Rajiv Awas Yojana to get a Facelift

Indian states are expressing reluctance to comply with the mandatory provisions for availing central funds under the scheme. This is due to the scheme mandatory provisions such as according property rights to slum dwellers and earmarking 25% of the municipal budget for spending in colonies and slums where the urban poor live. This reluctance has now forced the Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation ministry, which is implementing RAY, to reconsider the policy provisions so as to make it more acceptable to the states.

Mumbai Rag Pickers - Warriors for Creating a Sustainable Environment

Mumbai's rag pickers are the cities warriors who are striving hard to create a sustainable environment. These women under the aegis of Parisar Bhagini Vikas Sangh are helping to train rag pickers in the city on waste segregation, recycling, environment friendly disposal and making money through selling dry waste. This has reduced the load on the municipality and the landfills of Mumbai.