The government may levy duty on two important drug ingredients imported from China and Mexico to protect local suppliers. The move could increase prices of popular antibiotics for consumers besides threatening business of about two dozen small drugmakers. The commerce ministry has recommended anti-dumping duty on Penicillin G Potassium and 6 APA, after Indian suppliers complained Chinese and Mexican firms are shipping it at a low price to kill competition from...

Agriculture is not just a food producing machine but the backbone of the livelihood of 60 per cent of Indians. The extensive drought spotlights a situation of mass rural deprivation and a mindset that is insensitive to it. But there are some encouraging signs. What should be done to meet the challenge?  There are reports in financial newspapers that the ongoing drought affecting nearly 200 districts in the country may...