-NDTV The debate on the merits and demerits of the National Food Security Bill went on for months. But most of it seems disconnected to the reality on the ground to the churning lakhs of low income families are experiencing as they register for the new scheme. There is anxiety and desperation to get subsidised foodgrain. In the office of the Food and Supply Officer in Delhi's north east district, many have...

-The Times of India NEW DELHI: Air conditioners may soon become costlier with chief minister Shiela Dikshit keen to impose higher tax on them. At a meeting with Planning Commission which cleared a plan size of Rs 16,626 crore for the capital for 2013-14, Dikshit said the sale of ACs had increased and power consumption was much higher in the night than during the day. Delhi government told the commission about its...

-The Hindu Madurai: No end to doubts raised and clarifications provided with respect to the Act even after three years The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act 2009 stipulates that private schools reserve 25 per cent of seats at the entry level for children belonging to ‘disadvantaged groups' and ‘weaker sections'. The Central Act originally defined a ‘child belonging to a disadvantaged group' as one belonging to...

-The Indian Express It is anger on the streets that brought the neglected issue of sexual violence back to the forefront, energised a government-appointed committee to put together clear and well reasoned recommendations on law reform and forced the government to table the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2013. It is public pressure and years of struggle by the women's movement that is reflected in the more progressive parts of the bill,...

-The Hindu   Karnataka tops in Transgender voter registration Bangalore: A conscious effort to assert their status as the third gender seems to be growing in the Transgender community in Karnataka if numbers are any indication. Karnataka - at 2,125 - has more number of voters registered as ‘others' compared to any other State in the Assembly elections held after 2009. Voters and candidates are enumerated under the categories of ‘male', ‘female' and...