Latest news with #incentives
ABC News
3 hours ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Why politicians in India are offering cows and cash to encourage having kids
A politician in southern India has offered new parents 50,000 rupees ($911) if they have a third child, as long as it's a girl. If it's a boy, the offer is a cow. The promise from Kalisetti Appalanaidu, an MP from the state of Andhra Pradesh, reflects heightened anxiety over population in southern India. Leaders in some of India's biggest southern states are now offering incentives for people to have bigger families — a dramatic shift in a country that, for more than 50 years, actively promoted smaller families. The reversal in population policy comes as India prepares for a long-delayed national census and a political process known as delimitation, which could dramatically reshape who holds power in the country's parliament. Delimitation is the redrawing of the boundaries of India's parliamentary constituencies based on population. The ongoing process was frozen in 1976 so that nationwide family planning efforts did not affect states' political representation in the union. However, the Modi government has indicated it will restart the process of delimitation after India conducts its census in 2027. The goal is to ensure that each elected representative in India's lower house, the Lok Sabha, represents roughly the same number of people. But this has sparked concerns in India's south. For decades, states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh had reduced their birth rates through proactive family planning policies. In contrast, many northern states have higher fertility rates. Under the delimitation formula, states with faster-growing populations could gain more seats in parliament, while states that have successfully curbed their population growth may lose political influence. Seeing a loss of political power on the horizon, some leaders are urging citizens to reverse decades of population control and start having more children. Both Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin have spoken publicly about the need for population growth to protect their states' political representation. Mr Stalin encouraged his constituents to start having children "immediately". In the meantime, there have been calls for the redrawing of boundaries to be delayed. "We have requested that the delimitation freeze be extended for another 25 years," said Manu Sundaram, a spokesperson for Tamil Nadu's ruling party, the DMK. In 2004, then-treasurer Peter Costello introduced a baby bonus — a one-time cash payment of up to $5,000 for new parents. The goal was to encourage population growth. It appeared to modestly increase the birth rate before it was eventually scrapped in 2014. In India, while politicians worry about seats in parliament, many families say that getting by is the priority — and that cash handouts won't change their reality. Malleshwari, a 28-year-old woman from a tribal community in Andhra Pradesh, has one child and says that is enough. "Considering the uncertainties of health and life, I would rather have one child and give them everything I can," she said. She said she believed the government needed to change its priorities if it really wanted to support families. "The main focus should be on education. The government must provide free and quality education. Not just academic, but life and vocational skills," she said. "Simply offering money as an incentive to have children will not be enough or widely accepted." Keshav, a 32-year-old tribal man working with an NGO, said his own upbringing had been marked by poverty and domestic violence and he did not want to see that cycle repeated. "Without being able to provide a good education, financial stability and a healthy lifestyle, I don't think it's right to bring more children into this world," he said. Those working closely with women and health care in southern India say the proposed strategy is misguided. Andhra Pradesh women's advocate Keerthi Bollineni said short-term cash incentives missed the bigger picture. "Sustainable population growth is essential," she said. Andhra Pradesh MP Appala Naidu has acknowledged women need more support — and part of his plan has been to promise greater access to maternity leave. But these moves are unlikely to have a measurable effect before the census in 2027. Dr Geetha Devi, a gynaecologist with more than 30 years of experience in Andhra Pradesh, said she was already seeing the limitations of the politicians' approach. She said investment in health care needed to be the priority. "To some extent [the incentives] may work. But educated and working women, I don't think they will be influenced by 50,000 rupees and a cow," she said. "Nowadays I see many families having a single child … I know many people who are having only one child in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and other southern states." "If you encourage population growth, we have to improve our healthcare system first," she said. "The public health system lacks doctors, functioning equipment and even basic repairs. Many centres are short on staff."
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Free pizza, play points and money: These programs will keep your kids reading this summer
It may be summer vacation for students, but that doesn't mean the reading fun has to come to an end. It can be a daily struggle trying to keep your child engaged and interested in reading when there are so many other things vying for their attention. When school ends for the summer, reading can feel like a chore when there are video games to play, crafts to create, and forts to build. As a parent, it can feel like a never-ending battle to maintain consistent reading habits throughout the summer and cultivate a love for reading. That's where summer reading programs come in handy, with these companies offering incentives from pizza to actual money to inspire your kiddos to read during summer vacation. Here are free reading programs to help you encourage reading this summer: Pie in the sky idea: Should Massachusetts have a state pizza? One lawmaker wants it to be this type The Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program is a fun and easy way for students in grades 1 through 6 to foster their love of reading and earn free books. It's simple, all your child has to do is read 8 books, write about their favorite part in the Reading Journal, and bring the completed journal to Barnes & Noble bookstore, at 392 State Road, Dartmouth, between July 1 and Aug. 31. Once they complete the journal, they get a free book from the store. Find out more at Where to find a Labubu: These dolls are one of the hardest trends to get right now. 3 MA stores you can buy one Your child can earn a reward for their love of reading with Chuck E. Cheese. If they complete a book, have them fill out the "Page-Turning Pro" award on the Chuck E. Cheese website. Then, bring it to their location at 412-418 State Road in Dartmouth to receive 10 free play points. Encourage them to continue reading daily by filling out the Reading Rewards Calendar. After two weeks of consistent reading, they will earn another 10 free points. Check it out at "BOOK IT!" has now been upgraded with an easy-to-use app that tracks and rewards your child's reading habits. Throughout June, July, and August, children in pre-K through 6th grade who reach their parent-set reading goal each month will be awarded a free one-topping Personal Pan Pizza from Pizza Hut. To qualify, the child must read for a minimum of 20 minutes a day for 15 days. To redeem your reward code, head over to locations at 914 Mount Pleasant St., New Bedford; 155 Hope St., Fall River; or 579 GAR Highway, Swansea. To download the app, go to Personal and commercial banker Rockland Trust is holding its 17th annual Reading Makes Cent$ program, which encourages kids to keep up their reading and add to their bank accounts. For students entering grades 1 through 8 this fall, kids can earn up to $25 in a Rockland Trust savings account — $2.50 for each book they read, up to 10 books. The program, which began June 1, runs through Aug. 31. To grab a summer reading journal, visit any Rockland Trust branch or print one out online. Rockland Trust has branches in Fairhaven, Fall River, New Bedford and Somerset. This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Summer reading at Pizza Hut, Chuck E. Cheese, and Barnes & Noble
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Homeowners with solar panels share firsthand advice with cautious shoppers: 'Haven't paid more than 20 dollars for a bill in 5 years'
Thinking about going solar but unsure if it's worth it? One homeowner's experience offered a clear answer and sparked plenty of online conversation. Their simple setup helped slash energy bills while cutting back on the use of dirty energy sources such as gas, coal, and oil. With rising utility rates and frequent extreme weather events, homeowners are looking for smarter ways to power their homes. Redditors may have found the ultimate home energy hack: solar panels combined with battery storage. One Redditor said they "haven't paid more than 20 dollars for a bill in 5 years" thanks to their setup. This type of system not only powers homes but also charges batteries to offset usage during non-sunny hours or high-rate periods. "Batteries can help manage the gap between your solar production and usage and most utilities offer generous rebates in exchange for grid stabilization," another user explained. While upfront costs can be a concern for some, tools such as EnergySage's solar calculator can quickly estimate personalized savings and compare vetted installers in your area. Its mapping tool also shows average installation costs in each state and provides details on statewide incentives. For the Redditor, the most immediate benefit was financial. With monthly energy bills consistently under $20, the system likely paid for itself or is well on its way to doing so. "I'm on hourly pricing too! Solar powers everything during the day including high energy demand. And I get cheap night electric rates. Best of both worlds," they added. But solar's impact isn't just economic. Generating clean energy from the sun helps reduce dependence on gas, coal, and oil and can lower a household's impact on the climate. It's a smart upgrade that pays off financially while benefiting the planet. According to EnergySage, homeowners can save 20% to 30% or more with federal and state incentives. However, a potential shift in U.S. energy policy could change that. Lawmakers have hinted at rolling back the current 30% investment tax credit as early as this year, according to Solar Builder. That means homeowners may need to act quickly to secure thousands in savings. Fellow Redditors jumped in with questions and encouragement. Some praised the results and asked for setup details, while others raised concerns about initial costs or regional restrictions. Still, many shared similar experiences, especially those with battery systems. For those exploring solar, this hack proves its potential. Pairing solar panels with batteries for energy storage can help more families cut costs and build toward a cooler, cleaner future. If you were to install home solar panels, which of these factors would be your primary motivation? Energy independence Lower power bills Helping the planet No chance I ever go solar Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Bloomberg
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Bloomberg
India Open to Easing EV Rules as China's Rare Earth Curbs Bite
India is amenable to relaxing the 50% localization it expects from electric vehicle makers and suppliers in return for incentives, after China's curbs on rare earths exports put the goal in doubt, according to people familiar with the matter. Although the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers is yet to make a formal plea for paring the requirement, the industry body's members have flagged the need in various consultations with the government, said the people, who asked not to be named because the discussions are private.
Forbes
09-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Using Incentives And Recognition To Boost Productivity
No matter what industry you work in, one of the most important factors for driving results is having a productive and highly motivated workforce. Unfortunately, having an engaged team doesn't always come easily. Gallup reports that just 31% of employees feel engaged at work — and that disengaged employees result in $1.9 trillion in lost productivity in the United States each year. Part of the reason for this is because many employers overlook one of the basic tenets of work psychology. Using a carefully crafted incentive and recognition program can be a powerful tool for increasing engagement, productivity and other valuable employee metrics. The concept of using incentives in the workforce comes from the psychological theory that our behavior is largely shaped by perceived consequences. Trying to achieve a reward motivates us to pursue a certain behavior, while fear of punishment acts as a deterrent. However, for those perceived consequences to have actual power, they need to be consistently reinforced. Another important consideration is the inherent desire among most employees to feel valued, which is a powerful driver of workplace satisfaction and motivation. When employees don't feel valued, they are less likely to give their best effort, and are more likely to look for a job where they believe they will be more valued. Unfortunately, many employers don't deliver on these basic needs. Workhuman reports that 46.4% of employees say they are only 'somewhat valued' by their employer, and an additional 10.7% don't feel 'valued at all.' While many workplaces struggle to keep employees engaged or make them feel valued, the right incentives can completely transform the work environment—and the level of engagement. So, how do incentives motivate desired behavior? First, there's the fact that behavior is shaped by perceived consequences. Incentives act as positive reinforcement for desired behavior. For example, Toyota's famous kaizen mindset, which encourages all employees to look for ways to make continual improvements to company processes, incentivizes idea sharing by offering monetary rewards and personal recognition for implemented ideas. Incentivizing this program results in over 250,000 suggestions per year. Another example comes from a case study featuring a collaboration between Blueberry Pediatrics and Motivosity. As a fully remote company, Blueberry Pediatrics was struggling with engagement. They partnered with Motivosity to implement a centralized platform and realized an 89% increase in participation in employee programs. In addition, a peer-to-peer giving and recognition system led to a 30 times increase in employee recognitions, further driving engagement and deepening relationships among team members. As these examples illustrate, incentives can provide a powerful motivation to improve performance at work. Whether in the form of a monetary reward or public recognition, incentives create psychological motivation for employees to do their best — and even go above and beyond what is expected of them. Where recognition comes from can also make a difference. As one report from Gallup notes, 'Nearly one-quarter [of employees] said the most memorable recognition comes from a high-level leader or CEO. Employees will remember personal feedback from the CEO — even a small amount of time a high-ranking leader takes to show appreciation can yield a positive impression on an employee. In fact, acknowledgement from a CEO could become a career highlight.' Which types of incentives work best? Academic studies into incentives reveal that in many cultures, monetary rewards tend to be more powerful motivators than other incentives — but in other cultures, a psychological incentive proves more effective. A bonus or significant performance-based incentive isn't the answer to every situation (especially for businesses on a tight budget). Fortunately, money isn't the only way you can incentivize employees. And in fact, monetary rewards are often temporary, rather than permanent motivators. Employees who feel seen, valued and appreciated are more likely to remain loyal, engaged and productive in the long run. For many, consistently receiving public recognition and praise can go a long way in helping them this way. Some organizations may link incentives to the results of a team's campaign, seeking greater buy-in and collaboration from a department or even across the entire company. Rewards like team outings, special meals or even extra time off or unique experiences can give teams an extra goal to work for as they strive to complete a project or hit KPIs. Rewards can even be as simple as gift cards to a favorite retailer, restaurant or subscription service. Alternatively, some companies go in a different direction with rewards, like giving employees more autonomy with more flexible work arrangements. Regardless of the specifics of your incentive program, it's important that you adapt it to the needs of your organization and the values of your employees. Incentives should always be linked with desired employee behavior or work outcomes, and appreciation should be expressed consistently. At the same time, the incentives should feel meaningful, relevant and (when possible) personalized to your employees based on their contributions and interests. With the right incentive and recognition program, you can ensure that your employees feel valued and engaged at work. This will, in turn, make them more productive and less likely to look for jobs elsewhere. And best of all, incentivizing engagement, innovation and performance doesn't have to always be monetary. By providing recognition for quality work and understanding what types of incentives are the most meaningful for your team, you can give them greater motivation to do their best — and then get the results you want for your business.
