State polls

State polls: When elections come around, tea workers — nobody’s people — become everyone’s voters

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State polls: When elections come around, tea workers — nobody’s people — become everyone’s voters

This morning, when you pour your cup of first flush, remember it was handpicked by bonded labourers of North Bengal and Assam. Understandably then, the moment they see their sardar (supervisor) and arhatti (local agent) approaching, Rita Barak and Moni Kharia (names changed), tea workers at the Demdima Tea Estate in Dooars, West Bengal get … Read more

Flagship missions’ revamp on cards in runup to state polls

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Flagship missions’ revamp on cards in runup to state polls

New Delhi: The Centre is working to revamp its flagship missions, including Smart City Mission, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and all educational scholarship schemes, to ensure improved implementation and beneficiary outreach. The government has adopted a goal-oriented approach and the new contours of the flagship missions and welfare programmes would be in place by March. … Read more