-The Hindu The government’s claim that it will dampen inflation, bring higher prices for farmers and lower prices for customers may be somewhat exaggerated With the intention of signalling a strong commitment to reforms, the UPA government has announced a hike in the price of diesel and liberalisation of foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail, justifying the measures as growth-enhancing and inflation-dampening. They have been termed bold by India’s corporate sector...

-The Times of India LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh (UP) government on Wednesday decided to ban gutkha, which is paan masala mixed with tobacco, as per the order of the Allahabad high court order and the Food Security Act passed by the parliament. However, The order will come into effect from April 1, 2013. Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav said that six months time has been given to find other source of employment for...

-The Indian Express Emphasising on validation of rights of tribals and forest-dwellers over the forest lands, the Supreme Court has said that Naxalism was a result of an oversight of constitutional provisions relating to administration of schedule areas and tribes of the country. “Nobody looks at Schedules V and VI of the Constitution and the result is Naxalism. Urbanites are ruling the nation. Even several union of India counsel are oblivious of...

-The Hindu The government may consider tighter environment and safety norms for the Kudankulam nuclear plant, even as it insisted that all current conditions are being strictly complied with. Asked if a safety relook was on the cards, given the Supreme Court’s statement on Thursday that the plant could be shut if the safety aspects were not satisfactorily ensured, Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan said: “I am willing to consider [a relook] in...

-PTI Pawar resigned after reports alleged his involvement in Rs 20,000 crore irrigation scam Maharashtra Governor K Sankarnarayanan today accepted the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who quit following reports about his alleged involvement in a Rs 20,000 crore irrigation scam. Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan met the Governor this morning and handed over Pawar's resignation. "The Governor has accepted Ajit Pawar's resignation as recommended by the Chief Minister," a Raj...