-The Financial Express   THE rising sale of spurious pesticides in the country is resulting in crop damage, top agricultural scientists said on Wednesday. S Ayyappan, director general, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), said around 40% of pesticides used in the country is spurious. “Research and development needs to be given a boost in this field (pesticides) and for this the main participation should come from the private sector, and a...

-The Hindu   Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday directed the Department of Atomic Energy and the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board to upgrade safety measures at the nuclear facilities in the wake of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear crisis. At a special meeting to review the country's disaster preparedness in the light of the disasters the tsunami caused in japan in March, Dr. Singh, who is also Chairman of the National Disaster Management...

-PTI   Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday directed upgradation of safety measures at the country's nuclear facilities to match the global standards as he reviewed the disaster preparedness in the wake of recent radiation scare in japan. At a special meeting here, he asked the authorities concerned to look 'beyond design basis accident' while putting in place the safety measures at the nuclear installations. Singh took stock of the safety measures being...

Just ahead of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to India where she will hold delegation- level talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday, Berlin decided to shut all its nuclear power reactors by 2022. The decision is expected to have wide-ranging ramifications in India as those opposed to nuclear power, including the movement at Jaitapur, will claim vindication in what is being described as a drastic reversal of policy...

Farmers and leaders in Bhavnagar district flocked in hundreds to protest nuclear-based power plant at Mithivirdi in Jasapara village. Farmers are protesting against setting up of a N-power plant in the area as it would destroy their fertile land. Gram Swaraj Manch and politicians of all major parties have given their support to the campaign. Farmers from Mahuva, Mithivirdi, Jasapara, Khadarpar, Mandva and surrounding villages participated in the meet which...