-The Indian Express India faces no risk of violating its commitments under WTO The Indian delegation, led by commerce minister Anand Sharma, is approaching the WTO Ministerial in Bali with a ‘begging bowl'. The government has agreed to the so-called ‘peace clause'-a euphemism for not taking any penal action for violating commitments under Agreement on Agriculture (AoA)-proposed by WTO Director General but with the caveat that this will remain in place until...

-Down to Earth India faces a surplus of foodgrains. Is exporting a good option? With India's grain mountain set to implode, the government is desperate to push the exports of rice and wheat. However, a global glut and the resulting depression of prices are dimming the prospects of foodgrain exports. According to the Food Corporation of India (FCI), the nodal agency for grain trade in the country, India is sitting on 34 million...

-Outlook New Delhi: The Election Commission has asked the Delhi government to stall the process for identifying beneficiaries under Food Security scheme till December 5 when the poll process in the national capital will be over. The EC directive came in reply to a request from Delhi government to continue with identification of beneficiaries as the scheme has already been launched in the national capital. Delhi government had launched the scheme in...

-PTI The landmark Food Security Bill, aimed at giving a legal right on highly subsidised foodgrains to 67 per cent of the country's population, on Thursday received the President's nod. "We have received the Presidential assent to the Food Security bill," Food Minister K.V. Thomas told PTI. The law will soon be notified in the Government gazette, after which it will come into effect, he added. The Centre has convened a meeting of...

-The Business Standard Less painful now, but future uncertain The United Progressive Alliance's (UPA) ambitious National Food Security Bill might soon become reality. After getting approval from the Lok Sabha, the Bill is headed for the Upper House of Parliament for approval. The big debate is on the financial implications as and when all states start implementing the scheme. Also, how the estimated 20-30 per cent leakage in public distribution system (PDS) will...