-The Indian Express Uttar Pradesh farmers have taken well to direct benefit transfers, though there are doubts if it can be extended to fertilisers. Akhilesh Yadav’s government in Uttar Pradesh is turning out to be a pacesetter in implementation of direct benefit transfers (DBT) to farmers. Farmers in UP got Rs 28.60 per quintal from the state government for the sugarcane they supplied to mills during the 2014-15 crushing season. The payments, totalling...

-The Statesman The first case of suicidal death of a farmer in Boudh district has been reported from Khuntapada under Harvanga block. According to the family sources of the deceased farmer Subha Kanta Pradhan, having being deeply frustrated with the crop loss and debt burden Pradhan had been depressed and talking of suicide for a few days. He had consumed poison on Monday and was admitted to the district headquarter hospital at...

-Livemint.com The year that is drawing to a close was dotted by extreme weather events, posing new challenges for weather forecasting New Delhi: Unseasonal rains and crop damage in several States, followed by deficit rainfall and drought in nine States, topped off by a deluge in Chennai at the end of 2015. The year that is drawing to a close was dotted by extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent. Several...

-PTI NEW DELHI: The pre-monsoon groundwater level has declined in 46 per cent of wells assessed by the government across the country, as compared to the five-year average, Rajya Sabha was informed today. Union Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sanwar Lal Jat said this in Rajya Sabha while responding to questions on ground water levels in plains and drying waterfalls in hilly regions. "Assessment of groundwater-level monitoring...

-Press Release from India Resource Center New Delhi: A proposal to tax sugar sweetened beverages like tobacco in India is being welcomed by public health advocates. The proposal to increase sin taxes on aerated drinks is part of the recommendations made by India’s Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian on the upcoming Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill in the parliament of India. Taxation to reduce consumption of tobacco has been successful when used...