Nivedita Mookerji, Jyoti Mukul &Amp; Sanjeeb Mukherjee

Stories by Nivedita Mookerji, Jyoti Mukul &Amp; Sanjeeb Mukherjee

IMD tweaks monsoon forecast to help agri sector plan better

IMD tweaks monsoon forecast to help agri sector plan better

Rediff.com   22 Jun 2021

With rainfall and monsoons becoming highly unpredictable partly due to climate change and partly due to usual changes in weather patterns, it is such innovations by IMD which will help in planning better, reports Sanjeeb Mukherjee.

Almost 92% casual workers didn't get wages during lockdown: Survey

Almost 92% casual workers didn't get wages during lockdown: Survey

Rediff.com   17 Jun 2021

According to the latest report from Stranded Workers Action Network (SWAN), a voluntary effort started in March 2020 to mobilise relief for stranded migrant workers, almost 92 per cent workers, whom the group contacted between April 21 and May 31, had not received any money from their employer. This was after restrictions were imposed and work had stopped. The survey, which was conducted among 1,396 worker groups, adding up to 8,023 people that included 4,836 women and children, showed that 76 per cent of the workers had less than Rs 200 left with them.

Why inflation pain could get worse

Why inflation pain could get worse

Rediff.com   14 Jun 2021

As India looks to mend its Covid-battered economy, one thing that will grab the attention of all concerned is the path that both wholesale and retail inflation will follow. Even the Reserve Bank of India in its latest policy statement said, "Going forward, the inflation trajectory is likely to be shaped by uncertainties impinging on the upside and the downside.

'I'm willing to give more than Rs 35,000 crores for vaccines'

'I'm willing to give more than Rs 35,000 crores for vaccines'

Rediff.com   8 Jun 2021

'I'll give it to the vaccine manufacturers without guarantees, take the payment in advance and give me the supplies.' 'The moment you give me one lot of supply, I'll give you more.'

'Strong economy attracts investment'

'Strong economy attracts investment'

Rediff.com   8 Jun 2021

'I'm not sure it's a bubble.'

'Booking is like boarding a train after reservation'

'Booking is like boarding a train after reservation'

Rediff.com   7 Jun 2021

'Some are doing one vaccination with one mobile number and the second with another.' 'Creating more accounts will not multiply the number of slots.'

As Yaas rolls in, fishermen rue absence of insurance scheme

As Yaas rolls in, fishermen rue absence of insurance scheme

Rediff.com   25 May 2021

The cover provided under the Centre's Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, which is a vital safety net for them, ended almost a year back on May 31, 2020. Ever since, there hasn't been much progress on the higher insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh promised under the newly launched Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, reports Sanjeeb Mukherjee.

Questions remain over why ONGC personnel ignored Tauktae warning

Questions remain over why ONGC personnel ignored Tauktae warning

Rediff.com   20 May 2021

It looks unlikely that a proper plan was in place or else the deaths could have been averted, reports Jyoti Mukul.

Tech driven farming still remains a pipedream

Tech driven farming still remains a pipedream

Rediff.com   19 May 2021

As India looks to scale up use of technology in agriculture, a recent study has found that with just 2 per cent of the cultivators in India using mobile applications for farm-related activities and real-time alerts, adoption of tech solutions such as Internet of Things (IoT) remains at a nascent stage. It also found almost 90 per cent of the existing start-ups and tech-based companies have solutions that are focused only on pre-harvest operations and not on post-harvest which has a higher investment potential due to the presence of big companies. In post-harvest operations, the study, Titled, IoT Adoption in Indian agriculture, that was conducted by industry body Nasscom along with Cisco India among more than 180 enterprises and 40 agritech start-ups found that unclear Return on Investments (RoI) is a big stumbling block for adoption of tech solutions like IoT.

Arabian Sea is now hotbed for cyclones

Arabian Sea is now hotbed for cyclones

Rediff.com   17 May 2021

Surface temperatures have increased rapidly during the past century, leading to an increase in the frequency and intensity of tropical storms in the Arabian Sea, reports Sanjeeb Mukherjee.

Tauktae, season's first cyclone, forms over Arabian Sea

Tauktae, season's first cyclone, forms over Arabian Sea

Rediff.com   13 May 2021

The intensity of rainfall is likely to increase with the likelihood of very heavy falls at a few places and extremely heavy falls at isolated places on May 15, reports Sanjeeb Mukherjee.

Why India's healthcare system is near collapse today

Why India's healthcare system is near collapse today

Rediff.com   10 May 2021

Shortage of ICU beds, oxygen, ventilators, vaccines, doctors, nurses and crematorium space in India has dominated headlines around the world in the past few weeks with Covid-19 cases surging beyond control and the government failing to deliver. Yes, election rallies, Kumbh Mela, blatant flouting of social distancing and mask protocols coupled with a messy vaccination process are said to be responsible for the health crisis of colossal proportions that India is facing today. But an analysis of Budget speeches made by finance ministers over 75 years also offers a glimpse of how low on the priority list healthcare has featured for the political class and policy-makers, which is a significant reason for the current situation.

Scrapping vehicles in volumes to curb pollution will be a tough task

Scrapping vehicles in volumes to curb pollution will be a tough task

Rediff.com   6 May 2021

For deciding which vehicles are to be scrapped, the setting up of fitness centres and regulating them would be a humongous task.

Despite grim outlook, fiscal stimulus unlikely for India Inc this year

Despite grim outlook, fiscal stimulus unlikely for India Inc this year

Rediff.com   29 Apr 2021

They say that a stimulus package may not be necessary because, unlike last year's total lockdown, public transport, including the railways and airlines, is running and the restrictions on movement are localised and, in some cases, are partial rather than total.

How India Inc is going all out to help tackle oxygen shortage

How India Inc is going all out to help tackle oxygen shortage

Rediff.com   26 Apr 2021

The Tatas, L&T and Bharat Forge expressed interest in building pressure swing adsorption oxygen plants at hospital sites, while IOC and RIL are pitching in with both oxygen and cryogenic tankers needed for its transportation.

Despite slew of records, problems still plague MGNREGA

Despite slew of records, problems still plague MGNREGA

Rediff.com   25 Apr 2021

MGNREGA scheme: A significant Rs 17,370.58 crore has been carried forward over to the next financial year as unpaid dues as demand for work continued unabated for the scheme in rural areas.

The myth and magic of unicorns

The myth and magic of unicorns

Rediff.com   22 Apr 2021

Becoming a unicorn is surely a marker for a company in its growth story, but it's not a major achievement nor is it a turning point of any significant worth.

Covid-hit India needs 5000 tonnes of medical oxygen a day

Covid-hit India needs 5000 tonnes of medical oxygen a day

Rediff.com   20 Apr 2021

According to industry figures, the pre-Covid demand for liquid medical oxygen (LMO) before the pandemic was 700 tonnes per day across the country. Now, with the second wave, the demand has gone up more than seven times, reports Jyoti Mukul.

'Scrapping centres will be an industry'

'Scrapping centres will be an industry'

Rediff.com   20 Apr 2021

'Our automakers export 50 per cent of what they manufacture and once the policy comes into play, which is in the next 2-3 years, we would become a Rs 10 trillion industry.'

'In 3 years, India's infrastructure will be on par with the US'

'In 3 years, India's infrastructure will be on par with the US'

Rediff.com   17 Apr 2021

'We completed Rs 17 trillion worth of projects in the first term and currently Rs 9 trillion worth of contracts are under construction.'