Eminent American and global bodies ask US that the move will not only undercut New Delhi's effort to cut poverty, but also detrimental to developing a solar energy industry

A dozen-odd eminent American and international organisations have asked the US to reconsider its decision to drag India to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over solar energy policy.

Likely in Parliament this week; FoodMin draft accepted without changes; CCEA defers decision on levy sugar

The Union Cabinet today cleared the revised and much-discussed National Food Security Bill (NFSB), paving the way for its introduction in the ongoing Budget session of Parliament. If enacted, this would provide a legal entitlement for cheap grain to about two-thirds of India’s population, at five kg monthly for each person. Rice will be provided at a uniform Rs 3 a kg (market price over Rs 20 a kg), wheat at Rs 2 a kg (market price Rs 16 a kg) and coarse cereals at Re 1 a kg.

Nepal has made the “fastest progress” in reducing multidimensional poverty, according to a study by Oxford University.

Bangladesh has been identified as one of the ‘star performers’ in the poverty reduction initiative globally as the world poverty is coming down rapidly.

Te bill seeks to abolish distinction between below poverty line and above poverty line families; proposes common category with uniform legal entitlement

The Cabinet today cleared the Food Security Bill which has incorporated the amendments to the previous bill as suggested by the standing committee of Parliament on food. Meanwhile, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs deferred a decision on dismantling levy sugar mechanism.

Builders to be given sops, including waiver of fees

At a time when the property prices have skyrocketed in the urban areas, affordable housing may well be within the reach of the ‘aam aadmi’ in Haryana. In fact, with a view to attract the private builders to go in for affordable housing, the Hooda Government is set to launch its ambitious "Affordable Housing Policy-2013" to provide housing to the lower strata of society with an eye on the forthcoming parliamentary and the state Assembly elections next year.

For millions of slum dweller in Delhi, there is finally some reassuring news in the form of amendments brought in by the Delhi Government in its slum policy.

As per a notification issued on February 25, this year, lakhs of slum dwellers would be benefited by the liberalised norms on their identification and entitlement for rehabilitation. Stating that it was the pressure mounted by the slum dwellers themselves which made the Delhi Government change several conditions for eligibility for rehabilitation, Ramendra Kumar, secretary general of Delhi Shramik Sangathan, said the major amendments include the change in the eligibility condition.