-The Hindu The Jan Swasthya Abhiyan on Monday called upon the Union Government to extend free medicine supply scheme, presently operational in a few States like Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, all over the country to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure of common people on health care. Such a scheme would especially benefit the patients deprived of any kind of treatment due to poverty. In a letter addressed to Union Health & Family Welfare Secretary...

-The Hindu The Centre on Monday blamed foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for aiding protests against the Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu and reiterated that the government was committed to producing “clean and cheap” nuclear energy in the country. “Foreign NGOs are supporting the movement…some [foreign] NGOs are interested in it [protests]. I am aware of these NGOs, but I am not going to name those countries [to which these NGOs...

-The Hindu Pitched battles at Kudankulam; one killed in Tuticorin police firing The hitherto-peaceful agitation against the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project in Tamil Nadu turned violent on Monday, with protesters attacking policemen, and police resorting to lathi-charge and the firing of teargas shells. The agitation, which was confined to Idinthakarai and surrounding villages, spilled over to the neighbouring Tuticorin district where one fisherman died when police opened fire. Battlefield In the morning, the Idinthakarai beach...

-PTI An uneasy calm prevailed here on Tuesday with police tightening vigil as anti-nuclear protesters continued with their relay fast at Idinthakarai, epicentre of protests against the Kudankulam Nuclear plant, condemning the action against anti-KKNPP activists. Police here said the situation was calm but they are keeping a strict vigil. “Security has been stepped up,” sources said. Sources close to S P Udhayakumar, convener of People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy, spearheading the protest...

-PTI The row over setting up the Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu reached the Supreme Court on Monday with a petition, which sought its directions to restrain the Union government and other authorities from commissioning the controversial project. The Special Leave Petition (SLP) by social activist G Sundarrajan against the Madras high court's August 31 decision refusing to impose any restraint has claimed that non-implementation of various recommendations formulated by...