PM sanctions Rs.200 mn for NSG welfare fund

October 8th, 2009 Fund crunch has badly hit the ambitious housing plan announced for Mahadalits (poorest among the downtrodden) in Bihar, officials said today. The state government in July this year had unveiled the housing plan for the Mahadalits wherein the government was to grant a cash of Rs 87,500 to each of over 1 lakh Mahadalit families to make them purchase land and construct houses on their own.

September 9th, 2009 SADC: Sanctions against Zimbabwe should endKINSHASA, Congo — Southern African leaders are calling for an end to sanctions against Zimbabwe. South African President Jacob Zuma says continuing sanctions will make it difficult for Zimbabwe's power-sharing agreement to be implemented.

August 20th, 2009 NEW DELHI - In a major boon for Indian citizens who find themselves in distress overseas, the government Thursday set up an annual Rs.1.6 crore (Rs.16 million) fund that will operate through the country's diplomatic missions in 18 nations, mostly in the Middle East and Africa. The decision to create the India Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) was taken at a cabinet meting presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told reporters.

August 20th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Union Cabinet today approved setting up the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) in the Indian Missions in 17 countries to meet contingency expenditure incurred by the them for carrying out various onsite welfare activities for overseas Indian citizens who are in distress. The proposed ICWF is aimed at providing several services.

August 11th, 2009 Animal groups in court over Helmsley fortuneNEW YORK — Animal-welfare groups are accusing the trustees of hotel queen Leona Helmsley's multibillion-dollar estate of ignoring her wishes that the lion's share of the money should go to the dogs. Instead, the animal advocates said Tuesday, the trustees have shown "disdain" for Helmsley's pet cause by donating only $100,000 to dog welfare.

July 29th, 2009 US envoy to consult UN sanctions panel on NKoreaWASHINGTON — The State Department says the Obama administration's coordinator for enforcement of U.N. sanctions against North Korea is going to New York to consult with the U.N.

July 22nd, 2009 House approves sanctions against MyanmarWASHINGTON — The House has voted to renew sanctions meant to penalize the junta that runs the Southeast Asian country of Myanmar, also called Burma. The resolution approving the reauthorization of the sanctions now goes to the Senate for consideration.

July 8th, 2009 Schwarzenegger defends plans to reform welfareSACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday defended his proposals to reform welfare and other social programs as negotiations over closing California's $26.3 billion deficit remained frozen.

April 27th, 2009 TV ownership no bar to welfare, says MalaysiaKUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — An official says Malaysia will scrap a rule that denies government welfare to poor people if they own a television set or cable connection at home. Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil says the Welfare Department would introduce a "more effective and realistic" system for providing aid.

April 9th, 2009 HARARE - The US ambassador to Zimbabwe Wednesday warned of new sanctions against Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and senior members of his party unless they show willingness to reform. In an interview with journalists in Harare, ambassador James McGee said current US sanctions against Mugabe and senior members of his party would remain in place 'until we see some positive movement'.

April 9th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Animal rights activists across the world have a reason to smile as the European Union (EU) is pushing for the inclusion of animal welfare standards in the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) multilateral trade negotiations. 'Inclusion of animal welfare standards in the WTO agenda is urgently needed to effectively enforce animal standards worldwide, and to improve the appalling condition of slaughter houses in many countries including India,' Citizens for Animal Rights (CAR), a city-based organisation, said in a release here.

February 22nd, 2009 THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Kerala's Finance Minister Thomas Isaac Saturday said that the state was the 'safest place' for the diaspora to invest their hard earned money. 'Already many in the Middle East are looking for safe places to invest their hard earned money.

January 14th, 2009 THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Kerala chief minister V.S. Achuthanandan Thursday announced that he would travel to Dubai February end to inaugurate the collection to a welfare fund being set up for the diaspora.

January 8th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The government Friday released Rs.200 billion (Rs.20,000 crore/$4 billion) to meet the liquidity requirements of non-financial banking companies (NBFCs). 'The measure has been taken because the RBI (Reserve Bank of India) otherwise cannot meet the liquidity requirements of NBFCs,' Home Minister P.

December 23rd, 2008 NEW DELHI - K. Chandramouli, a 1975 batch officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) with Uttar Pradesh cadre, has been named the next central provident fund Commissioner, it was announced Wednesday.