-The Indian Express Aggregate revenues have done well, despite headwinds, especially for less developed, consuming states One fiscal year into the implementation of the GST, it is worth asking how it has performed in terms of revenue generation both for the country and for individual states. And here the news, based on analysing nine full months of data, is encouraging. Three important and new points stand out. One, aggregate revenues are highly buoyant....

-Down to Earth Fragments of plastic film have been shown to release potentially carcinogenic substances into soil Plasticulture, or the use of plastics in agriculture, is evident in the form of lining of farm ponds, greenhouse cultivation, micro-irrigation (drips and sprinklers) and plastic mulching. Plastic mulch, in particular, should be of concern to us as it is a potential source of entry into our food system. Why are farmers turning to plasticulture? The Ministry...

-The Indian Express We have, indeed, entered a regime of “permanent surpluses” in most crops — a reality our policymakers are unable to grasp, stuck as they are in the era of the Essential Commodities Act. If there is one thing that has changed in Indian agriculture in recent times, it is supply response — the ability of farmers to increase production when prices go up. Traditionally, the supply curve in most...

The country's maternal mortality ratio (MMRatio) exceeds that of China by a huge margin, which not only indicates the poor status of women in our society but also the miserable functioning of health system, among other things. However, there is some good news around the corner to cheer about. Recently released data by the Sample Registration System (SRS) bulletin indicates that for the country as a whole the MMRatio has...

-Livemint.com Nearly 1,000 fewer women now die of pregnancy related complications each month in India, says the Sample Registration System Bulletin-2016 New Delhi: India has registered a 22% reduction in maternal mortality ratio (MMR) since 2013, according to the Sample Registration System (SRS) Bulletin (2016) released on Wednesday. Amongst the states, Uttar Pradesh with 30% decline has topped the chart in the reduction of maternal deaths. Nearly 1,000 fewer women now die of...