-Outlook After a row over implementation of a expert committee report, the Centre has ruled out appointment of any more panel to study Western Ghats in an attempt to address concerns of the six states through which the ecologically-sensitive hills traverse. Environment Minister M Veerappa Moily said the states concerned should appoint committees respectively to assess the kind of activities that could be allowed in the tract. After the committees submit their...

-The Times of India MUMBAI: Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan seems to be dithering on whether or not farmers should be allowed to sell their crop outside the agriculture produce marketing committee (APMC) setup. This means, consumers may not be able to get their hands on reasonably-priced vegetables and fruits brought in by cultivators in the near future. Chavan said the government needs more time to discuss the issue with various stakeholders. "Since...

-The Financial Express Veerappa Moily says environment will be protected but won't be biased against industry. After Posco and Tawang, environment minister M Veerappa Moily has cleared the state-owned NHPC's 520 MW Teesta-IV hydro-electric project in Sikkim, thus having approved three big projects in three days, which were stuck despite having clearances from all other statutory and related bodies. Veerappa Moily, who approved the Teesta project on January 9, said at the Express...

-The Hindu     The policy reversal could impact Delhi's FDI-friendly image with the city's consumers being amongst the top spenders in the country. The Arvind Kejriwal-ruled Delhi government has decided to withdraw Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in multibrand retail. On Monday, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government informed the Centre of its decision to renege on its predecessor, the Sheila Dikshit dispensation's approval of the policy. Monday's policy reversal could impact Delhi's FDI-friendly image....

-The Hindu     Delicacies sold like hot cakes with stalls running out of food before 8 p.m. New Delhi: Now, savour an idli for Re.1 and other South Indian delicacies at equally attractive prices in Delhi. Chennai's popular ‘Amma Canteen' has become an instant hit with Delhiites on the first day of its three-day sojourn at the Tamil Nadu Bhawan here. Visitors who came to attend Pongal celebrations thronged the ‘Amma Canteen' stall and...