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Village communities in the Indian sub-continent have been self-governing over the centuries. The earlier councils or assemblies called Sabhas had a position of considerable authority and slowly they assumed the form of the Panchayats. These Panchayats became the pivot of administration and the principal forum for the dispensation of justice and resolution of local disputes.

Economic Outlook for 2008-09, released by the Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, suggests a steep fall in the economic growth of India. Growth in agriculture might reduce to more than half the rate of the previous year.

The Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India and GTZ, a German company, have signed an Indo-Germean technical co-operation today.

There are 4050 existing large dams in the country and in addition 475 large dams are under construction. About 60 per cent of these dams are more than 20 years old. Appropriate measures for the maintenance of such instructors are critical for their safety.

A secret document accidentally posted on the internet reveals plans to build a series of massive hydroelectric dams in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, submerging the homes of at least a thousand Penan, Kelabit and Kenyah tribal people, says a press relese of the Survival International.

The Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) of the Sub-Mission on urban infrastructure and governance in India, under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), has sanctioned more projects for Rajasthan, Meghalaya, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

In the backdrop of rapid urbanization of India and a corresponding hope to make a better life, a large number of people from villages are coming into the townships and cities. It poses another challenges, says the Ministry of Urban Development. How are these tackled? Read the story of a country programme that ended on June 30, 2008.

Sectretary of the Urban Development Ministry, Government of India Urges Urban Local bodies to become viable entities and provide good quality services to citizens of this country.

The Ministry of Finance, Government of India released a press note today claiming that personal income tax grew nearly 50 percent as on 21st June, 2008. Officials claimed it as an indication of economic growth and overall well-being of people. Is it really so?

A new innovation has been done by one young man Rafi Alam of Delhi. He has modified a scooter that will now run on solar and wind energy. He has made a beginning, but the big question is whether the Government of India will support such innovation by making efforts for its industrial production?