-Outlook The government today cleared the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy that will bring 348 essential drugs under price control, leading to reduction in prices. "The National Pharmaceutical Pricing policy has been approved by the CABinet with an objective to put in place a regulatory framework for pricing of drugs to ensure their availability at reasonable prices," an official source said. At present, the government through the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) controls prices...

-The Hoot The coverage given to Thackeray’s death by some television channels was overwhelmingly disproportionate to his contribution to people’s well-being. The comments made by the “experts” were toned by the fear of Sena reprisal, says KALPANA SHARMA. Can Indian news television plumb greater depths? The blanket coverage of Bal Thackeray’s death and funeral on some channels would make any self-respecting journalist hang her head in shame. What were they thinking?...

-PTI Finance Minister P Chidambaram had recently proposed setting up of NIB under the Prime Minister to clear large projects The proposal to set up the National Investment Board (NIB) for expediting clearance to large projects will come up for approval before the CABinet in next 10 days, a top Finance Ministry official said. "The inter-ministerial consultation on setting up NIB is over. The CABinet note on NIB will come up for...

-The Economic Times The government should liquidate wheat stocks through exports and sales in the open market and share the proceeds with farmers to raise their income levels, a government panel suggested. In its latest report to the agriculture ministry, the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), which recommends a minimum support price (MSP) for agriculture crops, is said to have maintained that there is no reason to lift the...

-PTI The government has surplus stocks in view of record production last year Food Corporation of India today said it will sell immediately 3 million tonnes of wheat to bulk consumers in open market in an effort to bring down prices. Last week, the CABinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) had approved sale of 6.5 million tonnes of wheat under open market sale scheme (OMSS) through the tender process. "Out of 6.5 million tonnes...