-The Economic Times KOLKATA: Eastern and North Eastern states, which grapple with acute storage deficit, will get a priority in fund allocation for setting up warehouses, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard ) said. States with food deficits like Jammu and Kashmir will also receive a priority treatment. The government has directed Nabard to treat these states favourably to cut farm losses amid implementation of the world's biggest population feeding...

-Women's Feature Service The ‘gola' or grain basket, built on elevated ground in Goyadham village in Sunderban's South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, is central to the food security of several households here. As Sofia Bibi, 45, says, "The grain is protected from the recurrent flooding and storms and we are ensured of a regular supply when there is no agricultural work during the months of September to November and March to...

-The Hindu While the Delhi rape incident saw mass protests for justice, crimes against Dalits hardly evoke such outrage, which is why the killers in the Laxmanpur-Bathe massacre have got away The response by the state to the 2012 Delhi gang rape case was immediate and effective - a commission to review legislative protections and recommend amendments, and a new enactment. The judiciary responded similarly - death penalty for the accused and...

-The Hindu ‘They are free and we are trapped,' says a resident, as many villagers share her fear that they may be targeted again LAXMANPUR BATHE (BIHAR): On Wednesday night, Baudh Paswan kept tossing and turning in bed, his appetite and sleep gone. "I feel they will come back again," he murmured. As they did on the night of December 1, 1997 and began a killing spree. Armed with firearms and swords, members...

-The Economic Times NEW DELHI: With paddy arrivals yet to pick up across Punjab, the state government now plans to make direct payments to farmers. The move is aimed to protect farmer's interest particularly the small and marginal from being exploited by the commission agents/arthiyas. The issue of direct procurement and payment to farmers had been delayed for several years with both the Congress ruled and Akali-BJP government not keen to upset...