Search results for ' Calamity'

Lockdown could cost India Rs 9 lakh crores: Analysts

Lockdown could cost India Rs 9 lakh crores: Analysts

Rediff.com25 Mar 2020

Pegging the cost of the covid-19 lockdown at USD 120 billion (approximately Rs 9 lakh crores) or 4 per cent of the GDP, analysts on Wednesday sharply cut their growth estimates and stressed on the need to announce an economic package. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which is scheduled to announce its first bi-monthly policy review on April 3, is set to deliver a deep rate cuts and it should also be assumed that the fiscal deficit targets will be breached, analysts said.

Licence norms for contract workers relaxed in MP

Licence norms for contract workers relaxed in MP

Rediff.com11 May 2020

11 categories of industries will be exempt from the Madhya Pradesh Industrial Relations (MPIR) Act of 1961. This includes textile, leather, cement, iron and steel, electrical goods, sugar, electricity, public motor transport, engineering including manufacture of motor vehicles, among others.

Stock exchanges activate disaster recovery sites

Stock exchanges activate disaster recovery sites

Rediff.com24 Mar 2020

The objective is to ensure the exchange's preparedness in the event of a natural calamity, so that any disruptions should not affect market integrity and investor confidence.

Coronavirus: Swaminarayan sect shuts all temples globally

Coronavirus: Swaminarayan sect shuts all temples globally

Rediff.com14 Mar 2020

'To prevent large gatherings, BAPS mandirs (temples) will be closed throughout the world, but devotees will be given daily darshan through the websites of each mandir,' the BAPS said in a media release.

'We hoped Irrfan and Rishi Kapoor would be fine'

'We hoped Irrfan and Rishi Kapoor would be fine'

Rediff.com30 Apr 2020

'I don't know what greater calamities this year has in store.'

The A to Z of 2020

The A to Z of 2020

Rediff.com31 Dec 2020

We present our alphabet of 2020, pulling in everything you'll remember about this year we'd rather forget.

EPL: United go second; Arsenal win

EPL: United go second; Arsenal win

Rediff.com30 Dec 2020

Manchester United climbed two places up to second in the Premier League after Marcus Rashford scored deep into stoppage time to give them a fortuitous 1-0 home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday.

RBI unlikely to monetise Centre's fiscal deficit

RBI unlikely to monetise Centre's fiscal deficit

Rediff.com21 Apr 2020

This is because the bond market has factored in the Rs 4.88-trillion gross borrowing for April-September 2020.

'Political vulturism': Tejashwi on Shah's Bihar rally amid pandemic

'Political vulturism': Tejashwi on Shah's Bihar rally amid pandemic

Rediff.com6 Jun 2020

Tejashwi accused the Nitish Kumar-led government of meting out "step-motherly" treatment to migrant labourers.

New York Gurdwaras's HEARTENING Langar Story

New York Gurdwaras's HEARTENING Langar Story

Rediff.com30 Nov 2020

It was truly heartening to see how the Sikh community had risen to the occasion during the Black Lives Matter peaceful protests and the coronavirus pandemic and selflessly served those looking for nourishment.

Need to be extra careful against COVID-19: PM

Need to be extra careful against COVID-19: PM

Rediff.com31 May 2020

In his monthly 'Mann ki Baat' broadcast, Modi said all classes of people have suffered during the pandemic but it is the poor who have suffered the worst.

Protests in Kolkata over restoration of power, water supply

Protests in Kolkata over restoration of power, water supply

Rediff.com23 May 2020

Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, on his part, gave assurances that normalcy would be restored in a week, as government officials were working round the clock to improve the situation.

Oppn puts 11-point demand charter before govt

Oppn puts 11-point demand charter before govt

Rediff.com22 May 2020

These parties also asked the Centre to present a revised comprehensive economic package that will be a 'true stimulus' and sought reversal of all unilateral policy decisions, especially pertaining to labour laws, as they put forth a 11-point demand charter before the government during a virtual meeting, called by the Congress to discuss the situation arising out of the pandemic as well as the lockdown.

'It is such a cruel disease'

'It is such a cruel disease'

Rediff.com28 Jul 2020

'Interns, fresh MBBS graduates, nursing students, young doctors and nurses have brought pride to their degrees and their oath by courageously donning the PPE and caring for patients.' 'They are the foot soldiers of this war.'

India's first coronavirus patient now tests negative

India's first coronavirus patient now tests negative

Rediff.com10 Feb 2020

"The blood test result of the first patient from Thrissur, from the National Institute of Virology (NIV) testing centre at Alappuzha, shows a negative result. But we need confirmation from the NIV at Pune," a senior medical officer said.

Corona virus outbreak: Auto expo, travel sector impacted

Corona virus outbreak: Auto expo, travel sector impacted

Rediff.com5 Feb 2020

India on Sunday announced temporary suspension of e-visa facility for Chinese travellers and foreigners residing in the neighbouring country and issued a fresh advisory saying anyone with travel history to China since January 15 can be quarantined.

India will lose if COVID-19 fight restricted to PMO: Rahul

India will lose if COVID-19 fight restricted to PMO: Rahul

Rediff.com8 May 2020

Gandhi also called upon the government to immediately put money into the hands of the poor and provide a financial package to the industry to help revive the economy.

Campaigning in COVID-19 era: BJP's blueprint for Bihar polls

Campaigning in COVID-19 era: BJP's blueprint for Bihar polls

Rediff.com22 Jun 2020

While P Muralidhar Rao, BJP general secretary, says, 'Digital electioneering is here to stay until the elections in 2021,' the BJP's rallies in Bihar will not be confined to cyberspace. Its strategists have devised other ways of getting around the hygiene protocol that Covid-19 has entailed.

5 books I recommend reading during the lockdown

5 books I recommend reading during the lockdown

Rediff.com1 May 2020

Rediff reader Rajiv Aggarwal shared this list of books he wants everyone to read

Coronavirus: No shortage of medicines, says govt

Coronavirus: No shortage of medicines, says govt

Rediff.com5 Mar 2020

'There is no shortage of any APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients) in the country'

Mumbai on tenterhooks as cyclone Nisarga approaches

Mumbai on tenterhooks as cyclone Nisarga approaches

Rediff.com3 Jun 2020

With the cyclone set to make landfall on Wednesday, Maharashtra and Gujarat activated their disaster response mechanism, deploying NDRF teams and evacuating people from areas likely to be hit.

COVID-19: How this pharma professional stays positive

COVID-19: How this pharma professional stays positive

Rediff.com15 Apr 2020

Rediff reader Rashmi Pillai, a pharma professional from Mumbai suggests how to stay positive and make the most of the lockdown.

How ITC, Godfrey Phillips plan to expand market share

How ITC, Godfrey Phillips plan to expand market share

Rediff.com25 Feb 2020

ITC has introduced differentiated cigarettes like Gold Flake Indie Mint, Gold Flake Neo and Classic Rich & Smooth in the premium end. Godfrey, too, introduced flavoured variants like Four Square Clove Crush in the mid-tier segment and has seven variants of the Marlboro brand for India.

PHOTOS: SA on top as England's batsmen struggle on Day 1

PHOTOS: SA on top as England's batsmen struggle on Day 1

Rediff.com3 Jan 2020

South Africa's Anrich Nortje took the vital wickets of captain Joe Root and talisman Ben Stokes as England struggled to 262 for nine at stumps on the first day of the second Test on Friday. Pace bowler Nortje, playing his fourth Test, finished with 2-54 off 17 overs as the home side restricted the tourists on a Newlands wicket that was expected to be full of runs. Images from the opening day of the second Test at Newlands on Friday.

Oppn hits out at govt over suspension of MPLADS

Oppn hits out at govt over suspension of MPLADS

Rediff.com7 Apr 2020

The Congress, Left parties, Trinamool Congress and some others were in the forefront of this attack on the government, which is set to garner around Rs 7,900 crore through the decision.

Coronavirus: Cong welcomes decision to cut MPs' salaries

Coronavirus: Cong welcomes decision to cut MPs' salaries

Rediff.com6 Apr 2020

'Dear PM, INC supports the salary cut for MPs. Please note that MPLAD is meant to execute developmental works in the constituency. Suspending it is a huge disservice to the constituents and will undermine the role and functions of MP,' Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said on Twitter.

Death toll in Bengal due to Cyclone Amphan rises to 80

Death toll in Bengal due to Cyclone Amphan rises to 80

Rediff.com23 May 2020

Lakhs of people were rendered homeless as cyclone Amphan cut a path of destruction through half a dozen districts of West Bengal, including state capital Kolkata, Wednesday night, blowing away shanties, uprooting thousands of trees besides swamping low-lying areas.

'Attempt to change status quo at LAC is unacceptable'

'Attempt to change status quo at LAC is unacceptable'

Rediff.com4 Nov 2020

As the pandemic unfolded, the India-China relationship has come under severe stress. To restore normalcy, agreements between the two countries must be respected scrupulously in their entirety. Where the Line of Actual Control is concerned, any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo is unacceptable, declares External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

Unlock 1: 3 challenges facing India

Unlock 1: 3 challenges facing India

Rediff.com2 Jun 2020

'When the lockdown grounded a billion people, nothing had been planned well: Testing, masks, face shields, protective gear, medical equipment, contact tracing ... nothing.' 'Before COVID, if you didn't know that the state had neither the money, nor the intent, nor the capacity to govern wisely and humanely, you were simply blind.' 'After COVID, if we continue to look to the State, look forward to a financial package or ask "What is the government doing" when faced with a calamity, the joke is on us, says Debashis Basu.

Will RBI's rate cut force banks to lend?

Will RBI's rate cut force banks to lend?

Rediff.com28 Apr 2020

'One way of doing this could be offering credit guarantee to the banks, say 10 per cent, for fresh loans given to micro, small and medium enterprises,' observes Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

COVID-19: Let's prepare for a Second Wave

COVID-19: Let's prepare for a Second Wave

Rediff.com26 Apr 2020

As with the Spanish flu, the world must be ready for a second and third wave as this start-stop-start-stop response plays out, recommends Rahul Jacob.

What should the RBI do next, Mr Das?

What should the RBI do next, Mr Das?

Rediff.com17 Apr 2020

'No one cares about fiscal deficit now. Or for that matter, inflation.' 'The focus is on growth and growth alone.' 'RBI needs to break the risk aversion of banks and infuse adrenaline in their veins', says Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Govt makes crop insurance scheme voluntary for farmers

Govt makes crop insurance scheme voluntary for farmers

Rediff.com20 Feb 2020

The government has made its flagship crop insurance schemes voluntary for farmers with existing crop loans or those willing to take new ones, as it seeks to address the concerns raised by farmers' body and states in implementation of these programmes. "The Union Cabinet has approved the revamping of 'Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)' and 'Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS)' to address the existing challenges in implementation of crop insurance schemes," an official statement said.

Why does the Modi govt want to suffocate NGOs?

Why does the Modi govt want to suffocate NGOs?

Rediff.com30 Sep 2020

Any NGO critical of the government is unlikely to receive a green signal. The new amendment will leave NGOs vulnerable to harassment. It was the NGO sector that helped provide compassion and food to millions of people during the lockdown. The new Bill will render such cooperation and camaraderie impossible in future, observes Rashme Sehgal.

SC directs approved labs to conduct free COVID-19 tests

SC directs approved labs to conduct free COVID-19 tests

Rediff.com9 Apr 2020

The top court said the private hospitals including laboratories have an important role to play in containing the scale of the pandemic by extending philanthropic services in the hour of national crisis.

Farmer wants to be Maha CM till Sena-BJP row ends

Farmer wants to be Maha CM till Sena-BJP row ends

Rediff.com1 Nov 2019

The farmer, Srikant Vishnu Gadale, a resident of Vadmauli in Kej taluka, also wrote that if the administration does not take note of his letter, he would protest through "democratic means".

ITC is first to hike cigarette prices post budget

ITC is first to hike cigarette prices post budget

Rediff.com12 Feb 2020

While the American Club Cool Fresh Taste saw the minimum hike of 10 per cent, from Rs 200 to Rs 220 for a pack of 20 cigarettes, the price of Navy Cut Filter rose by about 16 per cent, at Rs 80 for a pack of 10 sticks. Flake Filter has become costlier by 14 per cent at Rs 80, while prices of Flake Special Filter, Flake Blue Special Filter and Wave Cool Mint rose by 20 per cent.

Indian HORROR story in coronavirus-hit Wuhan

Indian HORROR story in coronavirus-hit Wuhan

Rediff.com10 Feb 2020

'Our only request to the Indian government is that they should act fast and send a plane to evacuate us as people around us are dying'

Govt set to miss FY20 fiscal deficit target

Govt set to miss FY20 fiscal deficit target

Rediff.com18 Dec 2019

Even with the possible expenditure roll-overs and off-budget financing, the fiscal deficit target will not be met. The FRBM Act, after its amendment in 2018, allows a fiscal deficit slippage of not more than 0.5 per cent for any given year, provided there are justifications. These justifications include war, national security, severe collapse in the agriculture sector, a major natural calamity, big structural economic reforms, or the decline in real output growth of a quarter by at least 3 percentage points below its average of the previous four quarters.

Urgently needed: National coronavirus crisis council

Urgently needed: National coronavirus crisis council

Rediff.com28 Mar 2020

'The prime minister's announcement of a nation-wide shutdown was eloquent, but should have been more clearly phrased to avoid police overreach.' 'Migrant labour should have been allowed adequate notice and transport options to get home,' notes Rahul Jacob.