-The Hindu Business Line Nine years after a landmark law empowering local communities, thousands of forest villages across India struggle to regain their traditional rights over resources and livelihoods Sundar Singh Rabha always carries a certain file folder. He holds it against himself in a hot tin car as it jangles along forest roads towards village Shalkumar, in a northern corner of West Bengal. His phone rings without respite. Every few minutes,...

-Outlook Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) today said 93 per cent of adults in India voluntarily possess Aadhaar number as per a recent finding. "In a recent update, it is found that 93 per cent of the adult residents in India voluntarily possess Unique Identity – Aadhaar," UIDAI said in a press statement. In UIDAI assigned states/UTs, Aadhaar saturation among adult population is 98 per cent while in Registrar General of India...

-Livemint.com A total of 302 districts across India, nearly half of its districts, received deficit or scanty rainfall this year A total of 302 districts across India, nearly half of its districts, received deficit or scanty rainfall this year (at least 20% short of normal), according to India Meteorological Department. Yet, only 110 districts in five states—Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, odisha and Andhra Pradesh—have been declared drought-hit by the state governments. States...

-PTI Besides 14% rain deficiency, odisha experienced crop loss above 33% in over 5.23 lakh hectare of cultivated land Bhubaneswar: odisha this monsoon received 14% deficit rainfall leading to a drought situation and crop loss above 33% in over 5.23 lakh hectare of cultivated land in the state. Officials said the state usually receives 1,144.3 mm of rainfall during monsoon starting from June to September but this year the precipitation was only 1,031...

-The Times of India BHUBANESWAR: Experts feel that notwithstanding individual causes behind farmers' suicides, so many of them resorting to the extreme step shows that the average peasant in the state is in severe monetary distress. Unofficial sources put the death toll at 40 in the past two months. "Some of the suicides may turn out to be for reasons other than agricultural loss. But, the larger picture indicates financial constraints are...