Somesh Jha And Indivjal Dhasmana

Stories by Somesh Jha And Indivjal Dhasmana

4 states worst affected by rising inflation

4 states worst affected by rising inflation

Rediff.com   2 Dec 2020

At over 6 per cent, most states in October had inflation rates above the Reserve Bank of India's target band of 2-6 per cent.

Draft labour rules: No licence for contractors with criminal history

Draft labour rules: No licence for contractors with criminal history

Rediff.com   30 Nov 2020

The norms, say industry experts, are not sufficient to weed out fly-by-night contractors.

First time in 5 yrs BMS rejects call by other unions for nationwide strike

First time in 5 yrs BMS rejects call by other unions for nationwide strike

Rediff.com   25 Nov 2020

The ten central trade unions have demanded a cash transfer of Rs 7,500 a month to all families that do not pay income tax, free ration of 10 kg per head in a month to all the needy, expansion of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment scheme to cover more days of job, withdrawal of labour codes and farm bills, halt on privatisation, universal pension coverage and withdrawal of "draconian" circular on forced premature retirement of government officials.

Govt plans to create 5-6 mn jobs through Atmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana

Govt plans to create 5-6 mn jobs through Atmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana

Rediff.com   24 Nov 2020

Private firms will have to maintain a minimum net addition to their workforce each month from October this year to June 2021 to get the Employees' Provident Fund subsidy for the new recruits.

Draft rules for gig workers are 'complex, confusing and shoddy'

Draft rules for gig workers are 'complex, confusing and shoddy'

Rediff.com   17 Nov 2020

Experts say, these leave many matters to the discretionary powers of bureaucrats, rather than providing them explicitly in the rules.

Revenue-starved govt asks cash-rich PSUs to pay quarterly dividends

Revenue-starved govt asks cash-rich PSUs to pay quarterly dividends

Rediff.com   14 Nov 2020

A communiqu sent by the department of investment and public asset management (DIPAM) to the heads of all PSUs, said the move would help the government to get predictable and periodic dividends before Budget estimates are firmed up.

'Economy is touching pre-Covid levels'

'Economy is touching pre-Covid levels'

Rediff.com   11 Nov 2020

'It is entering growth territory on a month-on-month basis.'

Gig workers to make PF contribution, get social security for first time

Gig workers to make PF contribution, get social security for first time

Rediff.com   5 Nov 2020

According to the law, the contribution "should not be more than 5 per cent of the amount paid to gig workers. The government is likely to start seeking contribution from gig companies towards the fund from April 1, 2021.

No cess on Covid-19 vaccination; but rich may be charged

No cess on Covid-19 vaccination; but rich may be charged

Rediff.com   5 Nov 2020

There was speculation that a one-time special Covid-19 cess would be imposed and that it would raise an estimated Rs 18,000 crore.

Reskill or refund: Retrenched workers face Hobson's choice

Reskill or refund: Retrenched workers face Hobson's choice

Rediff.com   20 Oct 2020

If retrenched workers are unable to reskill within a fixed period of time, they will have to return the money given to them by the government. Moreover, they may be asked to pay back an interest on the sum transferred.

New inflation index to impact DA, 30 mn govt staff to get more pay

New inflation index to impact DA, 30 mn govt staff to get more pay

Rediff.com   16 Oct 2020

However, the hike in salary for government officials may take some time as the Centre had earlier this year decided to put a freeze on any hike in the DA of its employees till July, 2021, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Rules for hiring contract workers eased

Rules for hiring contract workers eased

Rediff.com   13 Oct 2020

However, the government has enacted an important change to the fixed-term employment framework that may help companies in handing out contractual jobs to its existing permanent workforce.

Covid-19 crisis: Signs of economic recovery fragile, say experts

Covid-19 crisis: Signs of economic recovery fragile, say experts

Rediff.com   12 Oct 2020

'The real lifting of the economy will happen only if this momentum sustains in the coming months.'

'We will have to time what we want to do'

'We will have to time what we want to do'

Rediff.com   12 Oct 2020

'Willing to spend is different from when to spend and how much to spend'

'Economy is constantly on PM's mind'

'Economy is constantly on PM's mind'

Rediff.com   12 Oct 2020

'I would like to convey the message to your readers that the prime minister himself is directly seized of the situation on the ground. He periodically reviews the situation on the ground and how it is moving forward, taking inputs from economists, business leaders, chambers of commerce.'

'On further stimulus, I've kept my options open'

'On further stimulus, I've kept my options open'

Rediff.com   9 Oct 2020

'Prime Minister Modi stated several times that we shall not let this challenge go away without converting it into an opportunity to undertake systemic reforms.' 'And hasn't that been reiterated in action?'

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.

Six months on, migrants caught between hope and despair

Six months on, migrants caught between hope and despair

Rediff.com   5 Oct 2020

Six months after the lockdown was imposed, two dozen migrant workers were interviewed across five villages of Prayagraj. As the economy opens up, most of them are either hunting for a job or desperately waiting for a phone call from their previous employers. But the bruises of the lockdown are still fresh in their minds. Somesh Jha reports.

Codes give more power to states to be flexible on labour laws

Codes give more power to states to be flexible on labour laws

Rediff.com   3 Oct 2020

The move will help industries in pushing authorities for exemption under various labour laws at a micro-level, along with demanding changes to bring greater flexibility in their operations related to retrenchment, safety standards, and collective bargaining.

All you MUST know about the new tax rules

All you MUST know about the new tax rules

Rediff.com   2 Oct 2020

From road transport to health insurance, tax rules have changed from October 1.