In Brief

Leave sugarcane price fixation to states:
Badal writes to Pawar
Chandigarh:Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has urged the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs,Food and Public Distribution,Sharad Pawar,to leave the issue of fixation of sugarcane price to the mills and states. Citing the larger interest of sugar production and economic viability of sugar mills,the CM’s letter to Pawar has requested the food ministry to immediately revise its amended order of Sugarcane (Control) Order,1966 issued on October 22,2009,so that instead of minimum price of sugarcane,a fair and remunerative price (FRP) shall be fixed by the Centre. He emphasised the need to maintain a price parity to ensure similar returns to farmers growing sugarcane and those following Rice-Wheat Cropping System (RWCS).

23 panchayats awarded for improved sex ratio
AMRITSAR:Twenty-three panchayats from 12 districts in the state were awarded at a special function here on Sunday for improvement in sex ratio. Health Minister Laxami Kanta Chawla gave away the awards that included Rs 1.5 lakh each for the development of the village. Chawla said,“We have been able to improve the sex ratio in the age group up to 6 years,and it is a very good sign.”