-The Hindu Interview with social activist Medha Patkar on why she opposes the Land Bill proposed by the Centre Social activist Medha Patkar has been in the forefront of the struggle for the rights and rehabilitation of project-displaced populations for over two decades, and has relentlessly pursued the formulation of a national rehabilitation policy. She spoke to Gargi Parsai at the site of the agitation in Delhi about the pitfalls in the...

-The Hindu Government acccuses Opposition of creating confusion The Modi government sent out conflicting signals on whether it would blink on the land ordinance, even as ally Lok Janshakti Party joined two other NDA partners, the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Shiv Sena, to oppose it in its present form. With a united opposition rejecting the controversial draft legislation, and perception having gained ground that the government's proposed changes are anti-poor, pro-rich, harried...

-The Hindu The government's first full year budget is an excellent chance to recognise missed opportunities and take corrective action with regard to investing in addressing gender inequality The coming Union budget is significant for at least two reasons: first, this will be the new government's maiden full year budget. Second, with the NITI Aayog replacing the Planning Commission, the government is likely to abolish the distinction between plan and non-plan budgets. This...

-The Hindu Business Line Points out that norms same for mangoes, which are allowed New Delhi: India is pushing the European Union (EU) to revoke an import ban on four vegetables: brinjal, snake gourd, taro and bitter gourd. The ban was imposed last year after fruit flies were found in some consignments from India. The ban continues to be in force even though import of mangoes, which had been prohibited along with...

-Business Standard It is an annual review of the state of IPR protection and enforcement of America's trading partners Notwithstanding the recent bonhomie of sorts between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama, India's status as ‘Priority Watch List' country for having an alleged weak intellectual property rights (IPR) and patents regime is unlikely to see any improvement in the US' 2015 Special 301 Report. The 2015 Special 301 Report is...