In its latest report, the Statistical Year Book, India 2014 conveys that India is clearly on track to attain the MDG-2 (achieve universal primary education) and MDG-8 (develop a global partnership for development). However, the results are either mixed or poor in terms of India's performance in achieving the rest of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The chart below provides the MDG scenario from a bird's eye view.   The new...

-The Hindu New Delhi: Alleging that oil companies are a "law unto themselves" and that a "big scam" was in the making at the cost of countless consumers, the Federation of LPG distributors of India on Saturday decided to take to the streets with some members and threatened to go on a hunger strike until their demands were met. "The Marketing Discipline Guidelines are being used by the oil companies to arm-twist...

-The Hindu Proposals formulated in response to Shah Commission report The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has prepared its response to the Justice M.B. Shah Commission report on illegal mining in Odisha. But its proposals to address the violations flagged by the Commission will now be put on the back burner as the Cabinet has decided to refer the matter to a Committee of Secretaries. In most of its proposals, accessed by...

-The Indian Express New Delhi: The rule that makes helmets optional for women on two-wheelers, to "respect religious sentiments" of a few, appears to be having a drastic effect on fatalities in accidents. According to recent figures released by the Delhi traffic police, the number of women who died as they didn't wear helmets has gone up to 63 in 2013, against 42 in 2012. Of the 63 who died, only six...

-Down to Earth Mining ministry opposes cap on iron ore production; environment ministry disregards recommendation to cancel licence of firms encroaching forestland The Central government has rejected a key recommendation of justice M B Shah Commission, that of putting a cap on iron ore production in Odisha. The commission has been probing illegal mining across the country. In its first report released recently, it had pegged the loss to the Odisha government...