At a time when some of the poorest belts of India are suffering from a monsoon failure the government, has decided to let lakhs of tonnes of food grain turn inedible in the godowns rather than give it to the needy. Ironically, it has used the proposed National Food Security Act as an excuse to not distribute the grains to the needy. The Supreme Court in its last hearing had...

India, the world’s second-biggest rice grower, may have a record harvest this year as increased planting offset drought in the east of the country. Production may total 100 million tonnes in the year ending June 2011, compared with 89.3 million tonnes a year ago, said Vijay Setia, president of All India Rice Exporters’ Association. Output was a record 99.2 million tonnes in the year ended June 30, 2009, according to the...

The Union government has been widely criticised for letting foodgrain rot in its godowns, while food prices soar and millions remain underfed. In its defence the government has spoken about the fiscal cost of selling these stocks. However, the underlying problem of excessive procurement and overstocking of foodgrain has not received as much attention. The government has claimed that official agencies have been mopping up over 99.5 per cent market...

MLAs express concern at colouring of vegetables in the Capital Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly V. K. Malhotra on Thursday demanded that the Delhi Government quickly frame rules so that those indulging in adulteration of food items and using harmful chemicals to improve the look and size of vegetables are severely punished for threatening the lives of others. Raising the issue under Rule 280 Special Mention, Prof. Malhotra said the Delhi...

The Central Government has consented for setting up of International Millet and Wheat Research Centre at Khamaria near Jabalpur. This Research Centre will be set up with cooperation of Mexico. Here research will be conducted for producing hybrid quality seeds of Millets and Wheat. In view of the dwindling Wheat production because of the increase in global temperature, the centre will research for producing hybrid quality millet and Wheat seeds...