Headlines:

• Government to Establish National Action Plan on Climate Change

The government is preparing a “National Action Plan” to deal with issues of climate change including measures to mitigate the impact on foodgrains production, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.  

• Tamil Nadu Budget Focuses on Farmers, Women

The Tamil Nadu budget for 2008-09 has proposed several measures for small farmers and women, including sanction of new crop loans of Rs.1,500 crore and formation of 4 lakh new self-help groups for women.

• South Asian Nations Team up for Food Security (thank you for sending this our way Kohl!)

Eight South Asian countries have launched a regional food security programme, pooling together scientific and natural resources to improve crop production and nutrition in the region.  The ‘South Asia Food Security Programme’ will receive an estimated US$25 million for ten projects addressing South Asia’s food security.

Click “read more” for more headlines.

• You Smoke: Employers Pay

In yet another attempt to deter people from lighting up in public and reduce the risk of passive smoking, the Union Health Ministry is now planning to put the onus on organisations which allow its employees to smoke within its premises.

The ministry is planning a steep increase in the penalty for smoking in public with the institution where the breach occurs also being asked to cough up a huge fine. At present, smokers puffing away in public are expected to pay a maximum of Rs 200.  But with the ministry’s proposed amendment, those found smoking in public would have to pay up to Rs 1,000.

• Inflation at 5.92%

Inflation rose by a whopping 0.81 per cent to touch 5.92 per cent during the week ended March 8, as metal prices soared and food items turned expensive.

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