News for 'Agriculture Ministry'

Farm sector growth rate may triple on good monsoon

Farm sector growth rate may triple on good monsoon

Rediff.com18 Nov 2013

The agriculture sector is likely to grow in the range of 5.2-5.7 per cent in 2013-14, nearly three times more than the last year as good monsoon has raised the prospects of bumper harvest, a CACP discussion paper said.

Amid cold wave, farmers' protest enters 32nd day

Amid cold wave, farmers' protest enters 32nd day

Rediff.com28 Dec 2020

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha, a joint front of almost 40 farmer organisations, wrote a letter to the ministry of agriculture and farmers' welfare accepting the Centre's offer for dialogue and proposed December 29 as the next date for the meeting.

MHA seeks views of state govts on lockdown

MHA seeks views of state govts on lockdown

Rediff.com10 Apr 2020

The home ministry asked the state governments and UT administrations to inform it about different aspects of the lockdown and whether there are necessities to give exemptions to some more categories of people and services from the restrictions, a home ministry official said.

Locust attack: Delhi govt puts all districts on high alert

Locust attack: Delhi govt puts all districts on high alert

Rediff.com27 Jun 2020

An advisory issued by the Delhi development commissioner said that residents can distract the locusts by making high-decibel sound through beating of drums, utensils; playing high-volume music, bursting crackers, and burning neem leaves.

Tami Nadu minister Doraikannu succumbs to COVID-19

Tami Nadu minister Doraikannu succumbs to COVID-19

Rediff.com1 Nov 2020

The 72 year-old minister breathed his last late on Saturday night, Kauvery Hospital Executive Director Dr Aravdindan Selvaraj said in a medical bulletin.

Govt plans to slap higher penalty for cruelty against animals

Govt plans to slap higher penalty for cruelty against animals

Rediff.com4 Oct 2021

At present, perpetrators of such acts often get away unscathed as the penalty for the first time offender is just Rs 50 under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.

The Water Warrior

The Water Warrior

Rediff.com18 Oct 2022

Coimbatore-based environmental activist R Manikandan, was named the South Zone Water Warrior by the Government of India's Jal Shakti ministry.

Central panel for revamp of MSP calculation

Central panel for revamp of MSP calculation

Rediff.com9 Apr 2015

The panel suggests family head must be valued at skilled wage rates.

Agri loans not entitled for interest waiver, says govt

Agri loans not entitled for interest waiver, says govt

Rediff.com30 Oct 2020

Agriculture and allied activity loans are not eligible for the interest on interest waiver announced by the government last week, the finance ministry has clarified.

100 more airports to be developed by 2025: Sitharaman

100 more airports to be developed by 2025: Sitharaman

Rediff.com1 Feb 2020

Presenting the Budget for 2020-21, Sitharaman said Rs 1.7 lakh crore has been provided for transport infrastructure in 2020-21.

Hike in import duty on gold may fuel smuggling

Hike in import duty on gold may fuel smuggling

Rediff.com1 Jul 2022

The government has hiked gold import duty to 15 per cent from 10.75 per cent to check the current account deficit (CAD) and rising import of the yellow metal. The duty changes came into effect on June 30. Earlier, the basic customs duty on gold was 7.5 per cent, now it will be 12.5 per cent.

Ukraine Crisis: What Will China Do?

Ukraine Crisis: What Will China Do?

Rediff.com25 Feb 2022

Beijing will be intently watching Washington's response for any hint of weakness. Xi Jinping, who feels China has a limited window of strategic opportunity, will be emboldened to take additional initiatives in the Indo-Pacific and specifically against India and Taiwan, warns Jayadeva Ranade, the former senior RA&W officer and China expert.

India stares at fuel shortage with spike in under-recovery at OMCs

India stares at fuel shortage with spike in under-recovery at OMCs

Rediff.com23 Jun 2022

As oil marketing companies (OMCs) stare at huge under-recoveries, India is facing fuel shortage across the country with states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Haryana being the worst hit. The under-recoveries suffered by OMCs are around Rs 20-25 a litre for diesel and Rs 14-18 a litre for petrol, said sources. Government and state-run companies denied reports of any crisis or supply-side issues on the availability of fuel.

Onion prices more than double to Rs 36-40/kg in metros

Onion prices more than double to Rs 36-40/kg in metros

Rediff.com23 Jul 2013

Currently, onion is being sold at Rs 36 per kg in retail markets of the national capital and Rs 32 per kg each in Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, according to the Consumer Affairs Ministry that monitors prices of 22 essential food items.

El Nio effect: Govt expects below-normal rains

El Nio effect: Govt expects below-normal rains

Rediff.com23 Jul 2015

A minister said the country had 7% less rain than normal.

Agri prices down as rain and sowing spread

Agri prices down as rain and sowing spread

Rediff.com30 Jun 2015

Total area sown till last Friday was 16.56 mn hectares, up 23%.

Now democracy shamed in Kashmir assembly, PDP MLA slaps Marshal

Now democracy shamed in Kashmir assembly, PDP MLA slaps Marshal

Rediff.com19 Feb 2014

An opposition Peoples Democratic Party MLA on Wednesday slapped a marshal in the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly as proceedings were marred by unruly scenes.

The Election Festival Is Here!

The Election Festival Is Here!

Rediff.com18 Oct 2022

After the Gujarat and Himachal elections and the municipal polls in Mumbai and Delhi, Karnataka, Rajasthan, MP and Chhattisgarh will elect new assemblies next year leading up to the Lok Sabha election in April-May 2024, points out Virendra Kapoor.

A Serendipitous Civil Service Career

A Serendipitous Civil Service Career

Rediff.com22 Dec 2022

Every twist and turn in KMC's civil service career is attributed to serendipity, an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident. He plays down his capabilities, which took him to the top of the civil service as the Cabinet Secretary or his misfortune in losing a daughter in her prime and suggests that his career was indeed serendipitous, observes Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

India to become world's fastest growing economy: FinMin report

India to become world's fastest growing economy: FinMin report

Rediff.com10 Nov 2021

Armed with necessary macro and micro growth drivers, India is on its way to becoming the fastest growing major economy in the world, a finance ministry report said. Rapid vaccination and teeming festivities will push India's ongoing recovery resulting in narrowing of demand-supply mismatches and greater employment opportunities, as per the monthly Economic Review prepared by the ministry.

Himanta inducts 2 cabinet ministers, rejigs several seniors' portfolios

Himanta inducts 2 cabinet ministers, rejigs several seniors' portfolios

Rediff.com9 Jun 2022

The expansion was the first by Sarma since he assumed chief ministership of the state about 13 months ago.

Why get so rattled by Rihanna, Greta: Cong leader asks govt

Why get so rattled by Rihanna, Greta: Cong leader asks govt

Rediff.com5 Feb 2021

International pop star Rihanna teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg and others extended their support to farmers protesting on the borders of India's capital against the three agriculture laws introduced by the Central government last year and asked why people were not talking about it.

Travesty of truth: Chidambaram on MEA's response to celebs

Travesty of truth: Chidambaram on MEA's response to celebs

Rediff.com4 Feb 2021

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Thursday contested the assertion in a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) statement that the new farm laws were passed in Parliament after a full debate and discussion, terming it as 'a travesty of the truth'.

No record of farmers' death during protests: Govt to Parliament

No record of farmers' death during protests: Govt to Parliament

Rediff.com1 Dec 2021

Congress leader Manish Tewari demanded that the government should provide Rs 5 crore compensation to the families of the farmers who died during the farm laws agitation

Rahul bats for farmers, sees Amethi as future farm hub

Rahul bats for farmers, sees Amethi as future farm hub

Rediff.com7 Oct 2013

Noting that farmers are suffering due to problems in the food supply chain, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Monday said there is a need for ensuring better compensation for the farmers against their produce.

Climate change making weather prediction difficult: IMD DG

Climate change making weather prediction difficult: IMD DG

Rediff.com7 Aug 2022

Climate change has hampered the ability of the forecasting agencies to accurately predict severe events and weather bureaus across the world are focusing on augmenting the observational network density and the weather prediction modelling to improve predictability, India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra has said.

Onions are set to bring more tears

Onions are set to bring more tears

Rediff.com6 Nov 2019

There was a delay in sowing of kharif onion because of late arrival of monsoon and later floods in many states damaged the crop.

What Modi must do to boost growth

What Modi must do to boost growth

Rediff.com30 Sep 2020

'The answer for a quicker boost to growth is simple -- run a much larger deficit, use the resulting public resources to ensure adequate price support for agriculture, subsidise wage costs of MSMEs and accelerate public sector construction-intensive activities,' advises Nitin Desai.

31 ministers join Nitish govt, RJD gets lion's share

31 ministers join Nitish govt, RJD gets lion's share

Rediff.com17 Aug 2022

The new cabinet, predictably, has a sizeable number of Yadavs and Muslims, though members of other sections of the society also find a place.

Bureaucratic rejig at Centre: New secys appointed

Bureaucratic rejig at Centre: New secys appointed

Rediff.com13 Dec 2019

The appointment of new expenditure secretary comes a month-and-a-half ahead of the Budget for 2020-21 to be presented on February 1.

'Gehlot government is non-functional'

'Gehlot government is non-functional'

Rediff.com13 Aug 2020

'While the farmers are reeling under a huge debt burden, crop loss due to locust attacks and erratic rainfall, the state is also facing a COVID-19 challenge.' 'In this situation, you have Congress and BJP MLAs trying to outwit each other in a game of thrones'

Sugar imports set to stop after import duty hike

Sugar imports set to stop after import duty hike

Rediff.com5 Jul 2013

The govt is increasing the duty to 15 per cent from the existing 10 per cent.

Xi meets Putin, raises concerns over war in Ukraine

Xi meets Putin, raises concerns over war in Ukraine

Rediff.com16 Sep 2022

In what is seen as the first sign of China's exasperation over Russia's Ukraine war, Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday raised 'questions and concerns' over the conflict in his meeting in Samarkand with Russian President Vladimir Putin who thanked Beijing for its 'balanced position' on the crisis.

India's exports to China grow 16.15% to $21bn in 2020

India's exports to China grow 16.15% to $21bn in 2020

Rediff.com23 Feb 2021

India's exports to China have increased by 16.15 per cent to USD 20.87 billion in 2020 from USD 17.9 billion in the previous year on account of healthy growth in the shipments of ores, iron and steel, aluminum and copper, according to the data of the commerce ministry.

Centre extends free foodgrain scheme for 6 months until Sept

Centre extends free foodgrain scheme for 6 months until Sept

Rediff.com26 Mar 2022

A decision in this regard was taken in the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

False assertions: India condemns UK lawmakers' debate on farmers' stir

False assertions: India condemns UK lawmakers' debate on farmers' stir

Rediff.com9 Mar 2021

The Indian High Commission made its displeasure known despite the British government earlier reiterating that the three New Delhi laws on agricultural reform were a "domestic matter".

India's personal data protection bill may threaten innovation, growth: USTR

India's personal data protection bill may threaten innovation, growth: USTR

Rediff.com29 Apr 2022

The US on Thursday raised concerns over India's Personal Data Protection (PDP) Bill and draft non-personal data governance framework, claiming these could potentially threaten innovation and economic growth. In its latest 'Special 301' Report, the US Trade Representative (USTR) kept India on the priority watch list, maintaining the country remains one of the world's most challenging major economies with respect to protection and enforcement of intellectual property (IP). In December 2021, a joint parliamentary committee released a report recommending changes to the PDP Bill, 2019, that could undermine important IP protections in India.

Farmers' ultimatum to government

Farmers' ultimatum to government

Rediff.com28 Dec 2020

'If there is no outcome at Tuesday's meeting, then on the 30th thousands of tractors and farmers will march on the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway.'

Dear Nirmalaji, spend more on education

Dear Nirmalaji, spend more on education

Rediff.com21 Jan 2021

Monalisa Mondol, a law student from Tripura, tells Rediff.com's A Ganesh Nadar what she would like to see in Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget.

Budget 2020: Farm experts pitch for scrapping GST on agri-inputs

Budget 2020: Farm experts pitch for scrapping GST on agri-inputs

Rediff.com18 Dec 2019

Bharat Krishak Samaj demanded that the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana should be replaced with a new crop insurance and compensation scheme.