The one-man inquiry commission constituted under Justice Iqbal Singh, a former Judge of the Punjab and Haryana HC, to probe the Mirchpur incident of April 1this year in which two Dalits were burnt alive and 18 houses of the community were torched, has got an extension of six months. Sources said the notification pertaining to the extension of the commission’s tenure would be issued shortly. The commission, constituted on June...

The BJP today slammed the UPA government and said inspite of reprimand by Supreme Court the Centre seems little concerned about Rs 58,000 crore worth of food grains rotting in FCI godowns. Around 180 lakh tones food grain is lying in open at various open godowns in Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan and UP belonging to government under central pool, BJP National Secretary Kirit Somaiya told reporters here. The Food Corporation...

Stating that "nothing moves without money", the Supreme Court has expressed concern over growing corruption in government machinery, particularly in the Income Tax, Sales Tax and Excise Departments. "It is very unfortunate that there is no control over corruption in the country. There is rampant corruption particularly in the department of Income Tax, Sales Tax and Excise Department. Nothing moves without money," a Bench of Justices Markandeya Katju and T S...

Basmati paddy prices are expected to touch their highest level of Rs 3,400 per quintal during the forthcoming harvesting season, says a research report. The prices of traditional Basmati paddy are in the range of Rs 2,650—3,350 per quintal this month, and are expected to be Rs 2,500—3,200 per quintal in November. In December, however, they will go up to Rs 2,700—3,400 per quintal, depending on the varieties, the report said. The forecast...

A standoff between the Haryana government and rice millers is threatening to derail the procurement of paddy in Haryana, with growers accusing authorities of not lifting the crop despite heavy arrival in markets. The state government said it is hopeful of settling the issue with state rice millers within a day or two, while claiming to have lifted ‘each grain’ of paddy. Peeved at the slow pace of paddy lifting at various...