News for 'National Agriculture Policy'

RBI sees GDP growth at 9.5% but warns of Omicron risk

RBI sees GDP growth at 9.5% but warns of Omicron risk

Rediff.com8 Dec 2021

The Reserve Bank on Wednesday retained the GDP growth forecast at 9.5 per cent for the current fiscal but cautioned that the economic recovery is not yet strong enough to be self-sustaining and durable.

'Nation building can't be done by people on sabbatical'

'Nation building can't be done by people on sabbatical'

Rediff.com7 Aug 2017

'We do not want people who are air dropped and who fly out once the job is done.' 'Ever since liberalisation started, we keep on hearing that it's going to be jobless growth.' 'This speaks of the failure of the foreign returned policy makers.' 'When questions are raised, answers should be given and not a resignation.'

'If we make proper choices, we'll be a great nation'

'If we make proper choices, we'll be a great nation'

Rediff.com7 Jan 2018

'If not, we can become frighteningly chaotic, more chaotic than what we are today.' 'In today's environment in the country, we still have a window of opportunity.'

Xi meets Putin, raises concerns over war in Ukraine

Xi meets Putin, raises concerns over war in Ukraine

Rediff.com16 Sep 2022

In what is seen as the first sign of China's exasperation over Russia's Ukraine war, Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday raised 'questions and concerns' over the conflict in his meeting in Samarkand with Russian President Vladimir Putin who thanked Beijing for its 'balanced position' on the crisis.

What transpired at RBI's monetary meet

What transpired at RBI's monetary meet

Rediff.com22 Dec 2021

Uncertainty is emerging as the only certainty, said RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das as he emphasised on continued policy support at the December MPC meet during which members expressed concerns over spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus, as per the minutes of the rate-setting panel released on Wednesday. After three days of deliberations, the six members of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) on December 8 unanimously voted for status quo on policy rates for the ninth consecutive time. At the meeting, the RBI Governor said risks stalking the global economy have amplified with rapid spread of the virus mutations, including the Omicron variant, leading to countries scrambling for restrictions.

Sharif to push ahead with China's economic corridor, says PML-N

Sharif to push ahead with China's economic corridor, says PML-N

Rediff.com18 Apr 2022

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will take the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor forward with new vigour, vitality and in a rejuvenated manner, ensuring the multifaceted development of the flagship project of China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, a top leader of the ruling PML-N has said.

RBI retains retail inflation target at 5% with upward bias

RBI retains retail inflation target at 5% with upward bias

Rediff.com7 Jun 2016

In April, RBI had projected retail inflation to be around 5 per cent.

SC-appointed panel member urges CJI to release report on farm laws

SC-appointed panel member urges CJI to release report on farm laws

Rediff.com23 Nov 2021

Ghanwat, also a senior leader of Shetkari Sangathan, said he will mobilise one lakh farmers and bring them to Delhi in the next couple of months demanding farm reforms.

Farm sector may beat '16-'17 estimates, grow at 5%

Farm sector may beat '16-'17 estimates, grow at 5%

Rediff.com7 Mar 2017

The final agriculture GDP numbers for 2016-17 are expected to be revised up, as rabi production is looking really good.

India, The Electoral Autocracy

India, The Electoral Autocracy

Rediff.com25 Oct 2022

'The most important priority for the next 25 years should be to strengthen our democracy so that it is supportive of social harmony, and to not just respect but to take pride in the diversity of Indian society in terms of the variety of languages, religion and religious practices and social norms,' explains Nitin Desai.

Backstabber Sharad Pawar can't be our guru: Sena leader

Backstabber Sharad Pawar can't be our guru: Sena leader

Rediff.com21 Sep 2021

He also said the tripartite Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government of Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress is just an 'adjustment'.

A Serendipitous Civil Service Career

A Serendipitous Civil Service Career

Rediff.com22 Dec 2022

Every twist and turn in KMC's civil service career is attributed to serendipity, an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident. He plays down his capabilities, which took him to the top of the civil service as the Cabinet Secretary or his misfortune in losing a daughter in her prime and suggests that his career was indeed serendipitous, observes Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

The Two Faces of India's Democracy

The Two Faces of India's Democracy

Rediff.com22 Sep 2022

How should one billion Indians, for whom deprivation has become an inescapable way of life, join us in celebrating 75 years of Independence? And where do we go from here? asks Kalyan Singhal.

Why Xi Jinping 'fixed' Jack Ma

Why Xi Jinping 'fixed' Jack Ma

Rediff.com18 Jan 2021

Alibaba's pervasive economic and social influence in China is seen as a threat to the authority of the Chinese Communist party, notes Shyam Saran.

Why Is Govt Increasing Taxes For Middle Class?

Why Is Govt Increasing Taxes For Middle Class?

Rediff.com16 May 2022

'When you need to revive the economy, when you need to revive aggregate demand, you cut taxes.' 'But what's this government doing?' 'It's increasing taxes for the middle class and the vast majority of the poor on fuel, which has a ratchet effect on most other products.'

The Risks Of Declaring Victory Too Soon

The Risks Of Declaring Victory Too Soon

Rediff.com25 Oct 2022

India has much to be proud of and celebrate. But there is also much that is wrong, much that looks dangerous. Employment, current account deficit, rural distress, agricultural productivity are all in deep crisis, points out Shekhar Gupta.

Full text: President Murmu's address to Parliament's Budget Session

Full text: President Murmu's address to Parliament's Budget Session

Rediff.com31 Jan 2023

'Wherever in the world there is political instability, those countries are beset with severe crises today. But India is in a much better position than the rest of the world due to the decisions taken by my government in the national interest,' President Droupadi Murmu said in her address to both Houses of Parliament.

Data, AI can add $450-500 bn to India's GDP by 2025: Nasscom

Data, AI can add $450-500 bn to India's GDP by 2025: Nasscom

Rediff.com18 Aug 2020

Nearly 45 per cent of this value is likely to be delivered by 3 sectors - consumer goods and retail, agriculture and banking and insurance, the Nasscom report said.

New co-operation ministry gets Rs 900 cr Budget allocation

New co-operation ministry gets Rs 900 cr Budget allocation

Rediff.com1 Feb 2022

The government on Tuesday announced Rs 900-crore allocation in the Budget for the newly set up Ministry of Cooperation for the 2022-23 fiscal, besides slashing Alternate Minimum Tax (AMT) on cooperative societies to 15 per cent and surcharge to 7 per cent, which nodal minister Amit Shah hailed saying it will boost the sector. Of the total allocation for the next fiscal, a significant amount of Rs 350 crore has been provided for digitisation of Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACs), while Rs 274 crore for an umbrella scheme 'Prosperity through Cooperatives' which would have a number of sub-components with the aim of all-round development of cooperatives in the country. For the first time, a separate budget of Rs 11 crore has been provided to Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICON).

Climate Crisis Presents Opportunity For India

Climate Crisis Presents Opportunity For India

Rediff.com3 Nov 2021

India's negotiating posture at the multilateral negotiations should be aligned with a significantly transformed development strategy domestically.' 'The positions the country takes at the negotiations will then carry credibility, says Shyam Saran, former foreign secretary and India's chief negotiator on Climate Change 2007-2010.

RBI retains growth forecast at 9.5% for FY22

RBI retains growth forecast at 9.5% for FY22

Rediff.com8 Oct 2021

The Reserve Bank on Friday retained the GDP forecast for the current financial year at 9.5 per cent and flagged global semiconductor shortages, elevated commodity prices and potential global financial market volatility as downside risks to economic growth. In his address after the three-day meeting of the rate-setting panel, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said recovery in aggregate demand gathered pace in August-September, and it is reflected in high-frequency indicators, like railway freight traffic; port cargo; cement production; electricity demand; e-way bills; GST and toll collections. "The ebbing of infections, together with improving consumer confidence, has been supporting private consumption," he said, and added the pent-up demand and the festival season should give further fillip to urban demand in the second half of the financial year.

'Modi is following a policy of shoot and scoot'

'Modi is following a policy of shoot and scoot'

Rediff.com2 May 2016

'We will continue to ask why Modi and his government were benefactors to this AgustaWestland company, why within 40 days they overturned the ban?'

'Modi is guilty of taking farmers for a ride again and again'

'Modi is guilty of taking farmers for a ride again and again'

Rediff.com11 Jan 2021

'Nothing will stop India's top three-four corporates who have become aggressive players in the agri-markets after Modi came to power from acting in concert to drive down at will the prices at which they buy from farmers.' 'These corporate houses have the wherewithal to purchase all the farm produce at low prices and store them for a long period of time.' 'Once the harvest season is over they will sell the same produce at higher prices.'

What Prime Minister told the nation

What Prime Minister told the nation

Rediff.com3 Jan 2014

This is the full text of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's address to media persons ahead of his interaction with them in New Delhi on Friday

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.

Modi And The Arrogance Of Not Learning

Modi And The Arrogance Of Not Learning

Rediff.com3 Dec 2021

The Modi government's defeat on farm laws underlines the perils of governing an entire continent-sized, diverse and federal nation like the chief minister of a state, observes Shekhar Gupta.

Farmers urge people to skip one meal on Kisan Diwas

Farmers urge people to skip one meal on Kisan Diwas

Rediff.com23 Dec 2020

Farmer leader Kulwant Singh Sandhu had said that 32 farmer unions from Punjab held a meeting on Tuesday and discussed the next course of action.

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.

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.

With brinjal and barbs, Oppn takes govt to task over price rise

With brinjal and barbs, Oppn takes govt to task over price rise

Rediff.com1 Aug 2022

Opposition members in the Lok Sabha on Monday blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government's policies for the price rise and accused it of ignoring the plight of common people, saying kitchens will soon "see a lockdown" if the Centre does not take corrective measures.

'Not too many surprises, not too many gimmicks, and welcome consistency'

'Not too many surprises, not too many gimmicks, and welcome consistency'

Rediff.com2 Feb 2022

'The term 'pro-growth' must be qualified somewhat because, while a rising tide will lift all boats, it will not necessarily do so equally.'

Budget: Experts seek higher farm investment, market reforms

Budget: Experts seek higher farm investment, market reforms

Rediff.com5 Jun 2014

In a pre-budget meeting with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, the experts suggested timely implementation of the BJP's election manifesto promises to fix higher support prices. They also favoured a Kissan TV channel, an efficient procurement policy, priority for farm mechanisation and the linking of rivers.

H-4 visa holders may get an automatic right to work in America

H-4 visa holders may get an automatic right to work in America

Rediff.com8 Apr 2022

Two US lawmakers have introduced a bill in the House of Representatives that aims at granting an automatic right to H-4 visa holders to work in the country, a move which will benefit the spouses of thousands of foreigners, including Indians, and also address the labour shortage affecting American businesses. H-4 visas are issued to dependent spouses and children who accompany H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, and H-3 visa holders to the United States. Many H-4 visa holders are highly skilled people in their own right and previously had careers of their own or worked to support their families.

Mukesh Ambani pitches for subsidised smatphones

Mukesh Ambani pitches for subsidised smatphones

Rediff.com8 Dec 2021

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani on Wednesday pitched for using the USO Fund to subsidise smartphones for select groups to help penetrate the digital revolution and said India should make the rollout of 5G or the fifth-generation technology standard for broadband cellular networks a national priority. As much as 5 per cent of the licence fee paid by telecom operators goes to the Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund, which was set up in April 2002 for achieving universal service objectives by providing access to telephone services in rural and remote areas and creation of infrastructure for mobile services and broadband in these areas. However, according to the CAG, less than half of the funds so collected are transferred for the said purpose.

How to double farmers' income

How to double farmers' income

Rediff.com29 Mar 2018

'In the long run, the boost to farmers' incomes must come from technological breakthroughs,' says Pratap S Birthal and Digvijay S Negi.

PM calls for 'maximum flexibility' in implementing NEP

PM calls for 'maximum flexibility' in implementing NEP

Rediff.com8 Sep 2020

"We have to collectively address all doubts. The vision of flexibility with which this policy was brought... We will have to show in a similar way maximum flexibility in implementing it," Modi said while addressing the 'Governors' Conference on the Role of NEP in Transforming Higher Education'.

Modi reconstitutes Niti Aayog; Shah ex-officio member

Modi reconstitutes Niti Aayog; Shah ex-officio member

Rediff.com6 Jun 2019

Rajiv Kumar will continue as vice-chairman of the body, along with other full-time members V K Saraswat, Ramesh Chand and V K Paul.

7 US lawmakers write to Pompeo on farmers' protest in India

7 US lawmakers write to Pompeo on farmers' protest in India

Rediff.com25 Dec 2020

In their letter, the lawmakers said that the US as a nation that is familiar with political protests can offer counsel to India during their current period of social disturbance.

Rajnath to address RS on China standoff on Thursday

Rajnath to address RS on China standoff on Thursday

Rediff.com16 Sep 2020

After his statement, opposition leaders will speak and if required Singh may give a clarification, the sources said.

'Farm income will double in 2024'

'Farm income will double in 2024'

Rediff.com4 Feb 2019

'To bring about a paradigm shift in farmers's income, we need to change our approach to agriculture, and transit from the narrow prism of cultivation to a full-fledged enterprise, by building all associated supply chain linkages.' 'This alone will make the farmer an entrepreneur in his own right.'