The recent announcement of minimum support prices (MSP) for various Kharif crops has once again called into question certain aspects of the official policy towards agricultural pricing. True to pattern, it has come in late. The monsoon arrived at least a week before, and many farmers might have already chosen the crops to sow. The world over governments through their price support programmes, consisting of assured minimum prices and subsidies,...

The state government is in the process of introducing a land lease policy whereby landowners can lease out land for setting up windmill projects in the state. The policy would help in resolving various issues between companies and landowners and is expected to expedite the process of setting up windmill projects. As per the draft policy, landowners would continue to be the owners of the land, unlike in many cases...

The draft law on sexual harassment could make the workplace safer for women. Locker room talk, personal remarks and unsolicited advances will all get the official stamp of disapproval if the draft bill on sexual harassment is passed by the Cabinet next month. This comes 13 years after the Supreme Court FRAmed the Vishaka guidelines on sexual harassment at the workplace. The draft bill based on these guidelines has been around...

The government would soon announce a National Employment Policy (NEP), and with this, employment creation would be mainstreamed into all macroeconomic decision-making, Union Labour and Employment Minister Mallikarjun Kharge has said. The Minister was addressing the recent 99th session of the International Labour Conference, held under the auspices of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Mr. Kharge said the NEP would provide a holistic FRAmework towards achieving the goal of remunerative and decent...

In the first study of its kind, a group of scientists will map climate change vulnerability in all the north-eastern states of India. The study, to be completed by end-July, will focus on threats to agriculture, forestry, water and livelihood resulting from climate change in the FRAgile region. The study will be conducted jointly by scientists from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore, Jadavpur University, the Indian Institute of Technology...