-The Business Standard States yet to invite tenders after partial decontrol of sugar was implemented Partial decontrol of sugar might augur well in the long run but not before giving teething troubles. Sugar supplies in ration shops of around 15 states might end from June 1, as these states have not started inviting tenders for supply, as is required under a new mechanism. Officials said only Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Madhya Pradesh,...
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Cash transfers are bad for food security-Madhavi Cherian
-The Hindu India's hard won gains in achieving food security are in danger of being undermined by a clause in the National Food Security Bill that encourages States to adopt cash transfers in lieu of food entitlements under the Public Distribution System (PDS). Supporting this view, a recent report by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) concluded that the provision of food subsidies in the form of cash would...
More »The responsibility to protect -Anjali Bhardwaj and Shekhar Singh
-The Indian Express A sound whistleblowers' protection law is long awaited. It languishes in Parliament at the system's peril Nandi Singh, a resident of a remote village in Assam, was brutally attacked with axes in September 2012 as a result of a complaint filed by him regarding irregularities in the functioning of Fair Price Shops supplying rations under the public distribution system. He succumbed to his injuries on the way to the...
More »Minister promises safe drinking water at Rs. 2 per litreMinister promises safe drinking water at Rs. 2 per litre
-The Hindu 50 Bodhan villages in pilot project YEDAPALLY (NIZAMABAD DT.): Efforts are on to supply safe and purified drinking water at the rate of 20 paise per litre to every household in over 50 villages in Bodhan Assembly constituency. If this pilot project being undertaken at a cost of Rs. 3-4 lakh for each unit is successful, it will be extended to other villages in course of time. Disclosing this at an...
More »SC’s Novartis judgement renews focus on accessible medicine
The recent Supreme Court judgment dismissing pharma giant Novartis’ claim for patent protections in India for its award-winning and prohibitively priced anti-leukemia drug Glivec has renewed the focus on accessibly-priced drugs – in particular the failure of the Indian public healthcare system and health policy to ensure affordable drugs for all. Studies show that as much as 70% of health spending in India comes from out-of-pocket payments, with 50-80% of...
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