There are major issues at stake in the Rio+20 Summit on Sustainable Development to be held on 20-22 June. Yet governments of developing countries have not given adequate importance to the run-up to the conference. As has happened in the climate change negotiations, the outcome draft now under negotiation shows a conCERTed move to rewrite the terms of global environmental governance. There is an attempt to push through the decidedly...

-The Economic Times The austerity measures announced by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee are likely to help the government save between Rs 800 crore and Rs 1,000 crore, said a senior finance ministry official. The government has decided to cut down on foreign travels of ministers and official delegations and has put a ban on creation of plan and non-plan posts The figure is based on preliminary estimates.  In addition, the 10% cut...

The latest NCPCR survey report reveals large-scale child labour in Bt cotton production; asks stakeholders to prepare an action plan to eliminate it Forced to work for 14-hours at a stretch and even carry pesticides on their back, the plight children engaged as child labour in the Bt cotton production has often gone unnoticed, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has said in its latest survey report. To rescue...

-The Indian Express The Supreme Court on Friday sought response from the Centre, Rajasthan and Haryana governments on allegations that large scale illegal mining and depletion of forest cover was taking place in the two states. A Bench of Justices K S Radhakrishnan and J S Khehar issued notice on an application moved by NGO, Society for Awareness and Development, which alleged that the states were wilfully violating the apex court's earlier...

-Live Mint   Rural development minister Jairam Ramesh is advocating a new approach to fighting the Maoist insurgency that has gripped 78 districts so far. Apart from development and security, the approach involves politics and justice, he said. In an interview, Ramesh warned that in the rush to attain high growth rates, India was placing the interests of tribals below that of mining firms. The minister suggested the setting up of a...