Growth in 2012-13 slipped to a decade-low of 4.5 per cent. The economy expanded 4.6 per cent in the first half (April-September) of this financial year.
'We are asking for the resignation of the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government for killing six farmers in Mandsaur district.' 'His is a killer government.' 'The anti-farmer policies of these state governments have brought ruin for the farmers.'
The textile sector will get a major boost in terms of infrastructure in next 100 days with the government opening two integrated textile parks, pumping in additional resources of Rs 1,660 crore (Rs 16.60 billion) for cotton MSP and launching training programmes for 50,000 weavers.
The decision to increase the minimum support price of various grades of paddy and different pulses was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. The support price for common paddy will now stand at Rs 950 a quintal, while the A-grade variety would get Rs 980 per quintal -- an increase of Rs 100 a quintal for both.
Most key rabi-producing states of north India, such as Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, have staggered their procurement to enable farmers to come in batches, so that there is no overcrowding. The Centre has also set up a call centre to coordinate the inter-state movement of farm commodities.
Falling incomes and longer winter to translate into lower demand for at least some months.
Yechury recounted the non-violent traditions of the country citing the Maurya Empire's acceptance of the Buddhist philosophy.
Attributing price rise to global factors and higher Minimum Support Price (MSP), Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said the government has tried to protect the interest of poor people by maintaining supply through the PDS system.
Announcing the decision after the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, Finance Minister P Chiadambaram said this is an ad-hoc measure and the recommendation of Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices has been referred to the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council. The CACP had recommended the paddy MSP at Rs 1,000 per quintal for 2008-09 Kharif season.
India must do away with policy paralysis to ensure growth in agriculture.
The Defence sector is unhappy with the Sixth Pay Commission. The points of discontent include the fact that the Military Service Pay will only begin from the date of acceptance of the award possibly 3 months from now even as their civilian counterparts will get salary arrears from January 2006 onwards. Defence officers want to be compensated for the interim period vis--vis their civilian colleagues. They are also unhappy with the quantification of arduous service conditions.
The biggest disappointment was the compromise on the promised corporate tax reduction path.
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.
Retail prices of pulses have shot up 25-30 per cent in the last one year, forcing the government to ban exports and ease imports of the commodity.
'Some farmers know when elections are due.' 'Before that, they take loans.' 'They then ask their farmer unions for loan waivers and the political party who shouts first about a loan waiver (gets the votes).'
The WTO has fixed an external reference price (ERP) for rice at Rs 3.52 per kg
With grain procurement target significantly higher, FCI is faced with storage space shortage.
The initiative would provide double the relief announced by the states of UP and Maharashtra, the Punjab CM said.
'People were very upset with the fake promises of the BJP in the 2012 assembly elections as well as general elections of 2014.' 'This vote is against the BJP, Narendra Modi and Anandiben Patel.' 'Modi is the prime minister but in his hometown the Congress is winning. We have has got positive votes.' As the Congress makes gains in the Gujarat civic elections, former state Congress president Arjun Modhwadia explains the reasons for the BJP' s poor show.
Just before the elections, the government waived interest on loans up to Rs 300,000 for farmers. But this may not really help small and marginal farmers in the state, who make up for two-thirds of the total and are still dependent on informal channels of credit.
The 7th Pay Commission has recommended more than doubling the 'Military Service Pay' to defence personnel, and suggested that Short Service Commissioned Officers should be allowed to exit the Armed Forces at any point in time between 7 and 10 years of service.
Principal opposition Congress too staged a walk out saying its members should have been the first ones to speak but were being denied a chance.
The Congress is seeking to oust the BJP government in Haryana in the October 21 polls.
Indians want change and progress. They should be willing to accept tough decisions, says Sanjeev Nayyar.
He, however, expressed confidence that a series of state-specific alliances, where like-minded parties would come together on an anti-BJP platform, was likely for the 2019 general election.
Inflation, as measured on the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), has been in the negative zone since November 2014.
As per the final tally, of the total 81 seats, the Congress won 73, followed by the BJP which bagged six seats. The Shiv Sena just about managed to open its account with one seat, and an independent candidate won one seat.
Hazare said he was giving the government six months time till August to come good on its assurance and warned that his protest will again begin in September if the demands were not met.
The prime minister said he himself is an example of Ambedkar's philosophy.
He said discussions are still going on with various parties over forging an opposition alliance.
In his letter to the prime minister, Hazare said he would continue the campaign in the capital till the Lokayukta is not appointed and the Swaminathan Commission Report is not implemented.
The savings would be better spent and might actually reach the poor, says Rahul Khullar.
'According to politicians, farmers are the fourth grade citizens of India.' 'We farmers could meet the prime minister and ministers during Congress rule.' 'But none of the BJP ministers want to even meet us.' 'The prime minister has time only for foreigners, but has no time to meet us farmers.'
Fadnavis assured them of transferring land rights within the next three months.
When farmers are deprived of fair MSP and jawans of the OROP, it is not the right time to hike salaries/pension for MPs, said the Congress.
According to government's estimates, there are around 110 million APL families in the country, who get 11-25 kg of foodgrain a month.
But the measures, particularly in agriculture, may not be enough to revive the sector and double the farm income, says S Mahendra Dev.
The issue of lynchings resonated in the Rajya Sabha; while in the Lok Sabha, the Opposition accused the government of not being sensitive towards farmers' issues.
Upset over the valuation, Sudhakar Darade returned home and threw 13 quintals of onion in his field.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances