An action plan for Sri Lanka

"The outline of a sustainable development system to empower villagers."

This article has been excerpted from an address A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, delivered at the launch of the National Action Plan, and the declaration of 2012 as the year for a trilingual Sri Lanka, on January 21. The Hindu : Opinion / Lead : An action plan for Sri Lanka

We are all destined to realise happiness, dignity of life, freedom and creativity - but only if nations become noble. One need of a noble nation is the creation of an environment of inclusive development where everyone gets an opportunity to build capacity and generate income based on competencies. For this, the evolution of sustainable systems which act as "enablers" and bring inclusive growth and integrated development is needed.

The article then goes on to discuss the mission of Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA) through the creation of three connectivities - physical, electronic, and knowledge leading to economic connectivity, for 15,000 villages of Sri Lanka.

Wages of justice

"By filing a Special Leave Petition against the Karnataka High Court order directing payment of statutory minimum wages to workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), the UPA government has betrayed its insensitivity to the rights of the poor.

The Hindu : Opinion / Editorial : Wages of justice: The courts have ruled that payment below minimum wage amounts to “forced labour”, which is constitutionally prohibited. The Centre's implacable stand that workers employed under the scheme are not entitled to anything higher than the Rs.100 ceiling fixed by it smacks of perversity."