News for 'US Department of Agriculture'

Govt lifts expenditure curbs linked to Covid-19

Govt lifts expenditure curbs linked to Covid-19

Rediff.com24 Sep 2021

The finance ministry on Friday withdrew expenditure curbs on various departments and ministries imposed in June in the wake of the COVID-19 second wave, reflecting improvement in public finances and the urgency to step up growth.

9000 people evacuated in Punjab due to rain, 8 die; Haryana reports 7 deaths

9000 people evacuated in Punjab due to rain, 8 die; Haryana reports 7 deaths

Rediff.com12 Jul 2023

In Punjab, more than 9,000 people were evacuated in Patiala, Rupnagar, Moga, Ludhiana, Mohali, SBS Nagar and Fatehgarh Sahib districts, officials said on Tuesday.

Recipe: Creamy Turkish Patlican Dip

Recipe: Creamy Turkish Patlican Dip

Rediff.com1 Jun 2022

The Turkish version of smoky Baba Ghanoush can be lavishly spread on pita or had in sandwiches with grilled vegetables and halloumi.

India imposes 20% export duty on non-Basmati rice

India imposes 20% export duty on non-Basmati rice

Rediff.com8 Sep 2022

The government on Thursday imposed a 20 per cent export duty on non-Basmati rice except for parboiled rice to boost domestic supplies amid a fall in area under the paddy crop in the current Kharif season. According to a notification by the revenue department, an export duty of 20 per cent has been imposed on 'rice in husk (paddy or rough)' and 'husked (brown) rice'. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs further said the export of 'semi-milled or wholly-milled rice, whether or not polished or glazed(other than Parboiled rice and Basmati rice)' will also attract a customs duty of 20 per cent.

Heat wave hurting farmers' income as yields drop across several crops

Heat wave hurting farmers' income as yields drop across several crops

Rediff.com11 May 2022

Santosh Patkar of Devgadh Taluka Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra is a worried man these days. Devgadh, which is known as the home to world famous Alphonso variety of mangoes, has seen an unusual drop in yields which is affecting farmers' income. Being one of the primary agricultural produce from the area, Santosh is not untouched by this somewhat rare phenomenon. He said in his own mango garden, yields have come down by a third from most trees.

Drought-hit Andhra govt orders yagnas!

Drought-hit Andhra govt orders yagnas!

Rediff.com19 Aug 2015

With about 40 per cent deficit rainfall during the monsoon season in parts of the state and shrinkage in sowing area, the Andhra Pradesh government has directed the Tirumala Tirupati Devastanam to "perform Yagnas" in temples to propitiate the rain God.

The Many Portfolios Of Yogi Adityanath

The Many Portfolios Of Yogi Adityanath

Rediff.com4 Apr 2022

In his second term in office, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has retained 34 portfolios.

US calls for dialogue to resolve farmer protests

US calls for dialogue to resolve farmer protests

Rediff.com5 Feb 2021

Recognising that peaceful protests are a hallmark of a thriving democracy, the United States has said that it encourages dialogue between the protesting farmers and the Indian government to resolve their differences.

'Orange' alert in North India as intense cold wave continues

'Orange' alert in North India as intense cold wave continues

Rediff.com7 Jan 2023

A severe cold wave brought the minimum temperature down to a numbing 1.5 degrees Celsius at the Ridge weather station in central Delhi.

Indian telcos surpass 3-year 5G rollout target in six months

Indian telcos surpass 3-year 5G rollout target in six months

Rediff.com1 Mar 2023

Indian telecom operators have surpassed the three- year 5G network rollout target given to them within six months and now the government is making efforts to enhance adoption of 5G applications across various key segments, a senior government official said in Barcelona. Department of Telecom Additional Secretary VL Kantha Rao told PTI at "India Evening" event on the sidelines of Mobile World Congress 2023 that the government has hosted over 50 companies at the India pavilion and the delegation is here to showcase indigenously-developed 4G and 5G technology stack. "When the spectrum was allocated to telecom service providers for 5G rollout, we gave a minimum rollout obligation saying that within one year they have to cover a few cities within three years, a few towns and so on and so forth.

H-1B, L-1 visa fees to be hiked massively

H-1B, L-1 visa fees to be hiked massively

Rediff.com5 Jan 2023

The Biden administration has proposed a massive hike in immigration fees, including the much sought-after H-1B visas for high-skilled foreign workers, which is very popular among Indian tech professionals. Under the proposed rule, published by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Wednesday, the application for the H-1B visa increases from $460 to $780, and L-1 from $460 to $1,385. The application fee for O-1 visas has been proposed to increase from $460 to $1,055.

Bengal: Babul Supriyo among 9 new ministers sworn in

Bengal: Babul Supriyo among 9 new ministers sworn in

Rediff.com3 Aug 2022

Nine MLAs, including Babul Supriyo, took oath as ministers in West Bengal on Wednesday, in a major reshuffle of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's cabinet.

What Are The Aims Of India's Indo-Pacific Policy?

What Are The Aims Of India's Indo-Pacific Policy?

Rediff.com26 Jun 2023

India's historical focus on its continental borders has overshadowed its maritime ambitions, but that is changing quickly, notes Ajai Shukla.

US waives in-person interviews for H-1B visas

US waives in-person interviews for H-1B visas

Rediff.com24 Dec 2021

Amid growing concerns of surging COVID-19 cases, the US has announced that it will waive the in-person interview requirement for a range of visa applicants during the entire year in 2022, including for H-1B workers and students, many of whom are from India. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

Canada's stand on farmers' protests 'nothing but hypocrisy': BJP

Canada's stand on farmers' protests 'nothing but hypocrisy': BJP

Rediff.com5 Dec 2020

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had recently backed the agitating farmers in India, saying his country will always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protests. He had expressed concern over the situation.

IT dept detects Rs 184-cr black money after raids on Pawar kin, others

IT dept detects Rs 184-cr black money after raids on Pawar kin, others

Rediff.com15 Oct 2021

Pawar had told the media on the day of the raids that the tax searches were also carried out at the premises of his three sisters, one living in Kolhapur district and two in Pune district of Maharashtra.

'You're drunk': Nitish yells at BJP MLAs in Bihar assembly

'You're drunk': Nitish yells at BJP MLAs in Bihar assembly

Rediff.com14 Dec 2022

According to Santosh Kumar, the superintendent of police of Saran district, three persons each have died in Isuapur and Mashrak police station areas after allegedly consuming spurious liquor on Tuesday night.

PM kicks off 'Rozgar Mela' to provide 10 lakh jobs

PM kicks off 'Rozgar Mela' to provide 10 lakh jobs

Rediff.com22 Oct 2022

In his address after more than 75,000 people were given appointment letters for various government jobs in the first tranche, Modi acknowledged the challenges facing the economy the world over with many countries hit by a record inflation and unemployment and said India is making every effort to come out of the situation unscathed.

Locust attack: Delhi govt puts all districts on high alert

Locust attack: Delhi govt puts all districts on high alert

Rediff.com27 Jun 2020

An advisory issued by the Delhi development commissioner said that residents can distract the locusts by making high-decibel sound through beating of drums, utensils; playing high-volume music, bursting crackers, and burning neem leaves.

'Heat wave kills people on a large scale'

'Heat wave kills people on a large scale'

Rediff.com23 Feb 2023

'Already, the temperature has touched 39 degrees in some parts of Gujarat and now we are in the last week of February.' 'We need to activate the heat action plan from March 1.'

PHOTOS: R-Day parade pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi

PHOTOS: R-Day parade pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi

Rediff.com26 Jan 2019

Various facets of Mahatma Gandhi's life journey were displayed by the 22 tableaux that rolled down the Rajpath during the 70th Republic Day Parade.

'Government is doing the right thing'

'Government is doing the right thing'

Rediff.com27 Jul 2022

'It is building the country's infrastructure, and delivering it very efficiently.'

MP CM allocates portfolios, Scindia loyalists get key ministries

MP CM allocates portfolios, Scindia loyalists get key ministries

Rediff.com13 Jul 2020

The 28 new ministers who joined the Chouhan cabinet on July 2 include 20 of cabinet rank and eight ministers of state.

After non-basmati, govt bans export of broken rice

After non-basmati, govt bans export of broken rice

Rediff.com9 Sep 2022

After imposing 20 per cent export duty on non-basmati rice, the government has banned the export of broken rice with an aim to increase domestic availability, according to a government notification.

43 ministers in Mamata's cabinet take oath

43 ministers in Mamata's cabinet take oath

Rediff.com10 May 2021

Three TMC leaders Amit Mitra, Bratya Basu and Rathin Ghosh were sworn-in virtually. Mitra is unwell and both Basu and Ghosh are recuperating from COVID-19.

Deep Sidhu, accused in Red Fort violence case, dies in accident

Deep Sidhu, accused in Red Fort violence case, dies in accident

Rediff.com16 Feb 2022

Actor and activist Deep Sidhu, accused of being the key conspirator of the Red Fort violence on Republic Day last year, died in a road accident on Kundli-Manesar-Palwal highway near Kharkhoda in Haryana's Sonipat, police said.

Power outage: Jalandhar MSMEs' new struggle

Power outage: Jalandhar MSMEs' new struggle

Rediff.com20 May 2022

With the Covid-19 pandemic showing signs of ebbing and economic activity picking up, factory owners in Jalandhar had hoped that the worst was over. However, the heat wave in April and extensive power cuts that came with it, have crushed their hopes. The city's large number of micro, medium and small enterprises (MSMEs) are now gearing up for yet another struggle, this time to survive with the shortage of power that is severely impacting their operations.

Modi raises H-1B visas issue with Biden: Foreign Secretary Shringla

Modi raises H-1B visas issue with Biden: Foreign Secretary Shringla

Rediff.com25 Sep 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his first-ever in-person meeting with President Joe Biden raised a number of issues involving the Indian community in America, including access for Indian professionals in the US and speaking about the H-1B visas, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla has said.

What Shah's cooperation ministry will do

What Shah's cooperation ministry will do

Rediff.com16 Jul 2021

New ministry will bring much-needed transparency in the functioning of the cooperatives, which so far have been riddled with allegations of political interference and mismanagement.

'We are closing loopholes exploited by highest level of taxpayers'

'We are closing loopholes exploited by highest level of taxpayers'

Rediff.com3 Feb 2023

'...Market-linked debentures, high-value insurance, exemptions from capital gains by investment in real estate, etc.' 'So, there are a number of measures directed at collecting a fair share from higher income individuals.'

Gehlot allocates portfolios, retains home, finance

Gehlot allocates portfolios, retains home, finance

Rediff.com22 Nov 2021

The 15 ministers were sworn in on Sunday for the expanded Gehlot cabinet, fulfilling a key demand of former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot whose rebellion last year shook the state's Congress government.

Safe to consume milk from LSD-infected cattle: IVRI official

Safe to consume milk from LSD-infected cattle: IVRI official

Rediff.com14 Sep 2022

Lumpy Skin Disease has spread in more than a dozen states including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana.

Govt rejects Walmart-Flipkart's bid to enter food retail sector

Govt rejects Walmart-Flipkart's bid to enter food retail sector

Rediff.com1 Jun 2020

The department for promotion of industry and internal trade has rejected Walmart-backed Flipkart's proposal seeking approval for entry to the food retail sector, citing a regulatory issue, an official said on Monday. The government permits 100 per cent foreign direct investment in food retail for food produced and manufactured in India.

Manipur: A Distant Outpost Full Of Promise

Manipur: A Distant Outpost Full Of Promise

Rediff.com9 Jun 2023

A lesson we have not learnt from China is the urgent need to knit the vast country together to keep it from falling apart at the seams. While there is considerable dent in poverty, sadly, the North East remains as distant today as it always was, points out Shreekant Sambrani.

Very Quick Snacks For 2023

Very Quick Snacks For 2023

Rediff.com31 Dec 2022

Whip up spreads on the double, especially when supplies run low.

Congress MP dies of heart attack during Bharat Jodo; yatra halted for 24 hours

Congress MP dies of heart attack during Bharat Jodo; yatra halted for 24 hours

Rediff.com14 Jan 2023

The two-time MP was taking part in the Rahul Gandhi-led march in Phillaur in Jalandhar where he fainted, said senior party leader Partap Singh Bajwa, who was also marching in the yatra.

MEA draws Capitol Hill parallel as US reacts to farmers' protest

MEA draws Capitol Hill parallel as US reacts to farmers' protest

Rediff.com5 Feb 2021

Hours after the Joe Biden Administration reacted to the farmer protests, India on Thursday said the comments must be seen in their entirety and compared reactions to the violence at the Red Fort with those seen after storming of the United States Capitol.

Above-normal rainfall likely in Sep but won't wipe deficit: IMD

Above-normal rainfall likely in Sep but won't wipe deficit: IMD

Rediff.com2 Sep 2021

Monsoon in August was almost 24 per cent below normal, which was the sixth driest August since 1901. It came on the back of a 7-per cent monsoon shortfall in July.

Hizb chief's sons, 9 others sacked from govt jobs in J-K

Hizb chief's sons, 9 others sacked from govt jobs in J-K

Rediff.com10 Jul 2021

Syed Ahmad Shakeel and Shahid Yousuf, who are sons of Hizbul Mujahideen chief and one of the most wanted terrorists, Salahuddin, were also dismissed from service for allegedly being involved in terror funding, the officials said.

Vizhinjam Port: Between Protest, Promise And Reality

Vizhinjam Port: Between Protest, Promise And Reality

Rediff.com1 Dec 2022

Big-ticket investments taking off is crucial for Kerala given the years it lost to labour militancy courtesy the same political forces currently in power, explains Shyam G Menon.