News for 'Public Distribution System'

Why cryptocurrencies will continue to grow in India

Why cryptocurrencies will continue to grow in India

Rediff.com6 Jan 2022

The future of cryptocurrencies in India appears uncertain but that has not deterred young Indians from embracing the so-called 'fourth industrial revolution' world, where interconnectivity and smart automation, much of it relying on blockchain technology, drive human civilisation. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das has repeatedly warned of macroeconomic instability and even "serious consequences" if cryptocurrencies turn mainstream. The country's monetary authority wants a China-like total ban on crypto, not even allowing these currencies to be treated as investments. Though Parliament's website had listed the Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill as one seeking a total ban of cryptocurrencies in the country, it was not presented in the Winter Session. India now has the highest number of cryptocurrency investors in the world.

How to revive India's corrupt and debt-ridden power sector

How to revive India's corrupt and debt-ridden power sector

Rediff.com26 Oct 2015

Hard and unpopular decisions are needed - not just another round of financial repackaging to sort out the discom mess.

'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.

'COVID-19 vaccine will be made in India'

'COVID-19 vaccine will be made in India'

Rediff.com12 Jun 2020

'I can say with confidence that any future SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, developed anywhere in the world, would have to be manufactured in India, if it is to be affordable and of high quality.'

Coal India won't conduct e-auction till situation stabilises

Coal India won't conduct e-auction till situation stabilises

Rediff.com15 Oct 2021

Amid the low stock position at the electricity generating plants, state-owned CIL has asked its subsidiaries to refrain from conducting any further e-auction of coal, except special forward e-auction for the power sector, till the situation stabilises. The development assumes significance as the supply of coal is being prioritised to the power sector to replenish the dwindling stock in the wake of reports of an electricity crisis looming large. "In view of the current low stock position at the powerhouse end, supply of coal is being prioritised to the power sector to replenish the dwindling stock...coal companies are advised to refrain from conducting of any further e-auctions of coal with the exception of special forward e-auction for the power sector, till the situation stabilises," Coal India said in a recent letter to its arms, including Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL), Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL), Central Coalfields Ltd (CCL).

Budget proposes major boost for infra sector

Budget proposes major boost for infra sector

Rediff.com1 Feb 2021

Expressing commitment to augment the country's infrastructure, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday proposed to significantly enhance capital expenditure to Rs 5.54 lakh crore in the next fiscal, besides creating institutional structures and giving a big thrust to monetizing assets to achieve the goals of the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP). Sitharaman said NIP, that was launched in December 2019 with 6,835 projects, has now been expanded to 7,400 projects and around 217 projects worth Rs 1.10 lakh crore under some key infrastructure ministries have been completed. "For 2021-22, I propose a sharp increase in capital expenditure and thus have provided Rs 5.54 lakh crores which is 34.5% more than the BE of 2020-21," the finance minister said.

The invisible men and women of Aadhaar

The invisible men and women of Aadhaar

Rediff.com1 Aug 2017

It was supposed to be a panacea against corruption, leakage and a magic wand for financial inclusion. But everywhere you look are people who enrolled, only to fall through the cracks again.

Who shouldn't take jab? Vaccine makers issue fact sheet

Who shouldn't take jab? Vaccine makers issue fact sheet

Rediff.com19 Jan 2021

The fact sheet also asked people to inform the vaccinator or a supervising official about their medical condition before taking the vaccine.

How India's economic crisis affects the common man

How India's economic crisis affects the common man

Rediff.com29 Aug 2013

This columnist cannot pretend to be an economic expert but can certainly point out that the statistics being reeled out on a daily basis now, have added to the economic burden of the people, says Seema Mustafa.

Tax parity with ULIPs tops Afmi's wish list ahead of Union Budget

Tax parity with ULIPs tops Afmi's wish list ahead of Union Budget

Rediff.com5 Jan 2021

The pre-Budget proposals sent to the finance ministry aim to bring uniformity in tax treatment for investments in different financial sectors, mitigate hardship to retail taxpayers, and encourage participation in mutual funds.

Franklin Templeton AMC's senior officials, trustee fined

Franklin Templeton AMC's senior officials, trustee fined

Rediff.com14 Jun 2021

Sebi on Monday imposed a penalty totalling Rs 15 crore on senior officials of Franklin Templeton AMC and its trustee for violating regulatory norms in the case of winding up of six debt schemes in 2020. However, a spokesperson of Franklin Templeton said they disagree with the findings in Sebi's order and intend to file an appeal with the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT). A fine of Rs 3 crore has been levied on Franklin Templeton Trustee Services Pvt Ltd and Rs 2 crore each on Franklin Asset Management (India) Pvt Ltd President Sanjay Sapre and its chief investment officer Santosh Kamat, according to the Sebi order. In addition, the regulator imposed a penalty of Rs 1.5 crore each on fund managers -- Kunal Agarwal, Pallab Roy, Sachin Padwal Desai and Umesh Sharma -- as well as former fund manager Sumit Gupta.

Why India should focus on income-based reservation

Why India should focus on income-based reservation

Rediff.com15 Sep 2014

Dr M Ponnavaikko, vice chancellor, Bharathidasan University explains why the Indian education system requires needs to be revamped.

Why India can't export its way out of trouble

Why India can't export its way out of trouble

Rediff.com3 Nov 2015

India must streamline reforms, only then it will see success.

Govt issues guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination drive

Govt issues guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination drive

Rediff.com14 Dec 2020

Vaccinating 100-200 people in each session per day, monitoring them for 30 minutes after administering the shots for any adverse event and allowing only one beneficiary at a time are among the guidelines issued by the Centre for the COVID-19 inoculation drive.

'I'm willing to give more than Rs 35,000 crores for vaccines'

'I'm willing to give more than Rs 35,000 crores for vaccines'

Rediff.com8 Jun 2021

'I'll give it to the vaccine manufacturers without guarantees, take the payment in advance and give me the supplies.' 'The moment you give me one lot of supply, I'll give you more.'

Spread of Delta variant will substantially up cases: WHO

Spread of Delta variant will substantially up cases: WHO

Rediff.com14 Jul 2021

As of July 13, at least 111 countries, territories and areas have reported detection of the Delta variant, and this is expected to continue to increase, becoming the dominant variant globally in the coming months.

Loan 'melas' are back: PSBs to hold credit meets in 400 districts, says FM

Loan 'melas' are back: PSBs to hold credit meets in 400 districts, says FM

Rediff.com20 Sep 2019

The NDA government will be following the footsteps of its predecessor, the UPA, which had introduced the concept of "loan mela" to boost credit by directing banks to lend to people through public meetings.

How Aadhaar card can make your life easier

How Aadhaar card can make your life easier

Rediff.com19 Oct 2015

Supreme Court allows more instruments to use the biometric card.

Get your house in order: HC rebukes Delhi govt over blackmarketing of oxygen cylinders and medicines

Get your house in order: HC rebukes Delhi govt over blackmarketing of oxygen cylinders and medicines

Rediff.com27 Apr 2021

During an over three-hour hearing on the matter relating to oxygen crisis and shortage of medicines to treat COVID-19 patients in the national capital, the court observed that the "problem lies with the Delhi government" and directed nodal officer Udit Prakash to ensure supply of oxygen by cylinders to hospitals and nursing homes "without fail".

'Even the RBI was caught by surprise and was totally unprepared to handle its fallout'

'Even the RBI was caught by surprise and was totally unprepared to handle its fallout'

Rediff.com8 Nov 2021

I kept insisting that Rs 100 notes were in short supply and there was an urgent need to augment the supply of 100 rupee notes while also rapidly bringing into circulation the proposed new Rs 500 notes. But this was easier said than done because all the note printing machines of the RBI were programmed for printing Rs 2,000 notes and required at least three weeks before the machines could print the new Rs 500 currency notes. The availability of currency paper posed another major bottleneck, and it had to be imported. It was decided to immediately start printing the Rs 500 notes. It was only when the supply of the new Rs 500 notes started improving and the process of change of cassettes at the ATMs gathered momentum that the situation began limping back to normal. A fascinating excerpt from former SBI chairman Rajnish Kumar's The Custodian of Trust: A Banker's Memoir, five years after demonetisation, November 8.

Why Amma's canteen must be replicated nationwide

Why Amma's canteen must be replicated nationwide

Rediff.com27 May 2016

Sanjeev Nayyar visits an Amma canteen in Chennai, and comes back impressed

'The virus will circulate for a very long time'

'The virus will circulate for a very long time'

Rediff.com10 May 2020

'Despite expanded testing the incidence remains low.' 'Therefore, the focus should be on specific districts where we need to improve the testing.' 'We should have a district-centric strategy.'

'Expect K-shaped, not V-shaped, recovery'

'Expect K-shaped, not V-shaped, recovery'

Rediff.com16 Feb 2021

'This is happening regardless of the Budget.'

What we need: A toxin-free work culture

What we need: A toxin-free work culture

Rediff.com24 Jul 2017

'What's the point in lamenting widespread toxic work culture, and the capitalist system that gives rise to it if there is no alternative?' 'Actually, there is,' says Ashish Sharma.

After ordinance, Rahul Gandhi speaks out on Adarsh

After ordinance, Rahul Gandhi speaks out on Adarsh

Rediff.com27 Dec 2013

After embarrassing his own government by publicly thrashing its ordinance on convicted legislators in public, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Friday trained his guns at the Maharashtra government for rejecting the Adarsh Inquiry Commission report.

Food Security Bill: A few pertinent questions

Food Security Bill: A few pertinent questions

Rediff.com30 Aug 2013

Can the leaky public distribution system, or PDS, deliver the subsidised grain to two-thirds of the population?

Modi's small reforms have big impact on the economy

Modi's small reforms have big impact on the economy

Rediff.com22 Sep 2014

This will, of course, go a long way in meeting the promised fiscal deficit target of 3.6 per cent of GDP in 2015-16.

It's time for Raje to deliver on promises

It's time for Raje to deliver on promises

Rediff.com21 Dec 2015

She needs to find innovative ways to at least match the growth during Gehlot's rule.

Maharashtra's Covid curbs: What is allowed/not allowed

Maharashtra's Covid curbs: What is allowed/not allowed

Rediff.com4 Apr 2021

The weekend lockdown will start from 8 pm on Fridays and last till 7 am on Mondays. Besides, prohibitory orders will be in force during daytime on weekdays, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said in a statement.

Google removes hundreds of loan apps from Play Store

Google removes hundreds of loan apps from Play Store

Rediff.com14 Jan 2021

Tech giant Google on Thursday said it has reviewed hundreds of personal loan apps in India that were flagged by users and government agencies and those found to be violating its user safety policies were immediately removed from its Play Store.

Too many obstacles to business in India, says Tata's Chandra

Too many obstacles to business in India, says Tata's Chandra

Rediff.com16 Jan 2020

He rued that people who work hard and honestly are put through enormous difficulties and Indians excel in making an ordinary task into an extraordinary one.

IMF's Gita Gopinath bats for infra investment in Budget

IMF's Gita Gopinath bats for infra investment in Budget

Rediff.com27 Jan 2021

Ahead of India's annual budget presentation next week, IMF's chief economist Gita Gopinath has favoured the extension of the pandemic support measures, thrust on investment in infrastructure and expanding health sectors programmes like Ayushman Bharat, and a very credible divestment path for commercially viable companies. The Indian government has provided a lot of schemes for small and medium enterprises, most of which is in the form of liquidity support, Gopinath told PTI on Tuesday. "And you want to revisit it and see how effectively that is working and see whether additional support may need to be provided," she said while responding to a question on her recommendations to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, ahead of her presentation of the annual Union Budget on February 1. It would be a good time for banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) to raise capital given the attractiveness of financing conditions at this point, she said.

Imran Khan's Naya Pakistan is KAPUT

Imran Khan's Naya Pakistan is KAPUT

Rediff.com21 Feb 2022

The Pakistani military may shortly give Imran Khan the boot, substituting him with another puppet, predicts Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).

Tamil Nadu EV policy seeks to attract Rs 50,000 cr, create 150,000 jobs

Tamil Nadu EV policy seeks to attract Rs 50,000 cr, create 150,000 jobs

Rediff.com17 Sep 2019

The government will create an EV Venture Capital Fund, for financial support to start-ups in the segment. The overall aim is to make Tamil Nadu the preferred destination for EVs and component makers.

Which way is Covid-19 headed?

Which way is Covid-19 headed?

Rediff.com18 Mar 2020

The disease could go down several paths. One possibility, the least likely, is that it will just disappear. The most likely is that it will have seasonal impact, says Devangshu Datta.

Govt spending Rs 14,500 crore on airports before 'privatising' them

Govt spending Rs 14,500 crore on airports before 'privatising' them

Rediff.com1 Oct 2021

With six airports handed over to the Adani group for 50 years, the government is now all set to hand over another 25 airports to private players in a bid to 'monetise' them. Official figures reveal that since 2017-18, the government has spent and will be spending Rs 14,500 crore on significantly revamping infrastructure at most of these airports before handing them over to private players. The Airports Authority of India (AAI), which operates these airports for the government, has spent billions of rupees in building new terminal buildings, runways, reinforcing taxiways, upgrading aircraft landing systems, radars and a host of other heavy duty and capital intensive infrastructure works.

After Aadhaar fiasco, RuPay debit card to dent the exchequer

After Aadhaar fiasco, RuPay debit card to dent the exchequer

Rediff.com1 Sep 2014

The government has opted for the RuPay debit card over the Aadhaar-based platform for "last-mile" authentication in its Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.

After 1962 China war stock markets fell 16%, gold 30%

After 1962 China war stock markets fell 16%, gold 30%

Rediff.com18 Jun 2020

The government was also faced with problems on its balance of payments. It took steps to conserve declining foreign exchange reserves, and began to regulate the production, supply and distribution of gold. It banned forward trading in the yellow metal in November 1962, and introduced gold bonds as well, reveals the RBI's annual report for the year ending June 1963.

'Women in Punjab were fed up with Congress, Akalis'

'Women in Punjab were fed up with Congress, Akalis'

Rediff.com11 Mar 2022

'The 10% increase in women voters was a determined bloc of voters.' 'They were willing to try this third party, specially because it seemed it had done something in Delhi.'

'Govt should present new Budget'

'Govt should present new Budget'

Rediff.com7 May 2020

'This prime minister thinks he knows everything.' 'He has to consult, he has to talk and he has to mobilise the best people, but having seen him function, I have no expectations from him.'