 Oct 2007

As part of its strategy to woo the villagers, not only has Posco CMD started taking lessons in the local Oriya language besides strolling into more peaceful villages, the company plans to tie up with an NGO which was started by Manibhai Desai a follower of Gandhi.

Slum-dwellers run a health insurance fund

Slum-dwellers run a health insurance fund

Rediff.com   15 Oct 2007

When the rest of the country is going in circles seeking health insurance for the society's most vulnerable, these slum-dwellers are part of a health security fund to which each person contributes Rs 60 annually.

<i>Babus</i> want pvt sector salary with govt perk

Babus want pvt sector salary with govt perk

Rediff.com   11 Oct 2007

Officers of the elite Indian Administrative Service (IAS) want their pay scales to be determined on the basis of prevailing market rates. However, they are not ready to give up the substantial perks they enjoy, like palatial bungalows in city centres, number of attendants, guards, drivers and other assorted facilities.

Govt plans performance-linked salaries

Govt plans performance-linked salaries

Rediff.com   6 Oct 2007

The sixth central Pay Commission is examining the feasibility of introducing performance-linked salaries for government employees. The commission has constituted a study group headed by Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad Professor Biju Varkkey to develop a model on these lines.The study group has submitted interim reports and is expected to send its final report soon.

Govt may relax ECB norms for infrastructure

Govt may relax ECB norms for infrastructure

Rediff.com   5 Oct 2007

The high level of capital inflows has forced the government to put fresh restrictions on ECBs. In August this year, the Reserve Bank of India tightened ECB rules by limiting the use of foreign loans in India at $20 million per company.