Sanjeeb Mukherjee &Amp;Amp; Ruchika Chitravanshi

Stories by Sanjeeb Mukherjee &Amp;Amp; Ruchika Chitravanshi

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.

How complex is the process of getting approval for a vaccine?

How complex is the process of getting approval for a vaccine?

Rediff.com   30 Sep 2020

Vaccine development is a long process to ensure safety and efficacy through different stages and involves regulatory supervision every step of the way. Ruchika Chitravanshi takes you through this carefully drawn journey of vaccine development.

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.

FCRA challenge for foreign think tanks in India

FCRA challenge for foreign think tanks in India

Rediff.com   28 Sep 2020

Funding challenges are not limited to just one think tank. Several scholars say that access for conducting research and getting foreign funds has become a major hurdle for think tanks, with the government raising many questions regarding such inflows. As a result, many think tanks are keeping a low profile and becoming less prolific.

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.

'We are moving fast towards the peak of the epidemic'

'We are moving fast towards the peak of the epidemic'

Rediff.com   23 Sep 2020

Unsurprised by the rising numbers, epidemiologists are concerned about the virus reaching rural and tribal areas where the health infrastructure is weak, reports Ruchika Chitravanshi.

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.

'Covid has not crushed demand for foreign education, it has only delayed it'

'Covid has not crushed demand for foreign education, it has only delayed it'

Rediff.com   4 Sep 2020

'Students are taking a keen interest in a hybrid model, where they start classes online and then complete the course on campus.'

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.

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.

Once land of dreaded dacoits, can Chambal be arable land?

Once land of dreaded dacoits, can Chambal be arable land?

Rediff.com   27 Aug 2020

The ravines, which are sharp, steep mud hillocks, stretch over three states - Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, once home to several dreaded dacoits have long been the subject of several projects and government schemes to make them agriculturally viable.

Govt 'failure' left millions of migrants hungry during lockdown

Govt 'failure' left millions of migrants hungry during lockdown

Rediff.com   26 Aug 2020

Only two in every five migrants said they received ration or cooked food from the administration either daily or at times.

Monsoon surge in August may lead to crop damage

Monsoon surge in August may lead to crop damage

Rediff.com   22 Aug 2020

Reports said that in Telangana and Karnataka, excessive rains the past 10 days has threatened the standing green gram and maize crops and could negatively impact yields if the skies don't open up. But in the north-west and central parts of India, the resurgence of monsoon could not have come at a better time as oilseeds and pulses crops would otherwise had weathered if the rains didn't revive in August.

Companies allowed to extend AGMs by up to 3 months

Companies allowed to extend AGMs by up to 3 months

Rediff.com   20 Aug 2020

Indian companies are required to hold AGMs within six months of closure of the financial year.

How Covid-19 moved India from milk shortage to glut in a few months

How Covid-19 moved India from milk shortage to glut in a few months

Rediff.com   20 Aug 2020

The restrictions imposed in March led to a sharp slump in demand from bulk consumers like hotels, restaurants, and roadside tea stalls, as they were forced to shut down. Sales of major milk products such as ice-cream, butter milk, and cheese, which usually spike during summer, also dropped.

Job creation will be a big challenge in urban India

Job creation will be a big challenge in urban India

Rediff.com   17 Aug 2020

The situation could become more acute as millions of migrants who had returned to their villages during the lockdown come back to the towns for higher wages and better livelihoods.

What are locusts? And why are they such a big menace?

What are locusts? And why are they such a big menace?

Rediff.com   5 Aug 2020

Swarms of immature pink locusts and adult yellow locusts are currrently active. Not only are fresh locusts swarms expected to arrive in the coming weeks, but even those already present in India have mated and are breeding new offspring.