News for 'Centre for Policy Research'

India does not need to import from China: Gadkari

India does not need to import from China: Gadkari

Rediff.com30 Nov 2020

Highlighting the role of MSMEs in enhancing exports and helping the country achieve self reliance, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday said India does not need to import from China. "Already in automobile sector, in many sectors now, in agriculture, automobiles, everywhere, we have already found the solutions. Now we don't need to import from China," said the minister. He observed that India was exporting a lot of items instead of importing them.

Aligarh Muslim University Needs Urgent Reforms!

Aligarh Muslim University Needs Urgent Reforms!

Rediff.com7 Mar 2023

Is it a divine, sacrosanct university, a holy cow, prohibiting human intervention?

Fiscal position to be better if there is no 3rd Covid wave: SBI report

Fiscal position to be better if there is no 3rd Covid wave: SBI report

Rediff.com14 Jun 2021

If there is no third wave of the pandemic, the fiscal position of the Centre and the states will be much better than budgeted for FY22 and the states may garner Rs 60,000 crore more in tax collections at Rs 8.27 lakh crore this fiscal year than they have budgeted, a report said. The report by SBI Research on Monday bases its optimism on GST collection so far this fiscal, which has been the best ever in spite of the fact that the two months bore the maximum brunt of the second wave -- with April setting a record Rs 1.41 lakh crore and May collection a tad low at Rs 1.03 lakh crore. The report also said overall government finances do not look overstretched as GST collections have continued to maintain pace so far and the additional fiscal impact arising from free vaccination and more food supplies will only be around Rs 28,512 crore.

Inflation warrior Urjit Patel at the helm of RBI

Inflation warrior Urjit Patel at the helm of RBI

Rediff.com5 Sep 2016

The first task before him is to get used to the idea of working with the Monetary Policy Committee

Ukraine War Has Reduced Russia To An Even Lesser Power

Ukraine War Has Reduced Russia To An Even Lesser Power

Rediff.com23 Mar 2022

The fault line between the West and Russia has widened into a deep chasm and this is likely to endure in the foreseeable future. Far from forcing its way into the European tent, Russia may be reduced to the status of an even more sullen and weakened bystander on its periphery. The US appears to have won this hand with little cost to itself, observes former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

Why inflation pain could get worse

Why inflation pain could get worse

Rediff.com14 Jun 2021

As India looks to mend its Covid-battered economy, one thing that will grab the attention of all concerned is the path that both wholesale and retail inflation will follow. Even the Reserve Bank of India in its latest policy statement said, "Going forward, the inflation trajectory is likely to be shaped by uncertainties impinging on the upside and the downside.

LBGT people in Qatar prepare cautiously for World Cup

LBGT people in Qatar prepare cautiously for World Cup

Rediff.com19 Nov 2022

Gay people living under radar in Qatar prepare warily for World Cup

Why meeting Budget's commitment on MSP is not easy

Why meeting Budget's commitment on MSP is not easy

Rediff.com16 Apr 2018

From NITI Aayog to industry leaders to the Reserve Bank of India, all are apprehensive that any major increase in MSP, following the 2018-19 Budget announcements, would push up prices, if not immediately, in the next six to eight months after the decision is taken.

What 'Hike' In Defence Budget Doesn't Reveal

What 'Hike' In Defence Budget Doesn't Reveal

Rediff.com11 Feb 2022

Even as Chinese troops continue squatting on territory that we claim as our own -- this was the lowest allocation for defence in percentage terms since the 1950s, reveals Ajai Shukla.

SC rejects pleas seeking probe into R Day violence

SC rejects pleas seeking probe into R Day violence

Rediff.com3 Feb 2021

The Supreme Court Wednesday refused to entertain pleas seeking time-bound probe, including by an apex court-appointed commission, into the tractor rally violence in the national capital on the Republic Day saying the government is already inquiring the matter and the Prime Minister has stated that law will take its own course.

Covid vaccine: Too early to say if booster dose needed

Covid vaccine: Too early to say if booster dose needed

Rediff.com30 Apr 2021

Initial data has shown immunity triggered by the two mRNA vaccines -- Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna -- lasts for at least six months

NEP, 4-year undergrad programme gets DU's implementation approval

NEP, 4-year undergrad programme gets DU's implementation approval

Rediff.com1 Sep 2021

The implementation of the NEP and four-year undergraduate programme were approved by the Standing Committee on Academic Matters and the Academic Council last week.

Vaccination for 12-14 age group likely from March: Govt expert

Vaccination for 12-14 age group likely from March: Govt expert

Rediff.com17 Jan 2022

Of the estimated 7.4 crore (7,40,57,000) population in the 15-18 age bracket, over 3.45 crore have received the first dose of Covaxin so far and their second dose is due in 28 days, he said.

Sensex ends 280 points higher on bank stocks' rally

Sensex ends 280 points higher on bank stocks' rally

Rediff.com23 Mar 2021

UltraTech Cement was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, rising 3.06 per cent, followed by IndusInd Bank, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Titan, Axis Bank, SBI and Reliance Industries. NSE Nifty advanced 78.35 pointsto close at 14,814.75.

Full Text: PM Modi's address to US Congress

Full Text: PM Modi's address to US Congress

Rediff.com23 Jun 2023

Here's the full text of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to a joint session of the United States Congress, delivered on Thursday.

Where does India fit in a Chinese world order?

Where does India fit in a Chinese world order?

Rediff.com14 Jul 2021

'India finds itself in an unenviable situation today with its prospects diminished by acutely polarised domestic politics and the setbacks suffered during the pandemic,' notes Ambassador Shyam Saran, the former foreign secretary.

Centre opens 10 joint secy level posts for 'outstanding individuals'

Centre opens 10 joint secy level posts for 'outstanding individuals'

Rediff.com10 Jun 2018

The initiative is being called lateral recruitment to senior positions in the government.

COVID-19 peak in India may arrive mid-Nov: Study

COVID-19 peak in India may arrive mid-Nov: Study

Rediff.com14 Jun 2020

There could be a paucity of isolation and ICU beds, and ventilators, according to a study.

Independent directors feel the heat as frauds take centre stage

Independent directors feel the heat as frauds take centre stage

Rediff.com16 Jun 2018

More than 1,000 independent directors have quit since January 2017; more could be on their way out

Gap in Covishield jabs: Govt rejects reports that experts dissented

Gap in Covishield jabs: Govt rejects reports that experts dissented

Rediff.com16 Jun 2021

The Union health ministry on Wednesday dismissed media reports claiming there was dissent from technical experts about increasing the gap between two Covishield doses and said the decision was based on scientific reason about the behaviour of adenovector vaccines.

Gold consumption highest among Indian middle-income group

Gold consumption highest among Indian middle-income group

Rediff.com12 Apr 2022

Consumption of gold is the highest among middle-income households - those with annual income between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 10 lakh - who account for an average of 56 per cent of gold sales over the last five years, according to a nationwide survey conducted by India Gold Policy Centre (IGPC) at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A). "Per capita consumption is highest among the rich, but total volume still rests with the middle-income group. "With increasing income, there is an increasing propensity to consume gold, although the share of gold in the portfolio does not increase with the same proportion of income," the survey report says.

FCRA challenge for foreign think tanks in India

FCRA challenge for foreign think tanks in India

Rediff.com28 Sep 2020

Funding challenges are not limited to just one think tank. Several scholars say that access for conducting research and getting foreign funds has become a major hurdle for think tanks, with the government raising many questions regarding such inflows. As a result, many think tanks are keeping a low profile and becoming less prolific.

Cabinet okays private participation in space sector

Cabinet okays private participation in space sector

Rediff.com24 Jun 2020

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the participation of the private sector in the entire range of space activities, including planetary exploration missions, Union minister Jitendra Singh said. The newly-created Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) will provide a level playing field for private companies to use Indian space infrastructure, Singh, who is the minister of state in the Prime Minister's Office, said.

Gold price likely to cross Rs 55,000/10gm in 2022

Gold price likely to cross Rs 55,000/10gm in 2022

Rediff.com30 Dec 2021

Gold, which lost its sheen to some extent in the second half of 2021, is likely to regain the glitter in the New Year and cross the Rs 55,000-per-10-grams level amid pandemic woes, inflation worries and stronger US dollar. After a stellar run up in 2020 when the yellow metal touched a record high of Rs 56,200 on the MCX in August, the prices are near Rs 48,000 per 10 grams now. This is roughly 14 per cent lower from the all-time highs and 4 per cent lesser compared to January 2021 levels.

Modi releases Namibian cheetahs in MP's Kuno National Park

Modi releases Namibian cheetahs in MP's Kuno National Park

Rediff.com17 Sep 2022

Seven decades after they became extinct in India, eight Cheetahs arrived in the country from Namibia by a special flight on Saturday morning and were released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park (KNP).

New date for Budget only after Acharya panel inputs

New date for Budget only after Acharya panel inputs

Rediff.com5 Sep 2016

February 6 or 8 likely options; development will be the main theme

Arvind Panagariya appointed vice-chairman of NITI Aayog

Arvind Panagariya appointed vice-chairman of NITI Aayog

Rediff.com5 Jan 2015

Pro-growth economist Arvind Panagariya has been appointed as first vice-chairman of the newly announced NITI Aayog, which has replaced the Planning Commission.

Of all farmers' demands, legalising MSP is tricky and highly complicated

Of all farmers' demands, legalising MSP is tricky and highly complicated

Rediff.com6 Dec 2021

Among the key demands of agitating farmers has been a legal guarantee on minimum support price (MSP). The protest reached a crescendo when thousands of farmers from Punjab and elsewhere marched towards Delhi late last year and decided to block the main entry points once they were denied entry. The Centre, on its part, held 11 rounds of discussions with the protesters and even offered to amend some of the provisions without much success. With now one of their chief demands met, farmers have now moved on to force the government to concede on MSP.

Hijab Row Can Hurt Indian Diplomacy

Hijab Row Can Hurt Indian Diplomacy

Rediff.com17 Feb 2022

India and Indians can ignore Pakistan, but that cannot be said of other nations in the neighbourhood, where New Delhi's 'Neighbourhood First' policy constantly reverberates. Four of the eight SAARC member-nations are Muslim -- Afghanistan and Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Maldives. The rulers decide the nation's India or anti-India policy in the first two, and street-opinion contributes to the same in the latter two, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

Omicron may be dominant strain globally in 2022, claim Singapore experts

Omicron may be dominant strain globally in 2022, claim Singapore experts

Rediff.com24 Dec 2021

The new and highly transmissible Omicron variant of the deadly coronavirus has increased immune escape compared with the Delta variant and appears likely to become the dominant SARS-CoV-2 strain globally in 2022, according to Singapore-based experts.

Covid-19: With great power comes great responsibility

Covid-19: With great power comes great responsibility

Rediff.com18 Jul 2020

Cities are setting the rules that now carry life and death implications for their residents, and most of these rules are sought to be set by the municipal authorities who have never wielded such power, reports Subhomoy Bhattacharjee.

Community transmission of COVID-19 well-established: Experts

Community transmission of COVID-19 well-established: Experts

Rediff.com1 Jun 2020

"It is unrealistic to expect that COVID-19 pandemic can be eliminated at this stage given that community transmission is already well-established across large sections or sub-populations in the country," the report said.

India will grow no matter who comes to power

India will grow no matter who comes to power

Rediff.com22 Jan 2019

'People always short-change the resilience of the economy.'

'Antibodies induced by Covishield and Covaxin gradually increase and decrease'

'Antibodies induced by Covishield and Covaxin gradually increase and decrease'

Rediff.com28 Dec 2021

'Antibodies remain in the blood for at least seven to nine months.'

Develop resources for better governance: PM to council of ministers

Develop resources for better governance: PM to council of ministers

Rediff.com14 Nov 2021

The 77 ministers have been divided into eight groups to develop technology-based resources, create a pool of professionals for recruiting in their teams and other similar initiatives to be adopted in the offices of all ministers' offices to bring more transparency and further improve and efficiency of the Modi government, the sources said.

Does India need booster shots to fight Omicron?

Does India need booster shots to fight Omicron?

Rediff.com12 Dec 2021

'Better to prevent than to wait for evidence. Protection delayed can also mean protection denied'

Dad steps down, Jayadev Galla helms Amara Raja

Dad steps down, Jayadev Galla helms Amara Raja

Rediff.com15 Jun 2021

'I have personally been very keen on investing in lithium ion battery technology for some time.'

Why India is unlikely to double farmers' income

Why India is unlikely to double farmers' income

Rediff.com2 May 2022

Earlier this month, the Central government said in a reply in Parliament it had taken measures to double farmers' income by the end of FY23 and the progress made so far indicated it was "on the right track". However, a close look at the data and at the assumptions made shows that as of now, it appears the country is unlikely to achieve the goal in real terms.

Rahul Bajaj, World's Favourite Indian

Rahul Bajaj, World's Favourite Indian

Rediff.com12 Apr 2022

'Rahul inspired Indian industry with an ethos, an ethos of being more confident, more independent, more thorough, more competitive, more generous, more public-spirited, and more national and more international all at once,' remembers Naushad Forbes.

'Gotabaya Rajapaksa may not resign'

'Gotabaya Rajapaksa may not resign'

Rediff.com12 Jul 2022

'There is fear that the president and prime minister are dragging their feet and won't resign.'