Megha Manchanda &Amp; Sanjeeb Mukherjee

Stories by Megha Manchanda &Amp; Sanjeeb Mukherjee

BSNL to start telecom services in Mumbai and Delhi from January 1

BSNL to start telecom services in Mumbai and Delhi from January 1

Rediff.com   20 Nov 2020

BSNL will start providing telecom services, both wireless and fixed line, in Mumbai and Delhi on behalf of MTNL from January 1 on a pilot basis for five to six months.

States' own versions of farm Bills are falling short on farmers' needs

States' own versions of farm Bills are falling short on farmers' needs

Rediff.com   17 Nov 2020

Though the Bills of Punjab and Rajasthan have a lot of similarities, the one approved by the Chhattisgarh Assembly is structurally different. None of the three has tried to address a key demand of the agitating farmers in full, which is to make all payments below the MSP, within and outside mandis, illegal.

Data on India's burgeoning farm exports is not correct

Data on India's burgeoning farm exports is not correct

Rediff.com   17 Nov 2020

A closer look at the data reveals that a lot of the items are not part of this calculation. The notable ones include buffalo meat, marine exports, raw cotton, and plantation crops such as tea, coffee, rubber, etc.

Why food prices may remain high for a few months

Why food prices may remain high for a few months

Rediff.com   16 Nov 2020

'If you see the composition of items which are causing this spike in prices, most of them have little to do with the kharif harvest, except for pulses and vegetables to some extent.' 'I don't know on what basis the government is claiming that food prices will moderate in the weeks to come.'

Why Nitin Gadkari is angry with Highway Authority

Why Nitin Gadkari is angry with Highway Authority

Rediff.com   30 Oct 2020

At the heart of his criticism is the delay in decision making and a lack of monitoring. Some officials, however, blamed the delays on overambitious contractors.

Bharti Airtel to stay away from 5G auctions

Bharti Airtel to stay away from 5G auctions

Rediff.com   29 Oct 2020

Airtel CEO said, the 5G ecosystem is yet to develop in India and the prices are very high. Telecom companies including Vodafone Idea (VI) and Reliance Jio have also said that the current prices are exorbitant.

New farm laws a major boost for FPOs

New farm laws a major boost for FPOs

Rediff.com   22 Oct 2020

The reforms will help FPOs procure directly from farmers, something that they have been pressing for long.

Worsening Centre, states relation poses a 'threat to federalism'

Worsening Centre, states relation poses a 'threat to federalism'

Rediff.com   20 Oct 2020

When the Centre tries to encroach upon the subjects that are under the prerogative of the state, or where the centre tries to evade from any responsibility guaranteed to a state through a constitutional provision/obligation, it poses a threat to federalism.

Traders want reduction in duty on chana, govt says no

Traders want reduction in duty on chana, govt says no

Rediff.com   17 Oct 2020

Chana is majorly imported from Australia and Tanzania and it attracts an import duty of 60 per cent. A section of the traders is demanding a reduction in import duty to around 35-40 per cent to tide over any shortage of the commodity as the new crop will start hitting the market only around mid-February.

First time in 60 years monsoon is above normal for two seasons in a row

First time in 60 years monsoon is above normal for two seasons in a row

Rediff.com   8 Oct 2020

This year, the monsoon was above normal in almost all parts, except in North-West India, which comprises the major grain producing states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, along with states such as Himachal Pradesh, the NCR, Uttarakhand, and J&K.

Vodafone Plc's arbitration win: Should India challenge the decision?

Vodafone Plc's arbitration win: Should India challenge the decision?

Rediff.com   5 Oct 2020

The arbitration of any court is legally binding and the government) can approach the Singapore high court.

Agri Bills: Why Punjab and Haryana farmers are leading the protests

Agri Bills: Why Punjab and Haryana farmers are leading the protests

Rediff.com   28 Sep 2020

Data shows that the current system of decentralised marketing and centralised procurement helps Punjab and Haryana farmers the most, while its efficacy in other states has been poor. Experts and farm leaders say success of the laws rests heavily on implementation.

Each farmer is likely to get cash fertiliser subsidy of Rs 5,000 per year

Each farmer is likely to get cash fertiliser subsidy of Rs 5,000 per year

Rediff.com   24 Sep 2020

The government's main rate setting panel suggested that this be done in two tranches of Rs 2,500 each in the kharif and rabi seasons.

India expected to harvest bumper kharif crop in FY21

India expected to harvest bumper kharif crop in FY21

Rediff.com   23 Sep 2020

Foodgrains production in 2020-21 is projected to be a record 144.52 million tonnes, which is 0.80 per cent more than the production in 2019-20.

Covid-19: MGNREGS funds fast drying up as demand surges

Covid-19: MGNREGS funds fast drying up as demand surges

Rediff.com   23 Sep 2020

Almost 63 per cent of the increased allocation of around Rs 1.01 trillion has been spent in the first five months of 2020-21.

Mobile app to record off-mandi transactions likely

Mobile app to record off-mandi transactions likely

Rediff.com   15 Sep 2020

Opposition parties have alleged that the two agriculture Bills will undermine the safety net provided to the farmers by the MSP system and will lead to their exploitation by big companies.

Govt plans to build Zojila-like tunnel to Ladakh

Govt plans to build Zojila-like tunnel to Ladakh

Rediff.com   14 Sep 2020

The tunnel would reduce the travel time to the Ladakh region by 15-20 per cent and would come up close to the Atal tunnel near Rohtang Pass, reports Megha Manchanda.

Agriculture grows at 3.4% in Q1 despite GDP contraction

Agriculture grows at 3.4% in Q1 despite GDP contraction

Rediff.com   2 Sep 2020

However, the growth, driven largely by a bumper rabi harvest and facilitated by relaxation in lockdown, may not have resulted in a big rise in income for a section of farmers.

Vodafone Idea's future hinges on SC's AGR verdict

Vodafone Idea's future hinges on SC's AGR verdict

Rediff.com   31 Aug 2020

If the apex court decides on a 15-year repayment tenure, it would pose a grave challenge for the debt ridden VIL.

Area under kharif crops at all-time high of 108 mn ha

Area under kharif crops at all-time high of 108 mn ha

Rediff.com   29 Aug 2020

Though agriculture ministry officials are confident of a bumper harvest due to record increase in kharif acreage, experts and farmers said the on-ground situation in some crops is not that encouraging as incessant rains since the last few weeks and pest attack could impact the final yield.