-The Hindu Questioning a technology, especially of the kind that has serious unknowns and lacks clear social benefits, is not an attack on science Jairam Ramesh, former Environment Minister for India, made the brave decision in 2010 to tell his then apex regulator of genetically modified organisms (GEAC) that it had failed to properly use available science to determine the safety - to human health and the environment - of Bt brinjal,...
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Decoding the food security legislation-Sanjeeb Mukherjee
-The Business Standard Less painful now, but future uncertain The United Progressive Alliance's (UPA) ambitious National Food Security Bill might soon become reality. After getting approval from the Lok Sabha, the Bill is headed for the Upper House of Parliament for approval. The big debate is on the financial implications as and when all states start implementing the scheme. Also, how the estimated 20-30 per cent leakage in public distribution system (PDS) will...
More »More bite, less to chew -Latha Jishnu, Jyotika Sood and Suchitra M
-Down to Earth The most controversial aspect of the food security law is the restructuring of the public distribution system to cover an unprecedented 67 per cent of the population, most of them in the poorer states. LATHA JISHNU, JYOTIKA SOOD and SUCHITRA M explain why there are winners and losers in the new dispensation and how states with better PDS will have to find huge resources to keep their numbers...
More »Poverty cannot be addressed through Food Security Bill: Ganeshamurthi
-The Hindu Erode (Tamil Nadu): The UPA Government ought to feel "ashamed" to assume that poverty that could not be eradicated through spending of several thousands of crores of rupees in successive five-year plans could be addressed through the Food Security Bill, according to A. Ganeshamurthi, Lok Sabha MP representing Erode constituency. Mr. Ganeshamurthi, who is also Member, Consultative Committee on the Ministry of Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, said...
More »Big ‘no’ to cash transfers under Food Bill -Gargi Parsai
-The Hindu While the UPA is showcasing cash transfers as a key initiative and has even made a provision for it in the National Food Security Bill (NFSB), there is a strong resistance to it. Major Opposition parties are moving amendments against cash transfers, food coupons and cash allowances in lieu of food even as the law is to come up for approval. So far, Delhi and Bihar are keen on providing cash...
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