-TheWire.in There are no watertight categorisations that clearly demarcate where a subsidy ends and a so-called freebie begins. Amaravati: A maelstrom has been brewing in the political landscape over the precise markers of a subsidy and a freebie. Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered the first blow last month when he pointed out that other political parties were propagating a “revdi culture” which was dangerous to the youth as well as to the...

-Down to Earth The United States Department of Agriculture has said rice production in India may decline by 0.9% in 2022-23 due to uneven rains Rice prices are spiking across India, even in areas where it is the staple. This development comes even as the country has experienced an abnormal Kharif season, with uneven distribution of rainfall. The cereal that forms the staple diet of over half of India’s population has become prohibitively...

-The Tribune Karnal: The state government has banned the sale, stock, distribution and use of 10 insecticides for 60 days. These insecticides are mostly used for basmati paddy. The “residual effect” of these insecticides sometimes leads to the rejection of export consignments of basmati rice. The banned insecticides include Acephate, Buprofezin, Carbendazim, Chlorpyriphos, Methamidophos, Propiconazole, Thiamethoxam, Tricylazole, Profenophos and Isoprothiolance. Last week, the Punjab Government had imposed a similar ban on 10 insecticides. The...

-The Telegraph The development is considered significant in the backdrop of Centre’s decision to freeze funds under the scheme citing embezzlement Calcutta: The state panchayat and rural development department has asked district authorities to strictly follow all norms for projects under the 100 days’ job scheme when central funds are released. The development is considered significant in the backdrop of the Centre’s decision to freeze funds under the scheme citing embezzlement. “The development is...

-Newsclick.in The brake on the release of funds by the Centre, which has found blatant and persistent violation of norms by Nabanna, has queered Mamata Banerjee's pitch. Kolkata: It’s a tough call suddenly for Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal’s chief minister Mamata Banerjee; TMC’s very comfortable majority in the Assembly notwithstanding. Mamata finds herself in an awkward situation after the arrest of two of her trusted aides – Partha Chatterjee and...