-The Business Standard TN, Chattisgarh already successful; Karnataka,MP,Odisha have announced schemes Food security today became a law. President Pranab Mukherjee gave his consent to the ordinance today morning. The Cabinet had already cleared the ordinance on Wednesday. With this, almost 800 million of India's 1.2 billion population may now be entitled to 5 kgs of foodgrain each a month at subsidized rates. Subsidized rates are--Rs 3 a kg for rice, Rs 2 a...

-The United Nations Without fresh ideas to address rapid urbanization, the number of people living in slums lacking access to basic infrastructure and services such as sanitation, electricity, and health care may skyrocket from one billion at present to three billion by 2050, the United Nations today reported. That wake up call is one of several alarm bells sounded in the UN World Economic and Social Survey 2013, which was launched today...

-The Hindustan Times The Cabinet on Wednesday finally approved an ordinance to launch the ruling Congress's showpiece welfare legislation, the National food security bill, after a four-year political roller-coaster ride. The decision on the ordinance was unanimous, food minister KV Thomas said, adding that it was being sent to the president for his approval. An ordinance allows laws to be enacted when Parliament is not in session, although it needs to be...

-The Times of India NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday cleared an ordinance to implement the politically significant national food security bill without waiting for Parliament's monsoon session that is about a month away. The decision to press ahead with the ordinance - delayed after the government sought to enlarge political support for the bill - is rooted in Congress's determination to project commitment to food security as an key aspect...

-The Indian Express The food security law is back on the Cabinet agenda with the government all set to take a call on Wednesday on whether it should take the ordinance route on the subject. The subject was not taken up earlier despite being listed for Cabinet discussion a couple of weeks ago after parties like the SP signalled that they would oppose it if the government decided to issue an ordinance...