News for 'Rural Development'

Nitin Gadkari: Longest serving transport minister gets another stint

Nitin Gadkari: Longest serving transport minister gets another stint

Rediff.com9 Jun 2024

Gadkari is credited with the construction of more than 90,000 km of national highways and 30,000 km of new roads in the country in the last 10 years.

Sensex May Hit 105,000 by Dec 2025

Sensex May Hit 105,000 by Dec 2025

Rediff.com12 Mar 2025

The risk-reward for the Indian markets, Morgan Stanley said, is turning favourable.

Rohit, Kohli To Play Duleep Trophy

Rohit, Kohli To Play Duleep Trophy

Rediff.com12 Aug 2024

The national selectors want all the players to be available for the Duleep Trophy ahead of the two Test series against Bangladesh next month.

Duleep Trophy: Pratham, Varma hit centuries as India A dominate

Duleep Trophy: Pratham, Varma hit centuries as India A dominate

Rediff.com14 Sep 2024

Tilak Varma and Pratham smashed centuries as India A dominated the third day of their Duleep Trophy match against India D.

Stock markets edge down on STT, LTCG hike

Stock markets edge down on STT, LTCG hike

Rediff.com23 Jul 2024

Adani Ports, NTPC, Infosys, Hindustan Unilever, HCL Technologies and Sun Pharma were among the other big gainers. However, Larsen & Toubro, Bajaj Finance, State Bank of India, Axis Bank and HDFC Bank were amonh the major laggards.

Hyderabad FC sign teen prodigy Mohammed Kaif

Hyderabad FC sign teen prodigy Mohammed Kaif

Rediff.com11 Jan 2025

Born to former Santosh Trophy player Mohammed Sayeed, this transfer marks a significant milestone for the promising young talent from Makrana, Rajasthan.

Nitish should 'strike': Cong on Bihar special category status demand

Nitish should 'strike': Cong on Bihar special category status demand

Rediff.com15 Jul 2024

The opposition party's remarks come after Bihar ministers claimed that the latest report of NITI Aayog's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index 2023-24 vindicated the state's long-standing demand for greater central financial assistance.

Modi pat for Sitharaman: 'People's Budget, force multiplier'

Modi pat for Sitharaman: 'People's Budget, force multiplier'

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the Union Budget as a "people's budget" that fulfills the dreams of every Indian and said that it is a "force-multiplier" that will boost consumption, investment and growth. He highlighted a host of measures for different sectors, including welfare initiatives for gig workers, tax relief for the middle class, and support for the manufacturing sector.

UPA's flagship rural jobs scheme gets a big boost from Modi govt

UPA's flagship rural jobs scheme gets a big boost from Modi govt

Rediff.com2 Feb 2016

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the actual spending under the scheme in the fiscal year ending March 31 "would be highest".

Banks turn cautious on lending to smaller microfinance players

Banks turn cautious on lending to smaller microfinance players

Rediff.com8 Jul 2024

Commercial banks have turned cautious in lending to smaller microfinance institutions (MFIs), which has compelled the latter to borrow from non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) at much higher rates. Recently Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor M Rajeshwar Rao slammed micro lenders for increasing their margins "disproportionately" and said these lenders were quick to pass on the increased cost to the borrowers but reluctant to pass on the benefits under the new regime, where margins are not capped.

Hindu groups protest against 'illegal' mosque in Shimla

Hindu groups protest against 'illegal' mosque in Shimla

Rediff.com6 Sep 2024

The Sanjauli area was choked as the protesters took out a march. The area teemed with hundreds of demonstrators, several of whom carried Hindu religion insignia, such as saffron flags and banners bearing Lord Ram's image and the protesters demanded demolition of the illegal mosque in 15 days.

Retail inflation slows to 5-month low of 4.3% in Jan

Retail inflation slows to 5-month low of 4.3% in Jan

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

Continuing the downward trend, retail inflation fell to a five-month low of 4.31 per cent in January, mainly due to a decline in the prices of vegetables, eggs, and pulses. The Consumer Price Index-based retail inflation was 5.22 per cent in December and 5.1 per cent in January 2024. The previous low inflation was in August 2024 at 3.65 per cent.

Sonia favours development approach to defeat insurgency

Sonia favours development approach to defeat insurgency

Rediff.com16 Dec 2011

United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Friday favoured an approach of welfare and development to defeat left-wing extremism and insurgency and bring back youth involved in it back to the democratic mainstream.

How India Inc plans to tap robust rural market

How India Inc plans to tap robust rural market

Rediff.com30 Nov 2020

While companies have not launched too many products in rural areas of late, easy financing has helped push up demand.

Should depositors put money in co-operative banks?

Should depositors put money in co-operative banks?

Rediff.com18 Feb 2025

The co-operative banking sector is well regulated, and a few cases of restrictions being imposed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) should not paint a negative picture of the entire sector, said Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) secretary Ajay Seth on Monday. "Co-operative banks in the country are generally quite robust, and the RBI takes regulatory action whenever issues arise.

Economists see reforms in the air ahead of Budget

Economists see reforms in the air ahead of Budget

Rediff.com6 Jan 2025

Following the lacklustre growth numbers in the second quarter (Q2FY25), economists believe the upcoming Union Budget for 2025-26 should focus on reforms that will stimulate consumption, manufacturing and spur employment. India's growth unexpectedly slowed to 5.4 per cent in the second quarter, due to low capital formation, weak consumption, besides adverse weather impact.

Maha transfers Rs 17,505 cr to 2.38 cr women under Ladki Bahin scheme

Maha transfers Rs 17,505 cr to 2.38 cr women under Ladki Bahin scheme

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

The Maharashtra government has transferred Rs 17,505.90 crore into the bank accounts of 2.38 crore women beneficiaries under its Ladki Bahin Yojana till December 2024, in the first five months after the scheme was launched. The scheme, launched in August 2024, provides financial assistance of Rs 1,500 per month to eligible women. The objective of the scheme is to promote employment and economic development by providing adequate facilities to women and girls in the age group 21 to 65 years. The scheme aims to promote the empowerment of women and girls and improve the health and nutritional status of women and children dependent on them.

Space Industry Thrilled With FM Plans

Space Industry Thrilled With FM Plans

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

'The scrapping of import duty would help Indian companies compete in international markets, thus paving the way for India becoming a space manufacturing hub for the world.'

Festival season may not add zing to portfolios

Festival season may not add zing to portfolios

Rediff.com16 Sep 2024

Automobile, apparel and electronics are among sectors that see a sales boost during the festival season, a time when investors expect gains in related stocks. This year could be different: Analysts have factored in all positives and do not expect such stocks to deliver lucrative returns. "Indian households spend across sectors like automobiles, consumer durables, and consumer staples during the festival season.

Giriraj Singh's 'thumka' remark on Mamata sparks row

Giriraj Singh's 'thumka' remark on Mamata sparks row

Rediff.com7 Dec 2023

Several leaders of the TMC slammed the rural development minister for his comments on the chief minister attending the Kolkata International Film Festival.

NBFCs throng bond mkt to fund festival credit demand

NBFCs throng bond mkt to fund festival credit demand

Rediff.com18 Sep 2024

A number of non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) have tapped into the debt capital market ahead of the festival season to meet increasing credit demand as bank funding slows. On Tuesday, Aptus Value Housing Finance secured Rs 300 crore at an interest rate of 8.75 per cent through bonds maturing in five years. ICICI Home Finance Company turned to the market to raise Rs 275 crore at 7.94 per cent, alongside another Rs 300 crore at 7.95 per cent, through bonds maturing in five and three years, respectively.

Duleep Trophy: Easwaran keeps India B afloat after Kamboj takes five

Duleep Trophy: Easwaran keeps India B afloat after Kamboj takes five

Rediff.com14 Sep 2024

India B captain Abhimanyu Easwaran single-handedly kept his team in the hunt with a defiant century against India C, in the Duleep Trophy.

Rs 6,200 cr for 2 rural schemes

Rs 6,200 cr for 2 rural schemes

Rediff.com19 Feb 2005

India Strikes At Pakistan Airbases

India Strikes At Pakistan Airbases

Rediff.com10 May 2025

Pakistan military spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry told a hurriedly called press conference in Islamabad at around 4 am that th Pakistan air force's Nur Khan (Chaklala, Rawalpindi), Murid (Chakwal) and Rafiqui (Shorkot in Jhang district) airbases were targeted.

'Believing In Yourself Changes Everything'

'Believing In Yourself Changes Everything'

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

'Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something just because it hasn't been done before. Take that first step. Keep learning. Believe in yourself even when no one else does.'

Modi's Budget agenda: Jobs, farm productivity, funds for infr

Modi's Budget agenda: Jobs, farm productivity, funds for infr

Rediff.com24 Dec 2024

Job creation, improving farm productivity, and mobilising public funds for infrastructure development were some of the issues that figured during the interaction between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and economists ahead of the 2025-26 Union Budget. The prime minister on Tuesday met eminent economists and sectoral experts at NITI Aayog to hear their views and suggestions for the upcoming Budget. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present the Budget for 2025-26 in the Lok Sabha on February 1, 2025.

JD-U's polling agent murdered while on morning walk

JD-U's polling agent murdered while on morning walk

Rediff.com3 Jun 2024

A Janata Dal-United leader was allegedly murdered in Bihar's Nalanda district in the early hours of Monday, the police said.

Bureaucrats can't be allowed to frustrate grassroot democracy: SC

Bureaucrats can't be allowed to frustrate grassroot democracy: SC

Rediff.com11 Mar 2025

The Supreme Court of India has upheld a Bombay High Court order reinstating a woman as the sarpanch of a Maharashtra village, stating that bureaucrats cannot be allowed to "frustrate grassroot democracy." The court criticized instances of bureaucrats misbehaving with elected representatives and attempting to disqualify them by reopening old cases. The case involved Kalavati Rajendra Kokale, whose resignation from the sarpanch's post was withdrawn, but the Raigad district collector declared a vacancy and conducted a fresh election. The court found the collector's actions illegal and upheld Kokale's reinstatement, highlighting the importance of respecting the democratic process and elected representatives at the grassroots level.

Their religion not in danger, party is: Riteish takes on BJP

Their religion not in danger, party is: Riteish takes on BJP

Rediff.com11 Nov 2024

People claim their religion is in danger, but it is their party that is in danger, and they are praying to save it, Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh said while campaigning for his brother and Maharashtra Congress leader.

Rafael Nadal's India Connections

Rafael Nadal's India Connections

Rediff.com12 Oct 2024

A year before he won his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in 2005, Rafa made his debut in India at the Chennai Open.

Why The Census Is Important

Why The Census Is Important

Rediff.com1 Mar 2025

It will be interesting to see what shifts have been recorded in the last decade-and-a-half -- from the effects of demonetisation and Covid's second wave to the drop in fertility and increase in farm workers -- but we will only know this if and when the Census is conducted, points out Aakar Patel.

A Political Legend Turns 100

A Political Legend Turns 100

Rediff.com31 Dec 2024

A product of the 1942 Quit India movement, a Gandhian and a Socialist who remains closely connected with grassroot movements, Dr G G Parikh remains a familiar figure in Maharashtra.

Budget 2025: More credit for farmers, 6 new schemes announced

Budget 2025: More credit for farmers, 6 new schemes announced

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

In a significant policy shift aimed at boosting agri-productivity and rural prosperity, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced six new agricultural schemes while increasing the subsidised Kisan Credit Card loan limit to Rs 5 lakh from the existing Rs 3 lakh, benefiting 7.7 crore farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers.

What Budget has in store for regional rural banks

What Budget has in store for regional rural banks

Rediff.com27 Jan 2021

RRBs were formed under an Act to provide credit to small farmers, agricultural labourers and businesses in rural areas.

Tata rural BPO to come up  near Orissa steel site

Tata rural BPO to come up near Orissa steel site

Rediff.com30 May 2008

The rural BPO centre will be established by the Tata Business Support Services -- the BPO wing and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Sons -- in partnership with Tata Steel Rural Development Society -- a corporate NGO managed by the Tata Group for the last 60 years. To start with, it is expected to employ around 200 people. Sources close to the development said the company has already recruited the first batch of the executives for the BPO unit.

Rural spending has skyrocketed but defence hit badly

Rural spending has skyrocketed but defence hit badly

Rediff.com10 Jul 2020

Free provision of food, cash transfers, and jobs in villages see enhanced flow of funds despite a precipitous fall in revenue. Till May, defence spend was nearly 30 per cent less than the previous year.

USAID Funding To India Declines Amid Trump's Freeze

USAID Funding To India Declines Amid Trump's Freeze

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

'If the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation cuts funds, there could be more impact.'

'Urban demand is under stress, would need an upward spiral'

'Urban demand is under stress, would need an upward spiral'

Rediff.com5 Dec 2024

'Spending by the middle class is limited with a focus on savings. However, there is buoyancy at the top-end.'

Uttarakhand likely to implement UCC rules on Republic Day

Uttarakhand likely to implement UCC rules on Republic Day

Rediff.com20 Jan 2025

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced that the state will become the first in independent India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), with the date of implementation to be announced soon. The UCC, which aims to unify personal laws for all citizens, has been approved by the state cabinet and preparations for its implementation are almost complete. Dhami stated that the training process for UCC implementation is nearly finalized and the government is aiming for a swift rollout. Speculation is rife that the UCC could be implemented on Republic Day, coinciding with the conclusion of municipal elections. The UCC includes provisions related to marriage, divorce, annulment of marriage, succession, and live-in relationships. The state government has introduced a dedicated portal for online registration of related matters and has authorized Common Service Centers (CSC) to simplify access for citizens. In remote areas, CSC agents will provide door-to-door services. The Gram Panchayat Development Officer will serve as the Sub-Registrar for registration work in rural areas. The government has also implemented Aadhaar-based registration to make the process easier. Citizens can track their application status through email and SMS, and an online complaint portal has been set up. Dhami dismissed Congress allegations of divisive politics, emphasizing that the UCC provides a uniform system and law for all.