Latest news with #MahatmaGandhiNationalRuralEmploymentGuaranteeScheme
India.com
7 hours ago
- Business
- India.com
This 'F' word is pushing India backword, can't defeat China due to..., why is 6400000000000 scaring India
This 'F' word is pushing India backword, can't defeat China due to…, why is 6400000000000 scaring India Indian states are going to increase their spending on social welfare schemes. It is estimated that these states will spend about 2 percent of their Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), or Rs 6.4 lakh crore in 2025, much more than the previous year's spending. Several states have introduced schemes such as monthly income for women and free travel in government-run buses. These welfare schemes have increased the expenses of the states. This has raised concerns as this level of spending is expected to impact India in many ways. Will India Be Able to Beat China Economically? Notably, to beat China economically, India will have to take visionary steps beyond just spending on social welfare. According to a report by rating agency Crisil, spending huge amounts on welfare schemes has reduced states' ability to spend on infrastructure development and other development works. Crisil analysed the budget of 18 major states which account for nearly 90precent of the total GSDP. The central government, on the other hand, also spends huge amount on several welfare schemes such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA), Jal Jeevan Mission, PM Kisan, PM Awas Yojana and PM Poshan. The central government has allocated Rs 86,000 crore for MNREGA that too only for this year. What Kind Of Warning Is This? Crisil has warned that increased state spending on welfare programs, particularly those targeting women, children, and marginalised groups, will widen their revenue deficits. This surge in spending, consistent with previous years at 1.4 to1.6 percent of GSDP between FY19 and FY24 will likely curtail states capacity for capital investment. The rise in expenditure is attributed to pre-election initiatives, including income support schemes and free public transportation for women. What Is Needed To Defeat China? To overtake China economically, India has to take concrete and far-sighted steps rather just spending on social welfare schemes. Focus on productive investments India should focus on creation of world-class infrastructure like roads, railways, ports, power, digital connectivity. These developments will reduce logistics costs and boosts industries. Investments in education, healthcare, and skills development is also needed to create a skilled and healthy workforce. India has to work on increasing public and private investment in research and development. This will promote innovation. Notably, China has invested big in this. Development of the manufacturing sector China's robust manufacturing sector significantly contributes to its economic growth. India's economic progress requires bolstering initiatives like 'Make in India' by streamlining manufacturing establishment, offering tax benefits, and enhancing global supply chain integration. Emphasis on exports China has an export-oriented economy. India also needs to expand its export base in high value-added goods and services. Policy stability A stable policy environment is essential to attract investors. Improving the ease of doing business will automatically reduce red tape. Financial discipline Both the states and the Centre must keep the fiscal deficit under control. This will reduce debt and increase revenue.
The Hindu
a day ago
- General
- The Hindu
Step up release and ensure Cauvery water reaches tail-end areas in Tiruchi district, farmers urge officials
A cross-section of farmers of Tiruchi on Friday urged the Water Resources Department (WRD) to ensure that Cauvery water reached the tail-end areas in the district. Speaking at the monthly agricultural grievances day meeting, presided over by Collector V. Saravanan, Goundampatti Subramanian, deputy secretary of Cauvery Delta Farmers' Welfare Association, said farmers were happy about the timely opening of Mettur dam. Water had been released in most of 17 canals, including Uyyakondan, Peruvalai, Ayyan vaical, Kattalai High Level Canal on the upper reach of the Cauvery from Grand Anicut. It required 4,300 cusecs so that the water reached tail-end areas. Hence, the department should take steps to increase the flow in the canals. Several predominantly agricultural villages such as Ettarai, Koppu, Athavathur, Thayanur in the district faced short supply of water every year due to inefficient distribution mechanism. Considering the comfortable storage in Mettur dam, the authorities should ensure optimum release of water in the canals during the current season. GI tag for banana Ayilai Sivasurian, district secretary, Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, said several areas of Tiruchi and Karur districts, including Musiri, Srirangam, Lalgudi, Thiruverumbur, Krishnarayapuram, and Kulithalai, were known for top quality nendran banana. It had a great demand in Kerala. The nendran banana variety should be given geographical indication (GI) tag. Similarly, elarasi variety of banana, which was being produced in Tiruchi district, had been enjoying high patronage in Karnataka. Hence, the State government should take steps to get GI tag for both nendran and elarasi varieties of banana. The recognition would augur well for the farmers, who raise the banana varieties. There were reports of sale of adulterated seeds and fertilizers in the market. It would have severe impact on the production of agricultural commodities. Hence, the Agricultural Department should take steps to check the sale of adulterated seeds and fertilizers. P. Ayyakannu, president, Desiya Thenninthiya Nadhigal Inaippur Vivasayigal Sangam, said the district administration should take steps to provide 100 days employment to the workers of Kottathur enrolled in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
Scroll.in
2 days ago
- General
- Scroll.in
Jharkhand: Students missing, educators overburdened in single-teacher schools, finds study
Struggling with absenteeism and a lack of engagement from educators, the single-teacher schools in Jharkhand's Latehar district are depriving students of their fundamental right to elementary education, according to findings of a study published on Friday. The study, prepared by the NREGA Sahayata Kendra in Latehar's Manika block, found that in about 87.5% of such schools, no active teaching was taking place when surveyors made unannounced visits to the institutes. A report on the findings of the study pointed out that 84% of the students in the schools come from the Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe communities. NREGA Sahayata Kendras in Jharkhand are help centres run by independent facilitators to guide residents in accessing entitlements under welfare programmes such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. The survey was conducted between January and March to assess the functionality of single-teacher schools against the norms of the Right to Education Act. It covered 40 of the 55 single-teacher schools in the Manika block. A single-teacher school is a violation of the Right to Education Act, which mandates at least two educators for a primary school and one teacher for every 30 students. Nearly 8,000, or one-third of all government primary schools in Jharkhand, only have one teacher, said the report. 'Even with the best of intentions, it is very difficult for single teachers to teach when they face large numbers of children (59 on average, in these 40 schools) from multiple classes on their own,' said the report. 'The burden of record-keeping and other non-teaching duties, and the absence of basic facilities, further demotivates them.' The study found that 35 out of 40 educators in the single-teacher schools are on contract and not permanent employees. Pointing out that contractual employment 'often comes with poor training, job insecurity, lower salaries and fewer benefits', the report said this further adversely impacts the quality of teaching. The survey also showed that only six out of the 40 teachers are women, which 'can impact the learning environment, particularly for female students who may have a reduced sense of safety and comfort'. Thirty-one out of the 40 teachers are above the age of 40, which highlights a lack of recent appointments, according to the report. Further, it said that absenteeism among teachers was a 'persistent issue', which left the students without 'proper guidance and supervision'. Even when the teachers are present, they are often occupied with administrative work, the report added. It highlighted that the teachers spend an average 10 hours per week on record-keeping. 'This creates a poor learning environment where students receive no structured education,' said the report. 'This lack of engagement affects their academic performance and learning.' Poor infrastructure and a lack of basic facilities in the single-teacher schools are becoming additional barriers to education, the report said. It mentioned that only 17.5% of the schools have functional toilets.
Business Standard
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Urban demand moderates, rural demand shows improvement: RBI Bulletin
As per the RBI Bulletin, high-frequency indicators for May present mixed signals on aggregate demand. Urban demand showed signs of moderation as passenger vehicle sales declined with a sharp drop in entry-level segment. However, rural demand improved as evident from the increase in the retail sales of two-wheelers. During May 2025, household demand for work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) picked up, following the pursuit of alternative avenues for employment in the pre-sowing lean agricultural period and an increase in MGNREGS wage rates. Petroleum consumption expanded for the first time in the last four months, driven by petrol. Unseasonal rains and premature onset of monsoon, however, led to a reduction in electricity demand. Overall economic activity remained robust in May 2025, with key high-frequency indicators like E-way bills, Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue, toll collections, and digital payments showing strong growth.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Doddakombai tribal settlement in Erode district gets government bus facility
After decades of isolation, Doddakombai tribal settlement in Perumugai panchayat under the T.N. Palayam Panchayat Union finally got government bus connectivity on Tuesday (June 24, 2025). Home to over 100 Urali tribal families for more than 70 years, the hamlet lacked basic transport access until now. Residents had to walk nearly 10 km through the forest area to reach Kallipatti, the nearest location with bus services, to access hospitals, buy essential commodities, and attend school. Students often risked their safety walking long distances through the forest daily. Responding to the community's long-standing demand, the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) extended its Gobichettipalayam–Athani bus service from Karumbarai Pudur to Doddakombai. The service will operate in the morning and evening, catering to the needs of both students and the public. The new service was flagged off on Tuesday by Minister for Adi Dravidar Welfare M. Mathiventhan. He was joined by Rajya Sabha MP Anthiyur P. Selvaraj, Anthiyur MLA G. Venkatachalam, District Revenue Officer S. Santhakumar, and other officials, who travelled in the bus and received an enthusiastic welcome from the local residents. Doddakombai's residents primarily depend on collecting minor forest produce such as honey and broom grass for their livelihood. However, restrictions from the Forest Department had limited their access to forest resources, forcing many to rely on the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and farm labour. The newly introduced bus service is seen as a major step toward improving mobility and access to essential services, marking a significant milestone in addressing the needs of the tribal population.
