Fund clause against spirit of bill, says Dreze

A day before the Rural Employment Guarantee Bill is set to be introduced in Parliament, Jean Dreze, sociologist and member of the National A...

A day before the Rural Employment Guarantee Bill is set to be introduced in Parliament, Jean Dreze, sociologist and member of the National Advisory Council that drew up the original draft, said a new clause included goes against the spirit of the bill.

Besides, say experts, the fact that the government is unable to commit itself on a minimum wage can be challenged in court.

The latest amendment includes a footnote which allows the Centre to stop funding any particular scheme if it suspects corruption. Dreze said such a provision would give the government ‘‘sweeping powers’’ to retract its promise to provide jobs.

Story continues below this ad

Under the new clause, if the Centre finds prima facie evidence of corruption in a particular scheme, it may stop release of funds to it.

‘‘This will also deter labourers from blowing the whistle in case of corruption by officials because by doing so, they will be deprived of their means of livelihood,’’ Dreze, who is also associated with NGO People’s Action for Employment Guarantee, said.

Donald Trump may replace H-1B lottery with wage-based selection process

World10 hr ago

Days after hiking the fees for new H-1B applications to $100,000, the Donald Trump administration has proposed to overhaul the visa process for high-skilled non-immigrant workers. The Trump administration has suggested a wage-based selection process for the H-1B programme, instead of the current lottery system.

View all shorts

Live Blog