-The Times of India An inter-ministerial group (IMG) on inflation has recommended allowing foreign direct investment in multi-product retail as one of the two steps to tame rising prices and cut down the margin between farm gate and retail prices. This is the first formal recommendation by a government panel to allow FDI in the tightly policed and sensitive retail sector. "It is time for India to allow foreign direct investment in...
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Focus on food, not vote by Shankkar Aiyar
The debate over the National Food Security Act has been reduced to a circus for political parties, NGOs and the National Advisory Council to perform verbal calisthenics. The discussion on who is entitled, who is not entitled and who should be entitled has gone on for over two years. The discourse is deteriorating into informed nit-picking. The time for debate is over; the time for decision is overdue. Let us get...
More »BPL families to get Rs 400 for kerosene & LPG by Chetan Chauhan
Every family below poverty line may get over Rs 400 per month from the government from April next year in lieu of fuel subsidy for kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas cylinders as part of India's first direct cash transfer scheme. The move, which is expected to be considered by Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on June 9, is aimed at checking use of kerosene for fuel adulteration and reduce financial...
More »Lethal mix R Ramachandran
It is the improper mode of application, violating the law and regulations, that is responsible for the apparent adverse toxic effects of endosulfan. FROM a scientific perspective, an extremely pertinent question in the endosulfan story is why adverse health effects similar to those seen in the villages of Kasaragod district in Kerala have not been reported from other parts of the country where the pesticide is used in much larger...
More »Just A Clever Comma? by Lola Nayar
The GM crops debate rages, but pressure is on to end the moratorium Actively On Hold? Well... * GEAC meets experts in late April, butthrows no light on safety reviews * Second report by national science academies supports limited release * GEAC chairman rejects limited release; assures further discussions * No decision on further tests or studies to justify Bt Brinjal * Civil society groups meet GEAC in May, seek...
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