National nutrition week: How kitchen gardens are saving villagers from malnourishment

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the latest address of Mann ki Baat noted that the month of September will be observed as National Nutrition Month&…

78% MPs yet to identify villages for development under Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana

With just nine months to go, Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, a scheme that is low on priority of the Lok Sabha and Rajya MPs, is way off the target …

Understanding Gandhi

GANDHI’S VISION AND VALUES — THE MORAL QUEST FOR CHANGE IN INDIAN AGRICULTURE·Vivek Pinto·Sage, New Delhi, 1998

Murder mystery in Bihar

The killing of two social activists has left behind a series of unanswered questions. On the evening of January 24 social activists Sarita and …

Lean, mean scheme

Budget to start process of reforming Central rural schemes, 45 years after first demand

Free from poverty line

Centre delinks access to welfare schemes from poverty line

In short

Rural ventures

A slew of elementary schemes aim to alleviate poverty

Bengal MGNREGA workers lost up to Rs 6,046 crore in wages during April-December 2022

 A study estimates that workers have lost income by 83%, compelling them to borrow money for survival 

MGNREGA scheme failed on many counts: report

In the last five years, the average person days of work generated per household under MGNREGS remained less than 50 across years

Budget 2017-18 expectations: ensure food security, minimise rural distress

This year’s budget must focus on preventing farmer suicides, strengthening crop insurance scheme and guaranteeing rural employment

Bihar cancels 7.25 million unused job cards under MGNREGS

The move is aimed at stopping various malpractices related to seeking jobs under the scheme

Building dreams for homeless

Government promises land to the homeless in its draft Homestead Bill, but where’s the land?

Rural development

Several flagship schemes have faced huge cuts in annual allocation

First comes chick

Kuroiler hens offer a poultry business model that can fight poverty, nutritional stress

Why only panchayats?

Other local associations can also manage watersheds effectively

West Bengal Panchayat election: Candidates in fray campaign on green issues

Environmentalists welcome trend, but point out slack from mainstream political parties 

India has a failed salvation policy on the not-so-holy buffalo

India’s only scheme to leverage the expanding buffalo meat exports has been in doldrums. To make it work, the government must first get rid …

Safe as houses

Earthquakes don't kill; badly built houses do. A look into houses in India that have withstood several earthquakes

Power to the people

Heads of panchayats arrived in the Capital to demand the power to effectively run the traditional self-government

Threadbare clothes, school drop outs due to lack of uniforms: West Bengal MGNREGA workers’ lives in tatters

Central government’s freeze on funds for rural employment scheme has completely degraded villagers’ living conditions

Government tries to harvest success with farmer-friendly Budget

The 2016 Budget has the right intent for the rural sector, but lacks clarity

Maintenance boards made mandatory along rural roads built with central funds

Rural development ministry says installing boards along roads built under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana will help communities monitor …

The poorest shun MGNREGA

Participation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes in the scheme has halved in five years

Beware of Policymakers

PEOPLE, PLANTS AND PATENTS: THE IMPACT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ON BIODIVERSITY, CONSERVATION, TRADE AND RURAL SOCIETY·Crucible group&…