Somesh Jha &Amp; Archis Mohan

Stories by Somesh Jha &Amp; Archis Mohan

How Oppn plans to fight Citizenship Amendment Bill

How Oppn plans to fight Citizenship Amendment Bill

Rediff.com   9 Dec 2019

Opposition parties, though resigned to the fact that they lack the numbers to defeat or stall the bill in the two Houses, have decided upon different tactics that they would employ to highlight their reasons for opposing it.

Opposition comes up with plan to fight Citizenship Bill

Opposition comes up with plan to fight Citizenship Bill

Rediff.com   6 Dec 2019

Unsure about having the numbers in the Rajya Sabha, the Congress, the Trinamool Congress and other parties have decided they will create awareness about the "divisive" nature of the proposed legislation, reports Archis Mohan.

Gig economy workers may now get insurance cover under ESIC scheme

Gig economy workers may now get insurance cover under ESIC scheme

Rediff.com   5 Dec 2019

Gig workers are usually spoken of in the context of the sharing economy, like Uber, Ola drivers, delivery persons for Zomato and Swiggy and so on. This is the first time such workers will be covered under India's social security law.

RSS arm says divestment of Air India, BPCL was 'uncalled for'

RSS arm says divestment of Air India, BPCL was 'uncalled for'

Rediff.com   2 Dec 2019

In a resolution passed at its national assembly in Haridwar, the SJM said the Modi government's proposed strategic divestment of PSEs was an "imprudent business decision" and "against national interest".

NITI Aayog on how India can become $5-trillion economy

NITI Aayog on how India can become $5-trillion economy

Rediff.com   2 Dec 2019

Though the NITI Aayog did not give its estimates for the required GDP growth at constant prices, economists pegged it at 9 per cent, a feat not seen since the GDP series was revised with 2011-12 as the base year.

'We have brought down naxal violence by 40%'

'We have brought down naxal violence by 40%'

Rediff.com   27 Nov 2019

As the Congress party prepares to launch protests against the economic slowdown, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel tells Archis Mohan that his state has escaped its effects as his government has pursued policies that have put money in the pockets of workers, farmers, housewives and tribals, which has helped spur demand.

Only 61% homes used LPG as of Dec 2018

Only 61% homes used LPG as of Dec 2018

Rediff.com   26 Nov 2019

Only 48.3 per cent of the rural households used LPG, while the figures were much higher in urban areas at 86.6 per cent, according to a NSO report.

Govt releases 5 survey reports but holds back study it junked

Govt releases 5 survey reports but holds back study it junked

Rediff.com   25 Nov 2019

The government's decision to release the reports comes two days after over 200 scholars from across the globe issued a statement demanding release of all withheld reports produced by the NSO, including the household consumer expenditure survey that was junked.

Consumer spend falls for the first time in over 40 years

Consumer spend falls for the first time in over 40 years

Rediff.com   22 Nov 2019

Experts said a dip in consumption expenditure indicated an increasing prevalence of poverty in the country.

This Bill will decide how India Inc hires and fires

This Bill will decide how India Inc hires and fires

Rediff.com   21 Nov 2019

Sitharaman said the Bill has proposed giving a legal framework for fixed-term employment through which contract workers serving a fixed-tenure will get equal statutory social security benefits as regular workers in the same unit.

Govt scraps consumer expenditure survey over 'data quality'

Govt scraps consumer expenditure survey over 'data quality'

Rediff.com   16 Nov 2019

The findings of the report showed consumer spending falling for the first time in over four decades in 2017-18. The government has, however, termed it a "draft" report, reports Somesh Jha.

Blow to BJP in Jharkhand as alliance with AJSU collapses

Blow to BJP in Jharkhand as alliance with AJSU collapses

Rediff.com   15 Nov 2019

The 19-year-old partnership ended after the ruling party refused to accede to the ally's demand for 17 of 81 seats.

RCEP: 'India has enough bargaining chips'

RCEP: 'India has enough bargaining chips'

Rediff.com   13 Nov 2019

'RCEP may be in India's long-term interest, but it is certainly not in India's short-term and medium-term interest.'

Why govt wants to classifying jobs based on skills

Why govt wants to classifying jobs based on skills

Rediff.com   13 Nov 2019

In the draft rules, among 681 listed professions, armed security guards, supervisors, surveyors, and carpenters (class I) are proposed to be treated as highly skilled professionals; electricians, tailors and drivers are skilled; cooks and cobblers as semi-skilled and dairy coolies, office peons and sweepers as unskilled.

After Art 370, Ayodhya, will Sangh aim for Uniform Civil Code?

After Art 370, Ayodhya, will Sangh aim for Uniform Civil Code?

Rediff.com   11 Nov 2019

A small step in this direction was taken with making triple talaq a punishable offence in the last Parliament session. But UCC is difficult to implement, reports Archis Mohan.

Mudra loans led to a 28% rise in jobs

Mudra loans led to a 28% rise in jobs

Rediff.com   7 Nov 2019

After taking benefit of the scheme, jobs increased by around 11 mn in establishments that took loans.

Can Dushyant Chautala claim Devi Lal's legacy?

Can Dushyant Chautala claim Devi Lal's legacy?

Rediff.com   5 Nov 2019

In the years to come, Dushyant may need to compete for the leadership of the Jat community with Hooda's son Deepender, and other Jat leaders, reports Archis Mohan.

'Don't make my Kashmir a graveyard'

'Don't make my Kashmir a graveyard'

Rediff.com   4 Nov 2019

'The decision of August will have to be taken back. This is our resolve. When it will happen, how it will happen, the judge of our case are the people of this country.'

Modi may expand ministry

Modi may expand ministry

Rediff.com   4 Nov 2019

The reshuffle could take place before the start of the winter session of Parliament.

Poll results may spell trouble for Team Rahul

Poll results may spell trouble for Team Rahul

Rediff.com   25 Oct 2019

The assembly election results are likely to put a lid on the impending battle the old guard and young Turks, strengthen the hands of the veterans, and force the younger leaders to negotiate a truce. Archis Mohan reports.