-The Hindu The manner in which crucial laws are being amended will end up eroding rights that have deep consequences on the lives of our children and us as citizens of a thriving democracy. All because the state hasn’t been able to deliver what it was mandated to do. The last few months have seen an alarming trend of crucial laws being amended, or sought to be amended, in a manner that...

-ANI Talks conclude without any commitment on rich countries being asked to check their domestic subsidies After hectic negotiations for five consecutive days, the WTO Trade Ministers concluded their talks last evening without any commitment on rich countries being asked to check their domestic subsidies. India has expressed its disappointment over non-reaffirmation to conclude 14-year-old Doha Round pacts, even as WTO meeting in Nairobi managed to win a commitment to allow developing nations...

-Economic and Political Weekly Why has pulse production stagnated despite measures to boost production being well known? This season, the prices of pulses (dals) have been on fire. According to the Price Monitoring Cell of the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, the average retail price of red gram (tuar) doubled from around Rs 80 a kg in March 2015 to Rs 150–Rs 160 a kg in November 2015. What could...

-PTI A Parliamentary standing Committee has termed steps taken by Delhi Police on improving women’s safety as “disheartening” and asked the force to chalk out effective and resilient strategies to combat crime against women instead of “shrugging off” its responsibility. The report of the 189th standing Committee on Home Ministry tabled in Parliament on Monday took note of several steps taken by Delhi Police which included no harassment of complainant or victims...

-The Times of India NEW DELHI: The total period of trial in corruption cases will not exceed four years with a special judge initially required to wind up proceedings in two years itself. Thereafter the trial can be extended, subject to six-month extension, states the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2015 currently before the Rajya Sabha. The bill also stipulates recording of reasons for any delay in trial beyond two years and includes...