-The Financial Express Global rice trade doesn't operate on market principles. Rather, it is guided by politics, vested interests and weather Rice is a political commodity. Governments all over the world maintain regimentation on rice production and trade through price controls and subsidisation, Tariffs, phytosanitary and environmental safety standards-sometimes in a whimsical manner. On July 6, the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) notified investigations (to be completed by April 2015) on...
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Govt defends fare hike, says rail subsidy burden was too heavy -Mahendra Kumar Singh
-The Times of India NEW DELHI: Amid protests over a sharp hike in fares and criticism of political parties, the government on Saturday strongly defended the increase in passenger fares, including for short-distance travel, arguing the revision was long overdue as the last hike took place around 11 years ago and a heavy subsidy burden was "unsustainable" in the wake of soaring costs. While passengers travelling by sub-urban and short-haul trains account...
More »WPI inflation eases to 5.2% in April-Vrishti Beniwal
-The Business Standard Food articles inflation dips to 8.64% compared to 9.9% in March Wholesale Price Index-based Inflation fell by 0.5 percentage points to 5.2 per cent in April from 5.7 per cent in March, providing some relief to a new government amid other deteriorating macroeconomic numbers such as retail inflation and industrial output. All three major components of the index - food, fuel and manufactured goods - recorded moderation in inflation on...
More »The Third World's drinking problem-Asit K Biswas & Peter Brabeck-Letmathe
-The Business Standard International organisations recognise the impending shortage of potable water but their approach is entirely wrong During this year's gathering in Davos, the World Economic Forum released its ninth annual Global Risks report, which relies on a survey of more than 700 business leaders, government officials and non-profit actors to identify the world's most serious risks in the next decade. Perhaps most remarkably, four of the 10 threats listed this...
More »Go off the grid
-The Business Standard Policy roadblocks holding back solar power The solar energy sector is beset with several problems that need to be sorted out to allow it to expand to its potential. The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, which was set up in 2010, has largely failed to supercharge the sector. Its first phase aimed at creating 1,100 megawatts of new capacity; only 252 MW has been added. Its second phase...
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