-The Hindu The recent ordinance amending the Land Acquisition Act has exempted several categories of projects from the requirements of owners' consent and social impact assessment before acquiring land. Officials, however, say norms are yet to be worked out to ensure that only the bare minimum of the land required is acquired. The Act excluded private hospitals, educational institutions and hotels from the category of infrastructure projects. Under the ordinance, public-private projects...

-The Indian Express Just a few years ago, the World Bank in its World Development Report claimed that migration from rural India to urban centres is "natural" and the same should not be interrupted or prevented through schemes like the MGNREGA. This was a shocking statement to all those who know why there is huge and ever-growing migration to cities, not only of the labour class but also of farmers and small...

-The Hindu They wabted the govt to table the proposed amendments to the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, in Parliament so that they can be "democratically" discussed. A group of concerned citizens has written to President Pranab Mukherjee to "rethink and reject" the Ordinance which seeks to amend the Land Acquisition Act of 2013. In a letter to the President, the group has urged him to advise the government to table the proposed amendments...

-The Hindu Implementation in a phased manner: Mohanan ALAPPUZHA (Kerala): Agriculture Minister K.P. Mohanan has said that the government is seriously considering a ban on use of chemical fertilizers in the State. He was inaugurating an exhibition-cum-sale of dairy, agricultural, and industrial products organised by the Chengannur block panchayat here on Wednesday evening. Mr. Mohanan said the government was mulling over implementing the ban in a phased manner from next year. He said a study...

-The Hindustan Times New Delhi: Despite the Supreme Court's intervention and attempt to clean the Yamuna in Delhi, the level of pollution in the river remains toxic with the water not even fit for bathing. According to a recent survey report submitted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) before the top court, on most months, the river Yamuna is clogged with additives such as pesticides, garbage, grease and effluents. The report, submitted...