Ram Vilas Paswan

Government will purchase 15,000 tonnes of onions in a move to help the growers in the wake of a bumper crop that has sharply brought down prices, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan has directed his ministry officials to ensure the amended rule is enforced positively from July this year.

The LJP chief said if NDA, in which his party is also an ally, comes to power in the state following 2017 election, they would provide subsidy and bear the expense.

WFP's Executive Director Ertharin Cousin and Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan signed the letter of intent here on Wednesday. The structure, mandate and budget for the centre will be finalised by October-end, a senior Food Ministry official said after the meeting.

People want the GST Bill to pass as it would solve many problems but since the ruling NDA does not have majority in the Rajya Sabha, Congress is not allowing it to pass, the Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister said during a programme at National Sugar Institute here.

"Even educated consumers do not read label while purchasing food items. We get influenced by dazzling media advertisements and buy products without seeing the label. There is no awareness to check contents of the label," FSSAI Chairman Ashish Bahuguna said on Tuesday.

The Bill aims at increasing sugar cess to Rs 200/quintal from Rs 25/quintal

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan informed that 68,413 tonnes have been disposed of so far in the markets out of 1,30,608 tonnes seized during 14,177 raids on hoarders in 14 states.

The Centre has also received representation from various associations demanding regulation of e-commerce business in the country, Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said.

Placing wheat import data before the Lok Sabha, Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said that traders/millers have imported 3.76 lakh tonnes of wheat during April-September of this fiscal from Australia.

Polling is peaceful in the state as we have not received any information of untoward incident so far," Additional Chief Electoral Officer R Lakshmanan told PTI. Polling is currently underway in six Naxal-hit districts of Kaimur, Rohtas, Arwal, Jehanabad, Aurangabad and Gaya.

The second phase polling constitutes a great challenge for the security personnel as the six districts are heavily affected by Naxalism. In view of the security concerns, voting time has been curtailed by one hour and two hours in as many as 23 Constituencies.

"Urging all those voting today in Bihar to vote in large numbers. I particularly urge my young friends to cast their vote." the Prime Minister tweeted.

It is Nitish Kumar who should be biting his fingernails. This is a battle he cannot afford to lose, but even if he wins, he will confront the nightmare of ruling with Lalu Yadav holding the reins from the backseat.

Presenting a united face, Shah claimed acrimony among alliance partners, especially LJP and Manjhi-led Hindustani Awam Morcha (secular), was behind them and all differences sorted out.

In a late night development on Sunday, Manjhi is learnt to have clinched a seat sharing agreement for the polls with a HAM(S) leader claiming the saffron party has agreed to allot about 20 seats to it.

India's sugar output has exceeded demand for the fifth consecutive year, resulting in lower prices in the domestic markets and creating liquidity crunch for millers, who are unable to clear cane arrears of about Rs 14,000 crore.

On a question about Nitish Kumar emerging as the most favoured candidate for the post of chief ministership, Modi termed it as "obvious" saying that it was natural for anybody who has been serving so long, to be seen as leading.

The Centre also directed the Delhi government and Mother Dairy to continue sale of onions at subsidised rates in the national capital till prices come under control. A decision in this regard was taken at a review meeting chaired by Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Thursday.

The Election Commission had a detailed meeting with top Home Ministry officials on Friday on deployment of security forces during the polls that may be held in October.