-The Times of India NAGPUR: The state cabinet has given a go ahead for distribution of over 7540 solar powered agricultural pumps in the state. It will be on a pilot basis under a Central scheme. State cabinet on Tuesday decided to allocate Rs 22.25 crore for the project estimated to cost Rs 445 crore. The Union government has decided to give a big push to solar energy and fixed a target...

-The Telegraph New Delhi: The Centre has tabled a land acquisition bill with provisions identical to that of a controversial ordinance, taking a calculated gamble and testing the nerves of the Opposition that is hoping to build a campaign anchored on farmers. Tabled in the Lok Sabha this morning, the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill is based entirely on the ordinance the Union cabinet...

Following the recommendations of the Shanta Kumar Committee report on restructuring of the Food Corporation of India (FCI), there are signs that the Central Government is in a hurry to replace the Public Distribution System (PDS) with cash transfers. The Government's intention has been revealed in two official letters (one dated 10 February 2015 and another dated 11 February 2015) that were sent from the Joint Secretary at Department of...

-Business Standard The Union government has remained equivocal in public about the Shanta Kumar report and whether the National Democratic Alliance intends to follow up and change the National Food Security Act. But at least on one count it has moved fast to implement the report - converting the subsidised food supply into cash transfers under the Direct Benefits Transfer Scheme. The food ministry has written to the Union Territories to...

-The Hindu KARIMNAGAR (Telengana): Fighting adversities is part of human survival and villagers of the interior Veernapalli and other villages in Yellareddypet mandal have been doing that for quite some time. Saving their standing crops from wild animals has become their top priority what with the decreased area of cultivation due to water shortage. They cannot afford technological support, but that has not deterred them from devising their own plan to keep...