Archis Mohan, Nivedita Mookerji, Sanjeeb Mukherjee

Stories by Archis Mohan, Nivedita Mookerji, Sanjeeb Mukherjee

Sitharaman takes stock of coronavirus impact on economy

Sitharaman takes stock of coronavirus impact on economy

Rediff.com   21 Mar 2020

While the meetings on Friday were preliminary discussions, it is learnt that sectors like tourism; hospitality; aviation; micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs); and livestock have sought deferring loan repayments and temporary tax holidays in specific cases to help them tide over the steep fall in economic activity.

Brace yourself, this summer's going to be hotter than usual

Brace yourself, this summer's going to be hotter than usual

Rediff.com   28 Feb 2020

The India meteorological department has stated that day temperatures are likely to be above normal by 0.5 degree Celsius, reports Sanjeeb Mukherjee.

Record wheat output expected, arranging storage for harvest a worry

Record wheat output expected, arranging storage for harvest a worry

Rediff.com   19 Feb 2020

India is expected to harvest 291.95 mt of foodgrain in 2019-20

FCI to get Rs 2.15 trillion as food subsidy in 2020-21

FCI to get Rs 2.15 trillion as food subsidy in 2020-21

Rediff.com   3 Feb 2020

This is the highest in the past five years and almost 24 per cent more than last year.

Budget hikes food subsidy, but cuts it for fertilisers

Budget hikes food subsidy, but cuts it for fertilisers

Rediff.com   2 Feb 2020

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has brought down the budgetary allocation for the fertiliser subsidy for FY21 to Rs 71,309 crore, from the RE of Rs 79,998 crore for FY20, while increasing food subsidy to FCI through "ways and means advance" to Rs 50,000 crore for FY21, from Rs 36,000 crore in RE for FY20, and under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) to Rs 77,982 crore, from Rs 75,000 crore.

'Yeh BBC Hai'. You won't hear these words from Feb 1

'Yeh BBC Hai'. You won't hear these words from Feb 1

Rediff.com   31 Jan 2020

For 80 years, news and views aired on BBC Hindi reached audiences in the remotest parts of the country. For millions of its followers, the signature line -'yeh BBC hai (this is BBC)' -- has been like a morning alarm, and the bulletins a vital link between India and the world. That link, which began when there was no mobile phone or internet, is about to break as the radio service will fall silent after January 31. And for many living in smaller towns and in rural areas, life won't be the same again, writes Nivedita Mookerji.

Bengal becomes 4th state to pass anti-CAA resolution

Bengal becomes 4th state to pass anti-CAA resolution

Rediff.com   28 Jan 2020

Kerala, Punjab and Rajasthan are the other three states to pass a resolution opposing the contentious legislation, reports Archis Mohan.

What BJP wants in Budget: Not tax cut, but solutions to 'real problems'

What BJP wants in Budget: Not tax cut, but solutions to 'real problems'

Rediff.com   24 Jan 2020

Sources said much has been done to ease the tax burden of the middle classes in the last five years, and that such a measure affects only a limited segment of people when the focus should be to put money in rural areas. Archis Mohan reports.

Why high food inflation is good news for the farmer

Why high food inflation is good news for the farmer

Rediff.com   14 Jan 2020

While rising food inflation is a matter of grave concern for a significant chunk of the population and for policy makers as well, it marks a turnaround in the fortunes of the farmer, reports Sanjeeb Mukherjee.

Farm growth likely to remain subdued at 2.8% in FY20

Farm growth likely to remain subdued at 2.8% in FY20

Rediff.com   8 Jan 2020

A pick-up in farmer income could have a cascading impact on the rural economy, though agriculture is becoming a smaller part of India's overall rural incomes.

Modi to review ministries' work in quest for turnaround

Modi to review ministries' work in quest for turnaround

Rediff.com   3 Jan 2020

Starting today, Modi and top officials in the Prime Minister's Office will be briefed by various central ministries and departments on their plans as well as agenda for the next five years. They will also apprise the PMO of the work they have done so far in realising the agenda of government's second term in office.

Govt for UPA-style bailout of NBFCs

Govt for UPA-style bailout of NBFCs

Rediff.com   26 Dec 2019

In 2009, the UPA government, had announced a slew of measures to boost liquidity in NBFCs. These included a scheme for providing liquidity support to NBFCs having assets size of over Rs 100 crore through a SPV.

Modi, team to start pre-Budget consultations next week

Modi, team to start pre-Budget consultations next week

Rediff.com   14 Dec 2019

In the 2020-21 Budget, the prime minister and the finance minister are keen to stamp their narrative, after various rollbacks following the previous Budget, said top government sources. Besides the scheduled meetings, the sources said, the Prime Minister's Office is expected to hold several meetings with top secretaries and officials on various ongoing schemes, their performance and also how some of them could be tweaked for better results.

GST compensation: States plan political battle over delayed allocation

GST compensation: States plan political battle over delayed allocation

Rediff.com   9 Dec 2019

States are planning to pass resolutions in their legislative assemblies; however, such tactics will be used as the last resort if the Centre continues to stall allocations.

How Oppn plans to fight Citizenship Amendment Bill

How Oppn plans to fight Citizenship Amendment Bill

Rediff.com   9 Dec 2019

Opposition parties, though resigned to the fact that they lack the numbers to defeat or stall the bill in the two Houses, have decided upon different tactics that they would employ to highlight their reasons for opposing it.

Opposition comes up with plan to fight Citizenship Bill

Opposition comes up with plan to fight Citizenship Bill

Rediff.com   6 Dec 2019

Unsure about having the numbers in the Rajya Sabha, the Congress, the Trinamool Congress and other parties have decided they will create awareness about the "divisive" nature of the proposed legislation, reports Archis Mohan.

Centre halves onion stock holding limit for retailers

Centre halves onion stock holding limit for retailers

Rediff.com   4 Dec 2019

India exported $102 million worth of dehydrated onions in 2018-19.

RSS arm says divestment of Air India, BPCL was 'uncalled for'

RSS arm says divestment of Air India, BPCL was 'uncalled for'

Rediff.com   2 Dec 2019

In a resolution passed at its national assembly in Haridwar, the SJM said the Modi government's proposed strategic divestment of PSEs was an "imprudent business decision" and "against national interest".

NITI Aayog on how India can become $5-trillion economy

NITI Aayog on how India can become $5-trillion economy

Rediff.com   2 Dec 2019

Though the NITI Aayog did not give its estimates for the required GDP growth at constant prices, economists pegged it at 9 per cent, a feat not seen since the GDP series was revised with 2011-12 as the base year.

'We have brought down naxal violence by 40%'

'We have brought down naxal violence by 40%'

Rediff.com   27 Nov 2019

As the Congress party prepares to launch protests against the economic slowdown, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel tells Archis Mohan that his state has escaped its effects as his government has pursued policies that have put money in the pockets of workers, farmers, housewives and tribals, which has helped spur demand.