Moneymakers
FENCING OUT FELINES: Stray cats in Japan are in for a rude shock when they walk into private gardens unsuspectingly. Japanese biochemists have come up with environment friendly chemicals
FENCING OUT FELINES: Stray cats in Japan are in for a rude shock when they walk into private gardens unsuspectingly. Japanese biochemists have come up with environment friendly chemicals
A church inspired people's dairy project in Kerala turns out to be a trailblazer
Shifting over to sustainable agriculture requires a new climate for convincing and aiding farmers to change the existing practices
In earlier times, a mixture of salt, herbs and spices or a simple dose of salt by itself was considered a prime cure for a range of illnesses.
The State Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Dr Nazrul Hussain today told the Assembly that deficit production and increase of price at source due to rising demand were at the root of the price rise in essential commodities, especially foodgrains, in the State. Replying to a question raised by Ananta Deka of CPM during zero hour, Dr Islam said that the current price rise was a national phenomenon and affected Assam and the North-East more because of the transportation costs. The Minister said that his department was coordinating with district and subdivisional administrations for properly monitoring the developments so that unscrupulous elements could not take advantage of the situation. The situation in places like Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Jaipur, etc., were also kept track of and constantly compared with that of the State. "Deficit production in rice, dal, wheat, mustard, etc., and the lowering of Government subsidies are having an impact on price rise. The recent export of 5 lakh MT rice to Bangladesh has also added to the growing demand in the source States,' Dr Islam said. "Common rice which was sold at Rs 12 a kg in Kolkata on October 8, 2007 shot up to Rs 14 on February 8, 2008. The same rice is being sold in Delhi at Rs 17 a kg. In Guwahati, common rice which fetched Rs 12.50-Rs 14 a kg in October last year, was sold at Rs 14-Rs 16 in January,' he said. The Minister further said that the rise in import prices of various edible oils was contributing to the price rise. "India imports a sizeable quantity of refined vegetable oil and refined rapeseed oil from Malaysia, and recently there has been considerable increase in the their prices. Again, mustard oil produced in the country has also become costlier,' he said. Dr Islam said that the department, during 2007, registered 726 cases regarding the public distribution system (PDS), which "showed that we are taking steps to streamline the system.' Moreover, the Bureau of Investigation of Economic Offences (BIEO) has been entrusted with the job of making an inquiry into the PDS scam that rocked the State last year. Dr Islam said that the six per cent railway fare cut for the North-Eastern States would come into effect from April only.
This column will bring you an update on various groups and individuals working in fields related to environment, development and the sciences. This time some information on interesting and useful publications and networks
Saipura, Rajasthan
The Central Information Commission has directed the department of biotechnology (dbt) to make public data of tests on genetically modified (gm) crops. The directive came on April 13, 2007, in
the Union government increased the minimum support price of wheat, paddy, sugarcane, mustard, rapeseed and other agricultural commodities on October 9. The announcement was made after the Cabinet
A winner of the 1995 Norman Borlaug Award for her contribution to the field of agricultural sciences, MANJU SHARMA is secretary to the department Of biotechnology. INDIRA KHURANA spoke to Sharma about the department's accomplishments and plans for the
Backward Bihar villagers receive healthcare from barefoot 'first aid physicians'
DECEMBER 3, 1994. The stage was set in Bhopal, again, for an army of people. Mediapeople. Activists. As for those who had rushed out of their homes 10 years ago to the day straight into the most
The Ladakh Ecological Development Group is working to make the harsh life of Ladakhis easier through improved housing and easier methods of getting water
The religion of the Bishnoi community in Punjab has protected the blackbuck
A farmer in northern India has adopted agricultural practices that are attuned and not disruptive to the rural environment. Moreover, he has successfully reaped profits
Scientists have come up with a home-grown genetically modified (gm) potato. This ubiquitous vegetable has now been fortified with proteins derived from an amaranth (Amaranthus) species through
The insular but self sufficient existence of the marine nomads inhabiting the islands that pepper the Brahmaputra river as it winds across Assam illustrates how humans can adapt their lifestyle to harmonise with their surroundings. But it's a tou
A stray herd of elephants in West Bengal was hounded by villagers and government officials, who feared destruction of their crop. The incident brought to the fore the tension between the animals and the villagers.
The Shree Vivekananda Research and Training Institute has made a name for itself, helping villagers in Kutch district. Among its innumerable projects are solving water problems, soil conservation and dairy farming
A non govemmental organisation attempting to help women in Haryana's and Rewari district is hampered by caste factors and male chauvinism.