News for 'Directorate of Agriculture'

BJP activist's murder: 2 with suspected links to PFI arrested

BJP activist's murder: 2 with suspected links to PFI arrested

Rediff.com28 Jul 2022

The killing led to tension and protests at several places in the coastal district on Wednesday with instances of stone-pelting and police lathi-charge.

Met Department forecasts normal monsoon this year

Met Department forecasts normal monsoon this year

Rediff.com1 Jun 2021

Mohapatra said there is a 40 per cent chance of a normal rainfall, 22 per cent above normal, 12 per cent excess and 18 per cent below normal.

'Adani affair overshadowed Budget's stability, prudence'

'Adani affair overshadowed Budget's stability, prudence'

Rediff.com6 Feb 2023

'That is the one headline the world is reading about India this week, and it is a potentially damaging story...' 'I don't think a panic mentality has set in, but this story is one that investors and market watchers are absolutely seized with.'

India facing a bumper wheat crop, shows data

India facing a bumper wheat crop, shows data

Rediff.com28 Jan 2020

Data compiled by National Collateral Management Services (NCML, a non-government body) shows a 6.3 per cent rise to 109 million tonnes (mt). The Union ministry of agriculture's first advance estimate was 100.5 mt, as compared to 102 mt in last year's fourth advance estimate.

Cop made to do sit-ups for stopping agri officer's vehicle

Cop made to do sit-ups for stopping agri officer's vehicle

Rediff.com21 Apr 2020

The incident, whose video has gone viral on the social media, occurred near Surajpur pul (bridge) under Jokihat police station area on Monday when chowkidar Ganesh Lal Tatma halted the vehicle of District Agriculture Officer Manoj Kumar and asked for the pass needed to move around during the lockdown imposed in the wake of coronavirus pandemic.

ED arrests AAP's Himachal incharge Satyendar Jain in money laundering case

ED arrests AAP's Himachal incharge Satyendar Jain in money laundering case

Rediff.com30 May 2022

The Enforcement Directorate on Monday arrested Delhi minister Satyendar Jain in connection with a money laundering case, officials said.

'Marvellous accomplishment': ISRO successfully places 3 satellites into orbit

'Marvellous accomplishment': ISRO successfully places 3 satellites into orbit

Rediff.com14 Feb 2022

ISRO, in a tweet, said EOS-04 was placed into an intended sun synchronous polar orbit of 529 km altitude at 6.17 am.

How Haryana govt helped Patanjali to buy lands illegally

How Haryana govt helped Patanjali to buy lands illegally

Rediff.com24 Jun 2019

When agricultural holdings get fragmented over years, the state government has the power to step in and help farmers pool their land parcels for improving land productivity, after which the pooled land is divided up into larger plots. Instead of the fragments they hold, a farmer gets a single contiguous patch of an equal size. But, it is done only for agricultural holdings. In Kot village, however, the consolidation has been ordered for the entire village land, including the hilly forested commons, which are already pooled. This is not the first time that the Haryana government has attempted such a consolidation of Kot common lands.

Tata Motors rolls out India's first CNG-powered truck in M&HCV segment

Tata Motors rolls out India's first CNG-powered truck in M&HCV segment

Rediff.com6 Sep 2022

Tata Motors on Monday launched the country's first CNG truck in the medium and heavy commercial (M&HCV) vehicle segment in the 28- and 19-tonne nodes. Most truck makers, including Tata Motors, currently offer CNG only in the small and light commercial vehicle segments. The company also launched a fleet of seven trucks in the intermediary and light commercial vehicle (I&LCV) segment, meant for varied applications.

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.

US calls for dialogue to resolve farmer protests

US calls for dialogue to resolve farmer protests

Rediff.com5 Feb 2021

Recognising that peaceful protests are a hallmark of a thriving democracy, the United States has said that it encourages dialogue between the protesting farmers and the Indian government to resolve their differences.

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.

Will the entry of PEs into banks lead to better governance?

Will the entry of PEs into banks lead to better governance?

Rediff.com24 Mar 2022

Private equity (PE) is set to play a bigger role in banks. Of 21 recommendations accepted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) out of 31 made by its Internal Working Group (IWG), its stance on non-promoter holdings in private banks is seen with excitement, though it doesn't refer to PEs explicitly. On non-promoter holdings in these banks, the RBI said this will be capped at 10 per cent of the paid-up voting equity share capital in the case "of natural persons and non-financial institutions and entities"; and "at 15 per cent for all categories of financial institutions, entities, supranational institutions, public sector undertaking, or the government." While this is a modification of the IWG's stance for the non-promoter holding in banks at up to 15 per cent, it does open up a huge window for PEs, all the same. This is because, while the RBI has remained silent on the eligibility of industrial houses for bank licences, fresh high-quality capital in large amounts can only come from PEs.

Sikh-Americans hold protest in US against India's farm laws

Sikh-Americans hold protest in US against India's farm laws

Rediff.com6 Dec 2020

A large car caravan of protesters from various parts of California blocked the traffic on the Bay Bridge on Saturday as they moved towards the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, while several hundreds gathered in downtown Indianapolis.

Microsoft partners Invest India to support tech startups

Microsoft partners Invest India to support tech startups

Rediff.com24 Aug 2021

Microsoft India on Tuesday said it has collaborated with Invest India to support tech startups in the country. As part of the partnership, the Microsoft for Startups programme will work closely with Accelerating Growth of New India's Innovations (AGNIi Mission) - a programme of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, a statement said. Housed and executed by Invest India, AGNIi Mission helps startups become enterprise-ready.

Drones still can't deliver packages even in green zones

Drones still can't deliver packages even in green zones

Rediff.com8 Jul 2020

Use cases for drones are, however, immense - industrial inspections, geospatial surveys, agricultural surveys, and general surveillance and security.

90 tonnes of Egyptian onions arrive in mandis

90 tonnes of Egyptian onions arrive in mandis

Rediff.com29 Aug 2015

Private traders had placed orders early this month with Egyptian suppliers at $320 a tonne

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.

Why govt fund and monsoon failed to lift rural economy

Why govt fund and monsoon failed to lift rural economy

Rediff.com22 Oct 2019

Although demonetisation and improper implementation of GST along with falling prices are being blamed for much of the distress in rural India for some time, experts believe those may not be the only reason.

Switch To ORGANIC LEARNING Now!

Switch To ORGANIC LEARNING Now!

Rediff.com23 Jun 2022

Reading books will make you curious, build your imagination and nourish your brain into an organic super power.

Exports rise 5.37% in Jan; trade deficit narrows to $14.75 bn

Exports rise 5.37% in Jan; trade deficit narrows to $14.75 bn

Rediff.com2 Feb 2021

The country's exports grew 5.37 per cent year-on-year to $27.24 billion in January 2021, mainly driven by healthy growth in pharma and engineering sectors, according to provisional data of the commerce ministry. Trade deficit during the month narrowed to $14.75 billion from $15.3 billion in January 2020. It was $15.44 billion in December 2020. Imports in January 2021 rose 2 per cent to $42 billion.

Industry lauds PM's vision of 'techade'

Industry lauds PM's vision of 'techade'

Rediff.com15 Aug 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to make this decade a "techade" for India and the push for 5G, semiconductors and transformation through digital services is going to boost the technology sector in the country, industry players said on Monday. Modi, in his speech on the 76th Independence Day, touched upon all-round development of technology in the country, from 5G to push for electronic chips, laying of optical fibre cable (OFC) network across villages and enablement of digital entrepreneurship in villages through Common Services Centres, making the present decade as "techade" for India. Homegrown mobile devices maker Lava International's Chairman and Managing Director Hari Om Rai said electronics and technology sectors create about $4 trillion of revenue.

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.

Another locust attack likely in a few weeks: Officials

Another locust attack likely in a few weeks: Officials

Rediff.com9 Jun 2020

The summer and rainy weather is favourable for locusts and they move from one place to another during this time, travelling 150 km in a day.

11 govt banks don't have a chairman!

11 govt banks don't have a chairman!

Rediff.com14 Sep 2021

The annual earnings of a non-executive chairman of a PSB is capped at Rs 10 lakh, inclusive of fees for attending board meetings. This is way below the compensation of the chairman of any private bank, reveals Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

SC disagrees with concerns over panel to look into farm laws

SC disagrees with concerns over panel to look into farm laws

Rediff.com19 Jan 2021

The remarks of the apex court, which also said there is a 'peculiar lack of comprehension' about constitution of a panel, assumes importance as some of the members of the recently constituted committee to resolve the deadlock between farmers and the centre over the farm laws had earlier reportedly expressed their views on the subject.

'We are sitting on a time bomb'

'We are sitting on a time bomb'

Rediff.com27 Feb 2023

'An earthquake of a slightly higher magnitude in the Western Himalayan region is going to be catastrophic -- not just because of the fragility of the region but because of how densely we have occupied it.'

Modi inaugurates railway, Kochi Metro Phase II projects in Kerala

Modi inaugurates railway, Kochi Metro Phase II projects in Kerala

Rediff.com1 Sep 2022

The prime minister, who is on a two-day visit to the state, inaugurated, laid the foundation stone of and dedicated to the nation, railway and metro projects in the state worth Rs 4,500 crore.

'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.'

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.

Farm scientists against bureaucrats as recruitment panel head

Farm scientists against bureaucrats as recruitment panel head

Rediff.com10 Jul 2018

In a letter to the PM, they say appointing a bureaucrat will lead to regular interference in the process of talent search

New farm laws a major boost for FPOs

New farm laws a major boost for FPOs

Rediff.com22 Oct 2020

The reforms will help FPOs procure directly from farmers, something that they have been pressing for long.

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.

Banks' NPAs never went away, they were only hidden

Banks' NPAs never went away, they were only hidden

Rediff.com26 May 2022

Indeed, there were frauds, and the politician-banker-industrialist nexus played a role in the rise of NPAs, but governance issues in Indian banking are far more nuanced and complex, reveals Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

'Locusts don't attack people'

'Locusts don't attack people'

Rediff.com28 May 2020

'They attack standing crops and vegetables.' 'They don't attack people.' 'People are just panicking.'

Ukraine war: Falling rupee unlikely to shore up India's exports

Ukraine war: Falling rupee unlikely to shore up India's exports

Rediff.com15 Mar 2022

India's exports are unlikely to get an immediate boost from a depreciating rupee, which touched an all-time low on Monday, driven by rising commodity prices. The rupee fell to 76.97 against the dollar earlier in the day, settling 1.05 per cent weaker than the previous close. Oil prices soared to their highest since 2008 on Monday at $139 per barrel, after the US and European allies explored a Russian oil import ban, while delays in the potential return of Iranian crude oil to global markets increased supply fears.

Focus is on Bharat despite fiscal challenges

Focus is on Bharat despite fiscal challenges

Rediff.com2 Feb 2018

But the measures, particularly in agriculture, may not be enough to revive the sector and double the farm income, says S Mahendra Dev.

Vashi market to shut for a week, Mumbai faces vegetable shortage

Vashi market to shut for a week, Mumbai faces vegetable shortage

Rediff.com9 May 2020

The government of Maharashtra decided to shut operations at APMC Vashi mandi between May 11 and 17 after confirmed cases of Covid-19 surpassed 80 in the APMC and over 450 across Navi Mumbai, where the mandi is located.

How Amul bucked Covid blues to launch 100 products during lockdown

How Amul bucked Covid blues to launch 100 products during lockdown

Rediff.com23 Jul 2022

The dairy major is transforming into a full-fledged F&B and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) player, reports Vinay Umarji.

With 300 mn Indians in its fold, cooperative sector awaits big-bang reforms

With 300 mn Indians in its fold, cooperative sector awaits big-bang reforms

Rediff.com27 Jul 2021

About 150 years ago, in British India, big farmers in the western region of Maharashtra agitated over unfair lending practices and demanded a more fair and inclusive financing structure. People say this is where the seeds of the cooperative movement, now omnipresent in the country, were sown. Today, more than 800,000 cooperative societies thrive in India, with 300 million members, a number close to the population of the United States. Despite a reach this deep--grass roots as they call it--cooperatives do not occupy a lion's share in the Indian economy.