No MNReGA work beyond 100 days: GOvt
New Delhi: The Government on Friday rejected a demand in the lok Sabha for providing work under MNREGA throughout the year, saying even the present 100-day work limit was not fully utilised.
Replying to a debate on a private member’s bill which was later withdrawn, MoS for Rural Development Pradeep Jain Aditya said “We cannot exceed it beyond 100 days. When only 8 per cent of people claiming work under MNREGA worked for 100 days under the scheme and 92 per cent did not come to claim the allotted work days, how can we increase the 100 days’ limit,” he asked.
75,000 children registered in homes
New Delhi: No authentic data is available with the Government about the number of orphans and destitute children in the country, but around 75,000 of them are in homes registered by the Integrated Child Protection Scheme, Women and Child Development Minister Krishna Tirath informed lok Sabha during Question Hour on Friday.
Elections best for Maldives: PM
New Delhi: Amid the political crisis in Maldives, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said elections are the “best course” for the country and hoped its people and government will overcome this atmosphere of “uncertainty”. He expressed confidence that the elections in September would be “free and fair” in which everyone could participate.
No more mercy for rape accused
New Delhi: A Constitution Amendment Bill which seeks to withdraw the powers of the President to grant clemency to rape convicts and those found guilty of waging a war against the country was among the 20 private members’ bills introduced in the lok Sabha on Friday. The Constitutional (Amendment) Bill-2013, introduced by Hansraj Ahir (BJP), seeks to insert a new article 72A in the Constitution to provide that the power of the President to grant pardons shall not apply to the punishment or sentence of any person convicted of any offence relating to sedition, terrorist activities or crime against women.
lakshmi bai award for rape victim
New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday emphasised the need to make women feel safe and secure and said that steps should be taken for their empowerment and equality. Presenting the Stree Shakti Puruskar, 2012 on the occasion of International Women’s Day, the President asked all citizens to persevere for the comprehensive implementation of the constitutional rights guaranteed to every woman. Mukherjee said he was happy that the Rani lakshmi Bai Award has been given to “the spirit of Nirbhaya”. later, he also hosted women media persons at Rashtrapati Bhavan and complimented work done by members of Indian Women’s Press Corps.