The Centre is planning a few amendments to key education reform bills whose legislative progress has been stalled by opposition to several of their clauses. The Telegraph had reported how private educational institutions had been arguing that the “draconian” bills would make it difficult for new colleges and universities to be opened, and would threaten institutional heads with stringent punishment for minor mishaps. Human resource development ministry sources now say they propose...

-The Business Standard The first agriculture survey, tabled in Parliament on Monday, called for more private participation to boost farm sector investments, rather than heavy doses of subsidies. “There is always a trade-off between allocating money through subsidies or by increasing investments. The investment option is much better than subsidies for sustaining long-term growth in agricultural production and also to reduce poverty faster,” said the survey, State of Indian Agriculture 2011-2012. It...

The government proposes to convert the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) into a National Health Mission to provide health care to the urban poor also, in the course of the 12th Plan. Universal access to free generic essential medicines in public health institutions in a phased and time-bound manner will be ensured. Announcing major initiatives to provide universal healthcare, President Pratibha Patil on Monday said the government would endeavour to increase both...

-The Times of India The BJP is all set to corner the government over the Lokpal Bill in Rajya Sabha with Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley to seek suspension of question hour to discuss the anti-graft legislation.  According to Times Now, Arun Jaitley will raise the issue in the Upper House under Rule 257, which will allow the opposition to question the fiasco in the last session.  The government had on Monday said...

-PTI The Government today said it is likely to table a White Paper on black money during the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament, but maintained that there is no authentic estimate of the quantum of illicit wealth. "The white paper is likely to be brought during the Budget Session," Minister of State for Finance S S Palanimanickam informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply. The White Paper is expected to contain information...