News for 'Public Distribution System'

Monthly rise in kerosene price to turn around oil sector's fortunes

Monthly rise in kerosene price to turn around oil sector's fortunes

Rediff.com14 Jul 2016

Inclusive of the July hike of 25 paise, a monthly increase of similar amount would result in a saving of Rs 2.25 a litre for the current financial year alone.

India's personal data protection bill may threaten innovation, growth: USTR

India's personal data protection bill may threaten innovation, growth: USTR

Rediff.com29 Apr 2022

The US on Thursday raised concerns over India's Personal Data Protection (PDP) Bill and draft non-personal data governance framework, claiming these could potentially threaten innovation and economic growth. In its latest 'Special 301' Report, the US Trade Representative (USTR) kept India on the priority watch list, maintaining the country remains one of the world's most challenging major economies with respect to protection and enforcement of intellectual property (IP). In December 2021, a joint parliamentary committee released a report recommending changes to the PDP Bill, 2019, that could undermine important IP protections in India.

Long Covid has more than 200 symptoms: Study

Long Covid has more than 200 symptoms: Study

Rediff.com15 Jul 2021

The most common symptoms were fatigue, post-exertional malaise -- worsening of symptoms after physical or mental exertion -- and cognitive dysfunction, often called brain fog.

Did Sitharaman overrule bankers on loan 'mela'?

Did Sitharaman overrule bankers on loan 'mela'?

Rediff.com21 Sep 2019

PSB chiefs tried to argue that liquidity is in surplus in the system and the problem was related to lack of demand in the economy, instead of banks' reluctance to lend, but 'the FM said it is a perception issue that loan is not available, which we need to dispel,', reports Somesh Jha.

Food ordinance: Now for Cong to draw full political mileage

Food ordinance: Now for Cong to draw full political mileage

Rediff.com6 Jul 2013

The Congress will only be able to gain from the bill if its benefits percolate down to the people within the next eight months, says Anita Katyal

Can RBI's digital currency replace physical cash?

Can RBI's digital currency replace physical cash?

Rediff.com15 Dec 2022

Despite the demonetisation of 2016 and the rise in digital transactions that followed, the economy's dependence on cash has remained as high as ever. So when the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced a pilot project of its version of digital cash - called the central bank digital currency (CBDC) - on December 1, many questions were asked. Can the CBDC replace physical cash, even partially? Can it match cash in terms of convenience? Are CBDC transactions truly anonymous?

FMCG firms assure uninterrupted supply amid curfew in Maharashtra

FMCG firms assure uninterrupted supply amid curfew in Maharashtra

Rediff.com14 Apr 2021

FMCG firms such as ITC, Parle Products, Marico, Emami, PepsiCo India and CG Corp Global on Wednesday assured uninterrupted supply of their products based on the learnings from the last year's lockdown, even as surge in COVID-19 cases in India forced Maharashtra to declare a 15-day curfew while other states also imposing various restrictions.

Cong media managers get crash course on hardselling food schme

Cong media managers get crash course on hardselling food schme

Rediff.com22 Jul 2013

The United Progressive Alliance's growth story' and food security scheme dominated a Congress workshop on Monday where its media managers from across the country were given training to disseminate party's message on key issues ahead of next Lok Sabha polls.

'Ready to serve life term if single rupee found in offshore account'

'Ready to serve life term if single rupee found in offshore account'

Rediff.com4 May 2014

Former Telecom Minister A Raja on Sunday said he was ready to serve life imprisonment if a single rupee or dollar was found in any offshore account in his name.

No diesel price hike till new govt takes over

No diesel price hike till new govt takes over

Rediff.com23 Apr 2014

Amid a spate of government proposals at its door, the Election Commission has asked all Union government departments to route their proposals through the Cabinet Secretariat.

Migrant workers struggle to survive as pandemic rages

Migrant workers struggle to survive as pandemic rages

Rediff.com9 Apr 2021

It took a lockdown for us in India to even recognise that the plight of migrants needs to be addressed. They were faceless and unrecognised. They were unappreciated and even hounded. They were poorly paid and exploited, notes Ramesh Menon.

Rapid spread of Omicron, social mixing may spurt cases in coming weeks: WHO

Rapid spread of Omicron, social mixing may spurt cases in coming weeks: WHO

Rediff.com20 Jan 2022

In its weekly report on the pandemic, the World Health Organisation said on Tuesday that the incidence of COVID-19 has increased globally, initially driven predominantly by transmission of the Delta variant, particularly in the European region.

India sees sharp rise in cyber attacks as internet base continues to widen

India sees sharp rise in cyber attacks as internet base continues to widen

Rediff.com15 Aug 2022

Even as India's internet base continues to widen, with the country set to have over 900 internet users by 2025, a parallel rise in cyber threats has become a matter of huge concern. Experts say that the sudden surge in digital adoption left little time to develop a cybersecurity backbone for the country. This has put large amounts of data at risk.

Cash for votes makes a return in TN's Erode bypoll

Cash for votes makes a return in TN's Erode bypoll

Rediff.com24 Feb 2023

It is a sea of men clad in veshtis with distinctive party colour border design seeking votes with a smile and folded hands for their party candidates. The town is abuzz, with electioneering at its peak, and teeming trendy cars criss-cross the busy roads and bylanes bringing in more and more leaders from elsewhere for campaign.

Banks not to make any dividend payment for FY20; told to retain profit

Banks not to make any dividend payment for FY20; told to retain profit

Rediff.com4 Dec 2020

In view of the economic shock caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday asked scheduled commercial banks and co-operative banks not to make any dividends for the financial year ended March 2020. In view of the ongoing stress and the heightened uncertainty on account of the pandemic, RBI said it is imperative that banks continue to conserve capital to support the economy and absorb losses, if any. The decision is based on review of the September quarter financial performance of banks.

The Next Big Tech Revolution

The Next Big Tech Revolution

Rediff.com14 Dec 2021

Blockchain's promise: Dramatically speeding up transactions, explains Ajit Balakrishnan.

'We are the protectors of Hindus'

'We are the protectors of Hindus'

Rediff.com12 Dec 2022

Police escorted the rally all the way, at one point standing in a row to prevent the rallyists from entering a side road where stood a huge mosque. Across the road, an old Muslim woman asked her Hindu neighbour what the rally was all about. The latter shrugged her ignorance, looking on in bewilderment at the young men with their saffron flags, all of them wearing Bajrang Dal T-shirts.

US: First batch of COVID-19 vaccine roll out of Pfizer plant

US: First batch of COVID-19 vaccine roll out of Pfizer plant

Rediff.com14 Dec 2020

The vaccine arrives at a critical moment for the US. Hospitalisations due to COVID-19 hit record highs for the seventh day in a row on Saturday.

Inflation under check in 2015? Not quite!

Inflation under check in 2015? Not quite!

Rediff.com29 Dec 2015

The country saw two straight years of deficient monsoons.

Budget in 2 minutes: 'Bad bank' gets nod, discoms to get funds & more

Budget in 2 minutes: 'Bad bank' gets nod, discoms to get funds & more

Rediff.com2 Feb 2021

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her third Budget on February 1.

Faceless IT assessment, citizen's charter from today: PM

Faceless IT assessment, citizen's charter from today: PM

Rediff.com13 Aug 2020

"The emphasis is on making every rule, law, policy people-centric, and public-friendly. This is the use of the new governance model and the country is getting its results," Prime Minister Modi said while speaking at the launch of a platform for 'Transparent Taxation -- Honoring the Honest'.

Covid: PM chairs high-level meet, stresses on oxygen availability

Covid: PM chairs high-level meet, stresses on oxygen availability

Rediff.com11 Sep 2021

Modi stressed on the need for constant genome sequencing to monitor emergence of mutants and also to ensure increased oxygen availability, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement.

All you wanted to know about the food security bill

All you wanted to know about the food security bill

Rediff.com29 Aug 2013

Sakshi Balani presents an FAQ on the Food Security Bill that was passed by Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

'Some people don't want the poor to get food'

'Some people don't want the poor to get food'

Rediff.com29 Aug 2013

The stock and foreign exchange markets have had a negative reaction to the government's biggest social security programme, the National Food Security Bill. Food minister K V Thomas questions the rationale behind such a response

Will Modi's I-Day speech push reforms?

Will Modi's I-Day speech push reforms?

Rediff.com6 Aug 2014

With Narendra Modi about to make his first Independence Day speech, there is a buzz in Delhi that Modi will make some big announcements to signal major reforms and directional shifts. But we have to wait and see if it happens, says Mohan Guruswamy.

NBFCs Are No Longer Shadow Banks

NBFCs Are No Longer Shadow Banks

Rediff.com11 Jan 2022

New norms are in place to strengthen regulations for this set of lenders which has been playing a critical role in Asia's third largest economy, notes Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Solution to Delhi's power problem lies with its residents

Solution to Delhi's power problem lies with its residents

Rediff.com2 Jun 2015

Delhi power minister Satyendra Jain in an interview to Rediff.com contributor Upasna Pandey, says thatdiscoms will be able to cater to the peak power demand of up to 6,500 MW, provided residents cooperate by reducing peak time usage.

It's the right time for Modi govt to reduce subsidy burden

It's the right time for Modi govt to reduce subsidy burden

Rediff.com22 Sep 2015

The government chose moral persuasion to make people give up subsidies, notes Rahul Khullar.

'Ministry should end controversies related to GDP computation'

'Ministry should end controversies related to GDP computation'

Rediff.com30 Jun 2020

There has been criticism of the official statistics ever since MoSPI came out with new methodology to estimate the GDP on the base year of 2011-12 compared to earlier 2004-05.

Should umpire's call in DRS be retained?

Should umpire's call in DRS be retained?

Rediff.com23 Feb 2021

The MCC's World Cricket Committee which includes greats like Shane Warne, Kumar Sangakkara, Sourav Ganguly and Ricky Ponting, recently discussed the controversial umpire's call aspect of the Decision Review System.

Govt may link food subsidy with Aadhaar

Govt may link food subsidy with Aadhaar

Rediff.com29 Jul 2014

In other welfare schemes, such as those for cooking gas, pension and scholarships, which are linked to DBT, cash is transferred directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries.

Issue with locomotive's equipment: Rail Min on Bikaner-Guwahati train mishap

Issue with locomotive's equipment: Rail Min on Bikaner-Guwahati train mishap

Rediff.com14 Jan 2022

Vaishnaw said that the actual reason behind the accident could be ascertained only after dismantling the engine's equipment.

'The Modi government has given farmers freedom'

'The Modi government has given farmers freedom'

Rediff.com22 Sep 2020

'The farm bills will not bring in corporate zamindari'

Farmers 'apologise' to people for road blockade, inconvenience

Farmers 'apologise' to people for road blockade, inconvenience

Rediff.com14 Dec 2020

Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, which is spearheading the protests at Delhi border points, distributed handbills in Hindi to commuters on the Jaipur-Delhi Highway near Haryana-Rajasthan borders, where hundreds of farmers have been camping for almost past three weeks now, to convey their apology, and also reiterate their demand for legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price.

RS clears 3 bills within minutes, Left walks out

RS clears 3 bills within minutes, Left walks out

Rediff.com23 Dec 2015

K N Balagopal (Communist Party of India -Marxist) said the Congress and the BJP were acting as A-Team and B-Team and not allowing the House to discuss the bills.

Fear and loathing in Jharkhand

Fear and loathing in Jharkhand

Rediff.com21 Sep 2018

'The Jharkhand government is increasingly intolerant of voices of dissent.' 'Recently 20 persons, including activists, writers and academics, were booked for sedition.' 'Many of them have been critical of the government's apathy towards Adivasis,' notes Siraj Dutta.

Aadhaar not must, says Centre as Opposition forces RS adjournment

Aadhaar not must, says Centre as Opposition forces RS adjournment

Rediff.com28 Jul 2016

Venkaiah Naidu said Aadhaar will not be made mandatory till the entire population gets such cards or UID numbers.

'Sebi won't interfere with IPO valuations'

'Sebi won't interfere with IPO valuations'

Rediff.com13 Dec 2021

'Sebi has to make sure that investor interests are protected and at the same time, there isn't over-regulation so that companies don't get discouraged to list here.'

'The Food Ordinance is a small step in the right direction'

'The Food Ordinance is a small step in the right direction'

Rediff.com8 Jul 2013

Implementing the Food Ordinance is the bigger challenge and there are many provisions of the National Food Security Bill which need to be expanded and strengthened.

Digital currency race: China leads. India must catch up

Digital currency race: China leads. India must catch up

Rediff.com23 Oct 2020

India should not be left behind. It should join the seven central banks which are studying feasibility and safeguards necessary to eliminate risks, particularly from hacking, advises former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.