-The Hindu If the UPA believes it possesses one flagship that can help it sail through the electoral battle in 2014, it has to be the National Food Security Bill. The Congress's political messaging is certain to be built on its parenthood for a scheme that promises a nationwide legal Right to Food and nutrition for large numbers. But its hope of deriving political mileage from this law would be pitted against States...

-The Hindu The long-pending Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Thursday night after Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh assured the House that the measure allowed enough room for State governments to implement it as per their requirements. The Bill is only setting a bottom line for fair compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement in the case of land acquisition and State governments were free to further...

-The Times of India NEW DELHI: Concerns of industry took a backseat as political parties, spurred by the oncoming election season, joined hands in Lok Sabha on Thursday to pass the land acquisition bill that enshrines consent of landowners and steep hikes in compensation. As when the food security bill was passed earlier this week, competitive populism took centrestage with Congress toasting Rahul Gandhi as the inspiration behind the legislation and BJP...

-Down to Earth Development economist JEAN DREZE, known for his work on issues such as hunger, famine, social and human development in India, child health and education is not particularly happy with the way the National Food Security Bill has turned out. Although the proposed law has changed dramatically from the time Dreze pushed it during his days at the National Advisory Council, he is campaigning actively for its passage. Currently,...

-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...