-Business Standard Assocham-Skymet report, however, says untimely rain likely to reappear in north India in 5-6 weeks India's southwest monsoon, which accounts for almost 80 per cent of the country's total precipitation, is expected to be normal this year, predicts a joint study by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry and private weather forecaster Skymet. However, there would be pockets where the showers are expected to be deficient. These include Himachal Pradesh,...

-The Times of India BAREILLY: Even as data is being compiled on malnutrition and severe acute malnutrition cases in the district, deaths due to malnourishment are not being taken into account by the district authorities. Three children found to be suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) died within a few months of their birth in Bithri Chainpur block in the time period between two surveys, but there is no mention of this...

-The Telegraph New Delhi: The Centre today began consulting the states on a new education policy that will review a range of practices, including the automatic promotions till Class VIII and the option of skipping one's Class X board exams under the Central Board of Secondary Education. Smriti Irani's human resource development ministry made a presentation flagging 33 key issues, which include the need for examination reforms to focus on problem-solving, critical...

-The Times of India NEW DELHI: A strong political fight has erupted between the government and the opposition parties over providing relief to farmers suffering crop loss due to unseasonable rains and hailstorm. Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the opposition of spreading lies on the land acquisition bill, Congress hit back and accused Modi of somersault on farmers' issue. Ahmed Patel, Political Secretary to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, said farmers...

-The Hindu Land Bill to be taken up in the next phase of budget session Despite an aggressive Opposition giving the NDA's parliamentary managers a tough time during the first half of the budget session that concluded on Friday, the Modi government found reason to pat itself on the back. With the exception of the contentious Land Acquisition Ordinance, it succeeded in converting five of its six ordinances into Acts of Parliament. On Friday,...