In a bid to connect more than 72,000 villages to banking services by March 2012, the nationalized banks, which were giving voluntary retirement schemes (VRS) to their staff a few years back are now gearing up for huge recruitments.

The board of cash-strapped Air India (AI) on Tuesday discussed the feasibility of offering VRS to some of its nearly 29,000 employees as the national carrier fights for survival in the face of mounting debt.

Delhi government on Wednesday transferred Rs 8 crore to over 13,500 beneficiaries under a major food subsidy programme through Aadhaar-based direct cash transfer, the highest amount to be transacted by any state on a single day.

Ghaziabad Development Authority is all set to launch group housing scheme in Indirapuram area of Ghaziabad.

CPI(M) has questioned the legality of the government's cash transfer scheme, saying the law on which the pogramme is based has not yet been passed by Parliament.

The Congress and the BJP on Monday traded barbs over the government's direct cash transfer scheme after the Election Commission sought a reply from the Centre on the timing of the announcement.

BJP leaders on Friday met Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath to lodge a protest over the government decision to pay cash to beneficiaries of official schemes, saying the announcement could influence voters in upcoming elections.

Moving ahead with the ambitious plan for direct electronic cash transfer, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday set up a high-powered committee headed by him which will identify the schemes to be covered and ensure smooth rollout of the programme within specified timelines.

The ambitious direct cash transfer scheme, to be launched from January one next year, will cover 29 welfare schemes initially, the government said on Tuesday while describing it as a "game-changer" but dismissing suggestions that the roll-out hinted at mid-term polls.

With the ambitious direct electronic cash transfer scheme set for a roll out from January 1, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday directed all the ministries concerned to work in close coordination, particularly with regard to enabling poor people to open bank accounts smoothly.