PESA: decadent decade
Worried by the slow implementation of the Provision of Panchayats, Extension to Scheduled Areas Act (PESA) 1996, the Union ministry of panchayati raj has -- in its mid-term report -- cautioned that non-implementation of PESA may further trigger tribal unrest. more >>

Bihar says “no” to SEZs
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has said special economic zones (SEZs) will not be set up in the state, rather a new land policy will be announced soon. more >>

Another pilot project for livelihood in backward areas
The Planning Commission has initiated a new ‘special district rural livelihood plan’ in 25 of the country’s poorest districts. It will be taken up as a pilot project and will also be used for implementation of NREGA and Backward Regions Grant Fund. more >>

Jharkhand asks for relaxation in panchayat conditions
Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda has requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that the state be relieved of the condition of holding panchayat elections before accessing the Centre’s rural development funds. more >>

Goa EC goes to court on panchayat elections
The Goa State Election Commission has approached the Bombay High Court in Goa against the state government for delaying panchayat polls. more >>

Haryana unveils forest policy
Haryana’s new forest policy aims at increasing the area under forest in the state from the current 6.6 per cent to 10 per cent by 2010, and eventually to 20 per cent through massive afforestation and social forestry programmes. more >>

Vidarbha: Amid suicides, two more fact-finding exercise
Amid reports of severe drought from the region, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has declared the constitution of a Bundelkhand Development Authority. more >>

For more from Down To Earth:
Cover Story: Long yarn
March 31, 2006
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A development authority for Bundelkhand
Amid reports of severe drought from the region, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has declared the constitution of a Bundelkhand Development Authority more >>

Pharma companies in backward districts
Pharmaceutical companies will create around 600 drug banks in backward districts of India to serve the healthcare needs of families living below the poverty line. more >>

A role model for cooperative societies
India's cooperative movement is in a dismal state. However, Mulkanoor Cooperative Rural Bank and Marketing Society Ltd in Karimnagar district, Andhra Pradesh, is an exception. With a turnover of more that Rs 55 crore, Mulkanoor is the site of an extraordinary rural cooperative credit society. It facilitates one of the most extraordinary paddy seeds operations in India, gives foundation seeds to select farmers and has two seed-processing plants.

Feature: Long yarn
November 30, 2006
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Rural ministry puts conditions before NREGA expansion
For NREGA to be expanded to other parts of the country, states must fulfil some conditions set by the Union rural development ministry: social audits and 100 per cent muster roll verifications should be done. more >>


National water mission under NREGA
The National Water Mission will be transferred to the Union rural development ministry (which oversees NREGA) from the Union ministry of panchayati raj. The mission is currently at a conceptual level. more >>

NREGA to be extended to Jammu & Kashmir
The Union Cabinet has approved a proposal for an amendment to NREGA 2005, which will make the Act applicable to Jammu and Kashmir as well.
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Water harvesting guide map
Water conservation activities like building new water bodies and renovating traditional structures get preference under NREGA. Do you want to know why you must harvest water and which structure is suitable for your region or area? Log on

Human Development Reports
This United Nations Development Programme site documents all human development reports released so far

Tool for sharing internal best practices
Developed by INFO Project, this tool includes a step-by-stop process, tips, case studies and links to additional resources that explain how an organisation can effectively share its best practices internally.