Somesh Jha, Rajesh Bhayani And Sanjeeb Mukherjee

Stories by Somesh Jha, Rajesh Bhayani And Sanjeeb Mukherjee

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.

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.

Fall in gold price opens up window for investors

Fall in gold price opens up window for investors

Rediff.com   7 Oct 2020

Experts recommend buying gold as the fundamentals supporting a rally have not changed.

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.

Govt issues Covid-19 safe workplace guidelines

Govt issues Covid-19 safe workplace guidelines

Rediff.com   1 Oct 2020

While demanding more outdoor air ventilation, the strategy document calls for a structural modification in the workplace.

Retrenchment norms: Govt says it won't be 'hire and fire'

Retrenchment norms: Govt says it won't be 'hire and fire'

Rediff.com   29 Sep 2020

The government further defended its move to introduce fixed-term employment, insisting that the present system of hiring workers through contractors is exploitative.

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.

NPAs under Mudra scheme rise to 5% for public sector banks

NPAs under Mudra scheme rise to 5% for public sector banks

Rediff.com   24 Sep 2020

Former RBI governors Urjit Patel and Raghuram Rajan have also expressed worry about the Mudra scheme, particularly government's target-setting practice and the rising bad loans.

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.

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.

Covid: Some good news for ESI subscribers

Covid: Some good news for ESI subscribers

Rediff.com   18 Sep 2020

ESI subscribers to get Covid unemployment allowance within 15 days of claim. Payment will be made into bank account of the insured and Aadhaar will be used for identification.

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.

Migrants must not bear cost of Covid: Centre to states

Migrants must not bear cost of Covid: Centre to states

Rediff.com   12 Sep 2020

Labour ministry guidelines say workers returning to cities must get housing, health insurance, facemasks. The Centre has also asked states to issue guidelines to employers to take care of the needs of migrant workers.

EPFO to pay 8.5% interest for FY20 in two instalments

EPFO to pay 8.5% interest for FY20 in two instalments

Rediff.com   10 Sep 2020

The remaining 0.35 per cent will be credited in December this year, if the EPFO is able to redeem its equity investments.

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.

FM to hold review meeting with lenders on loan recast scheme

FM to hold review meeting with lenders on loan recast scheme

Rediff.com   31 Aug 2020

The focus of the meeting will be on enabling businesses and households to avail of the revival framework on the basis of viability, necessary steps like finalising bank policies and identifying borrowers, and discussing issues that require addressing for smooth and speedy implementation.

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.