News for 'US Department of Agriculture'

China calls for 'lasting ceasefire', backs Pakistan

China calls for 'lasting ceasefire', backs Pakistan

Rediff.com21 May 2025

China on Tuesday called for a 'comprehensive and lasting ceasefire' between India and Pakistan, urging both countries to properly handle their differences through dialogue.

India, US trade talks to start from April 23 in Washington

India, US trade talks to start from April 23 in Washington

Rediff.com23 Apr 2025

Indian and US officials will begin deliberations on the proposed bilateral trade agreement in Washington from Wednesday with an aim to iron out issues and give an impetus to the negotiations.

Pak shelling: Last rites of fallen soldiers, district commissioner held

Pak shelling: Last rites of fallen soldiers, district commissioner held

Rediff.com11 May 2025

Emotional scenes were witnessed across the country as the last rites of those killed in shelling by Pakistan during the recent military conflict with India were performed on Sunday.

Will budget for agri research get a big boost this year?

Will budget for agri research get a big boost this year?

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

Several leading scientists, academicians, and agriculturalists have called for raising government support for research and development to make Indian agriculture future-ready.

Another batch of Indian troops to depart Maldives this month: Muizzu

Another batch of Indian troops to depart Maldives this month: Muizzu

Rediff.com3 Apr 2024

Following a high-level meeting in New Delhi on February 2 between the two sides, India agreed to replace its military personnel operating the three aviation platforms in the Maldives by May 10. The first batch left the island nation well before March 10.

Expect India to strike first trade pact: US Treasury Secy Scott Bessent

Expect India to strike first trade pact: US Treasury Secy Scott Bessent

Rediff.com25 Apr 2025

As in-person negotiations between India and the US kickstarted on Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he expected India to strike the first bilateral trade deal to avert President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs.

Why This Banker Didn't Get Promoted!

Why This Banker Didn't Get Promoted!

Rediff.com2 May 2025

The bank made a Rs 67 crore net profit, up 21% from the previous year. Its deposits grew 8%, the loan book 10%. Net bad loans dropped from 7.53% to 6.07%. So why was the banker, who headed the bank, not promoted?

USAID funded 7 projects in India not related to voter turnout: Govt

USAID funded 7 projects in India not related to voter turnout: Govt

Rediff.com23 Feb 2025

The Finance Ministry's annual report has revealed that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) funded seven projects worth USD 750 million in India during the 2023-24 fiscal year. The projects, implemented in partnership with the Indian government, cover areas like agriculture and food security, water and sanitation, renewable energy, disaster management, health, sustainable forests, and climate adaptation. This disclosure comes amidst controversy over USAID's alleged role in influencing Indian elections, with claims that the agency allocated USD 21 million to India for 'voter turnout'. However, the report clarifies that no funds were dedicated to enhancing voter turnout.

India, US trade talks likely to resume in Washington

India, US trade talks likely to resume in Washington

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

An Indian official team is likely to visit Washington next week to iron out differences on certain issues before formally launching negotiations for the proposed India-US bilateral trade agreement (BTA), an official said. The visit, which comes within weeks of a high-level US team visiting India, indicates that the talks for the BTA are gaining momentum.

Pune bus rape accused sent to police custody till Mar 12

Pune bus rape accused sent to police custody till Mar 12

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

A 37-year-old man accused of raping a woman inside a bus at Swargate bus station in Pune was arrested after a days-long manhunt. The accused, Dattaray Ramdas Gade, was hiding in a paddy field in his native Shirur tehsil. Police used drones and sniffer dogs to track him down.

'Trump Has Been Threatening India'

'Trump Has Been Threatening India'

Rediff.com25 Mar 2025

'Many of these issues will be resolved within 6 months because the US economy has started unravelling.'

'Jhoot brigade': Cong slams BJP after FinMin report on USAID

'Jhoot brigade': Cong slams BJP after FinMin report on USAID

Rediff.com24 Feb 2025

The latest annual report of the finance ministry has disclosed that the agency funded seven projects worth USD 750 million in 2023-24.

Farmer leaders detained in Punjab, protesters evicted from border

Farmer leaders detained in Punjab, protesters evicted from border

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

Punjab Police detained several farmer leaders, including Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal, while they were returning from a meeting with a central delegation in Chandigarh. The police also began evicting protesting farmers from the Shambhu and Khanauri border points, which have been closed for over a year. The action comes amid concerns from industrialists in Punjab over the prolonged closure of the border points, which they say has resulted in heavy losses. The meeting between the farmer leaders and the central delegation, led by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, was inconclusive, but the next meeting is scheduled for May 4.

Paranoid India Inc wants early conclusion of trade pact with US

Paranoid India Inc wants early conclusion of trade pact with US

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

The Indian industry is paranoid about the USA's plan to impose reciprocal tariffs and wants early conclusion of a bilateral trade agreement, sources said on Wednesday. They said that the talks for the proposed bilateral trade agreement are going well.

Be Prepared! Heat Waves Coming!

Be Prepared! Heat Waves Coming!

Rediff.com1 Apr 2025

'The intensity and frequency of heatwaves will be much higher than in previous years over Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.'

Maha portfolio allocation: Fadnavis gets Home, Ajit Finance, Shinde...

Maha portfolio allocation: Fadnavis gets Home, Ajit Finance, Shinde...

Rediff.com21 Dec 2024

Shiv Sena's Dadaji Bhuse is the new school education minister while Uday Samant continues to be the industries minister.

India, US to start 3-day trade talks from Wednesday

India, US to start 3-day trade talks from Wednesday

Rediff.com25 Mar 2025

Senior officials of India and the US will begin three-day talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement in New Delhi on Wednesday amid threats of reciprocal tariffs from the Trump-administration, an official said. To formally start the negotiations on the pact, Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch, along with a team of officials, is in New Delhi.

'Trump Respects India's Friendship'

'Trump Respects India's Friendship'

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

'The cooperation in technology is one of the most important aspects of the visit.' 'It will have a long-lasting impact because it will shift the entire paradigm in the context of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.'

Pune bus rape: Plea in court to restrain public, social media

Pune bus rape: Plea in court to restrain public, social media

Rediff.com4 Mar 2025

A 26-year-old woman, who works in the health sector, was allegedly raped by a history-sheeter, Dattatray Gade (37), inside a stationary state transport bus at Swargate terminus in the early hours of Tuesday (February 25), according to the police.

Hemant Soren distributes portfolios; keeps home, gives finance to Cong

Hemant Soren distributes portfolios; keeps home, gives finance to Cong

Rediff.com6 Dec 2024

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has distributed portfolios among the new ministers, keeping key departments such as Home, Personnel, and several others to himself. The Congress' Radhakrishna Kishore was given Finance, Commercial Tax, Planning and Development Department, and Parliamentary Affairs departments. JMM's Deepak Biruwa was allotted the departments of Revenue, Registration and Land Reforms (non-registration), and Transport. Chamra Linda, another JMM leader, was allotted the departments of Schedule Tribes, Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes (except Minority Welfare). RJD's Sanjay Prasad Yadav was given the departments of Industries, and Labour, Planning, Training and Skill Development. The Congress' Irfan Ansari got Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, besides Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, and Disaster Management departments. The chief minister also kept to himself the departments of Cabinet Secretariat, Personnel, Administrative Reforms and Official Language, Road Construction, Building Construction, and those departments yet to be distributed to anyone. Among the other ministers, JMM's Ramdas Soren was given the School Education and Literacy, and Registration departments. Party colleague Hafizul Hasan was allotted the departments of Water Resources, and Minority Welfare Department. Panchayati Raj, Rural Works, and Rural Development departments were given to Congress MLA Deepika Pandey Singh. The CM gave Drinking Water and Sanitation, and Excise and Prohibition departments to JMM's Yogendra Prasad. JMM legislator Sudhivya Kumar became the minister for Urban Development and Housing, Higher and Technical Education, and Tourism, Art Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs departments. Shilpi Neha Tirkey of the Congress was allotted Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperative Department. A total of 11 MLAs took oath as ministers in the Hemant Soren government in Jharkhand on Thursday.

'We Will Have A Mutually Beneficial Trade Agreement'

'We Will Have A Mutually Beneficial Trade Agreement'

Rediff.com18 Feb 2025

'The US has agreed to negotiate with us a mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement, which will go for reduction of tariffs on both sides so that our trade can grow.'

Projects halted in Pakistan as US puts aid on hold

Projects halted in Pakistan as US puts aid on hold

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

The United States has temporarily suspended foreign assistance to Pakistan for re-evaluation following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump, according to a media report on Tuesday.

Return of winter chill may benefit wheat crop

Return of winter chill may benefit wheat crop

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

Wheat production during the current season is expected to be better than last year provided the weather remains favourable over the next few weeks, said senior industry executives. The weather had turned uncharacteristically hot in the latter half of last month, but owing to strong winds, the chill has returned in the last few days.

'US May Demand Not Just Tariff Cuts But...'

'US May Demand Not Just Tariff Cuts But...'

Rediff.com5 Mar 2025

I'...additional concessions, such as opening government procurement, reducing agricultural subsidies, weakening patent protections, and allowing unrestricted data flows -- demands India has resisted for decades.'

Why are tigers in Maharashtra dying?

Why are tigers in Maharashtra dying?

Rediff.com18 Mar 2025

'The true measure of Project Tiger's success is not just rising tiger numbers, but our ability to ensure harmonious human-wildlife coexistence'

Bihar agriculture minister Sudhakar Singh resigns over criticising own govt

Bihar agriculture minister Sudhakar Singh resigns over criticising own govt

Rediff.com2 Oct 2022

The minister, whose recent utterances on corruption in his own department had made headlines, was not immediately available for comment.

India set to take back 18,000 illegal migrants from US

India set to take back 18,000 illegal migrants from US

Rediff.com22 Jan 2025

During his inauguration on Monday, President Trump declared a national emergency at the US southern border.

You Can Be Deported From The US If..

You Can Be Deported From The US If..

Rediff.com3 Apr 2025

Universities and immigration authorities take student conduct seriously. Behaviour that is deemed unacceptable or dangerous can lead to legal consequences, including deportation, warns Dr Pananjay Tiwari, founder and director, Impel Overseas Education.

Cyclone Dana: Crops on 1.75L acre damaged in Odisha, says govt

Cyclone Dana: Crops on 1.75L acre damaged in Odisha, says govt

Rediff.com26 Oct 2024

The state government has directed a joint assessment of crop loss due to the cyclone by officials of the agriculture and revenue departments, he said.

Haryana removes barricades at Shambhu border after farmers' eviction

Haryana removes barricades at Shambhu border after farmers' eviction

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

Following the eviction of protesting farmers from the Shambhu border, Haryana security personnel began removing cemented barricades erected to prevent Punjab farmers from reaching Delhi. The Shambhu-Ambala road, closed for over a year, is being cleared with JCBs and other machinery. Meanwhile, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha announced dharnas outside deputy commissioners' offices in protest against the Punjab Police crackdown. The groups criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab for evicting the protesters and detaining farmer leaders on Wednesday. The police action was justified by Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who said industries and businesses were hit hard due to the prolonged closure of the highways. The protesting farmers, led by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, had been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13, 2022.

Trump's Tariff War: India Waits, Watches

Trump's Tariff War: India Waits, Watches

Rediff.com3 Feb 2025

'We have to be prepared for the larger disruption that is likely to take place.'

100 missions in next 5 years? Why not, says ISRO

100 missions in next 5 years? Why not, says ISRO

Rediff.com29 Jan 2025

ISRO is part of an exclusive league which has forayed into the Moon and Sun.

Sharp Increase In Illegal Indian Migration To US

Sharp Increase In Illegal Indian Migration To US

Rediff.com4 Feb 2025

Indians have topped the number of illegal immigrants from Asian countries caught at land, sea, and air checkpoints of the US since 2022.

Pune landslide tragedy: Activist blames agriculture department officials, files FIR

Pune landslide tragedy: Activist blames agriculture department officials, files FIR

Rediff.com1 Aug 2014

Even as the rescuers are braving hostile weather and difficult terrain for the third day to look for signs of life under the mound of debris at Malin village in Pune, Suresh Talekar, a Pune-based activist has charged the agriculture department officials of culpable homicide, and has filed a complaint at the Ghodegaon police station.

Cabinet nods two agri schemes worth Rs 1 lakh crore

Cabinet nods two agri schemes worth Rs 1 lakh crore

Rediff.com3 Oct 2024

Union Cabinet on Thursday approved two major schemes -- PM Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and Krishonnati Yojana -- with an expenditure of over Rs 1 lakh crore to promote sustainable agriculture and ensure food security.

India, US to finalise broad contours of proposed trade deal soon

India, US to finalise broad contours of proposed trade deal soon

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

India and the US will sit together in the next couple of weeks to decide on the nature of the proposed trade agreement and finalise its broad contours, a senior official said on Monday. During the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington, India and the US announced to more than double the two-way commerce to $500 billion by 2030 and negotiate the first tranche of a mutually beneficial, multi-sector bilateral trade agreement (BTA) by fall of 2025.

Agri GVA stands out on strong monsoon

Agri GVA stands out on strong monsoon

Rediff.com2 Dec 2024

Amid low growth elsewhere, gross value added (GVA) growth in agriculture and allied activities recovered during the second quarter of the current financial year (Q2FY25) to 3.5 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) due to strong monsoon. Experts feel that the rains have laid the foundation of an even better GVA performance in subsequent quarters. GVA growth in the first quarter of FY25 was 2.0 per cent.

What Will FM's Budget Speech Focus On?

What Will FM's Budget Speech Focus On?

Rediff.com30 Jan 2025

The finance minister, in her Budget speech, should focus more on what she is directly responsible for, rather than on programmes where her role is largely supportive, notes Nitin Desai.

TN govt vs governor tussle goes to SC again

TN govt vs governor tussle goes to SC again

Rediff.com5 Feb 2025

The Tamil Nadu government has argued in the Supreme Court that Governor R N Ravi's repeated withholding of assent to bills passed by the state legislative assembly would lead to the failure of the democratic system in India. The top court has questioned the delay by the Governor in granting assent to several bills passed by the state assembly and asked why governors should wait for parties to move the court with their grievances. The court has also said that the Governor cannot refer bills passed by the legislature and re-adopted by it for presidential assent.

Maha govt declares desi cows 'Rajyamata Gomata'

Maha govt declares desi cows 'Rajyamata Gomata'

Rediff.com30 Sep 2024

The decision, which comes ahead of the state assembly elections, underscores the cow's spiritual, scientific, and historical significance in Indian society, an official said. It highlights the integral role that cows have played in India's cultural landscape for centuries, he added.