-The New York Times Blog The right to food is finally becoming a lively political issue in India. Aware of the forthcoming national elections in 2014, political parties are competing to demonstrate - or at least proclaim - their commitment to food security. In a country where endemic undernutrition has been accepted for too long as natural, this is a breakthrough of sorts. The rhetoric, however, is not always matched by understanding...

-The Business Standard TN's share of grains to drop by 32%, poll-bound states like MP, Rajasthan too get rise in grains allocation Bihar and Uttar Pradesh the two politically crucial states are among the top three states which will get maximum increase in their annual foodgrains allocation as per the newly promulgated National Food Security Ordinance (NFSO). Rajasthan is the third. According to an internal assessment made by the food ministry, which was...

-The Hindu     The much-awaited Drug (Prices Control) Order 2013 has disappointed millions of patients, as it lacks a fair formula to fix the price ceiling and leaves important drug classes out of regulation. The result: High out-of-pocket spending on medicines will continue As far as intentions go, the Drug (Prices Control) Order 2013 is aimed at making critical drugs affordable and available to the public, while preserving a rationale for manufacture by...

-The Hindu blog   Data from the latest Transparency International report throws up few surprises as far as India is concerned. Virtually no key institution or sector in India is seen as being free from corruption in the latest survey of the international anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International, which, in its report 'Global Corruption Barometer 2013' states that bribe paying levels remain "very high" worldwide. Data from the report offers interesting insights into global corruption...

-The Hindu Department has received 19,000 applications for new cards Kolar (Karnataka): Kolar district has 3,30,990 families eligible for ration cards but the number of ration cards issued in the district stands at 3,58,284 - a clear pointer to the large number of bogus cards under the Public Distribution System. This came to light at a review meeting chaired by Minister of State for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Dinesh Gundu Rao...