Zia Haq reports on public policy, economy and agriculture. Particularly interested in development economics and growth theories.
Articles by Zia Haq
Bhutan reaches out for rice amid export ban, India likely to offer it
Bhutan has requested India to allow rice export to the country after India banned overseas shipments of non-basmati rice, causing global rice prices to rise. Bhutan has made a diplomatic request for rice shipments of up to 90,000 tonnes. India's rice ban allows for exemptions for export under government-to-government deals and in cases of requests made by "friendly countries" with genuine food-security needs. India's share in global rice exports is nearly 40%.
Updated on Aug 08, 2023 12:45 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
No plans to import wheat: Centre
India has not planned to import wheat from any country under government-to-government scheme, said an official
Updated on Aug 05, 2023 12:01 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Govt likely to cut wheat-import duty, raise stock limits to tame prices
The world’s second-largest grower of wheat imposed a ban on exports of the grain in May 2022, after searing temperatures trimmed output
Sufficient sugar stocks to meet festive demand: Centre
The country currently has 10.8 million tonne of sugar. This quantity is sufficient to meet current demand and also the demand for the upcoming festive season when demand goes up
Rain brings more ruin to tomato crops, worsening price spiral
Skyrocketing tomato prices may see further spikes due to torrential rains that damaged crops in Karnataka and Maharashtra, according to traders and officials.
Updated on Aug 02, 2023 12:38 AM IST
Zia Haq, New delhi
Over 55% tribal households covered under Jal Jeevan Mission: Centre
Nearly 55% of Scheduled Tribe rural households in the country have been provided with a tap water connection under the Jal Jeevan Mission till July 26.
Updated on Aug 01, 2023 12:24 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Sowing picks pace but east battles drought concerns
An uneven monsoon has nearly caused droughts in parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand, stoking concerns.
Updated on Jul 30, 2023 03:06 AM IST
Farm insurance scheme rejigged for fast payouts
Claimants can get partial payouts proportionate to the Centre’s share on time while earlier guidelines stipulated that central funds were to be released only when states release theirs
Updated on Jul 25, 2023 12:27 AM IST
Replanting of rain-hit crops likely to push back summer harvest: Analysts
Torrential rains and flooding have damaged summer crops across states, forcing farmers to replant or wait for the water to recede from submerged fields
Updated on Jul 24, 2023 02:47 AM IST
Sahara scam: Centre launches portal to refund duped investors
Amit Shah on Tuesday launched the Sahara refund portal to begin the process of refunding claims worth ₹5,000 crore of millions of small depositors.
Updated on Jul 19, 2023 04:45 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Tomatoes with subsidised cost to reach more states; ‘dal’ get cheaper
Union minister Piyush Goyal electronically opened the sale of subsidised chickpeas under the brand name ‘Bharat Dal’
Updated on Jul 18, 2023 04:50 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
₹80/kg: Govt further reduces tomato rates
The Indian government has reduced the price of subsidized tomatoes from ?90/kg to ?80/kg in major cities to address rising food inflation. The price reduction is being implemented through two state-backed firms, NAFED and NCCF, and will be rolled out to more cities depending on market prices. The tomato crisis is due to extreme weather conditions and climate change-induced shortages. Analysts predict high grocery inflation until September due to last year's lower crop output and recent heavy rains.
Updated on Jul 16, 2023 11:53 PM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Govt sells tomatoes at discount rate of ₹90/kg
According to analysts, consumers will feel the pain of high grocery inflation at least until September
Updated on Jul 14, 2023 11:55 PM IST
Wholesale inflation falls 4.18%, an 8-yr low, amid a spurt in retail prices
Torrential rains in two-thirds of the country have triggered widespread flooding in several states, hindering movement of farm and manufactured goods
Food prices drive retail inflation to 3-month high of 4.81%
Poor families are disproportionately impacted by high grocery bills as they tend to spend a higher proportion of their monthly budgets on food.
Updated on Jul 13, 2023 01:52 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Food prices drive retail inflation to three-month high of 4.81%
Food prices in June jumped 4.49%, compared to a 2.96% climb in the previous month, pushing up overall inflation numbers
Updated on Jul 12, 2023 06:57 PM IST
Cooperatives vital to India’s economy: Modi at launch of e-commerce app
Cooperatives are vital to India’s goal of leapfrogging into a developed economy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday, launching a Google Cloud-powered e-commerce app to promote businesses in the sector.
Updated on Jul 02, 2023 12:13 AM IST
Uneven rainfall hits paddy sowing in India
Uneven monsoon impacts rice planting in India, with farmers planting 26% less than last year. Heavy rain in northern states narrows rainfall deficiency.
Updated on Jul 01, 2023 12:43 AM IST
Decoding modalities, challenges of transition to organic fertilisers
The decision is part of a broader push to limit subsidies on chemical crop nutrients and balance their use
Updated on Jun 29, 2023 06:06 AM IST
Cabinet increases floor price paid to sugarcane farmers
Cane farmers form a politically influential voting bloc in states such as Uttar Pradesh, which sends the highest number of lawmakers to Parliament
Updated on Jun 29, 2023 03:26 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Sowing picks pace as monsoon revives
Sowing of key summer crops accelerated after a long pause following a revival of the monsoon, which has narrowed rainfall deficiency from 33% a week ago to 23% as on date, an official tracking crops said on Tuesday.
Updated on Jun 28, 2023 08:26 AM IST
Govt to sell tur in open markets to cool prices amid supply crunch
Rising protein-led prices can be a significant driver of inflation and household expenses even as the government has imposed a slew of price-control measures ahead of a series of polls
Updated on Jun 27, 2023 03:14 PM IST
Centre may tweak pension policy to give assured benefit
The issue of pension has been a hot-button political issue, with opposition parties promising a switch to the old pension scheme during state elections.
Updated on Jun 26, 2023 07:38 AM IST
India's cooperatives form a vital cog in the wheel of domestic growth. And the C
At the heart of the Centre's plans to build a $5 trillion economy lies a widespread network of grassroots financial centres. Here's what it plans to do with it
Published on Jun 23, 2023 10:05 PM IST
Farmers can now enrol for PM-Kisan via new mobile app with face recognition
The Android-based app is aimed at simplifying on-boarding of beneficiaries, who can now self enroll themselves
Updated on Jun 23, 2023 05:37 AM IST
In a green agri push, cabinet nod likely for PM-Pranam, 2 schemes
India's Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers is set to propose a cash incentive scheme called PM-Pranam, which rewards states for reducing their consumption of chemical soil nutrients. The move is part of a wider policy designed to limit fertilizer subsidies and promote natural and organic farming. The scheme is expected to save the government INR190bn ($2.5bn) in subsidies and will be calculated at 50% of fertilizer subsidy savings by way of reduced consumption for a given year based on a baseline average consumption of the past three years.
Updated on Jun 21, 2023 12:31 AM IST
Slack monsoon slows planting of summer crops paddy, pulses, oilseeds
Farmers have time till mid-July to make up for the shortfall but much depends on the progress of the June to September monsoon, analysts said
Updated on Jun 20, 2023 06:25 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
States barred from bidding for food grains held by Centre
The Centre’s decision to exclude states from the auctions follows a move on June 13 to stop all sales to states from federal stocks held by FCI.
Updated on Jun 19, 2023 04:59 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Key ministers review cyclone preparations
Union health, fertilisers and chemicals minister Mansukh Mandaviya reached Gujarat’s Kutch on Wednesday and reviewed safety measures
Updated on Jun 15, 2023 12:26 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Govt unveils ₹7.5k-cr project for renovation of Cochin Port
India’s 7,500km coastline has 200 ports, 12 of which are classified as critical to the economy, including Cochin
Updated on Jun 12, 2023 11:37 AM IST
