-The Times of India NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre and states to respond to two PILs seeking an independent probe into midday meal scheme-related deaths and alleged laxity in enforcing guidelines to ensure Healthy food in the welfare scheme. The PILs - by an NGO through advocate Shobha and another by Sanjeeb Panigrahi - said they were approaching the court "in the wake of horrifying incidents of...

-The Times of India NEW DELHI: The onion crisis gripping the government might be largely man made. Slow release of onion stocks by a clutch of traders rather than a shortfall in production has emerged as a key reason for retail prices rocketing to Rs 70-80 a kg. The government uncovered the plot - hatched by traders operating from major onion markets in Nashik in Maharashtra - as it sought to figure...

-The Hindu     Bench issues notice to Centre and 12 States The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the Centre and 12 States seeking their response on steps taken to ensure cleanliness in the midday meal scheme and to prevent incidents like the one that occurred last month in a government primary school in a Bihar village, where 23children died after eating contaminated food. The States to which a Bench of Chief Justice...

-Economic and Political Weekly     In his paper Arvind Panagariya argues that the current World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended international growth standards exaggerate the extent of stunting in India. He points out that while the prevalence of stunting by current norms is higher in India than many poorer Sub-Saharan African countries, it has much lower mortality rates than them and a better record of economic growth. He deals his cards deftly, giving...

-The Hindu Health activists remind the Prime Minister of his last year's promise of free medication which will fulfil people's right to essential medicines Last year during his Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had announced free distribution of medicines through government hospitals and Health centres. One year down the line, however, the promise is far from being fulfilled and the declaration has made...