News for 'US Department of Agriculture'

Tribal families plan return to Abujhmad after 21 yrs

Tribal families plan return to Abujhmad after 21 yrs

Rediff.com15 Nov 2024

More than two decades after deserting their village due to Maoists, around 25 tribal families are planning to return to their native place in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district.

Energy from urine? IIT-Palakkad researchers show how

Energy from urine? IIT-Palakkad researchers show how

Rediff.com15 Feb 2024

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology-Palakkad (IIT-Palakkad) have introduced a pioneering method of generating renewable energy from human urine.

Govt raises paddy MSP by Rs 117 to Rs 2,300 per quintal for 2024-25

Govt raises paddy MSP by Rs 117 to Rs 2,300 per quintal for 2024-25

Rediff.com20 Jun 2024

The government on Wednesday raised the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy by 5.35 per cent to Rs 2,300 per quintal for the 2024-25 kharif marketing season. The hike in paddy support price comes despite the government sitting on surplus rice stocks, but it is significant ahead of elections in states like Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Delhi.

Southwest Monsoon to reach Kerala on May 31 amid El Nino concerns

Southwest Monsoon to reach Kerala on May 31 amid El Nino concerns

Rediff.com15 May 2024

"This year, the Southwest Monsoon is likely to set over Kerala on May 31 with a model error of four days," the India meteorological department said on Wednesday.

Monsoon expected to hit Kerala, Northeast a day early on Thursday

Monsoon expected to hit Kerala, Northeast a day early on Thursday

Rediff.com30 May 2024

On May 15, the weather office had announced the onset of monsoon over Kerala by May 31.

Govt removes minimum export price on onion

Govt removes minimum export price on onion

Rediff.com13 Sep 2024

The government on Friday scrapped a minimum price threshold that it had set previously for exports of onion as it looked to pass on the benefit of international glut to Indian farmers. The government had previously fixed a $550 per tonne as the minimum export price (MEP), which essentially meant farmers could not sell their produce overseas at lower than this rate.

India to get above-normal rainfall this monsoon, says IMD

India to get above-normal rainfall this monsoon, says IMD

Rediff.com15 Apr 2024

India is likely to see above-normal rainfall in the four-month monsoon season (June to September) with cumulative rainfall rainfall estimated at 106 percent of the long-period average (87 cm), he said.

IMD Predicts Highest Rainfall This Year

IMD Predicts Highest Rainfall This Year

Rediff.com30 Apr 2024

It expects rainfall to be about 106 per cent of the long period average, aided by La Nia conditions anticipated to play a role in the second half of the monsoon season.

India takes first steps to meet 2070 net-zero goal, Niti Aayog forms panels

India takes first steps to meet 2070 net-zero goal, Niti Aayog forms panels

Rediff.com1 Jul 2024

Three years after India declared its goal to become a net-zero economy by 2070, the policy design for achieving the target has begun, with the NITI Aayog forming dedicated multi-sectoral committees to prepare a transition plan. In 2021, India joined a select group of nations that set a target year for becoming net-zero carbon economy. At COP26 in Glasgow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined a five-pronged 'Panchamitra' climate action target for India and committed to a net-zero target by 2070, joining nations like the US, the UK, and China.

Full list: Modi's New Ministers And Their Portfolios

Full list: Modi's New Ministers And Their Portfolios

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

Here is the complete list of ministers in Modi 3.0 and their portfolios:

June-Aug 2024 was India's 2nd-hottest quarter since 1970: Report

June-Aug 2024 was India's 2nd-hottest quarter since 1970: Report

Rediff.com18 Sep 2024

India experienced its second-hottest quarter from June to August this year since 1970, with over one-third of the country's population enduring at least seven days of dangerous heat, according to a new report by a United States-based group of climate scientists and communicators.

Agricultural minister's silence on land bill strategic or tactical?

Agricultural minister's silence on land bill strategic or tactical?

Rediff.com28 Mar 2015

The fact that everyone but Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh is speaking on the issue only gives credence to the specious fears of farmers that this government is out to get them. Aditi Phadnis reports

28 dead as rains wreak havoc across north India

28 dead as rains wreak havoc across north India

Rediff.com11 Aug 2024

At least 28 people died in rain-related incidents Sunday as heavy downpours lashed north and northwest India, causing landslides, traffic chaos and house collapses, as well as a dam breach which inundated several villages in Haryana.

BJP States Go All Out With Populist Schemes

BJP States Go All Out With Populist Schemes

Rediff.com20 Jul 2024

Several BJP-backed state governments have unveiled schemes targeting the poor, women, farmers and students, following the party's setback in the Lok Sabha polls.

Income-Tax forms 1, 4 for FY2023-24 issued

Income-Tax forms 1, 4 for FY2023-24 issued

Rediff.com23 Dec 2023

The Income Tax Department has notified ITR forms 1 and 4, which are filed by individuals and entities with annual total income of up to Rs 50 lakh for FY 2023-24 (AY 2024-25). Individuals, besides Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), firms having income up to Rs 50 lakh and those having earnings from business and profession in the current fiscal (April 2023-March 2024) can start filing returns for the income earned this financial year.

31 dead, lakhs homeless in AP, Telangana floods

31 dead, lakhs homeless in AP, Telangana floods

Rediff.com2 Sep 2024

At least 16 people lost their lives in various rain-related incidents in Telangana while the unprecedented rainfall and floods in Andhra Pradesh over the past three days affected about 4.5 lakh people leading to the evacuation of more than 30,000 to relief camps.

Centre to recruit private sector experts in key posts across 12 ministries

Centre to recruit private sector experts in key posts across 12 ministries

Rediff.com16 May 2023

The department of personnel and training has asked the Union Public Service Commission to recruit such specialists through "lateral entry" mode in 12 government departments/ministries, he said.

Relief for D K Shivakumar; SC Dismisses Money Laundering Case

Relief for D K Shivakumar; SC Dismisses Money Laundering Case

Rediff.com5 Mar 2024

The case dates back to August 2017 when the Income Tax department had carried out searches at multiple premises in Delhi as part of its alleged tax evasion probe against Shivakumar, his alleged business associate and liquor trader Sachin Narayan, another associate Sunil Kumar Sharma who operated a fleet of luxury buses, Karnataka Bhawan (Delhi) employee A Hanumanthaiah and former state government employee and caretaker posted at the Karnataka Bhawan Rajendra N.

If Modi Wants His 3rd Term To Work...

If Modi Wants His 3rd Term To Work...

Rediff.com16 Oct 2024

To govern effectively, to legislate successfully, Modi must reach out to the Opposition. As long as he does not and he is showing no signs that he accepts the reality, the drift his fans are anguishing over will remain, cautions Aakar Patel.

Budget: Time To Bet On Big Ideas

Budget: Time To Bet On Big Ideas

Rediff.com16 Jul 2024

The generation of quality jobs and skill development should be the focal point, cutting across ministries and departments, asserts Nivedita Mookerji.

Where Would India Be Without Dr Singh?

Where Would India Be Without Dr Singh?

Rediff.com27 Dec 2024

What stood out in his 15-year journey as a member of the political executive at the Centre was his glowing record as India's most successful and effective finance minister. Both as prime minister and finance minister, he understood the importance of gradualism, except when the economy or the polity was in a crisis.

PMO Monitoring Red Sea Crisis

PMO Monitoring Red Sea Crisis

Rediff.com16 Feb 2024

Any government support or incentive to help exporters deal with high freight and insurance costs is unlikely.

Monsoon Will Be 'Above-Normal' This Year

Monsoon Will Be 'Above-Normal' This Year

Rediff.com26 Apr 2024

It is in more than a decade that the IMD has predicted 'above-normal' rains in the country.

Israel outweighs Iran in trade with India since 2019, shows data

Israel outweighs Iran in trade with India since 2019, shows data

Rediff.com23 Apr 2024

Trade links with Israel have strengthened in the past few years, even as the value of goods exchanged with Iran has diminished. Iran accounted for $3.9 billion worth of India's exports in the four quarters ending December 2019, compared to $3.6 billion to Israel. However, India's exports to Iran dropped to $1.2 billion as of December 2023, on a rolling four-quarter basis, while exports to Israel grew to $6.1 billion in the same period.

PSU banks urged to review their gold loan portfolio

PSU banks urged to review their gold loan portfolio

Rediff.com13 Mar 2024

The finance ministry has directed all state-owned banks to review their gold loan portfolio as instances of non-compliance with regulatory norms have been noticed by the government. The Department of Financial Services (DFS) in a communication addressed to heads of public sector banks has asked them to look at their system and processes related to gold loan. "We have asked banks to undertake comprehensive review of the gold loan business," financial services secretary Vivek Joshi told PTI.

Govt seeks to allay concern over 'retaliatory' duty cut on US apples

Govt seeks to allay concern over 'retaliatory' duty cut on US apples

Rediff.com20 Sep 2023

India's recent move to remove additional 'retaliatory' duty on eight products from the United States (US), including apples and walnuts, would not have any negative impact on the domestic producers, the government clarified, even as the issue threatened to snowball into a political slugfest between the ruling and Opposition parties. The move would, in fact, result in competition in the premium market segment, ensuring better quality at better prices for consumers, especially for apples, a senior government official said. "There were certain concerns that were being raised on the mutually agreed solution that has come in, more specific to seven-eight agriculture products where we had levied additional import duties in retaliation to the steel and aluminum measures (imposed by the US)," Peeyush Kumar, additional secretary in the commerce department, told reporters in a briefing.

Bihar to 'name and shame' farmers who burn crop residue

Bihar to 'name and shame' farmers who burn crop residue

Rediff.com11 Nov 2023

Amid rising air pollution caused by the burning of crop residue, the Bihar government has decided to identify farmers who are indulging in this practice and put up their names at the block offices, officials said on Saturday.

Dr M S Swaminathan, who made India self-sufficient in food, passes away

Dr M S Swaminathan, who made India self-sufficient in food, passes away

Rediff.com29 Sep 2023

Renowned agricultural scientist M S Swaminathan and the driving force behind the nation's 'Green Revolution,' passed away in Chennai on Thursday.

NC promises Article 370, autonomy, statehood resolution

NC promises Article 370, autonomy, statehood resolution

Rediff.com19 Aug 2024

Restoration of Article 370 and Jammu and Kashmir's statehood as well as implementation of the autonomy resolution passed by the erstwhile assembly in 2000 are among the National Conference's 12 guarantees announced in its manifesto for the upcoming polls.

Non-basmati rice bore the brunt of export curbs imposed in 2023

Non-basmati rice bore the brunt of export curbs imposed in 2023

Rediff.com18 Jul 2024

As a panel of senior ministers deliberates on the need to review curbs on exports of some rice varieties, data shows that since outbound shipments saw restrictions in July-August last year, the non-basmati segment has suffered more than basmati exports. Sources said the panel is expected to soon deliberate on a few suggestions to ease the export curbs on some rice varieties due to higher-than-required stocks in the central pool. The panel, some observers feel, may also postpone the decision to ease the export curbs till a firm picture emerges on the latest kharif paddy sowing.

Severe heatwave likely in northwest, east in next 5 days: IMD

Severe heatwave likely in northwest, east in next 5 days: IMD

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

The heat wave is likely to impact parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal, the Met office said.

Intense heatwave sweeps eastern states, spreads to south India: IMD

Intense heatwave sweeps eastern states, spreads to south India: IMD

Rediff.com23 Apr 2024

Heatwave conditions have been prevailing in Odisha since April 15 and the Gangetic West Bengal since April 17, according to the MeT department.

Govt plans to make India self-reliant in edible oils

Govt plans to make India self-reliant in edible oils

Rediff.com1 Feb 2024

The government will formulate a strategy to make India self-reliant in edible oils by boosting domestic output of oilseeds and launch a comprehensive programme to support dairy farmers, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced on Thursday. India imports a large quantity of edible oils to meet the domestic demand. During the 2022-23 marketing year (November-October), the country imported nearly 165 lakh tonnes of cooking oils, valuing a whopping Rs 1.38 lakh crore.

Lal Salaam, Comrade Buddhadeb

Lal Salaam, Comrade Buddhadeb

Rediff.com9 Aug 2024

He was reviled by critics in his party as a neo-liberal in disguise but till the end, he retained his belief in secularism and the humanity of Communism.

What led to basement flooding which killed 3 students

What led to basement flooding which killed 3 students

Rediff.com29 Jul 2024

According to the officials, the three-storey coaching institute, surrounded by residential and commercial establishments, had permission to use the basement as a store room, but it was being used as library in violation of the rules.

Game zone fire: Accused partner among killed; another co-owner held

Game zone fire: Accused partner among killed; another co-owner held

Rediff.com30 May 2024

Another partner or co-owner of the firm that operated the recreation facility has been nabbed which took the number of persons arrested in the case to five, officials said.

Ajit Pawar and men win big, Shinde and Co lose out in Maharashtra portfolios

Ajit Pawar and men win big, Shinde and Co lose out in Maharashtra portfolios

Rediff.com14 Jul 2023

Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar was given the finance and planning portfolio on Friday, nearly two weeks after he broke away from the original party and took oath as Maharashtra's deputy chief minister.

In peak of monsoon, Jharkhand stares at drought due to 45% rain deficit

In peak of monsoon, Jharkhand stares at drought due to 45% rain deficit

Rediff.com23 Jul 2023

Kharif crops were sown in only 4.15 lakh hectares against the target of 28.27 lakh hectares till July 21 or only in 14.71 per cent of the arable land.

Indian cities sizzle at 48 deg C, respite likely after 3 days

Indian cities sizzle at 48 deg C, respite likely after 3 days

Rediff.com28 May 2024

Temperatures in 17 locations breached 48 degrees Celsius on Monday, with the relentless heat affecting health and livelihoods across large parts of northwestern and central India.

Nitish free to sack me, says Bihar agri minister who complained of graft

Nitish free to sack me, says Bihar agri minister who complained of graft

Rediff.com15 Sep 2022

Bihar Agriculture Minister Sudhakar Singh Thursday said that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar could "sack" him for his perceived defiance but he will not step down unless asked to do so by the top leadership of his party, the Rashtriya Janata Dal.