A Prolonged conflict between the Centre and state governments to identify “eligible” Below Poverty Line (BPL) families has made food distribution largely ineffective, leading to tons of food grains rotting at government storage houses, the Centre has admitted in the Supreme Court. Additional Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran, appearing for the Union Food Ministry, said both the Centre and the states agreed on the principle to supply food grains to BPL families...

Forest Minister Benoy Viswom on Monday expressed apprehension that the National Green Tribunal Act, enacted by the Centre, would lead to dilution of the Forest (Conservation) Act. In a letter to Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh, Mr. Viswom called upon the Union Minister to convene a conference of State Ministers of forests and environment to discuss issues related to the Act. Concerns Mr. Viswom said while he appreciated...

The Supreme Court today asked the government what action it had taken against officials responsible for the food grains rotting in its godowns. Additional solicitor-general Mohan Parasaran drew flak for saying that only 7,000 tonnes of grains had gone rotten in Food Corporation of India godowns. “Even if it is 7,000 tonnes, how can it happen…. What action you have taken against the officials?” the court asked. ...

How would you rate the functioning of the RTI Act five years into its enactment? It has been a mixed experience. It is encouraging that we have one of the best laws in the world but its shoddy implementation is taking the sheen away. The two nerve centers of RTI are simplifying the process of filing an application and making the functioning of the Commission effective. The posts of Information Commissioner...

The fate of South Korean steel giant Posco’s project in Orissa will be decided by early November. The decision will be taken before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh travels to Seoul for the G-20 meet in the second week of November. The environment ministry-appointed committee headed by former environment secretary Meena Gupta will submit its report on October 18. Sources said that there are indications that the panel will not be submitting...