The RBI said recently that the upsurge in inflation in April was led by food and commodity prices.
Inflation declined marginally to 8.23 per cent in January from 8.43 per cent in the previous month, as prices of certain commodities like wheat, pulses and sugar eased, although essential items like onion and other vegetables continue to remain dearer.
According to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research Director General Trilochan Mohapatra, the insects have attacked about 40,000 hectares of land.
'Some farmers know when elections are due.' 'Before that, they take loans.' 'They then ask their farmer unions for loan waivers and the political party who shouts first about a loan waiver (gets the votes).'
'I am buried under a mountain of debt. Wheat at Rs 2 and rice at Rs 3 is killing farmers.' 'We are tired of telling the government to help. Now what you want me to do? Commit suicide?'
The total number of people killed in flooding and landslides in the state this year has gone up to 76. While 50 people were killed in inundation, 26 died due to landslides.
For many farmers, though, a bumper harvest isn't good news, as they have been forced to sell their produce, particularly pulses, dirt cheap.
Following the outbreak, Iran has stopped Indian basmati shipments. This has led to exports already falling 18-20 per cent this fiscal year. Iran and the rest of West Asia account for the largest imports of Indian basmati, and comprise more than 30 per cent of the shipments.
Even as the government has banned export of wheat for the whole of 2007, it transpires that similar bans or duty free imports in the last several months have not always had the desired impact on prices.
Although assembly election are 16 months away, it makes sense to let his party know he's very much in the running for the job he's currently holding.
On the extension of the PMGKAY, he said it will cost the government Rs 90,000 crore more.
The country had imported 5.5 million tonnes of pulses last year.
'We can't lower wheat price beyond a point'
Mukesh Ambani is stringing in new partnerships within the Reliance ecosystem with the best in global business -- from Facebook, Google and Microsoft to umpteen sovereign wealth funds and a soon-to-be-declared strategic partner in a big global retailer, notes Shailesh Dobhal.
Foodgrain stocks held in government godowns amounted to 50.2 million tonnes at the start of the current month, according to the latest data from the Food Corporation of India.
Food blogger Koushik Maji sent us this detailed recipe for egg biryani.
The applications range from disaster recovery to predicting demand and understanding customer choices using artificial intelligence.
During his tenure as an apex court judge, Justice Lokur had dealt with pollution matter which included the aspect of stubble burning.
Dr Aruna Kalra tells you why you must include almonds, grains and veggies in your diet.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances