30% less fund allocation for rehabilitation of manual scavengers in Budget 2022
Officially, there are slightly more than 58,000 manual scavengers in India who, despite the ban, lift human excreta. Activists working with this community say that there is a reluctance in the government to acknowledge these manual scavengers, and hence low budgetary allocations. Their rehabilitation also remains poor.
Shivani Gupta
Health sector gets Rs 86,606 crore in Budget 2022; public health experts say “not enough”
The Budget Estimate 2022-23 has allocated Rs 86,606 crore to the health sector, which is a “negligible” increase as compared to the Revised Estimate of Rs 85,915 crore for FY 2021-22. Prioritisation of health is missing in this year’s budget despite the country facing the third wave of the pandemic, say public health experts.
Shivani Gupta
If children could vote: In poll-bound UP, high malnourishment but 66% POSHAN funds unutilised
With 41% of under-5 rural kids stunted and 33% underweight, government after government in Uttar Pradesh has made several changes to the anganwadi nutrition programme. Hot meals have been stopped, dry rations are in ‘short supply’ and the state government now plans to merge the anganwadi meals with the mid-day meal scheme. Meanwhile, a large chunk of funds meant to fight malnutrition has remained unutilised between 2017-18 and 2020-21. A ground report as part of ‘The Gaon Postcard’ series.
Shivani Gupta
UP’s villages might vote again on caste and religion. But what they desperately want: clean water.
Clean and available water has never been a dominant election issue for any party in Uttar Pradesh, despite some of the worst indices in the country. A month from the start of a seven-phase election in India’s most populous state Uttar Pradesh, Gaon Connection travels to villages to explore the issues that affect the daily lives of the rural citizens.
Shivani Gupta
UP govt promises hike in honorarium of anganwadi workers ahead of polls; the workers want the assurance in writing
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced an increase in the monthly honorarium of anganwadi workers from Rs 5,500 to Rs 8,000. However, the anganwadi workers want the assurance in writing, as they say they have been promised the increase since 2017, and nothing has come of it.
Shivani Gupta
Hasdeo Aranya coal mining controversy heats up; Chhattisgarh HC stays land acquisition for a coal block
After the environment ministry approved the coal mining in Chhattisgarh’s Hasdeo forest, more than 25 conservationists wrote to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister demanding dismissal of coal mining expansion in the ecologically sensitive region. Meanwhile, the High Court has issued a stay on land acquisition for the Parsa coal block in Hasdeo Aranya.
Shivani Gupta
UP CM Adityanath assures 24×7 power supply across state; 1/10th of rural households yet to be electrified
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced that efforts are underway to ensure villages in the state are supplied with electricity from December. He added that 24×7 power supply in the rural areas will be ensured. Details here.
Shivani Gupta
Govt teachers, sanitation workers in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh strongly protest the new pension scheme
Thousands of government employees, including teachers, sanitation and anganwadi workers, from across Uttar Pradesh gathered in Lucknow today to protest against the new pension scheme. They want the old pension scheme implemented. What is the new pension scheme and why the protests? Details here.
Shivani Gupta
Anaemia in children on the rise in India; 72.7% under-5 kids in rural Madhya Pradesh anaemic
According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (2020-21) released today, child nutrition indicators have slightly improved in rural India, but anaemia continues to be a concern. In Rajasthan, stunting has decreased from 40.8% in NFHS-4 to 32.6% in NFHS-5. However, 72.4% of rural kids are anaemic.
Shivani Gupta
Kisan Mahapanchayat In Pics: Farmers assemble in Lucknow to mark their ‘half-victory’, gear up for challenges ahead
Their spirits emboldened with the recent success of getting PM Modi to announce the repealing of the farm laws, thousands of farmers gathered in Lucknow to raise slogans that were themed on a collective reminder — it’s not over yet.