-The Hindu Medicines remain overpriced and unaffordable in India. In a country mired in poverty, medical debt remains the second biggest factor for keeping millions in poverty. The international pharmaceutical industry has found its cash cow in India’s beleaguered consumers. With a minimum wage of Rs.250/day for a government worker, a basic wage worker afflicted with a chronic DISEase like multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis faces penury. His treatment, with drug combinations, which works out...

-The Hindu 13 farmers have ended life till date in 2016 owing to crop failure due to spurious seeds Andhra Pradesh: Farmer suicides mount in Adilabad, the opposition Congress has accused Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao of doing a Nero. “Ignoring the severe crisis gripping the farm sector is like Nero fiddling while Rome was burning,” observed District Congress Committee working president Naresh Jadhav, trying to drive home the point. “The enthusiasm shown...

-The Times of India NEW DELHI: The health ministry has chalked out an overarching National Multi-Sectoral Action Plan with the aim to reduce premature deaths from cancer, diabetes and heart DISEases by 25% in the next 10 years (by 2025). The plan, which includes initiatives and measures from at least 27 government departments including ministries like environment, women and child development, urban development, industries etc, is in the final stage and...

-Hindustan Times Khargone (MP): At a time when the agriculture sector is in distress and farmer suicides have become common, a group of farmers from Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone are making use of social media network to practice modern farming, ensure best prices for their produce, and also prevent crop failure. The group – comprising more than 50 farmers – uses WhatsApp and Facebook to not only stay connected, but also to keep...

-Business Standard The move comes after a joint action panel recommended use of traditional varieties as they were immune to pest attacks Chandigarh: Farmer suicides in Punjab and Haryana in the aftermath of extensive damage to the cotton crop in 2015-16 due to pest attack has led to a swing in official opinion against genetically modified (Bt) seeds. A Joint Action Committee was appointed by the two state governments on the causes and...