-Down to Earth   State blames poor financial condition for the move The Bihar government has defended its recent move to lower its minimum wage rate offered to unskilled labourers, saying the state is in poor financial condition. Bihar has lowered its wage rate offered under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) from Rs 144 to Rs 135, while the state minimum wage is Rs 168. This is despite the...

-The Hindu   Despite apparent similarities, the reports of two centrally appointed committees are split on the relationship between knowledge, skills and social needs Two major reports with overlapping concerns were submitted to the central government during the last decade. They were drafted by committees appointed by two different offices of the same government. One was chaired by Yash Pal, and the other by Sam Pitroda. The titles of the two committees indicated...

-The Business Standard Patients' lobbies cheer ruling on anti-cancer drug Glivec, as affordability and access to life-saving drugs get a leg-up Though the India office here of Swiss pharma giant Novartis wore a gloomy look following the Supreme Court rejection of its Glivec patent application, Indian pharmaceutical companies and patients' associations are in celebration mood. D G Shah, secretary general, The Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA), comprising leading research-based Indian pharma companies, said,...

-Live Mint SC rejects Novartis's patent plea for Glivec, says it does not meet any standard of novelty or inventiveness In a landmark judgement, India's apex court rejected Swiss drug maker Novartis AG's legal challenge aimed at securing a patent for blockbuster anti-cancer drug imatinib mesylate, branded Glivec in the country. The verdict, which is seen as a setback to multinational pharmaceutical companies operating in India, may influence a rash of pending disputes...

-The Hindu Meet held to discuss the discrepancies experienced across the State Bangalore: Glaring discrepancies in the implementation of the Right to Education Act across Karnataka were discussed at a State-level meet convened here on Saturday by the People Alliance for Right to Education (PAFRE). Each district representative prepared a brief note about the ground realities of the RTE and its implementation at the workshop attended by members of PAFRE, teachers, mahila sanghas,...