Sanjeeb Mukherjee And Sreelatha Menon

Stories by Sanjeeb Mukherjee And Sreelatha Menon

Govt to launch grand rural scheme from Oct

Govt to launch grand rural scheme from Oct

Rediff.com   21 Jul 2009

On October 2, the government will roll out the comprehensive plan in 10 districts. The ministry has had a series of discussions with the National Institute of Rural Development, which is to be the nodal body for overseeing the convergence of all rural schemes.

NREGP watch: Hope and despair over higher wages

NREGP watch: Hope and despair over higher wages

Rediff.com   21 Jul 2009

Ramesh, a labourer in Toomda village near Bhopal, can't believe his luck. He earns Rs 81 a day, digging wells under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme, the United Progressive Alliance's flagship social welfare scheme that started in 2006.

Good demand for certified wood

Good demand for certified wood

Rediff.com   13 Jul 2009

Global demand for certified wood has prompted Indian companies to get their logging vetted by monitoring agencies.

Why a village wall is to be copied everywhere

Why a village wall is to be copied everywhere

Rediff.com   9 Jul 2009

A wall in Vijaypura is an example of what a single positive example can do for a large programme like the National Rrural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

Moral victory for homosexuals? It is hardly one

Moral victory for homosexuals? It is hardly one

Rediff.com   6 Jul 2009

Section 377, which banned gay relations, also used to be invoked to protect minors against sexual abuse

'We pay lip service to environment protection'

'We pay lip service to environment protection'

Rediff.com   5 Jul 2009

The conflict between development and environment should not cause unnecessary delays, says Union Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh.

Follow the manifesto, don't forget the CMP

Follow the manifesto, don't forget the CMP

Rediff.com   18 May 2009

This meant targets set for primary school admissions, assured income for every family and roads, water, housing and electricity. And yearly spending of over Rs 1,20,000 crore (Rs 1,200 billion), up from Rs 36,000 crore (Rs 360 billion) in the last year of the National Democratic Alliance government.

The success story of rural BPOs

The success story of rural BPOs

Rediff.com   27 Apr 2009

A district collector's experiment in Tamil Nadu is showing the way for more rural BPOs even in times of recession.

Why this eye hospital is a case study at Harvard

Why this eye hospital is a case study at Harvard

Rediff.com   6 Apr 2009

Sanskara Eye Care's model of charging fee from only 20 per cent of the patients is sufficient to make each hospital self-sustaining in three to five years. But is not the only source of its sustenance. In the US, children are donating their pocket money towards eye surgery in these hospitals. It is $30 for a surgery, says founder R V Ramani.

Goa polls head for five-star controversy

Goa polls head for five-star controversy

Rediff.com   7 Mar 2009

If there is one state where environmental issues spill over into active politics and can rewrite the destiny of political parties, it is Goa. And history threatens to repeat itself in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections for two seats, over a government ordinance concerning a Supreme Court order on the demolition of illegal structures built by hotels.

A house of my own

A house of my own

Rediff.com   9 Feb 2009

Rented housing and fixed rents, like it's in developed countries, could be one way to ensure that everyone in cities has a roof over his head.

PM asks states to use scheme allocations

PM asks states to use scheme allocations

Rediff.com   3 Feb 2009

He asked the CMs to give priority to income-generating schemes like housing and tone up implementation of ongoing programmes to enable them to spend the originally allocated funds and the additional allocation of Rs 20,000 crore. He referred specifically to the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, National Urban Renewal Mission, National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Indira Awas Yojana, Acceleration Irrigation Benefit Programme and National Social Assistance Programme.

Doc in a box

Doc in a box

Rediff.com   27 Jan 2009

Telemedicine sure helps private enterprise. If it also helps the cause of health care, then why not?

Questions raised over Raju's helpline

Questions raised over Raju's helpline

Rediff.com   22 Jan 2009

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.

Now, Raju's 108 helpline under a cloud

Now, Raju's 108 helpline under a cloud

Rediff.com   21 Jan 2009

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.

Centre should reform policing: Sheila Dikshit

Centre should reform policing: Sheila Dikshit

Rediff.com   13 Jan 2009

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.

The business of sustainability

The business of sustainability

Rediff.com   5 Jan 2009

British Telecom's sustainability index aims to rank Indian companies according to their corporate social responsibility initiatives, says Sreelatha Menon.

Funds for making workplaces safe

Funds for making workplaces safe

Rediff.com   16 Dec 2008

The policy also asks for a suitable accreditation machinery to recognise institutions, professionals and services related to safety, health and environment at workplace.

Economists sound alert on NREGP bank payments

Economists sound alert on NREGP bank payments

Rediff.com   15 Dec 2008

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.

Sheila Dikshit: 'The darling of Delhi'

Sheila Dikshit: 'The darling of Delhi'

Rediff.com   12 Dec 2008

'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.