-Newsclick.in The book is a useful resource for patients, caregivers, activists and medical professionals in ensuring that patients’ rights are established and enforced as human rights. The right to health is not justiciable in India though the Supreme Court has interpreted it to be a part of Article 21 (protection of life and personal liberty).  The apex court’s judgements and the legal provisions in Drugs and Cosmetic Act, 1940, consumer Protection Act 1986,...

-Down to Earth Lack of planning, introduction of hybrid seeds, chemical fertilisers, insecticides and weed killers are responsible for decline in pulses’ cultivation Pulses have an important place in our culture. But with imports increasing every day, they are getting too expensive for the poor. As a result, malnutrition is increasing. It is not that farmers do not grow pulses here due to lack of seeds and knowledge, but there is a lack...

-Hindustan Times Farm experts say cotton crop is considered the largest consumer of pesticides and insecticides and Punjab can reduce its chemical load with a dedicated policy on organic farming Punjab lacks a policy to promote organic cotton cultivation even as farmers associated voluntarily with it see viability of chemical-free production of the cash crop. Farm experts say cotton crop is considered the largest consumer of pesticides and insecticides and Punjab can reduce...

-Hindustan Times Edible-oil prices continue to be dearer due to high global prices, prompting the Union government last week to tighten measures Vegetable prices, especially of tomato and onion, have risen in urban centres, including the national capital, on the back of higher fuel prices and damage to summer crops due to heavy rains, wholesale and retail trade data showed on Sunday.  Edible-oil prices continue to be dearer due to high global prices,...

-The Hindu They have not got many of the benefits that the new laws threaten to take away. As the movement against the agricultural reform laws builds towards its one year anniversary, it is clear that the bulk of farmers in eastern Indian States have not been as motivated to join the agitation as their counterparts in the northwest, as they have not even experienced many of the benefits that the laws...