News for 'Below Poverty Line'

Why we should hike entry fees to our monuments

Why we should hike entry fees to our monuments

Rediff.com21 Jun 2018

Not only will the move help keep out stray, disinterested walk-ins, but also help maintain our heritage better.

The many loopholes of pension scheme for unorganised sector workers

The many loopholes of pension scheme for unorganised sector workers

Rediff.com2 Feb 2019

According to official statistics, half of India's GDP comes from as many as 420 million workers in the unorganised sector including street vendors, rickshaw pullers, construction workers, rag pickers, agricultural workers, among others. This massive workforce remains outside the purview of the formal banking and insurance industries.

Will Modi okay UBI for J&K?

Will Modi okay UBI for J&K?

Rediff.com10 May 2017

"There have been discussions on implementing UBI in J&K -- not just as a pilot in some districts, but in the entire state, according to Drabu's proposal in the state's Budget," said an official. "Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is also supportive of the idea. A presentation will now be made at the PMO."

'PM sent planes for NRIs, why not trains for workers?'

'PM sent planes for NRIs, why not trains for workers?'

Rediff.com17 Apr 2020

'The situation is so bad that they are now sleeping on bridges or footpaths.' 'Therefore, they want to go and die before their parents or wife in case they get infected with COVID-19.' 'Workers don't want to die a dog's death in cities.'

Transformation of India? It's much more than numbers

Transformation of India? It's much more than numbers

Rediff.com27 Apr 2016

There is no clarity yet on how an estimated 10.9 million new jobs would be created every year.

Cut down wasteful subsidies that do not reach the poor

Cut down wasteful subsidies that do not reach the poor

Rediff.com4 Nov 2015

The savings would be better spent and might actually reach the poor, says Rahul Khullar.

Coca-Cola India may have to shut factories if sin tax is passed

Coca-Cola India may have to shut factories if sin tax is passed

Rediff.com11 Dec 2015

India is trying to push a national goods and services tax (GST) through parliament that would replace a myriad of state sales taxes and shake-up government revenue.

'Congress will quit MVA when the time comes'

'Congress will quit MVA when the time comes'

Rediff.com20 May 2022

'We will do whatever is necessary when the day and moment arrives.' 'As a party which has ruled Maharashtra for most of its existence, we also have our base and turf to protect.'

The good, bad and ugly of India's HDR rankings

The good, bad and ugly of India's HDR rankings

Rediff.com12 Apr 2017

While India's human development index has improved, absolute performance levels aren't satisfactory, says T N Ninan.

Fully uphold rights of minorities, vulnerable people: US to India

Fully uphold rights of minorities, vulnerable people: US to India

Rediff.com22 Oct 2019

India is the birthplace of four major world religions -- Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It is home to the world's third largest Muslim population, a diverse community of sects that includes Sufis, Shia, and Bohra. Roughly three per cent of India's citizens are Christian, and notably, Christians are the religious majority in three of India's 29 states, she said.

'India has controlled COVID-19 deaths by clamping lockdown'

'India has controlled COVID-19 deaths by clamping lockdown'

Rediff.com1 Jun 2020

"A recent Columbia University study that supports that death is prevented by earlier lockdowns bears the fact that Narendra Modi's government has done an excellent job in clamping lockdown," Tennessee-based Dr Indranill Basu Ray said in a statement.

Why CM Siddaramaiah refuses to resign

Why CM Siddaramaiah refuses to resign

Rediff.com20 May 2014

Despite a poor show, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah chose not to resign stating that the verdict was a not a referendum on his government. Mahesh Kulkarni reports from Bangalore

Govt lends HELP to revive oil sector

Govt lends HELP to revive oil sector

Rediff.com11 Mar 2016

The pricing and marketing freedom for exploitation would be capped by a ceiling price.

FM chants rural mantra 25 times, puts money where mouth is

FM chants rural mantra 25 times, puts money where mouth is

Rediff.com1 Mar 2016

The Budget allocated an increase in allocation for MGNREGS, LPG expansion, electrification & smart panchayats.

Are states really serious about Digital India plan?

Are states really serious about Digital India plan?

Rediff.com7 Mar 2015

Official websites of some states haven't been updated for years

6 reasons why you must buy insurance

6 reasons why you must buy insurance

Rediff.com1 Feb 2016

Ignore insurance at your own risk

Modi Sarkar's flagship energy schemes still have miles to go

Modi Sarkar's flagship energy schemes still have miles to go

Rediff.com31 May 2018

Of the 170 million rural households in the country, a government website claims to have connected 82 per cent of them. The metered households are 50 per cent of the total. As on February, 2018, of the 780,000 villages to be intensively electrified or provide connection to all in households, 493,000 have been covered. However, the amount and quality of the power supply cannot be ascertained from this data. No clause in any of the rural electrification programmes promises 24 hours' power supply.

The battle for Bastar has no clear winners

The battle for Bastar has no clear winners

Rediff.com10 Nov 2013

Naxal-hit Bastar, which goes to polls on Monday, is witnessing a stiff political battle with Congress going all out to wrest control from BJP of the region widely seen as a deciding factor in winning Chhattisgarh.

12, 18 pc slabs may merge making GST 2-tier, says Jaitley

12, 18 pc slabs may merge making GST 2-tier, says Jaitley

Rediff.com1 Jul 2019

Penning a Facebook post on the second anniversary of GST rollout, Jaitley said as many as 20 states are already showing more than a 14 per cent increase in their revenues and do not require the Centre to compensate them for revenue loss arising out of GST implementation.

CJI criticises electoral politics, unfulfilled poll promises

CJI criticises electoral politics, unfulfilled poll promises

Rediff.com8 Apr 2017

Chief Justice of India J S Khehar on Saturday criticised the electoral politics in the country, saying poll promises are "routinely unfulfilled", caste issues projected differently to get a majority and party manifestos do not have any linkage to socio-economic justice.

The challenge before Yogi's population control policy

The challenge before Yogi's population control policy

Rediff.com30 Jul 2021

On the ground, rural medical infrastructure and more crucially, women's access to reproductive health services is practically non-existent in Uttar Pradesh, reports Geetanjali Krishna.

COP21: Draft climate pact aims well below 2C limit; India backs text

COP21: Draft climate pact aims well below 2C limit; India backs text

Rediff.com12 Dec 2015

The climate conference on Saturday came out with an ambitious final draft that will commit USD 100 billion a year from 2020 to help developing countries.

After the stick, PM may offer carrots on Sat

After the stick, PM may offer carrots on Sat

Rediff.com31 Dec 2016

Sops for middle class, poor and farmers on cards.

Meet India's chief human resources officer

Meet India's chief human resources officer

Rediff.com11 Jun 2015

Four recent instances help us understand why Prime Minister Narendra Modi could truly be called the chief human resources officer (CHRO) of the country.

With Modicare rollout, focus shifts to states

With Modicare rollout, focus shifts to states

Rediff.com23 Sep 2018

States are now gearing up to implement the scheme, integrating it with their own public health insurance plans and tying up the loose ends.

SC says Mayawati should return money used for erecting her statues

SC says Mayawati should return money used for erecting her statues

Rediff.com8 Feb 2019

The bench made it clear the tentative view was expressed by it as the matter would take some time for hearing.

Even Pakistan's growth rate is ahead of India's

Even Pakistan's growth rate is ahead of India's

Rediff.com3 Sep 2019

'Misplaced national priorities have brought the economy to a cul-de-sac,' says Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

'This Budget will not take us to 12%, but it will help the economy fare better'

'This Budget will not take us to 12%, but it will help the economy fare better'

Rediff.com5 Feb 2021

'There is good indication that the economy is bouncing back, but the problem is, we should look at the eight quarters preceding March 2020.' 'The growth had fallen below 3.1% before March 2020.' 'So, the governments must realise that even if you transform the best of green shoots into banyan trees, you see only 3.1% growth.'

'BJP under Modi is a party without any ideology'

'BJP under Modi is a party without any ideology'

Rediff.com26 Aug 2013

Boosted by handsome royalty from oil facilities at Barmer, the Rajasthan government has spent nearly Rs 30,000 crore on various social welfare schemes in the last four-and-a-half years. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot tells Business Standard's Mayank Mishra that the state's better performance on various socio-economic indices is a result of that. The excerpts:

BJP's sudden concern for India's 'garib'

BJP's sudden concern for India's 'garib'

Rediff.com11 Apr 2015

Congress campaign seeking to paint the ruling party as anti-poor and anti-farmer seems to have unnerved the BJP, feels T N Ninan.

Is the Modi government scared of this man?

Is the Modi government scared of this man?

Rediff.com10 May 2016

'Defaulters like Mallya can't be offloaded, but activists like me are. And that too for raising questions.' 'Today, what is the meaning of development?' 'Take over land, water and forest from the Adivasis and hand it over to corporates.' 'I am surprised how a minister who is supposed to protect the forests and the environment is happy reaching out to investors for more and more clearances.'

India's greatest test since Partition

India's greatest test since Partition

Rediff.com23 Apr 2020

'The steady poverty reduction achieved over the last three decades could be largely reversed in this one financial year with hundreds of millions sliding below the red line,' warns Devangshu Datta.

FinMin promises more steps, hopeful of growth revival

FinMin promises more steps, hopeful of growth revival

Rediff.com19 Dec 2013

Committing to more steps to boost economy, the Finance Ministry said initiatives taken by the government in the past one year will boost investment and revive the sagging growth.

'Will any woman accept being called Anarkali?'

'Will any woman accept being called Anarkali?'

Rediff.com25 Apr 2019

'My passion is dancing and music. What is wrong with that?'

Daily wage workers battle for survival in COVID-19 days

Daily wage workers battle for survival in COVID-19 days

Rediff.com25 Mar 2020

India has been put in lockdown to halt the spread of the coronavirus outbreak. People have been told to stay indoors, but for many daily-wage earners this is not an option.

China's wealth gap worsens: Survey

China's wealth gap worsens: Survey

Rediff.com15 Jan 2016

At the end of 2014, 70.17 million of China's rural residents lived below the country's poverty line.

'It will be an insult to Rae Bareli if Sonia loses'

'It will be an insult to Rae Bareli if Sonia loses'

Rediff.com4 May 2019

Voters in Rae Bareli said they feel an emotional connection with the Gandhi family.

Why NYAY cannot be expected to deliver justice

Why NYAY cannot be expected to deliver justice

Rediff.com18 May 2019

The centre pays only an insulting Rs 200 per pensioner each month at a tight-fisted 0.04 per cent of GDP, among the lowest in the world. Instead, as illustrated by Jean Drze, one option is for NYAY to provide individual rather than household entitlements to all pensioners of at least Rs 1200 per month.

Can India Deal with Halahal In Amrit Kaal?

Can India Deal with Halahal In Amrit Kaal?

Rediff.com15 Aug 2022

We have our own problems for sure and they are not trivial, but for now, our economy is in not too bad a shape, our politics is as personality-driven and authoritarian as that of most countries in the world. We must make the best of what we have and not be excessively unhappy looking at the grass on the other side of the septic tank which may not be greener after all!, observes Shreekant Sambrani.

184 gardeners, 28 cooks, 37 drivers, 57 cleaners... All the President's Men and Women

184 gardeners, 28 cooks, 37 drivers, 57 cleaners... All the President's Men and Women

Rediff.com25 Jan 2018

An RTI plea reveals that Rashtrapati Bhavan employs 545 people, and incurs a monthly wage bill of Rs 1,34,68,927.