-The Hindustan Times The recently released Annual Status of Education Report (Aser) 2013, which covers every rural district in India, contains some good but mostly bad news. Enrolment in India's primary schools is still at an impressive 96%, and the number of schools compliant with the Right to Education (RTE) Act norms, such as providing drinking water and usable toilets, continues to rise. But much of this is undermined by a...

-Down to Earth Soil's carbon storing ability may be different from what is believed SOIL has the unique ability to sequester carbon. By doing so, it lowers the amount of carbon released in the atmosphere and plays a significant role in the global carbon cycle. Though the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased over the years, the rates of carbon sequestration have remained unchanged. Recent scientific developments indicate a shift...

-The Times of India NEW DELHI: Faced with intense pressure from Rahul Gandhi, the UPA government is likely to approach the President for his consent for the promulgation of ordinances on anti-corruption legislations. Sources in the Congress said the government is likely to take up the matter with the President shortly. Rahul himself indicated that the ordinance route was on. "These bills were in national interest and we felt the opposition would help...

-The Indian Express Pre-legislative scrutiny is a first step towards greater transparency in law-making. The committee of secretaries chaired by the cabinet secretary has decided that all bills proposed by the government should go through a process of pre-legislative scrutiny. This follows the recommendation of the National Advisory Council, which had suggested that all bills be taken through this process in order to garner public feedback at an early stage. Let us quickly...

-The Times of India NEW DELHI: Major initiatives of the 49-day Kejriwal government may not get quietly buried under President's rule. Lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung has directed the chief secretary and departmental heads to honour and follow decisions taken by the former Aam Aadmi Party government. So, the anti-bribery helpline launched to combat corruption will remain a priority, said sources. The free water and power subsidy schemes will continue. The public grievances...