The government is likely to reject ‘radical’ recommendation of a parliamentary panel that proposed tighter norms for acquiring land for private businesses.

The Centre on Thursday cleared a Rs 8500-crore project under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana to connect 6000 habitations in the 78 naxalite-affected districts of nine states.

The Union Cabinet cleared the project, under which the money will be utilised for new connectivity and upgradation of these habitations, which will be an addition to the core network, approved in 2002 by the Union Ministry of Rural Development.

Govt will not be able to acquire land for PPP infrastructure projects and private businesses, if House panel recommendations are accepted in proposed bill

The Centre will be providing separate funds under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) for enhancing road connectivity in the six border districts of Punjab.

Union Minister of Environment and Forests, Jayanthi Natarajan, came under attack from the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, for failing to save the Ganga and the Himalayas, but Speaker Meira Kumar reposed faith in her.

During the discussion on the steps taken by the government to protect the Ganga from pollution, and the Himalayas from ruthless exploitation, most Opposition members attacked the Congress, and were critical of the Environment Minister.

Union rural development minister Jairam Ramesh on Monday stated that the Centre is planning to set up 10,000 solar-based water systems in 78 districts, which are affected by Maoist violence.

The plan is in a bid to solve the drinking water woes of people in the Left-Wing Effected (LWE) districts, which are administered through Integrated Action Plan (IAP).

After patting on the back by announcing that he would give one per cent of the annual budget of the ministry for rural development (`99,000 crores) to the ministry of panchayati raj, Union minister Jairam Ramesh is faced with reality check — that it is not he who can do so, but Parliament only.

A few weeks ago, Union minister for rural development Jairam Ramesh announced that one per cent of his ministry’s annual budget, which would come to about `990 crores, would be given to the panchayati raj ministry.

Non-government organisation Sulabh International on Thursday said it would give a Rs.2-lakh cash reward to newly-married Priyanka of Kanchanpur Kuiya village in Maharajganj district of Uttar Prades

The rural development minister. Mr Jairam Ramesh, today tabled the ‘MNREGA 2.0’ ~ the second generation reforms for the rural job scheme ~ in both Houses of Parliament.