Asit Ranjan Mishra &Amp; Dhruvaksh Saha

Stories by Asit Ranjan Mishra &Amp; Dhruvaksh Saha

Gadkari unveils prototype of world's first BS-VI-compliant flex-fuel car

Gadkari unveils prototype of world's first BS-VI-compliant flex-fuel car

Rediff.com   30 Aug 2023

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday unveiled the prototype of the world's first Bharat Stage (BS)-VI-compliant electrified flex-fuel car, developed by Toyota Kirloskar Motor. The car, which runs on 100 per cent ethanol (E100), is based on the Toyota Innova HyCross. It can cover 40 per cent of its distance on ethanol and the remaining 60 per cent on electric, with the petrol engine shut off.

India's first public InvIT for road, highway projects in the works

India's first public InvIT for road, highway projects in the works

Rediff.com   8 Aug 2023

After the success of the National Highways Authority of India's (NHAI's) first infrastructure investment trust (InvIT) with foreign institutional investors, the Centre is working on a proposal to launch a fresh InvIT for national highways, where domestic retail investors can hold units of the trust

Export preparedness: Tamil Nadu takes top spot, Gujarat slips to 4th

Export preparedness: Tamil Nadu takes top spot, Gujarat slips to 4th

Rediff.com   18 Jul 2023

After topping it for two consecutive years, Gujarat slipped three places on the NITI Aayog's Export Preparedness Index (EPI) for 2022, as Tamil Nadu emerged as the most export-ready state, the central think tank said in its report released on Monday. In a continuing trend, coastal states were found to have the most robust export infrastructure, which officials attributed to the integration of maritime trade into the core of their economies. Maharashtra and Karnataka retained their positions -- second and third, respectively; Haryana was ranked first among landlocked states and fifth overall.

Rail Accidents Surged By 37% In 2022-2023

Rail Accidents Surged By 37% In 2022-2023

Rediff.com   13 Jun 2023

In 2021, the Railways boasted of a historic feat -- no passenger deaths in train accidents in two years. However, the derailment of the Bikaner-Guwahati Express in 2022 brought the Railways back to its forgetful past.

Sittwe Port: India's Move Against China

Sittwe Port: India's Move Against China

Rediff.com   20 May 2023

The project, the agreement for which was signed way back in 2009, had been gaining strategic relevance over the years as India-China ties took a hit.

'FICCI is focusing on start-ups'

'FICCI is focusing on start-ups'

Rediff.com   19 May 2023

'For our traditional membership base, it would be an access to disruptive ideas,' FICCI President Subhrakant Panda tells Asit Mishra/Business Standard.

Railways Realising Its Paperless Dreams

Railways Realising Its Paperless Dreams

Rediff.com   17 May 2023

'Currently, 81 per cent of all reserved tickets are booked through e-ticketing.'

To avoid 2022 crisis, Indian Railways ferries more coal for electricity

To avoid 2022 crisis, Indian Railways ferries more coal for electricity

Rediff.com   15 May 2023

As Indian Railways looks to avert the crisis like last summer, preparations are under way to stock up coal at thermal power plants. Much like February and March, thermal coal movement in April was 5 per cent higher than the previous year, data from the Ministry of Railways shows. While India prepares for a hot summer this year, 48.23 million tonnes (mt) of coal for thermal power plants was ferried by Indian Railways in April. The national transporter also moved about 500,000 tonnes--18.4 per cent-- more imported coal for power plants this April than it had done last year.

India Moves From China to Taiwan For High-Tech Imports

India Moves From China to Taiwan For High-Tech Imports

Rediff.com   18 Apr 2023

India's overall imports from Taiwan during April-February rose by 34 per cent to $7.5 billion.

'No second thoughts on Great Nicobar Port'

'No second thoughts on Great Nicobar Port'

Rediff.com   11 Apr 2023

'An area of land has already been earmarked for their protected habitation.' 'There are also steps being taken to take care of the coral zone and mangroves.'

Wait, your US visa could be coming from China!

Wait, your US visa could be coming from China!

Rediff.com   31 Mar 2023

Due to the huge pile-up of visa applications, the US consular officers in the neighbouring country are now adjudicating Indian visa applications where interview requirements have been waived.

Fiscal slippage in FY23 likely as govt seeks to spend Rs 1.5 trn more

Fiscal slippage in FY23 likely as govt seeks to spend Rs 1.5 trn more

Rediff.com   14 Mar 2023

The government may be staring at a modest slippage in fiscal deficit for 2022-23 (FY23), with the Ministry of Finance seeking parliamentary approval for additional spending through a second and final tranche of supplementary demands for grants. On Monday, as the Budget session of Parliament resumed, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman sought Parliament approval for additional gross spending of Rs 2.7 trillion in FY23 (which ends on March 31). While net cash outgo is pegged at Rs 1.48 trillion, the rest will be matched by savings or enhanced receipts, the finance ministry said.

Why Scotch Whisky Makers Are Worried

Why Scotch Whisky Makers Are Worried

Rediff.com   13 Mar 2023

India is the UK's second-largest market by volumes for Scotch, importing the equivalent of 136 million bottles, worth £146.2 million, in 2021.

100% Railways Electrification By 2024

100% Railways Electrification By 2024

Rediff.com   3 Mar 2023

India is now much ahead of other large railway networks in the world in terms of electrification -- with the US at just 1 per cent, China at 72 per cent and Europe at 60 per cent.

India limits wheat exports through the govt route as prices rise

India limits wheat exports through the govt route as prices rise

Rediff.com   27 Feb 2023

India has put curbs on wheat exports through the government route, starting November last year. This comes amid a surge in domestic prices of the cereal. In December, India exported 391 tonnes of wheat to Bangladesh and Bhutan. In November 2022, it had exported 375 tonnes of wheat only to Bhutan.

FinMin flags El Nino risk for inflation, farm output

FinMin flags El Nino risk for inflation, farm output

Rediff.com   24 Feb 2023

The finance ministry on Thursday raised concerns over the possible impact of El Nio conditions on India this year, saying if recent forecasts came true, the country could see lower agricultural output and higher inflation. "Some meteorological agencies predict the return of El Nio conditions in India this year. "If these predictions are accurate, then monsoon rains could be deficient, leading to lower agricultural output and higher prices," the ministry said in its monthly economic review.

Share of US in India's crude basket rises to record 14% in December

Share of US in India's crude basket rises to record 14% in December

Rediff.com   15 Feb 2023

India has substantially increased its crude oil imports from the US, with the country's share in India's crude basket hitting a record 14.3 per cent in December, commerce ministry data showed.

'If we want to fly some kites, we can fly them in different ways'

'If we want to fly some kites, we can fly them in different ways'

Rediff.com   10 Feb 2023

'... and without necessarily calling them Economic Surveys.' 'One should stick to the main focus, which is to give people a good perspective on how the economy is doing.'

'Private Sector Is Not Firing At 100%'

'Private Sector Is Not Firing At 100%'

Rediff.com   4 Feb 2023

'They have started becoming an important player, but not at the same level as they were in the earlier part of the decade.'

'More than a majority will shift to new tax regime'

'More than a majority will shift to new tax regime'

Rediff.com   3 Feb 2023

'I believe the modified scheme is much more beneficial and simpler.'