News for 'Ministry of Food'

Give free ration to 8 cr migrants within 15 days: Centre to states

Give free ration to 8 cr migrants within 15 days: Centre to states

Rediff.com16 May 2020

According to the food ministry, about 142 lakh migrants will benefit in Uttar Pradesh and in Bihar (86.45 lakh), Maharasthra (70 lakh), West Bengal (60.1 lakh), Madhya Pradesh (54.64 lakh), Rajasthan (44.66 lakh), Karnataka (40.19 lakh), Gujarat (38.25 lakh), Tamil Nadu (35.73 lakh), Jharkhand (26.37 lakh), Andhra Pradesh (26.82 lakh) and Assam (25.15 lakh).

Rajapaksa emails resignation from Singapore, formal announcement on Friday

Rajapaksa emails resignation from Singapore, formal announcement on Friday

Rediff.com14 Jul 2022

Speaker's media secretary Indunil Abeywardena said a resignation letter from President Rajapaksa has been received through the Sri Lanka high commission in Singapore.

Food grains: Danger signals crop up

Food grains: Danger signals crop up

Rediff.com5 Oct 2010

This year's kharif output may be higher than last year but it will be short of 2007 or 2008 levels.

'President Murmu won't compromise on principles'

'President Murmu won't compromise on principles'

Rediff.com14 Jul 2023

There were many people who wanted to seek favours from her by offering lakhs and crores of rupees even through her family members when she was Odisha's transport minister. She never allowed any kind of corrupt practices to touch her department officials, family members or the supporters who have stood by her.

Senior diplomat heads Indian team to Kabul on first visit since Taliban takeover

Senior diplomat heads Indian team to Kabul on first visit since Taliban takeover

Rediff.com2 Jun 2022

India has sent a team to Kabul to oversee the delivery of India's humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and hold discussions with the Taliban over the aid provided by New Delhi.

India denies reports of sending troops to Sri Lanka

India denies reports of sending troops to Sri Lanka

Rediff.com11 May 2022

'The High Commission would like to categorically deny speculative reports in sections of media and social media about #India sending her troops to Sri Lanka. These reports and such views are also not in keeping with the position of the Government of #India,' the Indian mission said on Twitter.

India to host G20 summit in 2023; Goyal appointed Sherpa

India to host G20 summit in 2023; Goyal appointed Sherpa

Rediff.com7 Sep 2021

Making the announcement, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday that India will hold the G20 presidency from December 1, 2022, and will convene the G20 leaders' summit in 2023 for the first time.

India stands with Sri Lankan people, says MEA amid political turmoil

India stands with Sri Lankan people, says MEA amid political turmoil

Rediff.com10 Jul 2022

MEA xpokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India continues to closely follow the developments in Sri Lanka and that it is aware of the many challenges that the country and its people have been facing.

India sends first shipment of 2,500 tonne wheat to Afghanistan via Pak

India sends first shipment of 2,500 tonne wheat to Afghanistan via Pak

Rediff.com22 Feb 2022

In a ceremony held in Amritsar, foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla along with Afghan ambassador Farid Mamundzay and World Food Program Country director Bishaw Parajuli flagged off the first convoy of 50 trucks carrying the consignment.

Situation in Sudan very tense, focusing on safety of Indians: Govt

Situation in Sudan very tense, focusing on safety of Indians: Govt

Rediff.com20 Apr 2023

Spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Arindam Bagchi said India is keeping a close watch on developments in Sudan.

State funeral for Paswan, flag to fly at half mast today

State funeral for Paswan, flag to fly at half mast today

Rediff.com9 Oct 2020

"The national flag will be flown at half mast on October 9 in Delhi and capitals of all states and UTs where it is regularly flown, and also on the day of the funeral at the place where the funeral takes place," a home ministry spokesperson said.

Why Bank HRs Are Under Pressure Suddenly

Why Bank HRs Are Under Pressure Suddenly

Rediff.com10 Nov 2022

Employees across segments, including those involved in specialised jobs such as technology, compliance and risk management, have started leaving the bank fold in hordes, observes Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

WPI inflation hit 4-month high of 14.55% in Mar

WPI inflation hit 4-month high of 14.55% in Mar

Rediff.com18 Apr 2022

The wholesale price-based inflation rose to a four-month high of 14.55 per cent in March, mainly due to hardening of crude oil and commodity prices, even though vegetables witnessed easing of price pressures. As per the government data released on Monday, WPI inflation has remained in double digits for the 12th consecutive month beginning April 2021. The last time such a level of WPI was recorded was in November 2021, when inflation was 14.87 per cent.

'Under very difficult circumstances, people are going above and beyond the call of duty'

'Under very difficult circumstances, people are going above and beyond the call of duty'

Rediff.com29 May 2020

'It has been a phenomenal effort at all levels of the government.' 'People were working 15-16 hour shifts in the central government, in the state governments, in the districts....'

Modi meets Putin in Samarkand, urges him to end war in Ukraine

Modi meets Putin in Samarkand, urges him to end war in Ukraine

Rediff.com16 Sep 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday pushed Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the conflict in Ukraine, saying 'today's era is not of war' even as he called for finding ways to address the global food and energy security crisis.

Budget 2022: Centre may not target sharp fiscal correction

Budget 2022: Centre may not target sharp fiscal correction

Rediff.com28 Dec 2021

While presenting her 2021-22 Union Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had set a fiscal deficit target of 6.8 per cent of nominal gross domestic product (GDP) against the 2020-21 Revised Estimate of 9.5 per cent. The fiscal correction in the upcoming 2022-23 Union Budget is unlikely to be that steep. Even as discussions among top Budget-makers are ongoing, the fiscal deficit target for 2022-23 may likely be in the range of 6.5-6.8 per cent.

Sri Lanka deploys troops, military vehicles on Colombo's streets

Sri Lanka deploys troops, military vehicles on Colombo's streets

Rediff.com11 May 2022

Sri Lankan authorities on Wednesday deployed troops and military vehicles in the streets to ensure public security in the capital amidst nationwide protests over the government's failure to tackle the worst economic crisis.

Did poverty and inequality spike during Covid?

Did poverty and inequality spike during Covid?

Rediff.com20 Mar 2023

Claims of a spike in poverty and inequality in India during the Covid-19 pandemic are patently false as such claims are based on uncomparable different surveys, according to a paper co-authored by eminent economist Arvind Panagariya. The paper also noted that inequality fell in the country during Covid years, both in rural and urban areas as well as nationally. Panagariya, Columbia University Professor and former vice chairman of NITI Aayog and Vishal More of Intelink Advisors, New Delhi have co-authored a detailed paper 'Poverty and Inequality in India: Before and After Covid-19'.

What Nirmalaji Must Include In The Budget Speech

What Nirmalaji Must Include In The Budget Speech

Rediff.com31 Jan 2023

The real requirement for the finance minister's explanatory speech is to explain the measures taken in the Budget to influence inflation and growth not just through the announcement of a deficit goal, but more broadly through the impact on money supply, consumer demand, foreign trade and investment, explains Nitin Desai.

Heatwave: Centre asks states to review health preparedness

Heatwave: Centre asks states to review health preparedness

Rediff.com1 May 2022

In a letter to the states/UTs on Saturday, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan requested them to disseminate the guideline document 'National Action Plan on Heat Related Illnesses' to all districts for effective management of cases of heatwave.

'The situation in Manipur is hopeless'

'The situation in Manipur is hopeless'

Rediff.com1 Jun 2023

'The central government forces are supporting one group and the state government forces are supporting another group and this is resulting in non-stop cross-firing, which has resulted in the killing of many innocent people.'

WPI inflation cools to 4-month low of 1% in March

WPI inflation cools to 4-month low of 1% in March

Rediff.com15 Apr 2020

As per commerce and industry ministry data, food inflation fell to 4.91 per cent in March from 7.79 per cent in the previous month.

The curious case of $1-billion SBI loan to debt ridden-Sri Lanka

The curious case of $1-billion SBI loan to debt ridden-Sri Lanka

Rediff.com31 May 2022

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on March 17 had announced that State Bank of India (SBI) would extend a term loan of $1 billion to Sri Lanka, fully guaranteed by the Indian government, and this was part of India's financial aid to the troubled island nation. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi was quoted saying by news agency PTI that the loan would be used for importing food, medicines, and other essential items. "India has always stood with the people of Sri Lanka and we will continue to extend all possible support at this juncture.

SJM warns govt over 'dangerous' GM mustard

SJM warns govt over 'dangerous' GM mustard

Rediff.com28 Oct 2022

The Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) on Friday opposed a regulatory body's recommendation for environmental release of genetically modified mustard, calling it "dangerous" and urged the Centre to ensure that the crop's seed is not allowed to be planted "now or ever". In a letter to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, the RSS-affiliated organisation accused the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) of functioning in an "irresponsible fashion" and said the claims made in support of genetically modified (GM) mustard were "completely untrue, unsubstantiated and wrongly projected". "Swadeshi Jagran Manch has all along been opposing this dangerous and unneeded GM mustard being brought in through the backdoor as a public sector genetically modified organism (GMO)," organisation co-convenor Ashwani Mahajan said in the letter.

WPI inflation eases to 0.16% in October

WPI inflation eases to 0.16% in October

Rediff.com14 Nov 2019

For manufactured products, the wholesale inflation was at (-)0.84 per cent in October 2019.

'Hamas is not stupid'

'Hamas is not stupid'

Rediff.com25 Oct 2023

'The Israeli government is saying, "OK, leave northern Gaza, because we're going to fight Hamas there".' 'But Hamas is not stupid. They are going to put militants in southern Gaza too. And then what's Israel going to do?' 'At some point are they going to say, 'Leave southern Gaza too because we want to fight Hamas there? Go across the border to Egypt"'? 'That's what people are worried about. Because they fear that once they cross the border into Egypt there will be no coming back.'

7 major food items that India imports

7 major food items that India imports

Rediff.com13 Sep 2011

India's import trade is regulated by the office of the Director General of Foreign Trade and its regional offices functioning under the Ministry of Commerce.

Retail inflation up at 6.09% in June

Retail inflation up at 6.09% in June

Rediff.com13 Jul 2020

The inflation figures are based on data collected from limited markets in view of the restrictions imposed on account of coronavirus pandemic.

Lanka 'probes' Indian media report on LTTE planning attack

Lanka 'probes' Indian media report on LTTE planning attack

Rediff.com15 May 2022

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is currently facing public demand for his resignation over his mishandling of the economic crisis, is the man who ruthlessly ended Sri Lanka's nearly 30-year civil war with the LTTE with the death of its supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran in 2009.

FMCG companies' stand against paper straws fizzles out

FMCG companies' stand against paper straws fizzles out

Rediff.com12 May 2022

The six billion plastic straws sold with every small tetra pack of juice, milk, lassi, coffee and other drinks can be replaced by paper straws to protect the environment but it will have to be done in phases. That was the message of the presentation made by FMCG companies using small tetra packs last week by their body, the Action Alliance for Recycling Beverage Cartons. The association told the Environment Ministry that companies need 18 months from the ministry's deadline of July 1 - when the ban on the use of single plastics for straws, plates and spoons comes into effect - to make the transition.

Centre stops AAP govt's doorstep delivery of rations

Centre stops AAP govt's doorstep delivery of rations

Rediff.com20 Mar 2021

The central government on Friday stopped the doorstep delivery of ration scheme MMGGRY (Mukhya Mantri Ghar Ghar Ration Yojana) of the Delhi government, scheduled to be launched on March 25.

Worried kin appeal govt to evacuate Indians from Sudan

Worried kin appeal govt to evacuate Indians from Sudan

Rediff.com19 Apr 2023

Anxious relatives of several Indians stuck in Sudan following the fighting between the Army and paramilitary forces are eagerly waiting for information about their relatives and appealed to the government to evacuate them from the strife-torn African country as soon as possible.

Tomato prices may soften from Dec

Tomato prices may soften from Dec

Rediff.com26 Nov 2021

All India average retail tomato price, which has shot up by 63 per cent to Rs 67 per kg over the last year due to unseasonal rains, are likely to soften from December with the arrival of fresh crop from northern states, the government said on Friday. In the case of onions, retail prices have substantially subsided below to the level that prevailed in 2020 and also 2019, it said. "Tomato arrivals from north Indian states will start from the beginning of December itself, which will add to availability and lead to fall in prices.

'Don't expect major cuts in direct tax rates'

'Don't expect major cuts in direct tax rates'

Rediff.com18 Jan 2023

'You may see some movement indicating a simpler tax regime with less exemptions but with fewer tax rates making life simpler for taxpayers.'

Bhupendra Patel takes oath as Gujarat CM, allots portfolios

Bhupendra Patel takes oath as Gujarat CM, allots portfolios

Rediff.com13 Dec 2022

Patel was administered the oath as the 18th chief minister by Governor Acharya Devvrat at a function held at the Helipad Ground near the new Secretariat.

India looks at close to double digit growth this year: Sitharaman

India looks at close to double digit growth this year: Sitharaman

Rediff.com13 Oct 2021

India is looking at near close to double-digit growth this year and the country will be one of the fastest-growing economies, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said. The minister also emphasised that she expects the economic growth next year to be in the range of 7.5-8.5 per cent, which will be sustained for the next decade.

Four judges, 5% of SC staff test positive for Covid

Four judges, 5% of SC staff test positive for Covid

Rediff.com9 Jan 2022

Four Supreme Court judges and almost five per cent of its staff have tested positive for COVID-19, official sources said on Sunday, as the national capital witnesses a sharp spike in coronavirus cases.

Zero tolerance for terrorism in all its manifestations 'must': India at SCO

Zero tolerance for terrorism in all its manifestations 'must': India at SCO

Rediff.com29 Jul 2022

The external affairs minister reiterated India's position on Afghanistan and highlighted its humanitarian support to the war-torn country, including the supply of wheat, medicines, vaccines and clothing.

Only 5,000-8,000 people allowed to attend R-Day parade

Only 5,000-8,000 people allowed to attend R-Day parade

Rediff.com18 Jan 2022

Only double vaccinated adults and children above the age of 15 who have taken at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed to enter, they said, adding children below 15 years will not be permitted to attend the event.

Retail inflation spurts to 7-month high in Jan

Retail inflation spurts to 7-month high in Jan

Rediff.com14 Feb 2022

The retail inflation rate breached the 6 per cent upper tolerance limit of the RBI for the first time in seven months in January, while the wholesale price index stayed in double-digits for the 10th month in a row, showed two sets of data released by the government on Monday. Retail inflation, the key input for the RBI while reviewing the repo rate every two months, soared during the month mainly because of a spike in certain food items. The previous high for retail inflation was 6.26 per cent in June 2021.