-The Hindu The incident has given an opportunity to the Opposition BJP to attack the ruling Congress government for ‘neglecting a long-pending public demand’. The self-immolation and death of a septuagenarian monk, Baba Vijay Das, who was protesting against mining in Bharatpur has intensified politics in Rajasthan, the State set to witness polls by the end of the next year. While both the Congress and the BJP, in their respective tenures, allowed the...

-The Hindu Western nations have started reinterpreting the Paris deal and look to downgrade their commitments Countries in Europe led by Germany, Austria and the Netherlands are cranking up their coal plants again. Coal exports to Europe are surging. Fossil fuels are making a comeback and countries are rejecting the European Union (EU)’s plan to reduce natural gas consumption by 15%. Dutch, Polish and other European farmers are protesting against emission cuts...

-The Telegraph There is no mention of compliance with ‘good manufacturing practices’ or the need to make inspection reports public, leaving the process of regulation vague and dependent on whims of drug inspectors This month, the Union ministry of health published the draft new drugs, medical devices and cosmetics bill to replace the antiquated Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Yet, most of the draft bill appears to be a copy of the...

-The Hindu The New Drugs, Medical Devices and Cosmetics Bill is antiquated and needs to be revised The Union Health Ministry recently published a new draft Bill to replace the antiquated Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. While we salute the Ministry for recognising the need for a new legislation, there is much to disagree with the new Bill. To begin with, although the Ministry has described it as being consistent with the...

-The New Indian Express Based on the recommendation of the GST Council, the Centre has issued notifications bringing essential commodities including rice and maize under 5% GST slab from July 18. MADURAI: The decision of the Union government to levy 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on packaged food may increase the price of rice by a minimum of Rs 3 to Rs 5 per kg from Monday, Tamil Nadu rice mills...