-The Hindu Business Line The Government may consider imposing stockholding limits on various agri-commodities to curb rising prices. It may also review the export policy on agri-commodities such as sugar and rice in August by which time there will be a clearer picture on the monsoons. “We are reviewing the price situation and are in constant touch with the State Governments. We will also examine the option of imposing stockholding limits on...

-The Hindustan Times Despite a pickup in rainfall last week, the southwest monsoon remains in deficit by a significant 22%, almost certainly lowering annual production of grains, pulses and oilseeds, the three crops where sowing has been worst hit. The Met office’s estimate coincided with the release of food inflation data that showed a worrying 10.81% rise in June from a year earlier, up from a 10.74% rise in May, an...

-The Hindu The State Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has called for a sustained month-long campaign across West Bengal in August to highlight its demand for the incorporation in the Centre’s proposed Food Security Bill provision for a universalised public distribution system that ensures a monthly allocation of at least 35 kg of foodgrains per family at the rate of Rs. 2 per kg. Demands like remunerative prices to...

-The Hindustan Times Recently, at a rally of gram panchayat chiefs, agriculture minister Sharad Pawar told the audience, “Improving the well-being of farmers is difficult unless agriculture sheds some of its population. At least one member from the farmer’s family should seek livelihood opportunities outside agriculture.” He has often made this appeal to farmers in Maharashtra, pointing out how rich industrial countries have a small proportion of their labour force in...

-NDTV India is likely to raise diesel prices after the presidential polls on July 19, an oil ministry official said on Thursday, as the government attempts to cut the amount of money it pays out to keep prices lower. "This has been the thinking for quite some time," that a price rise could come after presidential polls, the official said, requesting anonymity. "It is inevitable. By how much I can't say," he added. The...