The government is likely to accept most of the recommendations of Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council (NAC) on the proposed food security law despite warnings that the suggestions would add to subsidy burden, increase dependence on imports and distort the country's food economy. The food ministry has set out plans that are in line with the NAC's proposal to widen the scope of the legislation, which seeks to provide legal...

It is the improper mode of application, violating the law and regulations, that is responsible for the apparent adverse toxic effects of endosulfan. FROM a scientific perspective, an extremely pertinent question in the endosulfan story is why adverse health effects similar to those seen in the villages of Kasaragod district in Kerala have not been reported from other parts of the country where the pesticide is used in much larger...

The initial euphoria over the chance of getting back their land over, clouds of apprehension and confusion now hang over Singur. The farmers whose land was acquired for the Tata Nano project celebrated on May 13 when MAMata Banerjee’s Trinamul Congress won the elections. They were glued to their TV sets when the chief minister announced yesterday that she would make good her promise of returning 400 acres to “unwilling” farmers. But...

-Deccan Chronicle   After initiating discussion on the proposed Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill, Union rural development minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on Friday expressed confidence that the Central government would be able to take the MAMata Banerjee-led Trinamul Congress on board on the issue. He reiterated that the Centre would be able to draft a “pro-farmer” land acquisition law. The Trinamul Congress had been opposed to changes in land acquisition laws. Even RLD chief...

-PTI   In her first major policy decision, West Bengal chief minister MAMata Banerjee on Friday announced that her government would return 400 acres from the abandoned Tata Motors plant at Singur to farmers who unwillingly parted with their land. "The first decision taken in the cabinet is return of 400 acres from the abandoned Tata Motors plant in Singur. If the Tatas are willing, they can set up the factory on...