Jairam Nagar

Everything you need to know about Jairam Nagar: news, reviews, in-depth analysis, opinion and more

Everything you need to know about Jairam Nagar: news, reviews, in-depth analysis, opinion and more

Naxals strong in non-Congress ruled states: Jairam Ramesh

May 17, 2013 at 11:42 AM

Dhar, May 17 (ANI): Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh has said that Naxalism is strong only in those states where Congress is not in power.

Land acquisition, food security bills need debate: Ramesh

May 14, 2013 at 9:58 PM

New Delhi, May 14 (IANS) Terming the land acquisition and food security bills "far too important", union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh Tuesday said they needed to be debated in parliament.

Government increases monetary assistance in housing scheme for poor

May 14, 2013 at 1:55 PM

The Central Government has hiked the monetary assistance to the poor class by Rs.25,000 under its housing scheme with special primacy to Scheduled Castes, tribals and minorities.

New guidelines for Indira Awas Yojna scheme

May 13, 2013 at 8:30 PM

New Delhi, May 13 (IANS) The government Monday came out with a slew of guidelines for the Indira Awas Yojna scheme for building houses for rural poor, including increased allocations and a requirement for constructing compulsory toilets for each unit.

Women Self Help Groups to get low interest loans

May 7, 2013 at 12:49 PM

New Delhi, May 7 (ANI): The government has said that it will provide low interest loans to over 25 lakh women self help groups across the country under a central programme launched to wipe out absolute poverty from the villages.

Rural job guarantee scheme draws CAG flak

April 23, 2013 at 7:00 PM

New Delhi, April 23 (IANS) The UPA's flagship rural job guarantee scheme has drawn flak from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India on various counts, including diversion of funds, impermissible works undertaken to the tune of about Rs.2,252 crore, and projects worth Rs.4,070 crore left incomplete.

Complicated process of funding behind MGNREGS ills: Ramesh

April 23, 2013 at 6:36 PM

New Delhi, April 23 (IANS) Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh blamed a "complicated" process of fund allocation for many ills plaguing the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Job Guarantee Scheme, many of which have been pointed out by the CAG report tabled in parliament Tuesday.

Land acquisition bill gets all party nod

April 18, 2013 at 7:00 PM

New Delhi, April 18 (IANS) The government Thursday achieved a breakthrough when it reached a "broad consensus" on the land acquisition bill, paving the way for its introduction in parliament in the second half of the current budget session, which resumes Monday.

Land acquisition bill gets all party nod

April 18, 2013 at 4:28 PM

New Delhi, April 18 (IANS) The government said Thursday there was broad consensus on the land acquisition bill, paving the way for its introduction in parliament in the second half of the budget session, resuming Monday.

UPA calls for all party meeting on land acquisition bill today

April 18, 2013 at 12:25 PM

The UPA Government has called an all-party meeting in Delhi on Thursday to come to a common consent on the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill 2011.

All party meeting on land acquisition bill today

April 18, 2013 at 10:52 AM

New Delhi, Apr 18 (ANI): The UPA Government has convened an all-party meeting here today to evolve a consensus on the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill 2011.

Jairam meets CPI-M leaders over land acquisition bill

April 17, 2013 at 6:12 PM

New Delhi, April 17 (IANS) A day before an all-party meeting on the land acquisition bill, Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh Wednesday met leaders of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) who have opposed the bill in its present form.

Elections are no beauty contest, says Jairam Ramesh

April 14, 2013 at 12:52 PM

Anand, Apr 14 (ANI): Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh has created a political buzz with his remark that 'election is not a beauty contest' while commenting on reports on the pitching of Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi for the 2014 general elections by their respective parties.

Parties to meet again on land acquisition bill

April 9, 2013 at 7:02 PM

New Delhi, April 9 (IANS) Consensus eluded an all-party meeting on the land acquisition bill Tuesday, forcing the government to fix another meeting April 18. A minister said there "was a little progress" at the discussion during the day.

Trinamool afraid to hold panchayat polls: Jairam Ramesh

April 7, 2013 at 9:08 PM

Siliguri, April 7 (IANS) West Bengal's Trinamool Congress government has no intention of holding the panchayat polls as it fears its loss of popularity would be exposed, union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh said Sunday.

100,000 youth from Jammu and Kashmir to be trained for jobs: Jairam Ramesh

April 5, 2013 at 8:05 PM

Srinagar, April 5 (IANS) Around one lakh youth from Jammu and Kashmir would be trained and provided employment outside the state during the next five years, union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh said Friday.

Need for more Indian scholars to study China: Ramesh

April 5, 2013 at 5:32 PM

New Delhi, April 5 (IANS) There are more Chinese scholars and journalists in India than Indians studying or reporting there, noted union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh, calling for a better understanding among Indian scholars of the various aspects of Chinese society, economy and polity.

One lakh youth will get jobs under Himayat in J-K, says Jairam

April 3, 2013 at 7:24 PM

Jammu, Apr. 3 (ANI): Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh has said that the scheme Himayat launched in Jammu and Kashmir in 2011 is progressing well to realise the goal of providing training and jobs to one lakh youth in five year period (2011-12 to 2016-17).

Jobs for 70,000 youths in Jammu and Kashmir

April 3, 2013 at 6:44 PM

Jammu, April 3 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir plans to employ more than 70,000 youths in the government sector, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said Wednesday even as union minister Jairam Ramesh pledged more central support.

Jairam takes up Odisha's Konda Reddy community issue

March 26, 2013 at 10:50 PM

Bhubaneswar, March 26 (IANS) The demand by Odisha's Konda Reddy community seeking inclusion in the list of Scheduled Tribes got a boost with union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh urging Tribal Affairs minister V.Kishore Chandra Deo to resolve the issue at the earliest.

Want probe in rural job scheme in Bengal: Congress

March 26, 2013 at 10:18 PM

Kolkata, March 26 (IANS) West Bengal's opposition Congress Tuesday said it has asked the union government to initiate a probe into the improper utilisation of rural employment guarantee funds in the state.

Jairam Ramesh visits Maoist affected Jharkhand's Chatra District

March 24, 2013 at 2:10 PM

Chatra (Jharkhand), Mar 24 (ANI): Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh on Saturday visited Maoists affected Jharkhand's Chatra District.

Indian bureaucracy dangerous animal: Ramesh

March 23, 2013 at 8:10 PM

Ranchi, March 23 (IANS) India's bureaucracy was "the most dangerous animal in the world", Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh said here Saturday.

India cannot completely abandon GM crops: Jaipal Reddy

March 20, 2013 at 7:13 PM

New Delhi, March 20 (IANS) India cannot afford to completely abandon genetically modified (GM) crops and the government is trying to build a consensus among various stakeholders to reach at a solution soon, Science and Technology Minister S. Jaipal Reddy said Wednesday.

Reached agreement with Pension Parishad: Ramesh

March 7, 2013 at 3:40 PM

New Delhi, March 7 (IANS) Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh Thursday said he had reached an understanding with the Pension Parishad, a conglomeration of organisations working for pension reform, on some of their demands.

Budget: UPA finally moving towards capitalism (Comment)

March 1, 2013 at 5:39 PM

Finance Minister P. Chidambaram's claims to be a reformer may have received a glancing blow with the 10 percent surcharge on the super-rich in Thursday's budget proposals, but the fall of the axe on 42,800 people who earn Rs.10 million a year is small price to pay for his reluctance to take more drastic steps against the wealthy.

Maoists flourish only in non-Congress states: Ramesh

February 16, 2013 at 8:49 PM

Bhubaneswar, Feb 16 (IANS) Maoist activities have flourished in the states where the Congress is not in power, union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh said Saturday.

Bill prohibiting manual scavenging likely to be passed in Budget Session

January 29, 2013 at 11:18 AM

New Delhi, Jan 29 (ANI) Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh has said that the Bill prohibiting manual scavenging can be passed in the Budget Session of Parliament as there is consensus on this issue among all political parties.

Cleanse mindset to end despicable manual scavenging: Meira Kumar

January 28, 2013 at 6:40 PM

New Delhi, Jan 28 (IANS) Terming manual scavenging as "despicable", Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar Monday called on society to cleanse its mindset to get rid of such practices.

Jairam hoists Indian flag in Maoist den

January 26, 2013 at 12:56 PM

Ranchi, Jan 26 (IANS) Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh hoisted the tricolour in a Maoist den in Jharkhand on the occasion of India's Republic Day.

Ramesh calls for development of tribals to root out Maoist menance

January 23, 2013 at 12:40 PM

New Delhi, Jan 23 (ANI): Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh has said that India must chalk out a middle ground for the continuous development of the tribals for rooting out the Maoist menace that is gripping the country.

Congress meet fails to address real issues: BJP

January 18, 2013 at 8:09 PM

New Delhi, Jan 18 (IANS) As the Congress began its brainstorming session in Jaipur Friday, the BJP said the ruling party has failed to address real issues and its leaders were not confident of returning to power after the 2014 general elections.

Congress not confident of returning to power: BJP

January 18, 2013 at 6:57 PM

New Delhi, Jan 18 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Friday mocked the Congress' "failure", noting its own leaders were not confident of returning to power after the 2014 general elections.

Khurshid brushes Jairam's 'structural issues' remark

January 18, 2013 at 2:41 PM

Jaipur/New Delhi, Jan. 18 (ANI): External Affairs Salman Khurshid on Friday refused to comment on Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh's comment that the ruling Congress Party has structural issues, and that it would not be possible for it to come to power on its own soon.

'Maoists are inhuman': Jairam Ramesh

January 13, 2013 at 11:05 AM

Chhattisgarh, Jan. 13 (ANI): Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh has lashed out at the Maoists over the recent brutal attack on a security personnel in Jharkhand, saying the ultras bear no humanity.

Delhi freezes at five-year low; flights, trains hit

January 6, 2013 at 8:07 PM

New Delhi, Jan 6 (IANS) There was no let-up in the spine chilling cold which worsened Sunday as the minimum temperature dipped to a five-year low of 1.9 degrees Celsius. Flights and train services were hit by dense fog in the morning.

Cash transfer scheme launched in Andhra

January 6, 2013 at 5:51 PM

Hyderabad, Jan 6 (IANS) The UPA government's cash transfer scheme was launched in Andhra Pradesh Sunday by union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh.

Jairam Ramesh to launch direct cash transfer scheme in Andhra Pradesh district

January 6, 2013 at 11:51 AM

Rajahmundry, Jan 6 (ANI): Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh will launch Aadhar-based direct cash transfer pilot project in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh today.

'Rural development schemes should attain greening objectives'

January 4, 2013 at 11:43 PM

New Delhi, Jan 4 (IANS) The rural development ministry should have a dedicated cell to attain "greening objectives" through its various schemes in villages, said a report released Friday.

Land bill will ensure fair compensation, encourage investors: Jairam Ramesh (Interview)

December 16, 2012 at 4:54 PM

New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) The much-awaited land acquisition bill okayed by the cabinet last week will give "fair and adequate" compensation to those whose land is acquired and will send a "positive signal to investors", Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh has said.

Direct cash transfers mark systemic change: Rahul Gandhi

December 14, 2012 at 7:08 PM

New Delhi, Dec 14 (IANS) The UPA government's direct cash transfer scheme - "aap ka paisa, aap ke haath" - will bring about a systemic change in the social welfare delivery system, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi told party leaders Friday.

Manual scavenging still a reality in India: Jairam Ramesh

December 10, 2012 at 10:24 PM

New Delhi, Dec 10 (IANS) Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh Monday admitted manual scavenging was still a reality in India and wished social reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy and Lord Bentinck had given it as much attention as they did to abolishing Sati.

No development in Bengal despite regime change: Jairam Ramesh

December 8, 2012 at 8:36 PM

Lalgarh (West Bengal, Dec 8 (IANS) Claiming that the Congress has got a new lease of life in West Bengal after parting ways with the Trinamool Congress, union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh Saturday regretted that despite a change in regime, the state has not seen any development.

UPA's cash transfer scheme: Game changer or hype?

December 2, 2012 at 3:55 PM

New Delhi, Dec 2 (IANS) It's been described variously as a "game changer", a policy that could well frame the political debate for the next elections. The government claims its direct cash transfer scheme would help millions of students, the elderly and women community workers in villages to receive their monthly honoraria in time. Critiques have termed it "hype and an attempt to fool the people".

Jairam Ramesh asks Centre to declare Tinsukia, Dibrugarh as Maoists-affected districts

December 2, 2012 at 12:03 PM

Guwahati, Dec 2 (ANI): Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh has asked the Centre to declare upper Assam districts of Tinsukia and Dibrugarh as Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas.

Will cash transfers be the new game-changer? (Comment)

December 1, 2012 at 3:15 PM

The belief in the Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council (NAC) that it was the rural employment scheme, and not the nuclear deal, which led to the Congress's 2009 victory, might be an exaggerated assessment. But a similar policy of empowering the underprivileged through a policy of cash transfers is likely to help the party cross the electoral Rubicon in two years' time.

Jairam Ramesh criticises Kejriwal for terming cash transfer scheme as bribe

November 29, 2012 at 4:07 PM

New Delhi, Nov 29 (ANI): Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh on Thursday criticised Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal for terming the direct cash transfer scheme as 'bribe'.

Congress hopes cash subsidy will be 2014 game changer

November 27, 2012 at 9:42 PM

New Delhi, Nov 27 (IANS) Gearing up for the next general elections, scheduled in 2014, the Congress Tuesday termed its big?ticket plan to directly transfer cash to various social welfare beneficiaries as a "game?changer" and "politically revolutionary" step for UPA?II.

Congress hopes cash subsidy will be 2014 game changer

November 27, 2012 at 8:54 PM

New Delhi, Nov 27 (IANS) Gearing up for the next general elections, scheduled in 2014, the Congress Tuesday termed its big?ticket plan to directly transfer cash to various social welfare beneficiaries as "game?changer" and "politically revolutionary" step for UPA?II.

Suu Kyi impressed by self?help of Andhra village women

November 17, 2012 at 3:38 PM

Hyderabad, Nov 17 (IANS) The success stories of women's empowerment in villages of Andhra Pradesh have impressed Myanmar's pro?democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who also studied the socio?economic transformation of people brought about by various government schemes.

Gadkari in fresh controversy over Vivekananda, Dawood IQ comparison

November 5, 2012 at 2:55 PM

New Delhi, Nov 5 (IANS) BJP chief Nitin Gadkari Monday was in the thick of another controversy for comparing the IQ level of Swami Vivekananda to that of fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim. Gadkari said he had been misquoted, but his comment sparked a flurry of reactions in the virtual world while the Congress demanded an apology from the party.

Will continue good work in rural sanitation: Bharatsinh Solanki

October 29, 2012 at 7:24 PM

New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) After assuming independent charge as minister of state for drinking water and sanitation following his elevation in Sunday's cabinet reshuffle, Bharatsinh Solanki Monday said he would take forward the good work done by his predecessor Jairam Ramesh.

PM to head panel on direct cash transfers

October 26, 2012 at 5:50 PM

New Delhi, Oct 25 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday set up a national committee, to be headed by him, to provide an overarching vision and direction to a project under which cash transfers will be done direct to bank accounts of government beneficiaries using the Aadhaar identity.

Jairam Ramesh to launch two-month anti- manual scavenging yatra

October 24, 2012 at 7:59 PM

New Delhi, Oct. 24 (ANI): Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh will launch a two-month-long nationwide anti- manual scavenging movement that will highlight the need for doing away with what he sees as an inhuman practice that needs to be banned immediately.

Banerjee blasts Jairam Ramesh for vindictive letter

October 20, 2012 at 7:50 PM

Kolkata, Oct.20 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday took Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh to task for writing a letter to her in which he claimed that the Central Government was sensitive to the needs of people of her state.

Government plans Rs.40,000 crore fund for rural development

October 18, 2012 at 5:58 PM

New Delhi, Oct 18 (IANS) The government is planning to set up a Rs.40,000-crore flexi-fund to help states address specific rural development needs.

Need to balance growth and sustainability, says Ramesh

October 18, 2012 at 5:10 PM

New Delhi, Oct 18 (IANS) India needs to be obsessed with high economic growth but should also try to marry it with sustainable development, Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh said here Thursday.

GoM clears land acquisition bill draft

October 16, 2012 at 11:00 PM

New Delhi, Oct 16 (IANS) A Group of Ministers (GoM) Tuesday approved the draft of the long-pending land acquisition bill, paving the way for its introduction in the winter session of parliament.

Jan Satyagraha - The journey (With 'New form of Zamindari emerging in India')

October 14, 2012 at 10:36 AM

*Ekta Parishad is a non-violent social movement founded by P.V. Rajagopal working on land and forest rights at a national level in India.

Jairam Ramesh signs pact with Jan Satyagrahis, march to Delhi called off

October 11, 2012 at 3:48 PM

Agra, Oct 11 (ANI): The stand-off between landless labourers, who have been marching from Gwalior to New Delhi demanding a fair share of land and resources, ended with Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh today signed a 10-point agreement with the formers.

Hearing resumes Friday on Odisha bauxite mining case

October 10, 2012 at 2:12 PM

New Delhi, Oct 10 (IANS) The Green Bench of the Supreme Court resumes hearing Friday on the high-profile case involving mining of bauxite ore in the the Niyamgiri hills of the impoverished Kalahandi district of Odisha.

Jairam Ramesh to address Jan Satyagrah activists on Thursday

October 10, 2012 at 1:05 PM

Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh is likely to address to Jan Satyagraha (people?s agitation for truth) activists who have a series of demands including land for the shelterless people as a move to approach for an agreement, as government indicated it on Tuesday.............

Uddhav Thackeray pulls up Jairam Ramesh for remarks on temples

October 8, 2012 at 6:43 PM

Mumbai, Oct 8 (ANI): Shiv Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray on Monday hit out at Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh for his comment that toilets are more important that the temples in our country.

Bal Thackeray rakes muck over Jairam's toilet comment

October 8, 2012 at 11:47 AM

Mumbai, Oct 8 (IANS) Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray Monday launched a stinging attack against union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh for his remarks comparing toilets with temples and said the Congress was responsible for the sorry state of affairs.

Jairam Ramesh's temple-toilet remark draws protest

October 7, 2012 at 3:57 PM

New Delhi, Oct 7 (IANS) Activists of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal Sunday sat on an hour-long protest outside the house of union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh here, seeking an apology for his remark that the country needed more toilets than temples.

Kejriwal, others to burn power bills in Delhi

October 7, 2012 at 1:17 PM

New Delhi, Oct 7 (IANS) Arvind Kejriwal and other members of India Against Corruption (IAC) have threatened to burn electricity bills Sunday to protest hikes in power tariff in the national capital.

Windies board withdraws statement on Sarwan dispute

October 6, 2012 at 7:58 PM

St. John's (Antigua), Oct 6 (IANS/CMC) The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has apologised for public statements made about the arbitrator of a dispute between the WICB and middle order batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan.

Reformist Manmohan Singh presents a new face

October 5, 2012 at 6:46 PM

New Delhi, Oct 5 (IANS) Ministers and secretaries in attendance at cabinet meetings in the last few weeks are seeing an entirely new and unfamiliar face of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh -- a man driven by an idea and a determination to carry it through, brooking no dissent.

Sons are major abusers of elderly parents (Oct 1 International day of the Elderly)

September 30, 2012 at 3:06 PM

New Delhi, Sep 30 (IANS) A large percentage of India's elderly face abuse from their sons, rather than daughters-in-law, with financial dependence being one of the main reasons for neglect and abuse. While the government gives a paltry monthly pension of Rs.200 to those over 60 years in BPL families, social activists are fighting for raising this to Rs.2,000 a month for all the elderly, irrespective of economic background.

Make 'Nirmal Bharat' a national obsession, says Jairam Ramesh

September 28, 2012 at 8:38 PM

New Delhi, Sep 28 (ANI): Minister for Rural Development and Drinking Water and Sanitation Jairam Ramesh on Friday said that India will be an open defecation free country in the next ten years and sanitation issue should become a national obsession.

Jairam Ramesh pitches for fast-track courts to settle land rights issues in naxal areas

September 20, 2012 at 9:23 PM

New Delhi, Sept 20 (ANI): Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh on Thursday said advocated the need to set up fast track courts to effectively tackle naxal menace in the country.

Cancelling coal blocks not possible: Jairam Ramesh

September 13, 2012 at 6:58 PM

Ranchi, Sep 13 (IANS) Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh Thursday said the cancelling of coal blocks as demanded by the BJP was not possible and questioned the "silence" of party president Nitin Gadkari on the issue.

Man commits suicide in Delhi

September 9, 2012 at 8:07 PM

New Delhi, Sep 9 (IANS) A 21-year-old labourer, hailing from Uttar Pradesh committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree's branch here, police said Sunday.

Aadhaar used for first time in northeast

September 7, 2012 at 7:11 PM

Agartala, Sep 7 (IANS) Aadhaar was used for the first time in the northeastern region Friday with 194 elderly people in Tripura receiving pension on the basis of their new unique identification numbers, officials said.

Coalgate: BJP to protest over Parliament deadlock

September 6, 2012 at 9:35 PM

New Delhi, Sep 6 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would sit on a demonstration inside the Parliament complex on Friday to protest against the ruling Congress Party for wasting the entire Monsoon Session of Parliament over the coal blocks allocation scam.

Probe money trail in coal scam: BJP

September 6, 2012 at 6:07 PM

New Delhi, Sep 6 (IANS) As parliament was disrupted for the 12th successive day Thursday over allocation of coal blocks, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sought an answer from the government as to why there was no probe ordered in the money trail in the faulty allotments.

Probe money trail in coal scam: BJP

September 6, 2012 at 2:55 PM

New Delhi, Sep 6 (IANS) As parliament was disrupted for the 12th successive day Thursday over allocation of coal blocks, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sought an answer from the government as to why there was no probe ordered in the money trail in the faulty allotments.

Jairam Ramesh drags Nitin Gadkari into coal scam

September 6, 2012 at 11:19 AM

New Delhi, Sep 6 (ANI): Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh has dragged Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Nitin Gadkari into the coal block allocation scam.

Cancelling coal blocks impossible: Congress

September 5, 2012 at 10:57 PM

New Delhi, Sep 5 (IANS) The Congress-led UPA government Wednesday kept up its offensive against BJP's charges of corruption in the allocation of coal blocks, saying cancelling the licenses en masse was impossible.

Maoist menace in Bihar receding, claims Jairam Ramesh

August 27, 2012 at 11:14 AM

Patna, Aug 27 (ANI): Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh has said that the coordinated efforts of security forces in Bihar have been successful in suppressing the Maoist menace.

Govt. to install Solar based drinking water system in Maoist-hit areas

August 24, 2012 at 3:48 PM

Union rural development minister Jairam Ramesh on Friday informed Lok Sabha about the plan for the installation of 10,000 solar power based water systems in order to provide safe drinking water to the people residing in 78 Maoist-affected areas.

Solar based drinking water system in Maoist-hit areas

August 24, 2012 at 2:48 PM

New Delhi, Aug 24 (IANS) The government plans to install 10,000 solar power based water systems to supply safe drinking water to the people in 78 Maoist-affected areas, the Lok Sabha was informed Friday.

Jairam Ramesh refuses dialogue with unions under Sangharsh banner

August 23, 2012 at 6:48 PM

New Delhi, Aug 23 (ANI): Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh has refused to meet the people's representatives from across the country, who were in the national capital to protest against his ministry's diluted version of what should have been a comprehensive Bill to replace the Land Acquisition Act 1894.

Jairam Ramesh urges Maoists to rejoin mainstream on visit to Jharkhand's Lohardaga District

August 14, 2012 at 8:45 PM

Lohardaga (Jharkhand), Aug.14 (ANI): Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh recently visited Maoist affected tribal areas of Jharkhand's Lohardaga District and urged Maoists to leave the path of bloodshed and join the mainstream.

Bangladesh land pact likely in monsoon session

August 14, 2012 at 8:04 PM

New Delhi, Aug 14 (IANS) The Indian government is actively engaged in "internal consultations" with a view to presenting the land boundary agreement with Bangladesh during the current session of parliament.

'Hera-pheri' in total sanitation programme: Jairam Ramesh

August 14, 2012 at 4:36 PM

New Delhi, Aug 14 (IANS) Funds were being misappropriated in the total sanitation programme, Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh Tuesday said.

Bangalore civic body staffers demand withdrawal of cases against fellow engineers

August 10, 2012 at 9:37 PM

Bangalore, Aug.10 (ANI): A group of employees of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the civic body of Bangalore, staged a demonstration here on Friday.

Punjab seeks Rs.5,112 crore package for drought

August 10, 2012 at 9:05 PM

Chandigarh, Aug 10 (IANS) The Punjab government Friday sought a relief package of Rs.5,112.09 crore from the central government to tackle the drought-like conditions caused by a deficit monsoon this year.

Haryana seeks Rs.4,050 crore from centre for drought relief

August 10, 2012 at 6:17 PM

Chandigarh, Aug 10 (IANS) The Haryana government Friday sought financial assistance of Rs.4,050 crore from the central government to compensate farmers in view of the drought-like conditions in the state.

Parliamentary panel seeks probe into Bt Brinjal

August 9, 2012 at 7:53 PM

New Delhi, Aug 9 (IANS) A parliamentary panel Thursday recommended a probe into the issue of Bt Brinjal, saying that adequate tests had not been carried out and the approval committee was under "tremendous pressure" from the "industry and a minister" to approve it.

Parliamentary panel seeks probe into Bt Brinjal

August 9, 2012 at 5:53 PM

New Delhi, Aug 9 (IANS) A parliamentary panel Thursday recommended a probe into the issue of Bt Brinjal, saying that adequate tests had not been carried out and the approval committee was under "tremendous pressure" from the "industry and a minister" to approve it.

Do tigers have AIDS? Government says 'no'

August 7, 2012 at 2:33 PM

New Delhi, Aug 7 (IANS) Is there any evidence of HIV/AIDS in lions and tigers, asked an MP in August 2010. Two years later, the environment ministry has come out with its verdict: "No evidence."

Centre seeks revised drought report from Karnataka

August 2, 2012 at 4:35 PM

Bangalore, Aug 2 (IANS) The central government Thursday asked the Karnataka government to submit a revised report on the severe drought situation across the state and the funds it requires from the central government to take up additional relief works.

Pawar to visit four drought-hit states beginning today

August 1, 2012 at 9:55 PM

New Delhi, Aug 1 (ANI): Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar will on Wednesday begin his three-day tour to take stock of four drought-hit states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Karnataka.

Maharashtra faces drought-like situation

August 1, 2012 at 8:51 PM

Mumbai, Aug 1 (IANS) With available water storage dipping to barely 31 percent owing to poor rains, a severe drought-like situation could envelop Maharashtra, officials said here Wednesday.

States declare drought, not centre: Pawar

July 31, 2012 at 10:35 PM

New Delhi, July 31 (IANS) Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar Tuesday noted that 400 out of the 627 districts in India had received deficient rainfall but said it was for the states to declare a drought.

Gehlot says Rajasthan Govt., Centre worried about delayed monsoon

July 29, 2012 at 2:18 PM

New Delhi, July 29 (ANI): Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has said that both his government and the Central Government are worried about the delayed monsoon and its impact on seasonal crops.

Rural development ministry offers to fund bio-toilets for railway coaches

July 24, 2012 at 11:39 PM

New Delhi, July 24 (IANS) Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh Tuesday offered to equip all new railways coaches with bio-toilets built by Defence Research and Development Organisation and share half the cost of retrofitting all existing coaches with green toilets.

Ramesh to review India-aided projects in Sri Lanka

July 12, 2012 at 2:56 PM

New Delhi, July 12 (IANS) India's Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh will Thursday meet Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo to review the progress of various developmental projects supported by India in the island nation.

Jairam Ramesh appeals to eliminate open defecation

July 6, 2012 at 8:08 PM

Chandigarh, July 6 (ANI): Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh on Friday urged political leaders to support the ' Clean India campaign' to make the country free of open defecation in next ten years.