The Madhya Pradesh government has banned genetically modified (GM) seeds in the state with agriculture minister Ramkrishna Kusmariya saying that scientifically re-engineered foodgrain and vegetables will become "non-vegetarian" and "end" Indian culture. The same minister had blamed crop destruction because of heavy winter rains three months ago on the "sins of the farmers". Kusmariya told reporters in Damoh on Thursday that his department won't permit use of GM seeds in the state...

Do you know that the highest number of corruption cases are registered in Maharashtra (4566) and the lowest in West Bengal (only 9) between 2000 and 2009? Do you also want to know how much property has been recovered from the corrupt in different states of India in the past ten years? But how does one systematically track corruption? How to get details of the number of cases going on...

After Bihar complained against the clandestine experiments of GM food crops in the state, it is Madhya Pradesh's turn now. State agriculture development minister Ramkrishn Kusmaria has written to the Centre against the clearance by Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) to GM Maize trials in the state. GEAC is the statutory authority under the environment ministry to clear trials and introduction of genetically modified crops. It had come under flak from...

With manufacturing sector growth in the Eleventh Plan period estimated at 8 per cent against 11-12 per cent required to create about 2 million additional jobs in the country, the Prime Minister’s National Council on Skill Development (NCSD) is considering recommending to the Rural Development Ministry that the UPA’s flagship rural job guarantee scheme (NREGS) be widened to include providing “skill development” to unskilled wage seekers. The issue is likely to...

The Supreme Court Monday issued notice to states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh on the issue of alleged misappropriation of funds by officials and functionaries administering the MGNREGS. The order of the Apex Court came in response to reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) alleging large scale misappropriation of funds by the officials and functionaries of the implementing agencies. During the hearing,...