PUNE/ KOLKATA: Heavy rains lashed Mumbai and parched fields in peninsular India as the monsoon resumed its journey after an agonising 11-day interruption, but the unforeseen 41% rain deficit this month has taken its toll, with vegetable prices rising sharply for the third straight month. The monsoon, almost stagnant since June 6, touched southern parts of Gujarat and Chhattisgarh on Sunday. It is forecast to gain momentum in the next three...
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States say no to trials, GM research in the doldrums-Chetan Chauhan
India's Genetically Modified (GM) crop growth story has been stalled with just four states allowing field trials. An eminent scientist has sought Prime Minister's intervention in this regard. Field trials of newly developed GM crops are important for scientific analysis of the yield and its commercial release. Till 2010, research institutions were free to conduct field trials anywhere in the country. But in 2011, the environment ministry had imposed a condition...
More »High Courts violates RTI Act by making contradictory rules-Chetan Chauhan
-The Hindustan Times Indian high courts were supposed to deliver justice in Right To Information (RTI) cases. But, they have themselves enforced rules that make implementation of the transparency law --- RTI Act --- difficult. A study done by a government institute ---- Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration --- aimed at evaluating efficacy and reasonableness of rules prescribed under RTI Act finds that many high courts have prescribed rules to...
More »16-53% increase in kharif MSP by govt may stoke food inflation
-The Economic Times The government has increased the minimum support price (MSP) for the kharif season in a range of 16% to 53% to motivate farmers and compensate for higher input costs but the higher purchase prices could stoke food inflation further. The Committee on Economic Affairs ( CCEA) on Thursday raised the MSP of paddy by Rs 170 per quintal and those of oilseeds like groundnut, sunflower seed and niger seed...
More »Minority sub-quota: SC to hear Centre's plea today
-The Hindustan Times The Supreme Court will on Wednesday hear the government's plea in the sub-quota for minorities issue. Earlier on Monday, the apex court expressed its displeasure and pulled up the Centre for its casual handling of the "complex" and "sensitive" issue of 4.5% sub-quota for minorities within the 27% reservation for OBCs in central educational institutions like IITs. The Centre on Tuesday placed before the apex court the "relevant" material and...
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