News for 'Department of Agriculture'

Modi raises H-1B visas issue with Biden: Foreign Secretary Shringla

Modi raises H-1B visas issue with Biden: Foreign Secretary Shringla

Rediff.com25 Sep 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his first-ever in-person meeting with President Joe Biden raised a number of issues involving the Indian community in America, including access for Indian professionals in the US and speaking about the H-1B visas, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla has said.

H-1B, L-1 visa fees to be hiked massively

H-1B, L-1 visa fees to be hiked massively

Rediff.com5 Jan 2023

The Biden administration has proposed a massive hike in immigration fees, including the much sought-after H-1B visas for high-skilled foreign workers, which is very popular among Indian tech professionals. Under the proposed rule, published by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Wednesday, the application for the H-1B visa increases from $460 to $780, and L-1 from $460 to $1,385. The application fee for O-1 visas has been proposed to increase from $460 to $1,055.

Govt rejects Walmart-Flipkart's bid to enter food retail sector

Govt rejects Walmart-Flipkart's bid to enter food retail sector

Rediff.com1 Jun 2020

The department for promotion of industry and internal trade has rejected Walmart-backed Flipkart's proposal seeking approval for entry to the food retail sector, citing a regulatory issue, an official said on Monday. The government permits 100 per cent foreign direct investment in food retail for food produced and manufactured in India.

Indian telcos surpass 3-year 5G rollout target in six months

Indian telcos surpass 3-year 5G rollout target in six months

Rediff.com1 Mar 2023

Indian telecom operators have surpassed the three- year 5G network rollout target given to them within six months and now the government is making efforts to enhance adoption of 5G applications across various key segments, a senior government official said in Barcelona. Department of Telecom Additional Secretary VL Kantha Rao told PTI at "India Evening" event on the sidelines of Mobile World Congress 2023 that the government has hosted over 50 companies at the India pavilion and the delegation is here to showcase indigenously-developed 4G and 5G technology stack. "When the spectrum was allocated to telecom service providers for 5G rollout, we gave a minimum rollout obligation saying that within one year they have to cover a few cities within three years, a few towns and so on and so forth.

Deep Sidhu, accused in Red Fort violence case, dies in accident

Deep Sidhu, accused in Red Fort violence case, dies in accident

Rediff.com16 Feb 2022

Actor and activist Deep Sidhu, accused of being the key conspirator of the Red Fort violence on Republic Day last year, died in a road accident on Kundli-Manesar-Palwal highway near Kharkhoda in Haryana's Sonipat, police said.

PM kicks off 'Rozgar Mela' to provide 10 lakh jobs

PM kicks off 'Rozgar Mela' to provide 10 lakh jobs

Rediff.com22 Oct 2022

In his address after more than 75,000 people were given appointment letters for various government jobs in the first tranche, Modi acknowledged the challenges facing the economy the world over with many countries hit by a record inflation and unemployment and said India is making every effort to come out of the situation unscathed.

'Government is doing the right thing'

'Government is doing the right thing'

Rediff.com27 Jul 2022

'It is building the country's infrastructure, and delivering it very efficiently.'

Power outage: Jalandhar MSMEs' new struggle

Power outage: Jalandhar MSMEs' new struggle

Rediff.com20 May 2022

With the Covid-19 pandemic showing signs of ebbing and economic activity picking up, factory owners in Jalandhar had hoped that the worst was over. However, the heat wave in April and extensive power cuts that came with it, have crushed their hopes. The city's large number of micro, medium and small enterprises (MSMEs) are now gearing up for yet another struggle, this time to survive with the shortage of power that is severely impacting their operations.

'You're drunk': Nitish yells at BJP MLAs in Bihar assembly

'You're drunk': Nitish yells at BJP MLAs in Bihar assembly

Rediff.com14 Dec 2022

According to Santosh Kumar, the superintendent of police of Saran district, three persons each have died in Isuapur and Mashrak police station areas after allegedly consuming spurious liquor on Tuesday night.

After non-basmati, govt bans export of broken rice

After non-basmati, govt bans export of broken rice

Rediff.com9 Sep 2022

After imposing 20 per cent export duty on non-basmati rice, the government has banned the export of broken rice with an aim to increase domestic availability, according to a government notification.

Gehlot allocates portfolios, retains home, finance

Gehlot allocates portfolios, retains home, finance

Rediff.com22 Nov 2021

The 15 ministers were sworn in on Sunday for the expanded Gehlot cabinet, fulfilling a key demand of former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot whose rebellion last year shook the state's Congress government.

MEA draws Capitol Hill parallel as US reacts to farmers' protest

MEA draws Capitol Hill parallel as US reacts to farmers' protest

Rediff.com5 Feb 2021

Hours after the Joe Biden Administration reacted to the farmer protests, India on Thursday said the comments must be seen in their entirety and compared reactions to the violence at the Red Fort with those seen after storming of the United States Capitol.

India faces its worst locust swarm in nearly 30 years

India faces its worst locust swarm in nearly 30 years

Rediff.com27 May 2020

According to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research Director General Trilochan Mohapatra, the insects have attacked about 40,000 hectares of land.

What Are The Aims Of India's Indo-Pacific Policy?

What Are The Aims Of India's Indo-Pacific Policy?

Rediff.com26 Jun 2023

India's historical focus on its continental borders has overshadowed its maritime ambitions, but that is changing quickly, notes Ajai Shukla.

Hizb chief's sons, 9 others sacked from govt jobs in J-K

Hizb chief's sons, 9 others sacked from govt jobs in J-K

Rediff.com10 Jul 2021

Syed Ahmad Shakeel and Shahid Yousuf, who are sons of Hizbul Mujahideen chief and one of the most wanted terrorists, Salahuddin, were also dismissed from service for allegedly being involved in terror funding, the officials said.

Above-normal rainfall likely in Sep but won't wipe deficit: IMD

Above-normal rainfall likely in Sep but won't wipe deficit: IMD

Rediff.com2 Sep 2021

Monsoon in August was almost 24 per cent below normal, which was the sixth driest August since 1901. It came on the back of a 7-per cent monsoon shortfall in July.

'Heat wave kills people on a large scale'

'Heat wave kills people on a large scale'

Rediff.com23 Feb 2023

'Already, the temperature has touched 39 degrees in some parts of Gujarat and now we are in the last week of February.' 'We need to activate the heat action plan from March 1.'

The Politics behind the Budget

The Politics behind the Budget

Rediff.com2 Feb 2021

The BJP would want that by March 2022, when UP votes, the economy starts looking up and it heads into the polls with no other issue distracting from its main poll plank of the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Data on India's burgeoning farm exports is not correct

Data on India's burgeoning farm exports is not correct

Rediff.com17 Nov 2020

A closer look at the data reveals that a lot of the items are not part of this calculation. The notable ones include buffalo meat, marine exports, raw cotton, and plantation crops such as tea, coffee, rubber, etc.

Videos of 'locusts' in Mumbai go viral, officials debunk claim

Videos of 'locusts' in Mumbai go viral, officials debunk claim

Rediff.com28 May 2020

Maharashtra state disaster management officials said no locust swarm was spotted in Mumbai. "The viral images and videos have been wrongly attributed as being from Mumbai," an official said.

Safe to consume milk from LSD-infected cattle: IVRI official

Safe to consume milk from LSD-infected cattle: IVRI official

Rediff.com14 Sep 2022

Lumpy Skin Disease has spread in more than a dozen states including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana.

'We are closing loopholes exploited by highest level of taxpayers'

'We are closing loopholes exploited by highest level of taxpayers'

Rediff.com3 Feb 2023

'...Market-linked debentures, high-value insurance, exemptions from capital gains by investment in real estate, etc.' 'So, there are a number of measures directed at collecting a fair share from higher income individuals.'

PM unveils Gati Shakti master plan for infrastructure

PM unveils Gati Shakti master plan for infrastructure

Rediff.com13 Oct 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched a Rs 100 lakh crore national master plan for multi-modal connectivity that aims to develop infrastructure to reduce logistic costs and boost the economy. PM Gati Shakti targets to cut logistic costs, increase cargo handling capacity and reduce the turnaround time, Modi said at a function to launch the plan. The plan aims to lend more power and speed to projects by connecting all concerned departments on one platform, he said, adding the infrastructure schemes of various ministries and state governments will be designed and executed with a common vision.

As kharif season sets in, India eyes long-term fertiliser contracts

As kharif season sets in, India eyes long-term fertiliser contracts

Rediff.com7 Jun 2022

As the kharif season is setting in, India is scrambling to source fertilisers from the international market. It is set to sign long-term contracts - especially with Morocco and Latin American countries - to ensure steady flow of supplies. "We have to source fertilisers wherever it is available because crops have to be secured.

Kharif crop sowing picks up pace as monsoon moves in

Kharif crop sowing picks up pace as monsoon moves in

Rediff.com27 Jun 2020

Data from department of agriculture showed that kharif crops had been sown in around 31.56 million hectares till Friday, which was 104.25 per cent more than the same period last year. Acreage of almost all crops was higher than last year.

Borewell accidents still taking place despite SC guidelines

Borewell accidents still taking place despite SC guidelines

Rediff.com15 Jun 2022

The guidelines issued by the top court on February 11, 2010 included setting up barbed wire fencing around the well during construction, using a steel plate covers fixed with bolts over the well assembly and filling up of borewells from the bottom to the ground level among others.

Mamata calls emergency meeting as heatwave lashes Bengal

Mamata calls emergency meeting as heatwave lashes Bengal

Rediff.com26 Apr 2022

Bankura continued to top the maximum temperature chart at 43.7 degrees Celsius, while Panagarh in Paschim Bardhaman district followed closely at 43.5 degrees Celsius, the weather office said.

Premature to link extreme heat in India, Pak solely to climate change: WMO

Premature to link extreme heat in India, Pak solely to climate change: WMO

Rediff.com30 Apr 2022

The global body added that national meteorological and hydrological departments in both countries are working closely with health and disaster management agencies to roll out heat health action plans.

Maha portfolios: Ajit Pawar gets finance; Aaditya tourism

Maha portfolios: Ajit Pawar gets finance; Aaditya tourism

Rediff.com5 Jan 2020

With this allocation of portfolios, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP has got most of the 'plum' ministries.

Very Quick Snacks For 2023

Very Quick Snacks For 2023

Rediff.com31 Dec 2022

Whip up spreads on the double, especially when supplies run low.

Centre spent Rs 7.95 cr on campaign to promote farm laws

Centre spent Rs 7.95 cr on campaign to promote farm laws

Rediff.com12 Feb 2021

The Agriculture Ministry has incurred an expenditure of Rs 67,99,750 on production of three promotional and two educational films on the farm laws for its wider publicity through electronic media, social media and webinars.

Imports from Russia jump 33% to $1.1 bn in March

Imports from Russia jump 33% to $1.1 bn in March

Rediff.com9 May 2022

Shipments from Russia rose nearly 33 per cent to $1.1 billion in March from $831.17 million in the previous month, which was when the country mounted aggression on Ukraine and faced sanctions from Western nations, the data accessed by Business Standard shows. Growth in imports was largely on account of oil, people aware of the matter said. The Department of Commerce is learnt to have written to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), seeking details of imports, including the payment mechanism, which India has not made public.

Congress MP dies of heart attack during Bharat Jodo; yatra halted for 24 hours

Congress MP dies of heart attack during Bharat Jodo; yatra halted for 24 hours

Rediff.com14 Jan 2023

The two-time MP was taking part in the Rahul Gandhi-led march in Phillaur in Jalandhar where he fainted, said senior party leader Partap Singh Bajwa, who was also marching in the yatra.

Vizhinjam Port: Between Protest, Promise And Reality

Vizhinjam Port: Between Protest, Promise And Reality

Rediff.com1 Dec 2022

Big-ticket investments taking off is crucial for Kerala given the years it lost to labour militancy courtesy the same political forces currently in power, explains Shyam G Menon.

Maharashtra grocery shops to be open only from 7-11 am

Maharashtra grocery shops to be open only from 7-11 am

Rediff.com20 Apr 2021

The new restriction will come into effect from 8 pm on Tuesday and remain effective till 7 am on May 1.

Bill Gates on how to tackle climate change challenges

Bill Gates on how to tackle climate change challenges

Rediff.com18 Nov 2019

Gates, who is also co-chair in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, further said since the issue of climate change is "complicated", different interventions are required to be taken including developing new variety of seeds and their distribution to farmers.

100 cities in six months: Govt's ambitious ONDC pilots on Friday

100 cities in six months: Govt's ambitious ONDC pilots on Friday

Rediff.com28 Apr 2022

This will be done across five cities - Delhi, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Bhopal, and Shillong. Thereafter, it will be scaled up and launched in 100 cities over a period of six months, said a senior government official.

How BJP hopes to gain by taking Kuldeep Bishnoi into its fold

How BJP hopes to gain by taking Kuldeep Bishnoi into its fold

Rediff.com10 Aug 2022

According to experts, Bishnoi had been sulking since the Congress ignored him for the post of its Haryana unit chief during a revamp earlier this year.

TN girl's death: Collector, SP shifted; govt assures support to family

TN girl's death: Collector, SP shifted; govt assures support to family

Rediff.com19 Jul 2022

State School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi said he and Public Works Department Minister EV Velu consoled the parents of the girl whose body was found in the school hostel on July 13.

Govt depts to add over 1.4 lakh jobs between 2019 and March 1, 2021

Govt depts to add over 1.4 lakh jobs between 2019 and March 1, 2021

Rediff.com1 Feb 2021

Over 1.4 lakh jobs are estimated to be created between March 2019 and March 2021 in various central government departments, according to the Union Budget presented on Monday. The strength of government establishments was 32,71,113 as on March 1, 2019, which is estimated to increase to 34,14,226 by the first day of next month - an increase of 1,43,113, it said. The budget documents have given a break-up of the jobs estimated to be created in central government departments between 2019 and March 2021.