Archis Mohan, Nivedita Mookerji, Sanjeeb Mukherjee

Stories by Archis Mohan, Nivedita Mookerji, Sanjeeb Mukherjee

New govt may kick off pesticide, seed reforms

New govt may kick off pesticide, seed reforms

Rediff.com   18 Apr 2024

With farm Acts out of the picture, the government may look at reforming the input side of the agriculture sector - regulations and rules that govern seeds, fertilisers and plant chemicals. Sources said such a blueprint, which is aimed at making the life of farmers easier, with quicker approvals but not compromising on quality, is in the works as part of the 100-day agenda of Modi 3.0. Also, ways to administer fertiliser subsidy more effectively and cutting down on leakages and diversions to build on the success of neem-coated urea are being thought of.

What Unites Pawars And Scindias?

What Unites Pawars And Scindias?

Rediff.com   16 Apr 2024

Exigencies of electoral politics and individual ambitions often stoke family feuds and sibling rivalries.

Multi-Cornered Contest In 45% Seats

Multi-Cornered Contest In 45% Seats

Rediff.com   16 Apr 2024

Close to half of the total 543 Lok Sabha seats are bracing for multi-cornered fight this time, making the contest way more interesting and intense than it was in the 2019 elections.

Modi promises 30 mn 'Lakhpati Didis', higher MSP

Modi promises 30 mn 'Lakhpati Didis', higher MSP

Rediff.com   15 Apr 2024

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday pledged to make 30 million 'Lakhpati Didis', up from the 10 million rural women who have already achieved the feat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday released the BJP's manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The manifesto says the ruling party will continue the quarterly financial disbursements under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM KISAN) yojana.

Muzaffarnagar: Why This Minister Will Breathe Easy

Muzaffarnagar: Why This Minister Will Breathe Easy

Rediff.com   15 Apr 2024

With the RLD part of the NDA now, Sanjeev Kumar Balyan would expect an easier contest than five years back when the RLD, SP and BSP had an alliance.

Ahead of LS polls, taming food prices govt's priority

Ahead of LS polls, taming food prices govt's priority

Rediff.com   5 Apr 2024

Ahead of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections, keeping food prices under check has emerged as one of the topmost priorities for the government. Food prices would likely have a bearing on the preferences of voters. In the past, there have been instances when governments have been voted out over rising food inflation.

Victory Margins No Guarantee Of Ticket

Victory Margins No Guarantee Of Ticket

Rediff.com   5 Apr 2024

12 of the 20 MPs with the highest winning margins in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls have not been re-nominated by their parties for the 2024 general elections.

Congress To Contest Least Number Of Seats Since 1952

Congress To Contest Least Number Of Seats Since 1952

Rediff.com   4 Apr 2024

If the Congress is contesting fewer seats than ever before, the BJP is set to contest its highest-ever number of Lok Sabha seats.

How Do Turncoats Fare In Elections?

How Do Turncoats Fare In Elections?

Rediff.com   28 Mar 2024

The share of candidates who were successful among the BJP was 56.5% in 2019. It was 5% for the Congress.

2024 Lok Sabha Election: In Numbers!

2024 Lok Sabha Election: In Numbers!

Rediff.com   27 Mar 2024

There are 218,442 voters over 100 years on the electoral rolls.

To Win 370 Seats BJP Needs Strike Rate Of...

To Win 370 Seats BJP Needs Strike Rate Of...

Rediff.com   25 Mar 2024

The BJP would need to contest more seats than it did in 2014 and 2019.

Unexplained Cash: EC's Headache

Unexplained Cash: EC's Headache

Rediff.com   22 Mar 2024

Nearly Rs 3,400 crore (Rs 34 billion) in cash and other items were seized in the elections in 2022-2023, an increase of 835 per cent over 2017-2018.

Raj Thackeray May Get 1 Lok Sabha Seat

Raj Thackeray May Get 1 Lok Sabha Seat

Rediff.com   20 Mar 2024

The MNS joining the BJP-led alliance in Maharashtra could help it with a 'Thackeray versus Thackeray' narrative, fielding Raj Thackeray, an articulate speaker, to take on his cousin Uddhav Thackeray.

Time to speak up: What women want from elections

Time to speak up: What women want from elections

Rediff.com   20 Mar 2024

Ahead of the upcoming elections, political parties have started announcing incentives to benefit women, but what do women truly seek for genuine gender parity, asks Nivedita Mookerji.

How much will Congress's election guarantees cost?

How much will Congress's election guarantees cost?

Rediff.com   19 Mar 2024

'Right to apprenticeship means that anyone below the age of 25 years with a diploma or other qualifications can demand an apprenticeship with a private, a public sector company or a government organisation. And when he/she demands this, it is the obligation of the government to provide it.'

Will Odisha Show Faith In Naveen Patnaik Again?

Will Odisha Show Faith In Naveen Patnaik Again?

Rediff.com   11 Mar 2024

The 78-year-old Naveen is on the cusp of creating history. He must win the forthcoming Assembly polls to become India's longest-serving chief minister, a record held by Sikkim's Pawan Kumar Chamling.

Drop in onion and potato output; tomato slightly up

Drop in onion and potato output; tomato slightly up

Rediff.com   9 Mar 2024

Onion and potato production is expected to be down in the 2023-24 crop year, while the tomato output could be marginally higher, the Department of Agriculture's first advance estimates of horticultural output released on Thursday showed. "Production of onion in 2023-24 is expected to be around 25.47 million tonnes compared to around 30.20 million tonnes last year due to a decrease of 3.43 million tonnes in Maharashtra, 0.99 million tonnes in Karnataka, 0.35 million tonnes in Andhra Pradesh and 0.31 million tonnes in Rajasthan," the official statement by the department of agriculture said.

Revealed! Mo-Shah's 370 MPs Plans

Revealed! Mo-Shah's 370 MPs Plans

Rediff.com   5 Mar 2024

The BJP's top leadership will drop its MPs found to be facing anti-incumbency, according to its internal surveys -- a pivotal tactic to ensure the party achieves its target of winning 370 seats.

German Model For One Nation One Election

German Model For One Nation One Election

Rediff.com   29 Feb 2024

The report is likely to recommend that India adopt the German model of 'constructive no-confidence' which stipulates that the unseating of a government must be immediately followed by the formation of a new one, which will serve out the remainder of the legislative term.

Modi Or Manmohan? Who Travelled More?

Modi Or Manmohan? Who Travelled More?

Rediff.com   27 Feb 2024

While Narendra Modi spent fewer days abroad than his predecessor -- 275 days versus Dr Singh's 306 - he has travelled more widely than any other Indian PM.