Pranab says Nobel Prize in sciences long overdue for the country

Debate over nuclear energy and genetically modified food has come to the fore again, with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday saying such “complex” issues should be approached through a structured debate and analysis, than being driven by faith or fear. “Complex issues, be they genetically modified food or nuclear energy or exploration of outer space, cannot be settled by faith, emotion and fear but by structured debate, analysis and enlightenment. A scientific approach and understanding of these issues are, therefore, as vital as our core scientific capabilities,” he said.

Pilot project under way in Haryana village comingunder Jindal’s constituency

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and IT major Hewlett Packard on Tuesday announced the development of a system that would provide affordable healthcare to the rural poor and simultaneously facilitate better medicines for various ailments. The system is based on a combination of the latest in IT, cloud computing, and standard shipping containers, which have become unusable for normal freight movement.

A parliamentary panel has come down heavily on the Union Government for imposing limitations on liability amount as well as the duration of the liability period under the proposed rules under the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act.

Noting that the limitations imposed under Rule 24 of theCLND were not contemplated under the Act, the panel pointed out rules must be consistent with the substantial provisions of legislation.

Board is yet to develop 27 out of the 168 safety documents despite recommendations by two panels in 1987 and 1997

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on Wednesday pulled up the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) for not preparing a nuclear and radiation safety policy for the country despite receiving a specific mandate to do so in the order constituting the Board as far back as 1983. In a scathing report tabled in Parliament, the CAG also noted that the Board had yet to develop 27 out of the 168 safety documents despite recommendations made by two panels in 1987 and 1997 that the process of developing safety documents be expedited.

Census sheds new light on changing nation

Though half of all Indians do not have a toilet at home, well over half own a telephone, new census data released on Tuesday show. These and many other contrasting facts of life have come out in Census 2011.

A meeting at the Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday decided to increase the total expenditure on health to 2.5 per cent of the GDP from the current 1.4 per cent by the end of the coming 12th Plan period.

Chaired by Pulok Chatterji, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, the meeting decided to request the Planning Commission to allocate adequate resources to achieve the target and motivate and incentivise the States

The common man could be able to get his views heard prior to the launch of a nuclear energy-related project if a system planned by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) takes off.

AERB chairman S.S. Bajaj said here on Thursday: “The people should know that they are being heard and their concerns are taken on board. We are debating on how to go about it.”

It will provide credit risk guarantee to banks on the loans

Trials to be conducted in Chennai and United States

The Centre on Thursday set up a 15-member experts group for interaction with the local people in and around the Kudankulam nuclear power plant project as part of an exercise to allay their apprehen