-Centre for Science and Environment * Releases new report that presents irrefutable evidence of the benefits of non-chemical agriculture * Yesterday’s Budget promises to promote chemical-free natural farming, but it is a half-hearted promise at best, as no separate allocation has been made in it, says CSE * CSE’s asks: Invest in organic and natural farming. Make it a mass movement New Delhi, February 2, 2022: “Despite the push given to it through periodic...

-The Telegraph The Union budget is an embodiment of unequal fiscal policy The Finance minister and her ministry have betrayed, once again, their lack of understanding of the Indian economy or the conditions under which most Indians are living today. Despite attempts to ‘talk up’ the supposed recovery, the economy is weak and most people are hurting. India has seen one of the biggest increases in the number of poor and hungry people...

-NDTV.com Budget 2022: "Agriculture employs more than half the working population, yet the centre paid little attention," a prominent farm leader said. New Delhi: Farmers are disappointed with the meagre announcements made for them during today's budget speech by the Finance minister, a prominent farm leader who was involved in last year's protests said. Farmers across the country were keenly following the budget speech with a lot of hope as this is...

-Down to Earth Schemes that provide integrated benefits to women and children did not get additional funds this year Food and nutrition were highlighted in this year’s budget presented in the parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. However, children might not get the benefit of good food.  Schemes for children such as Poshan 2.0, which provide integrated benefits to women and children, did not get any additional funds this year. In 2022-23, an estimated budget...

-Down to Earth Urea subsidy cut 17%; allocation for NPK subsidy reduced 35%  Amid acute shortage of fertilisers in India, Union Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman February 1, 2022, reduced subsidy on urea and nutrient-based (NPK) fertilisers. The move is expected to adversely hit the ailing farm sector. The Rs 63,222.32 crore allocation for urea subsidy in her Budget for 2022-23 was 17 per cent lower than the revised estimates (RE) for 2021-22. Another...