-IANS Those who cherish India's constitutional values will find Gujarat Chief Minister Narenda Modi's boast to build a state of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (India's first home minister and deputy prime minister) taller than the Statue of Liberty rather chilling. By prizing nationalism over individual freedom, Modi may have once again revealed his illiberal nature. People who dislike this aspect of him, Leftists mainly, give vent to their disapproval by dismissing Modi's development...

-The Telegraph The government has decided to bring in an ordinance to ensure legal right to subsidised food for two-thirds of the country's population, choosing the executive route to avoid parliamentary debates and sharing credit with the Opposition. Sources said the Union cabinet was expected to take up the National Food Security Ordinance on Thursday and added that it was likely to be cleared and sent for presidential assent the same day. "The...

-The United Nations Given the right conditions and targeted support, small farmers can unleash a new and sustainable agricultural revolution, the United Nations environment agency a partner agricultural development organization reported today on the eve of World Environment Day. According to the report, Smallholders, Food Security and the Environment, an estimated 2.5 billion people who manage 500 million smallholder farm households provide over 80 per cent of the food consumed in much...

-The Business Standard Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on the launch of the second phase of the Mukhya Mantri Annapurna Yojana, ahead of the Centre's proposed food security legislation. Edited excerpts of an interview with Sanjay Jog: * What are the key features of the second phase of the Mukhya Mantri Annapurna Yojana (MAY), launched from this month? This will benefit 35 million people, including 5.5 mn below the poverty line...

-The Economic Times NEW DELHI: Wheat procurement in the rabi marketing season 2013-14 is likely to touch 28-30 million tonne. When procurement began in April, the government had estimated to buy 44.06 million tonne wheat this year. "Wheat procurement this season will fall to 28-30 million tonne," said Union Food Minister KV Thomas. He added that since the government was strict with the OMSS price and didn't accept the industry...