As many as 139 candidates figuring in the fifth phase of Bihar assembly elections have criminal charges pending against them. 35 assembly constituencies will go to poll in the fifth phase on November NINe. This was found after examiNINg 441 affidavits of the candidates, Kumar Anjesh, state coordinator of NGO 'National Watch,' told reporters here. Of 139 contestants, 75 were facing serious criminal charges like murder and attempt to murder, he said. Claiming that...

While renewable energy was always considered more desirable from the point of view of environment protection, its importance has increased several times in these times of climate change. Solar energy is particularly seen as a very promising source in energy planNINg for the future in tropical countries like India. Interest in realising the potential of solar energy is fast increasing and organisations which have been pioneers in solar energy are...

The Food and Civil Supplies Department has ordered an inquiry into the alleged black marketing of fortified atta (wheat flour) meant for distribution through the Public Distribution System (PDS) in Ahmedabad. PDS store managers in Danilimda, Juhapura, Piplag, Santoshnagar, MeghaNINagar, Shah Alam, Gomtipur and Vasna-Sorainagar have reportedly sold off ration items, especially fortified flour meant for the poor, to eateries, hotels and grocery stores in the city. F L Ghalchar, Deputy Controller,...

The genetic diversity of the plants that we grow and eat and their “wild relatives” could be lost forever, threateNINg future food security, unless special efforts are stepped up to not only conserve but also utilize them, especially in developing countries. This is one of the key messages of the second report on The State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, launched today by FAO.   The...

Along with the proposed food security legislation and the communal violence Bill that have been its focus until now, the reconstituted National Advisory Council (NAC) is beginNINg to focus again on the government’s marquee rural job guarantee scheme as well. The ministry of rural development has been told to make a presentation on the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to a working group of the NAC on Friday,...