-Down to Earth The Event 142 variety of genetically modified brinjal was quietly given approval without any data in the public domain, claim experts Experts have slammed a recent move of the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) — a government-appointed committee responsible for appraisal of proposals of genetically engineered organisms — giving its greenlight for biosafety research-level-II (BRL-II) field trials for Event 142, a new variety of genetically modified brinjal (Bt brinjal)...

-Business Standard The six-month moratorium period comes to an end on August 31 The Reserve Bank is unlikely to extend the moratorium on repayment of bank loans beyond August 31 as an extension could impact the credit behaviour of borrowers without resolving the issues being faced by them following the outbreak of the Covid-19, sources said. The RBI had announced a moratorium on repayment of debt for six months beginning March 1, 2020...

--Press release by Mineral Inheritors Rights Association (MIRA) dated 27th August, 2020 The Ministry of Mines has put up a notice on 24th August, 2020 seeking public comments on substantial matters of reform of mineral laws, rules and regulations within a period of 10 days, i.e. 3rd September, 2020. The state governments have not yet been consulted and a 10-day period for the states to respond undermines the federal spirit of...

-The Pioneer Ranchi (Jharkhand): The employees engaged under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) continued their pen down strike on 29th day in the State. Around 5000 MGNREGA workers are on strike demanding regularization of the services and better pay package. State Rural development minister Alamgir Alam who is presently home quarantine after some of his cabinet colleagues tested corona positive, on several occasions had urged the workers to return...

-The Hindu Current method is based on pre-1960s rainfall data, says expert; report also calls for changes in agro plans owing to shift in rainfall and temperature variation A recent analysis of the last 58 years’ (1960 to 2017) weather data of Karnataka has indicated a considerable shift in rainfall pattern in the State, which has a bearing on agriculture and water security. It calls for changes in the present cropping pattern and...