-PTI Unfazed by large scale protests over diesel price hike, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday asserted it was a step in the right direction and expressed the hope that economy would rebound in the second half of the current fiscal. "The recent increase in diesel prices is an important step in the right direction," he said while addressing the meeting of the full Planning Commission which was called to approve the...

-The Times of India The government on Thursday approved a steep hike on diesel price in a politically risky move to rein in the fiscal deficit. The cabinet committee on political affairs approved the hike in a meeting at the Prime Minister's residence. The price of diesel is hiked by Rs 5. However, the price of PDS kerosene and petrol were left unchanged. The panel also restricted the number of subsidized LPG...

-The Hindustan Times It is a matter of great concern that a large number of Indians still rely on inefficient and unhealthy energy sources. Approximately 80% of Indians cook and heat their homes with biomass fuels —largely wood and animal waste. This has a tremendous negative impact on people's health and the environment. Experts estimate that about 3.5% of India's total disease burden can be attributed to indoor air pollution resulting...

-The Economic Times The economic and social impact of reduction in petroleum subsidies in India will be much lower than perceived if a cash transfer system for directly subsidising vulnerable consumers is successfully implemented, studies commissioned by the Geneva-based International Institute for Sustainable Development have said. The government must, however, dismantle subsidies in a calibrated manner as vulnerable consumers will be able to adjust better if the under-recoveries are gradually eliminated, cautioned...

-ANI Delhi is set to become the first kerosene-free city in the country with the government all geared up to launch an ambitious scheme on Tuesday under which 3.56 lakh households will get LPG cylinder and a gas stove free Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit will distribute the cylinders and stove to 200 beneficiaries. All the families covered under Below Poverty Line (BPL), Antyodaya Anna Yojna (AAY) and Jhuggi Ration Card (JRC) schemes...