close_game
close_game
Zia Haq

Zia Haq reports on public policy, economy and agriculture. Particularly interested in development economics and growth theories.

Articles by Zia Haq

‘We will work it out’: Chouhan holds talks with farmers on MSP

Farmers highlighted a range of issues, from appropriate prices for farm produce and raising benefits under PM-Kisan, to stray animals problems, Chouhan said.

Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan. (PTI)
Updated on Sep 25, 2024 01:39 AM IST

New rules to target proxy ads to promote liquor

The Union government will soon introduce strict guidelines on surrogate ads for liquor and tobacco, imposing penalties for misleading marketing practices.

 Centre to enforce stricter guidelines on surrogate ads for liquor and tobacco. (Representational photo)
Updated on Sep 24, 2024 01:07 AM IST

ELI proposals set to be moved to Cabinet soon

The proposals include a publicly funded internship programme in 500 top Indian firms during the next five years

In her 2024-25 Budget speech on July 3, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced job-creation and education plans worth <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>1.48 lakh crore, unveiling incentives for firms enrolling first-time job-seekers to spur employment. (ANI)
Updated on Sep 24, 2024 05:34 AM IST

Why adulteration is rampant in unorganised dairy sector

According to the government’s Economic Survey of 2021-22, of the total milk produced in rural areas, the marketable surplus is nearly 52%.

According to the government’s Economic Survey of 2021-22, of the total milk produced in rural areas, the marketable surplus is nearly 52%. (Getty Images)
Updated on Sep 21, 2024 08:24 AM IST

Open for talks to any farmers’ group, says Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Shivraj Singh Chouhan said he would set aside the first half of every Tuesday for meetings with farmers, who can sit across the table with prior notice

Union minister for agriculture and farmers welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan addresses a press conference on achievements of the ministry in the first 100 days of the government on Sept 19 (PTI)
Published on Sep 19, 2024 08:21 PM IST

Cabinet okays subsidy for crop nutrients, revamped scheme to prop up farm income

The government makes available 28 grades of P&K fertilizers to farmers at subsidised prices through manufacturers and importers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at India Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi on August 11, 2024. (PTI FILE PHOTO/via PMO)
Published on Sep 18, 2024 08:42 PM IST

Govt to set up panel for social-security blueprint for gig workers

The size of India’s gig economy is estimated to potentially touch $455 billion, expanding at a compounded annual growth rate of 17%

The committee will hold discussions with all stakeholders in the gig economy. (Representative file photo)
Published on Sep 18, 2024 07:12 PM IST

Govt hikes PF withdrawal limit to 1L

The new withdrawal limit was raised because the older cap had become outdated in view of changing consumption expenditures

Provident funds offer retirement income to over 10-million employees in the organised sector. It often is the key corpus of lifetime savings for working people. (HT Photo)
Published on Sep 18, 2024 07:43 AM IST

Govt hikes PF withdrawal limit to 1 lakh

The labour ministry has introduced several changes in the EPFO’s operations, including a new digital architecture, as well as norms to make it more flexible and responsive

Union labour minister Mansukh Mandaviya. (HT file photo)
Updated on Sep 17, 2024 08:28 PM IST

India leading global efforts to manage water: President Droupadi Murmu

The president called for conservation and efficient use of water, while praising the government’s Jal Jeevan Mission for enabling equitable access to an essential resource for development and survival

The president emphasised the importance of “united efforts to tackle the pressing issue of water conservation and sustainability”. (@swachhbharat)
Published on Sep 17, 2024 03:50 PM IST

Gig firms asked to register workers for labour benefits

HT first reported on this and other proposed plans of the labour ministry to extend social-security schemes to workers of the gig economy on September 11

The drive will be rolled out on the government’s 100th day in office, September 17. (Reuters file photo)
Published on Sep 17, 2024 09:53 AM IST

Govt plans to hold third-party review of key central schemes

An official said that the proposed exercise will focus on “packages” or groups of these scheme in nine sectors, which make up more than 10% of the Union budget

The multi-disciplinary consultancies will be picked through competitive bids by the Niti Aayog, the state-run think tank. (HT Photo)
Updated on Sep 16, 2024 02:28 AM IST

NDA’s 100-day record shows massive infra push

The NDA government plans ₹15 lakh crore in infrastructure investments to boost growth and jobs, hoping to spur private sector participation in India's economy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the inauguration of SEMICON India 2024, in Greater Noida, on Wednesday. (HT Photo)
Updated on Sep 14, 2024 01:49 AM IST
By, New Delhi

Centre scraps export curbs on basmati, onion

Earnings from export of basmati had fallen sharply due to trade restrictions, while onion growers and traders had demanded removal of export barriers.

The world’s largest onion exporter had banned overseas sales in December last year to boost domestic supplies. (HT Photo)
Updated on Sep 14, 2024 04:45 AM IST

NTH to now certify drones at lower than market prices

The National Test House (NTH), will certify drones for commercial operations at lower-than-market prices, the government said on Tuesday.

Manufacturers of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) need a certification that every drone they make conforms to standards of safety and quality set by the directorate-general of civil aviation. (HT Photo)
Updated on Sep 12, 2024 08:42 AM IST
By, New Delhi

Govt may adopt PPI for tracking wholesale rates

India plans to adopt a producer price index (PPI) to better track wholesale prices, replacing the outdated wholesale price index (WPI).

Most developed economies use PPI to track producers’ prices
Updated on Sep 11, 2024 02:34 PM IST

Govt plans to unveil social security plan for gig workers

The Indian government plans to launch a social safety net for 7.7 million gig workers, requiring aggregators to contribute 1-2% of revenue for benefits.

the scheme is in line with the Social Security Code passed by Parliament in 2020 but which hasn’t been implemented yet. (REUTERS)
Updated on Sep 11, 2024 05:46 AM IST
By, , New Delhi

Centre to make EPFO pensions fully portable to ease payouts

The Union government will roll out a centralised pension payment system for all subscribers of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

With a portable system, pensioners can receive funds in any bank and at any location (HT Photo)
Updated on Sep 08, 2024 06:48 AM IST
By, New Deihi

Govt starts sale of onions at subsidised rates in Delhi

Onions will be available at a subsidised rate of ₹35 a kg — around half the market rate — and more cities will be covered soon.

People line up to buy onions at a subsidised rate outside Krishi Bhawan, in New Delhi on Thursday. (Vipin Kumar/HT Photo)
Updated on Sep 06, 2024 05:50 AM IST

Farms are launchpads for frictionless fintech

India's fintech, led by UPI, is expanding into agriculture with a new lending platform, ULI, aimed at improving credit access for farmers and small firms.

The leapfrogging success of the scan-and-pay or buy platforms -- also known as digital public infrastructure or DPI because the government lays out the core technology – is now being sought to be replicated in lending. (HT Photo)
Updated on Sep 05, 2024 07:00 AM IST

Cabinet clears 7 plans for digital agri push, climate resilience

The Union Cabinet, led by PM Modi, approved seven agricultural plans worth ₹13,966 crore, focusing on climate resilience, digital platforms for farmers, and sustainable farming.

Under the Digital Agriculture Mission, for which <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>2,187 crore will be allocated, the government plans to create an end-user mobile-based transactions and information platform for farmers, similar to the Unified Payments Interface, Union minister of information and broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw said, briefing reporters. (PTI)
Updated on Sep 03, 2024 08:04 AM IST
By, New Delhi

Prolonged monsoon may spoil crops; scanty rain hurts paddy in UP

The India Meteorological Department has forecast an extended monsoon and above normal rains during September, when crops near ripening and harvesting stage

The June-September rain-bearing season was 8% above normal cumulatively as on September 2, while August recorded a nearly 16% surplus, leading to flooding. (Representational image)
Published on Sep 02, 2024 07:38 PM IST

Cabinet clears 13,966 Cr plans for digital agri push, climate resilience

The government plans to create an end-user mobile-based transactions and information platform for farmers, similar to UPI

Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw briefs the media on Cabinet decisions in Delhi on Monday. (PTI)
Published on Sep 02, 2024 05:45 PM IST

Govt to extend social security to gig workers through e-Shram

India’s gig economy is rapidly expanding but most workers are undocumented and not covered by any welfare programme

Union labour and employment minister Mansukh Mandaviya. (File)
Published on Sep 01, 2024 08:54 PM IST

Growth slows to five-quarter low of 6.7% during April-June

On a gross value added (GVA) basis, India’s economy grew 6.8% in the first quarter of 2024–25 compared to a growth rate of 8.3% in the same quarter of the previous financial year

 (Representative Photo)
Published on Aug 30, 2024 06:44 PM IST

The lateral entry saga, back from the UPA days

The issue of lateral entry was back in the spotlight this month when the Narendra Modi government put out an advertisement for 45 posts in various departments

u.p.s.c building in delhi // photographs by priyanka parashar on 26 August 2013
Updated on Aug 30, 2024 06:01 AM IST
ByRajeev Jayaswal, , New Delhi

Centre-states meet on Friday to fast-track labour codes

The Union government in its previous term, had enacted four labour codes by revamping and amalgamating a complex set of 29 federal laws to ramp up hiring and social security for the country’s labour force

Union minister of state for labour, Shobha Karandlaje with Union labour minister Mansukh Mandaviya (X/@ShobhaBJP)
Updated on Aug 29, 2024 08:28 PM IST

Govt mulls reworking migrant, gig worker definitions

The Union labour ministry is reviewing definitions of migrant and gig workers to enhance inclusivity and clarity, covering intra-state migrations and digital platforms.

Govt mulls reworking migrant, gig worker definitions
Updated on Aug 29, 2024 08:06 AM IST
By, New Delhi

New base year for retail inflation likely

A 22-member panel set up by the ministry of statistics and programme implementation is currently working on arriving at a new base year for various price indices.

If the change in the CPI base year leads to a drop in the weight of food items, it could lower headline inflation. (AP Photo)
Updated on Aug 27, 2024 10:51 AM IST
By, New Delhi:

Unlike old pension scheme, new policy to be fully funded

The key difference between the OPS and the UPS is that the older scheme was an unfunded one, while the new one is a fully funded scheme.

Unlike old pension scheme, new policy to be fully funded
Published on Aug 26, 2024 10:25 AM IST
By, New delhi
SHARE
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • ...
Story Saved
Live Score
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On