Search results for ' Agriculture'

Union Budget 2025-26: Economists stress need for manufacturing policy

Union Budget 2025-26: Economists stress need for manufacturing policy

Rediff.com9 Dec 2024

The need for a manufacturing policy, reining in food inflation and raising investment in the country were among key suggestions given by economists who met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and senior ministry officials in the first round of pre-Budget consultations on Friday.

Have You Heard About The Potato Crisis?

Have You Heard About The Potato Crisis?

Rediff.com16 Dec 2024

Amid the political blame game over Bengal's potato ban, which led to shortages in Jharkhand and Odisha, Uttar Pradesh farmers are the unlikely winners.

Budget 2025: What farmers want from Sitharaman

Budget 2025: What farmers want from Sitharaman

Rediff.com7 Dec 2024

Farmer representatives and agricultural stakeholders urged the government to provide cheaper long-term credit, implement lower taxes, and double the PM-KISAN income support during a comprehensive pre-budget consultation with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday. The two-hour meeting saw a detailed discussion of proposals, aimed at addressing multiple challenges in the agricultural sector, with key demands focusing on financial relief, market reforms, and strategic investments.

Hemant Soren distributes portfolios; keeps home, gives finance to Cong

Hemant Soren distributes portfolios; keeps home, gives finance to Cong

Rediff.com6 Dec 2024

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has distributed portfolios among the new ministers, keeping key departments such as Home, Personnel, and several others to himself. The Congress' Radhakrishna Kishore was given Finance, Commercial Tax, Planning and Development Department, and Parliamentary Affairs departments. JMM's Deepak Biruwa was allotted the departments of Revenue, Registration and Land Reforms (non-registration), and Transport. Chamra Linda, another JMM leader, was allotted the departments of Schedule Tribes, Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes (except Minority Welfare). RJD's Sanjay Prasad Yadav was given the departments of Industries, and Labour, Planning, Training and Skill Development. The Congress' Irfan Ansari got Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, besides Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, and Disaster Management departments. The chief minister also kept to himself the departments of Cabinet Secretariat, Personnel, Administrative Reforms and Official Language, Road Construction, Building Construction, and those departments yet to be distributed to anyone. Among the other ministers, JMM's Ramdas Soren was given the School Education and Literacy, and Registration departments. Party colleague Hafizul Hasan was allotted the departments of Water Resources, and Minority Welfare Department. Panchayati Raj, Rural Works, and Rural Development departments were given to Congress MLA Deepika Pandey Singh. The CM gave Drinking Water and Sanitation, and Excise and Prohibition departments to JMM's Yogendra Prasad. JMM legislator Sudhivya Kumar became the minister for Urban Development and Housing, Higher and Technical Education, and Tourism, Art Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs departments. Shilpi Neha Tirkey of the Congress was allotted Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperative Department. A total of 11 MLAs took oath as ministers in the Hemant Soren government in Jharkhand on Thursday.

Amid farmer's protest, Modi govt's reply on MSP

Amid farmer's protest, Modi govt's reply on MSP

Rediff.com6 Dec 2024

The Narendra Modi government will purchase all farm produce at minimum support price, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said in Rajya Sabha on Friday.

Key takeaways from RBI's Monetary Policy

Key takeaways from RBI's Monetary Policy

Rediff.com6 Dec 2024

RBI cuts GDP growth projection to 6.6 per cent for current financial year, from earlier forecast of 7.2 per cent.

Mahayuti Supporters Throng Azad Maidan

Mahayuti Supporters Throng Azad Maidan

Rediff.com5 Dec 2024

BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra in a grand ceremony at Azad Maidan in Mumbai.

'Shinde Saheb Is A Fighter'

'Shinde Saheb Is A Fighter'

Rediff.com19 Dec 2024

'We pressurised him (to accept the deputy chief ministership).' 'Being out of power would have made him weaker.'

Farmers suspend 'Dilli Chalo' march after cops open tear gas, water cannon

Farmers suspend 'Dilli Chalo' march after cops open tear gas, water cannon

Rediff.com14 Dec 2024

The action came after a 'jatha' of 101 farmers, who resumed their foot march to Delhi shortly after 12 noon on Saturday from the Shambhu protest site on the Punjab-Haryana border, reached the barricades put up by the Haryana security personnel.

Farmers won't resume march, to decide next course of action on Tuesday

Farmers won't resume march, to decide next course of action on Tuesday

Rediff.com9 Dec 2024

Punjab farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said no 'jatha' (group) of farmers will resume their foot march to Delhi on Tuesday. The farmers suspended their march after some were injured in teargas shelling by Haryana security personnel. Pandher accused the Centre of being confused on how the protesters should proceed to the national capital, citing contradictory statements from different ministers. He also criticized the government's lack of response to the hunger strike of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, which has entered its 14th day.

Agri GVA stands out on strong monsoon

Agri GVA stands out on strong monsoon

Rediff.com2 Dec 2024

Amid low growth elsewhere, gross value added (GVA) growth in agriculture and allied activities recovered during the second quarter of the current financial year (Q2FY25) to 3.5 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) due to strong monsoon. Experts feel that the rains have laid the foundation of an even better GVA performance in subsequent quarters. GVA growth in the first quarter of FY25 was 2.0 per cent.

Countdown Begins To Budget 2025

Countdown Begins To Budget 2025

Rediff.com7 Dec 2024

It will be the second Budget of the Modi 3.0 government and eighth straight Budget for Nirmala Sitharaman, rare in Indian polity.

'RBI Not Overly Concerned About GDP'

'RBI Not Overly Concerned About GDP'

Rediff.com6 Dec 2024

'The central bank has highlighted that the slowdown in growth has been limited to a few sectors and overall growth is expected to pick up in the second half of the year.'

Will Trump's Tariffs Threat Bite India?

Will Trump's Tariffs Threat Bite India?

Rediff.com9 Dec 2024

The impact of Trump's announcement of increasing import tariffs will have negligible benefit for India not because of companies trying to shift from China to other countries or their supply chains being affected due to their Chinese operations but because of our faulty policies, explains Mudit Jain.

'Urban demand is under stress, would need an upward spiral'

'Urban demand is under stress, would need an upward spiral'

Rediff.com5 Dec 2024

'Spending by the middle class is limited with a focus on savings. However, there is buoyancy at the top-end.'

Bumper kharif production to lower food inflation in coming months: FinMin

Bumper kharif production to lower food inflation in coming months: FinMin

Rediff.com26 Nov 2024

Prospects of a bumper kharif harvest are expected to lower food inflation in the coming months, making the country's inflation outlook benign, the Union Ministry of Finance (FinMin) said in its monthly economic report for October released on Monday.

ED probe against Sidda's wife: Irregularities found

ED probe against Sidda's wife: Irregularities found

Rediff.com3 Dec 2024

Evidence of several irregularities have been detected in the transfer of 14 sites by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) to B M Parvathi, the wife of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, according to the Enforcement Directorate.

GDP growth slows to 2-year low of 5.4% in Q2

GDP growth slows to 2-year low of 5.4% in Q2

Rediff.com29 Nov 2024

India's economic growth slowed to near two-year low of 5.4 per cent in the July-September quarter of this fiscal due to poor performance of manufacturing and mining sectors, but the country continued to remain the fastest-growing large economy, data showed on Friday. The gross domestic product (GDP) had expanded by 8.1 per cent in the July-September quarter of 2023-24 fiscal. The previous low level of GDP growth at 4.3 per cent was recorded in the third quarter (October-December 2022) of financial year 2022-23.

Prosperity Is Not India's Birth Right

Prosperity Is Not India's Birth Right

Rediff.com30 Nov 2024

If growth reverts to the pre-Covid level, a lot of people may have to temper their rosy optimism, points out Debashis Basu.

Academician-turned-bizman from UP shot dead in US; kin suspect rivals

Academician-turned-bizman from UP shot dead in US; kin suspect rivals

Rediff.com21 Nov 2024

Dr. Shriram Singh, a 58-year-old Indian academic and entrepreneur, was shot and killed in Atlanta, Georgia. His family suspects business rivalry may be behind the murder. Dr. Singh, a native of Gonda, India, had been living in the US for nearly four decades and had built a successful business empire. His family is seeking justice and security after his tragic death.

Tomato price volatility exposes gaps in India's agriculture supply chain

Tomato price volatility exposes gaps in India's agriculture supply chain

Rediff.com26 Oct 2024

Tomato prices have been on the boil for more than a month. Data from major cities show that the spike has been between 125 and 150 per cent at the wholesale level. Soaring vegetable prices, including tomatoes, pushed the retail inflation rate to a nine-month high of 5.49 per cent in September, according to government data. Though reports say prices are expected to come down in the next few weeks after supplies improve from Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh, how long will the respite last is anybody's guess.

'I Should Have Won 1.25 Lakh Votes'

'I Should Have Won 1.25 Lakh Votes'

Rediff.com5 Dec 2024

'There is a difference between a politician and leader.' 'A politician will have his pound of flesh first and do everything else later.' 'A leader will sacrifice everything to help people.'

Tribal woman assaulted, forced to eat human faeces in Odisha

Tribal woman assaulted, forced to eat human faeces in Odisha

Rediff.com21 Nov 2024

The accused, a non-tribal man, was operating a tractor on the woman's agricultural land, causing damage to crops, to which she protested.

Private consumption is back; to boost economy: RBI Bulletin

Private consumption is back; to boost economy: RBI Bulletin

Rediff.com20 Nov 2024

Private consumption is back driven by festive spending, and the medium-term economic outlook remains bullish as the innate strength of the macro-fundamentals reasserts itself, the Reserve Bank Bulletin said on Wednesday. Global economic activity remained resilient during Q4:2024 amidst fragile confidence and rising protectionism, said an article on 'State of the Economy' published in the November Bulletin.

Does Maha poll rout signal end for Sharad Pawar's politics?

Does Maha poll rout signal end for Sharad Pawar's politics?

Rediff.com23 Nov 2024

The rout of Sharad Pawar-led faction has raised questions over his political future with a potential risk of a further slide in the party flock in future.

Will Poll Gamechanger Laadki Bahin Continue?

Will Poll Gamechanger Laadki Bahin Continue?

Rediff.com26 Nov 2024

'I wonder if they will keep it up after the elections.' 'I fear they'll start questioning eligibility -- income, age, bank accounts -- and eventually stop the scheme altogether.'

Two reasons why rural FMCG basket is expanding

Two reasons why rural FMCG basket is expanding

Rediff.com16 Nov 2024

A growing preference for convenience products and hybrid media consumption, and a surge in digital engagement have led to a rise in the average basket size for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) among rural consumers. The average of the rural FMCG basket saw a 60 per cent rise from 5.8 in 2022 to 9.3 in 2024 as it expanded to include convenience products like ready-to-eat packages and beverages, stated the fifth edition of the Rural Barometer Report, brought out jointly by GroupM and Kantar, which surveyed 4,376 rural adults across 20 states.

Moody's says Indian economy likely to grow 7.2% in 2024

Moody's says Indian economy likely to grow 7.2% in 2024

Rediff.com15 Nov 2024

Indian economy is in a sweet spot, with a mix of solid growth and moderating inflation, Moody's Ratings said, forecasting a 7.2 per cent GDP growth in the 2024 calendar year and 6.6 per cent in the next. In its Global Macro Outlook 2025-26, the rating agency said the global economy has shown remarkable resilience in bouncing back from supply chain disruptions during the pandemic, an energy and food crisis after the Russia-Ukraine war began, high inflation and consequent monetary policy tightening.

Maharashtra farmers seek better pricing for produce

Maharashtra farmers seek better pricing for produce

Rediff.com20 Nov 2024

A group of onion traders gathered at the Pimpalgaon Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), near Nashik, to inspect one of the season's final harvests of red onions as they look to place their bids. They were surrounded by farmers, who brought their produce here from different parts of the district. Farmers have reasons to be optimistic.

Exports up 17.25% in Oct; highest in over 2 years

Exports up 17.25% in Oct; highest in over 2 years

Rediff.com14 Nov 2024

India's merchandise exports in October rose by 17.25 per cent to $39.2 billion against $33.43 billion a year ago, according to government data released on Thursday. Imports increased by 3.9 per cent to $66.34 billion in October compared to $63.86 billion in the year-ago period.

Tribal families plan return to Abujhmad after 21 yrs

Tribal families plan return to Abujhmad after 21 yrs

Rediff.com15 Nov 2024

More than two decades after deserting their village due to Maoists, around 25 tribal families are planning to return to their native place in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district.

Supreme Industries stock sinks on weak Q2 show

Supreme Industries stock sinks on weak Q2 show

Rediff.com12 Nov 2024

The stock of the country's largest plastic pipe maker Supreme Industries has shed 22 per cent since its highs in October. The September quarter results were below expectations as the volatility in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin prices led to a major destocking across the trade channel.

Wayanad, 31 assembly seats face bypoll test on Wednesday

Wayanad, 31 assembly seats face bypoll test on Wednesday

Rediff.com12 Nov 2024

Bypolls will be held on Wednesday in 31 assembly seats spread across 10 states and Kerala's Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, from where Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is making her electoral debut. Though these bye-elections are not going to have any bearing on the governments, they are seen as a big test for the Congress and the INDIA bloc which failed to put up a united show in the recent Haryana assembly polls. Most of these seats fell vacant after the sitting MLAs contested the Lok Sabha elections and won while in some constituencies, the bypolls are being held due to death of the representatives. The Wayanad seat was vacated by Rahul Gandhi, who also won from the Rae Bareli parliamentary constituency which he kept. Voting will be held in seven seats in Rajasthan, six in West Bengal, five in Assam, four seats in Bihar, three in Karnataka, two seats in Madhya Pradesh, and one seat each in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kerala and Meghalaya. Votes will be counted on November 23.

Rajasthan Cong rebel who slapped SDM held after violence, arson

Rajasthan Cong rebel who slapped SDM held after violence, arson

Rediff.com14 Nov 2024

Independent MLA candidate Naresh Meena was arrested on Thursday following high drama and escalating violence in which a mob assaulted a PTI reporter and video cameraperson and burnt their camera.

India's GDP expected to grow at 6.5% in Q2 FY25

India's GDP expected to grow at 6.5% in Q2 FY25

Rediff.com6 Nov 2024

Economists at the country's largest lender SBI on Wednesday said they see Q2 real GDP growth slowing down further to 6.5 per cent in the September quarter of this fiscal year. Amid concerns over the country's economic growth rate and if it is slowing down, the analysts said they expect FY25 growth to come "closer to" 7 per cent. It can be noted that the April-June period saw the real GDP expanding by 6.7 per cent, the lowest in 15 quarters.

SC stays warrant against Shivraj Singh, 2 BJP leaders in defamation case

SC stays warrant against Shivraj Singh, 2 BJP leaders in defamation case

Rediff.com11 Nov 2024

A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SV N Bhatti sought Tankha's response in four weeks on the plea of Chouhan and BJP state president VD Sharma and former minister Bhupendra Singh who have challenged the October 25 order of the Madhya Pradesh high court refusing to quash the defamation case.

Ministry of Environment issues new rules post SC order

Ministry of Environment issues new rules post SC order

Rediff.com7 Nov 2024

In response to the Supreme Court's (SC's) strong stance on unchecked environmental violations, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has introduced new rules for conducting inquiries and imposing penalties on polluters. The updated rules outline key factors to consider when determining the penalties' scale. Adjudicating officers are instructed to assess elements such as the project's location and size, the industry type, and the specific nature of the violation.

'Need to stop somewhere': Pawar's big retirement hint

'Need to stop somewhere': Pawar's big retirement hint

Rediff.com5 Nov 2024

In an apparent dig at Ajit, Pawar senior said if someone keeps saying he will take everything, people may not say anything but will disapprove of it.

Seven killed in Hezbollah's rocket attacks on northern Israel

Seven killed in Hezbollah's rocket attacks on northern Israel

Rediff.com1 Nov 2024

According to the authorities, tragedy struck near the border town of Metula on Thursday morning when a rocket fired from Lebanon slammed into an apple orchard, claiming the lives of five people.

Battle For Survival For Pawars, Uddhav, Shinde

Battle For Survival For Pawars, Uddhav, Shinde

Rediff.com19 Nov 2024

Voters, it is said, get the government they deserve. We will soon see what voters in Maharashtra choose. Till then, a sense of helplessness and scepticism hangs in the air, notes Ramesh Menon.