-Hindustan Times The cost has been revised following recommendations by a review committee constituted last year that included representatives from the ministries of education, finance and labour, besides independent experts. The central government has increased the cost of cooking school midday meals by 9.6% from October 1 that will be valid for financial year 2022-23, the education ministry has told the state governments and union territories, which will offer some relief to...

-PTI/Hindustan Times Farmers in Punjab have started disposing crop residue -- which is usually burnt and causes air pollution -- in a sustainable manner; these farmers have not only reduced consumption of fertilisers by mixing crop residue in the soil but have also begun to monetise the practice by managing the stubble of other growers Chandigarh: A handful of farmers in Punjab have started disposing crop residue -- which is usually burnt...

-Down to Earth The Coca-Cola plant that caused over-exploitation of groundwater, toxic contamination of soil, groundwater, loss of agriculture and health in Plachimada shut down 18 years ago Coca-Cola Co, the multi-American beverages giant with presence across the globe, has been in news for its sponsorship of the upcoming 27th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Even as it draws flak for littering the world with...

-The Hindu Business Line Experts say authorities will need to probe and take quick action, in the interest of keeping the faith in medicine exports from India The death of 66 children in Gambia, potentially-linked to four cough and cold syrups made in India by Maiden Pharmaceuticals, has brought up the quality question, again. How did an allegedly contaminated product slip through the regulatory cracks, casting a long shadow on the Indian...

-The Hindu The one lever that the government could have pulled as it watched private investment decline was to step up public investment In a meeting held with the country’s corporate leaders on September 15, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman drew attention to an important aspect of the economy today. She rightly flagged concerns about sluggish corporate investment, despite the government’s business-friendly stance, including a reduction in the corporate tax. The reduction, effected...