-Economic and Political Weekly The government’s response to the protests led by the youth against the gang rape incident in New Delhi, in the form of an ordinance has not met the aspirations of the many protestors and the woman rights’ organisations. It can in fact be accused of being vindictive, having ignored the thoroughgoing recommendations of the government appointed justice Verma committee's report. Albeena Shakil (albeenashakil@gmail.com) is a women rights’ activist...

-The Hindu While there is reason to be proud of the progress in the production of wheat, rice, cereals and millets, the use of farmland for non-farm purposes is a cause for concern The year 2013 marks the 70th anniversary of the Bengal Famine which resulted in the death of an estimated 1.5 to 3 million children, women and men during 1942-43. A constellation of factors led to this mega-tragedy, such as...

-The Indian Express The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation is set to widen its investment horizon by including 'AAA' rated corporate bonds of any private company in its portfolio following a clean chit from Crisil, a move that can open up a window for blue-chip corporates to raise about Rs 35,000 crore through long-term debt papers annually. Crisil, which was appointed by EPFO to advice on investment portfolio, has said that none of...

-The Telegraph The Centre has rejected a plea for removal of K.G. Balakrishnan as National Human Rights Commission chairperson for alleged assets accumulation when he was Chief Justice of India from January 2007 to June 2010. The Union home ministry said papers relating to Balakrishnan’s alleged corruption had been sent to the Union law ministry “for taking appropriate action”. In a recent letter to Common Cause, an NGO, the home ministry said...

-PTI In a stern warning to those not paying taxes, the income tax department on Monday said it is sending letters to 35,170 pan (permanent account number) holders in the first phase for not filing returns and will take appropriate follow up action. There are over 12 lakh pan holders who had not filed income tax returns, the department said, adding it has set up a nodal cell to monitor such cases. "In...