Vrishti Beniwal, Sanjeeb Mukherjee And Shine Jacob

Stories by Vrishti Beniwal, Sanjeeb Mukherjee And Shine Jacob

Himachal Rain Havoc Devastates Business

Himachal Rain Havoc Devastates Business

Rediff.com   25 Aug 2023

Tourism is badly affected. Entire apple orchards have been washed away. 2 million people are threatened with loss of livelihood.

Govt to procure 200K-tonne onions amid farmer protest

Govt to procure 200K-tonne onions amid farmer protest

Rediff.com   23 Aug 2023

Barely days after imposing a 40 per cent export tax on onions to cool down soaring prices, which, in turn, triggered widespread protests across the main growing belts, the Centre on Tuesday sought to mitigate both political and economic tensions gripping parts of Maharashtra. It decided to procure an additional 200,000 tonnes of onions at Rs 2,410 per quintal for its buffer stock from farmers, a rate that is strikingly close to the price at which they were being exported before the 40 per cent duty was levied on August 19. The export price before the imposition of the duty stood at around $320 per tonne free on board (approximately Rs 2,650 per quintal).

NCDEX, Skymet takes initial steps towards tradeable weather index

NCDEX, Skymet takes initial steps towards tradeable weather index

Rediff.com   22 Aug 2023

India's leading commodity exchange, National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX), and private weather forecasting company Skymet took a significant step towards launching the country's first tradeable weather index on Monday (August 14) by entering into an agreement to deepen their understanding of the impact that weather has on agricultural commodities. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between NCDEX and Skymet is a profound step in the direction of linking farmers with the weather in a scientific way, according to an official statement. Sources indicate that NCDEX and Skymet will conduct workshops and seminars across the country to educate farmers about how they can scientifically use weather forecasts to hedge risks.

Hyundai global boss pushes electric vehicle credentials on India visit

Hyundai global boss pushes electric vehicle credentials on India visit

Rediff.com   9 Aug 2023

Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) is vigorously aiming to establish a robust presence in India's electric vehicle (EV) segment through the introduction of new models and the establishment of charging stations under Hyundai Motor India (HMIL) and Kia India. Euisun Chung, executive chairman of HMG, who is currently visiting India, urged both companies to deliver products that not only meet but exceed customer expectations on time, thus driving the achievement of these growth targets. The group is strategically working to elevate Kia's market share from the current 6.7 per cent to an impressive 10 per cent in India in the near future.

El Nino Clouds Hover Over August Rainfall

El Nino Clouds Hover Over August Rainfall

Rediff.com   8 Aug 2023

The El Nino impact on the Indian monsoon typically manifests by way of extended break in rainfall.

India poised to become export hub for Citroen

India poised to become export hub for Citroen

Rediff.com   7 Aug 2023

French carmaker Citroen will launch its C3 Aircross Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) in India by October, and is betting big on exports from India to markets like South Africa, ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and Nepal, a top company executive told Business Standard. Citroen, which sold 6,000 units through Citron C3 and C5 Aircross SUV, is likely to double its sales during the current year, as it has already sold 6,000 units of Citron C3 and eC3 electric vehicles during the first six months. "We are going to start bookings for the C3 Aircross SUV in September and launch it in October. Price will be at the heart of the midsize SUV market," said Saurabh Vatsa, Citroen India branch head.

Global rice markets in turmoil as India bans export of non-basmati

Global rice markets in turmoil as India bans export of non-basmati

Rediff.com   3 Aug 2023

India's decision to ban the export of non-basmati white rice has pushed up global prices, prompting multilateral lending agencies, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to call for a reconsideration of the move. Though nothing has been spelled out yet officially, sources said, the government might consider requests for government-to-government sale of non-basmati white rice, especially to West African nations where India is a major supplier. Also, traders and exporters of specialty regional rice varieties like sona masuri or gobindo bhog feel that they have been short-changed.

Rajya Sabha passes Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill

Rajya Sabha passes Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill

Rediff.com   2 Aug 2023

The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday gave its green light to the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill 2023. This Bill introduces significant amendments to the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act. These modifications aim to enhance the transparency and accountability of these cooperatives' operations in a bid to improve governance.

Dev Joshi Is Ready To Go To Space

Dev Joshi Is Ready To Go To Space

Rediff.com   2 Aug 2023

'We hear about Chanda Mama from our childhood.' 'I am excited by the idea of seeing it with my eyes.'

Why FCI Stopped Rice Supply For Ethanol

Why FCI Stopped Rice Supply For Ethanol

Rediff.com   1 Aug 2023

Rising prices of cereals and concerns over rice production in the 2023-2024 crop year due to insufficient rains followed by floods could be the possible causes.

Why NRIs Don't Get Non-Basmati White Rice

Why NRIs Don't Get Non-Basmati White Rice

Rediff.com   28 Jul 2023

Non-basmati white rice accounts for nearly 25-30 per cent of total rice exported from the country.

Foxconn unit in talks for $200 million components plant in Tamil Nadu

Foxconn unit in talks for $200 million components plant in Tamil Nadu

Rediff.com   28 Jul 2023

Taiwan-based Hon Hai Technology Group, the subsidiary of Foxconn Industrial Internet (Fii), is in talks with the Tamil Nadu government to invest around $200 million to set up an electronic components unit in the state. According to a Reuters report, FII, which makes communication, mobile network and cloud computing equipment, has shared the plan with the Tamil Nadu state officials. Business Standard had reported last week that Fii's chief executive officer (CEO) Brand Cheng met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin and Minister for Industries, Investment Promotion and Commerce TRB Rajaa.

Be Warned! Haldi Prices Will Soar!

Be Warned! Haldi Prices Will Soar!

Rediff.com   28 Jul 2023

Usually, turmeric is grown over 290,000-330,000 hectares of land. But in 2022-2023, according to official estimates, there has been a drop of about 10,000 hectares.

The Men Behind Chandrayaan-3 Mission

The Men Behind Chandrayaan-3 Mission

Rediff.com   22 Jul 2023

Only three countries (United States, Russia and China) have successfully landed spacecraft on the airless lunar surface.

Cooler Weather Halts Milk Crisis

Cooler Weather Halts Milk Crisis

Rediff.com   19 Jul 2023

Cooler weather meant that demand for milk products and value-added items like buttermilk and ice-cream did not show the usual rise.

Tomato Prices Increased By 1315%!

Tomato Prices Increased By 1315%!

Rediff.com   12 Jul 2023

8 out of 10 households are planning to cut their tomato consumption if prices stay in the Rs 75-150 kg range over the next three months.

Farmer's to get a bird's eye view: IFFCO to purchase 2,500 agri drones

Farmer's to get a bird's eye view: IFFCO to purchase 2,500 agri drones

Rediff.com   5 Jul 2023

At a time when climate change poses significant challenges and the need for sustainable and efficient farming practices has never been more critical, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) allow farmers to gain a bird's-eye view of their crops from ground level. Drones have become a new force in precision agriculture, helping increase productivity while prioritising sustainability and resilience. Fertiliser major IFFCO is exploring this very transformative power of technology in agriculture.

Will Artemis Accords Help India's Space Programme?

Will Artemis Accords Help India's Space Programme?

Rediff.com   4 Jul 2023

'This may open up doors for private players in India to collaborate with global players in commercial missions.'

TMB failed to file details of Rs 3,610 cr deals due to tech glitch

TMB failed to file details of Rs 3,610 cr deals due to tech glitch

Rediff.com   3 Jul 2023

After the income tax department indicated that the Tamilnad Mercantile Bank (TMB) did not provide the complete details of transactions worth up to Rs 3,610 crore, sources told Business Standard that this was due to a technical glitch. The bank has now submitted all the required documents in the past few days. According to the Income Tax (I-T) department, TMB had not submitted a statement of financial transactions (SFT) pertaining to cash deposits of around Rs 2,700 crore involving more than 10,000 accounts.

As demand for EV batteries picks up, makers eye lithium reserves

As demand for EV batteries picks up, makers eye lithium reserves

Rediff.com   3 Jul 2023

The EV industry is at an inflection point and batteries will play a critical role ahead -- batteries and related components typically constitute 35-45 per cent of an EV's costs.