New Delhi The Centre’s plan to introduce the National Food Security Bill, which envisages distribution of subsidised foodgrains to more than 63% of the population, in the upcoming winter season of

What is the new normal for the Indian steel industry?

Gandhinagar: A recent study has taken strong exception to those who argue that Gujarat’s poverty levels have gone down drastically, and the main reason for this is the “economic model” of chief min

After power and land, the Centre does not want to open up water as another area of dispute with the state governments.

It will help people eligible for benefits flowing out of welfare programmes

Moving swiftly on the announcement he made at a public rally in Dudu in Rajasthan five days ago, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh constituted a high-power National Committee on Direct Cash Transfers on Thursday in a bid to reduce corruption at the cutting edge. The committee is expected to facilitate the introduction of direct cash transfers to individuals eligible for benefits flowing out of the government’s many welfare programmes.

PANJIM: The implementation of the Western Ghat Ecological Expert Panel (WGEEP) report, which recommended an ‘indefinite moratorium’ on new environmental clearances for mining in the ecologically sensitive zone (ESZ) in Goa, will be delayed further, at least till February 2013.

The High Level Working Group constituted by Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) to examine WGEEP report in a holistic and multi-disciplinary fashion in the light of the comments received from the concerned state governments, central ministries and stakeholders, has been given extension of another four months to submit an action plan for its effective implementation.

Unhappy over the Planning Commission attempt to convert flagship schemes of the Union Ministry for Rural Development from Centrally-sponsored schemes to additional Central assistance schemes, Minis

The government should not dictate whether they are to be served by the PDS or direct cash transfers.

Says Coal India is ready to sign at 80% trigger level, with 15% imported coal on cost-plus model

The Coal Ministry today said it expects power utilities to sign fuel supply agreements (FSAs) with state-run Coal India (CIL) by November-end. "It is expected that power utilities will sign FSAs by the end of November, 2012. CIL is ready to sign FSAs with 80 per cent trigger level. This would comprise 15 per cent imported coal on cost plus model for this year," Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal told reporters here.

New Delhi In a bid to provide states greater say in formulating social sector programme, the rural development ministry on Thursday proposed setting up a flexi-fund of R40,000 crore of which 70% will be contributed by the Centre during 12th plan period.

The Rural Development Flexi-Fund (RDF) would be available to states as an additional allocation that could be used on existing centrally sponsored schemes of rural development and drinking water and sanitation industries or on the new projects designed by respective states.