Sanjeeb Mukherjee &Amp;Amp; Ruchika Chitravanshi

Stories by Sanjeeb Mukherjee &Amp;Amp; Ruchika Chitravanshi

As India learns to 'live' with COVID-19, hospitals brace for new normal

As India learns to 'live' with COVID-19, hospitals brace for new normal

Rediff.com   12 May 2020

Most feel as the movement of people normalises, the in-patient volumes in hospitals will grow and by the end of May, occupancy should be around 50 per cent, and 75 per cent over a period of time.

Audit cos to go digital for clearing lockdown hurdle

Audit cos to go digital for clearing lockdown hurdle

Rediff.com   11 May 2020

There has been an exponential increase in the use of technology to validate financial numbers, with a greater reliance on electronic evidence, use of live videos where possible, data analytics, and project management software to overcome the physical limitations in verifying transactions and accounts.

Explain how you contracted COVID-19: Delhi govt to medics

Explain how you contracted COVID-19: Delhi govt to medics

Rediff.com   2 May 2020

A letter sent out by Delhi government asked all medical directors to provide a written explanation on how the health workers contracted the disease despite wearing protective gear, maintaining safe distancing and taking all precautions.

Wheat procurement finally picks up

Wheat procurement finally picks up

Rediff.com   28 Apr 2020

In total, the Centre plans to purchase around 40.7 million tonnes of wheat from farmers this year, which is almost 19 per cent more than last year.

Can disinfectant tunnels actually spray out the virus?

Can disinfectant tunnels actually spray out the virus?

Rediff.com   27 Apr 2020

These are becoming one of the most in-demand commodities in the COVID world with malls, offices, banks, and shops lining up to install the structure at their entrances. The company swamped with these orders is a relatively new one, Chennai-based Nanolife, which has patented its Rajat Bhasma formula or the silver nanoparticles solution as a healthy disinfectant. Sceptics, however, say if a person is potentially exposed to the COVID-19 virus, spraying the external part of the body would not kill the microbe, which is inside the body.

Bankruptcy: India Inc gets breather for 6 months

Bankruptcy: India Inc gets breather for 6 months

Rediff.com   24 Apr 2020

Govt has decided to suspend Sections 7, 9, and 10, which are used to trigger insolvency proceedings for six months or a period not exceeding one year from the date they commence.

States open up PDS to non-cardholders to meet crisis

States open up PDS to non-cardholders to meet crisis

Rediff.com   24 Apr 2020

However, experts say that unless clear guidelines are there, it remains to be seen how many people fall within the ambit and who remains excluded.

Elephant in the room: Is it community infection or no?

Elephant in the room: Is it community infection or no?

Rediff.com   24 Apr 2020

'Call it by whichever name, but there is transmission happening between people.'

Rabi procurement starts slowly across North India

Rabi procurement starts slowly across North India

Rediff.com   19 Apr 2020

In MP, farmers say sales under new 'Sauda Patrak' method below MSP; Haryana mustard farmers wait for their turn to sell. The annual purchases of major rabi crops in North India largely wheat, mustard and also chana to some extent have been delayed as most cereal mandis were closed in the aftermath of the nationwide coronavirus lockdown.

Why 100 million Indians are left out of the food ration system

Why 100 million Indians are left out of the food ration system

Rediff.com   17 Apr 2020

A recent study shows that more than 100 million people are excluded from the public distribution system because the central government insists on using 2011 population figures to calculate state-wise PDS coverage, which effectively leaves out 100 million people, reports Sanjeeb Mukherjee.

India's ration story: Mounting stocks but hungry mouths

India's ration story: Mounting stocks but hungry mouths

Rediff.com   17 Apr 2020

A study by eminent economists, by Jean Drze, Reetika Khera and Meghana Mungikar released few days back shows that more than 100 million people are excluded from the PDS because the central government insists on using 2011 population figures to calculate state-wise coverage under the National Food Security Act.

PM-FM meeting soon to decide second stimulus package

PM-FM meeting soon to decide second stimulus package

Rediff.com   15 Apr 2020

The stimulus package is expected anytime this week and will be aimed at the urban and rural poor; disadvantaged sections of society; MSMEs and some of the worst-affected sectors.

Centre's lockdown plan: Red, Orange and Green zones

Centre's lockdown plan: Red, Orange and Green zones

Rediff.com   13 Apr 2020

It is likely the government will divide the country into different zones during the proposed extended period of lockdown and might permit a few services to function in safe zones.

The coming vegetable crisis

The coming vegetable crisis

Rediff.com   12 Apr 2020

There have been several instances of traders dumping fruits and vegetables outside mandis. Or of farmers dumping produce outside their villages or feeding them to their animals.

Modi asks states to alter mandi rules

Modi asks states to alter mandi rules

Rediff.com   12 Apr 2020

The agriculture ministry, in the last few weeks, issued guidelines and letters to states to ensure agriculture and food products reach consumers in a timely manner, while farmers don't have to come to the mandis to sell them.

Days after Markaz event, eerie silence hangs over Nizamuddin

Days after Markaz event, eerie silence hangs over Nizamuddin

Rediff.com   9 Apr 2020

Inside the narrow alleys of the basti, two CRPF companies -- around 150 armed guards -- have been deployed to keep a check on any unnecessary movement, reports Ruchika Chitravanshi.

COVID-19: IAS officers want extension of lockdown

COVID-19: IAS officers want extension of lockdown

Rediff.com   5 Apr 2020

410 civil servants in a feedback survey to the Prime Minister's Office said that the curfew should stay till the pandemic is controlled and asked to increase fiscal spending on health infrastructure to around Rs 5-10 trillion.

Will a warmer summer help slow down coronavirus spread?

Will a warmer summer help slow down coronavirus spread?

Rediff.com   2 Apr 2020

IMD has said the temperature in April-June across most parts in India is expected to be 0.5-1 degrees Celsius warmer than normal. However, doctors and scientists say they haven't found any direct correlation between the speed of COVID-19 spread and warm weather.

India Inc bracing for coronavirus impact on bankruptcies

India Inc bracing for coronavirus impact on bankruptcies

Rediff.com   25 Mar 2020

The government is drawing up a relief package for industry with steps such as relaxation of asset-classification norms by banks, thus allowing companies to delay the repayment of loans, and tax holidays for the worst-hit sectors like aviation and hospitality. But it might not be enough to stop more bankruptcies from getting filed.

Ministry permits video conferencing board meets till June 30

Ministry permits video conferencing board meets till June 30

Rediff.com   21 Mar 2020

Companies will have to follow all requirements laid out under rules for holding board meetings via video conferencing such as recording of these proceedings, ensuring availability of proper equipment among others.