-TheWire.in Any reference to the term “slaughter” will be removed in the new version of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Market) Rules, 2017. New Delhi: Less than a year after the Centre banned the sale and purchase of ‘cattle’ from animal markets for slaughter, thus depriving farmers of any resale value for their cattle and leading to a spike in cow vigilantism, the Modi government has decided to...

-Livemint.com Linking MSPs to a multiple of costs and ignoring other dynamics, such as demand and global prices, risks creating distortions and disincentivizing productivity Government policymaking seems to be making a volte-face from supporting consumers (by keeping food inflation low), to supporting producers (by raising food prices). In the 2018-19 Union budget, the government “decided to keep minimum support prices (MSP) for all unannounced crops of kharif at least at one-and-a-half times of...

-The Hindu Rather than just increased budgetary outlays, farmers need plans that will rescue them from crop failure Similar to the last two Budgets, this year’s pro-agriculture intentions are palpable through increased outlays to the agricultural sector and initiation of various programmes. They seem impressive, but closer scrutiny shows that the measures may be of little help to stem the tide of agrarian distress. There are some real challenges confronting three...

-Down to Earth The initiative will be launched in nine districts in a phased manner over a period of five years * This is the first of its kind as no state in India has ever millets into public distribution system, mid-day meal scheme and the Integrated Child Development Services together. * In PDS, ragi will be handed over to beneficiaries based on availability and preference initially in the tribal areas In order...

-Livemint.com Mumbai: Currency in circulation in India stood at Rs17.78 trillion as on 16 February, reaching 98.94% of the pre demonetisation level, according to the latest data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). On 4 November 2016, the latest data released by the central bank before high-value banknotes were invalidated on 8 November, the currency with the public was Rs17.97 trillion. Subsequently, it dropped to a low of Rs8.98 trillion...