-The Hindustan Times Passage of the UPA's flagship food security bill, a potential vote-winner, is at risk of being delayed with the BJP disrupting Parliament as it seeks the heads of two scandal-tainted ministers and key government ally Sharad Pawar demanding a full debate on the legislation. The food bill aims to give about two-thirds of Indians, or over 800 million people, a legal right to cheap food, and is a programme...

-The Hindu The Centre on Friday revised its foodgrains production estimate upwards by 5.22 million tonnes for 2012-13 over earlier expectation on account of higher output of rice, wheat and coarse cereals. The total foodgrains output is now estimated at 255.36 million tonnes with wheat production pegged at 93.62 million tonnes and rice at 104.22 million tonnes. "We have every reason to be fairly satisfied," Union Agriculture Secretary Ashish Bahuguna told The Hindu...

-NDTV Thiruvananthapuram: For the first time, a drought has been declared in every single one of Kerala's 14 districts. The worst-hit areas are in districts of central Kerala, bordering Tamil Nadu. A weak Monsoon dealt the first blow. Then, the main source of water in this region - the Aliyar dam - is running low. Tamil Nadu says severe drought in its own districts is the reason behind the release of less...

-Deccan Herald In an attempt to send a strong message that it is serious in legislative business, the government on Thursday introduced amendments to the landmark Food Security Bill in the Lok Sabha, amid disruptions of proceedings by the Opposition over the killing of Sarabjit Singh in Pakistan and other issues. Food Minister K V Thomas moved amendments to the National Food Security Bill, which was originally introduced in Parliament in December...

-The Economic Times The UPA government's flagship employment guarantee programme can play an important role in conserving natural resources and sustaining water supply and food production, according to a study. Conceived to provide livelihood security for the rural poor, the scheme can also help reduce and counter the impact of climate change in villages, according to the study, "Environmental Benefits and Vulnerability Reduction through Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme"...