Zia Haq reports on public policy, economy and agriculture. Particularly interested in development economics and growth theories.
Articles by Zia Haq
Centre likely to roll out labour codes by early next financial year
The four labour codes passed by Parliament during 2019-20 seek to usher in investment-friendly legislation and social security frameworks for newer forms of employment, such as gig workers, in the country long hobbled by a web of archaic and complex employment rules.
Updated on Jan 22, 2025 06:18 AM IST
2 Union ministers may lead Feb 14 farm talks
The central team is likely to make a presentation to the farm unions on “concrete steps” being taken to ratchet up agricultural incomes and output
Updated on Jan 21, 2025 03:51 AM IST
India lifts curbs on sugar export, allows overseas sales of 1 mn tonne till Sept
Sugar is an essential item under the government’s classification of commodities and is a controlled item
India named in 2 key UN panels
The country’s nomination to the global bodies comes on the heels of domestic reforms in statistical systems after a period of internal hiccups.
Updated on Jan 20, 2025 04:47 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
EPFO tweaks rules, no need for employer nod to update details
Members will now be able to self-correct personal details, including name, addresses and bank details, by logging in to the EPFO website
Updated on Jan 19, 2025 05:34 AM IST
Retail inflation eases to four-month low of 5.22%
Food prices eased on the back of a slower pace of inflation in vegetable prices, which stood at 26.56% in December last year.
Updated on Jan 13, 2025 05:10 PM IST
Zia Haq
India aims to power all its vessels with green energy in next 5 years: Minister
India plans to cut down its carbon footprint in line with the International Maritime Organization’s target to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions.
Published on Jan 10, 2025 04:25 PM IST
Why farm growth held up as key sectors decelerated
India's farm sector is projected to grow 3.8% in 2024-25, driven by good monsoon and higher cereal output, despite overall GDP growth slowing to 6.4%.
Updated on Jan 08, 2025 08:09 PM IST
Boost for rabi crops as rain likely this week in northwestern, central plains
An ICAR-Institute of Wheat and Barley Research bulletin said wheat sowing is almost complete and favourable weather, with adequate winter rainfall, is supporting vegetative growth
Published on Jan 08, 2025 03:42 PM IST
Zia HaqJayashree Nandi
PM set to kick off investment meet in Assam on February 25
Sarma said the Centre was in “active discussion with the state” to declare a passage out of Guwahati to other strategic areas as a “defence corridor”
Updated on Jan 08, 2025 07:50 AM IST
India’s economy projected to grow 6.4% in FY25, the slowest in four years
The slower expansion of Asia’s third largest economy comes in the wake of higher interest rates amid elevated inflation, especially of food commodities.
Colleagues recall encounters with Manmohan Singh
Speaker after speaker described Manmohan Singh as one of India’s greatest prime ministers, and yet a humble man.
Updated on Jan 05, 2025 04:00 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Soon, no need for nod to withdraw PF cash during emergencies
EPFO may soon allow members to withdraw funds via self-approval ATMs for emergencies, streamlining the process and cutting delays.
Updated on Jan 04, 2025 06:18 AM IST
India to export 1 million tonne of white rice to Indonesia
National Cooperative Exports Limited will source white rice from the open market through open bids from co-operative societies
Boost for farm sector in year’s first Cabinet meet
PM Modi's cabinet extends farm insurance schemes and boosts fertiliser subsidies to support farmers amid climate impacts and rising global prices.
Updated on Jan 02, 2025 06:40 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Union Cabinet clears extra fertiliser subsidy, revamped crop-insurance scheme
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the first Cabinet of 2025 was dedicated to enhancing prosperity for farmers
Published on Jan 01, 2025 07:24 PM IST
Experts to advise if free food comes under CPI
The ministry of statistics and programme implementation has put out a discussion paper, seeking views from experts on how to “treat” free ration under the public distribution system or PDS, which comprises a network of 500,000 far-price shops.
Published on Dec 31, 2024 11:00 PM IST
Agri ministry rejects charges of recruitment scam in farm body ICAR
ICAR rejects allegations of recruitment irregularities by member Badaravada, stating all appointments followed approved qualifications and procedures.
Updated on Dec 31, 2024 04:29 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister with a vision for nation’s growth
Singh’s thesis, “India’s Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth” was an incisive analysis of India’s inward-looking trade policy.
Updated on Dec 30, 2024 04:27 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Manmohan Singh’s policies bore imprint of his far-sighted academics
As prime minister, Manmohan Singh would double down on liberalisation, albeit with social safety nets for the vulnerable, which together pulled 271 million people out of poverty between 2005-06 and 2013-14
Updated on Dec 29, 2024 04:46 PM IST
Thousands pay tearful last respects to Manmohan Singh
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh leaves behind a legacy of historic measures that unleashed India’s economy.
Updated on Dec 29, 2024 04:13 AM IST
Zia Haq picks his favourite read of 2024
The inside stories of the ‘BK-16’, the 16 individuals arrested in the Bhima Koregaon case under a stringent law that allows indefinitely long periods of detention
Labour ministry, RBI hold discussions to ease PF withdrawal
EPFO is revamping its work processes and IT network to hasten the services following long-standing grievances of cumbersome procedures for settlement of claims.
Updated on Dec 26, 2024 05:02 AM IST
Tariffs, GDP path among key focus areas in PM pre-budget talks
The agenda was “Maintaining India’s Growth Momentum at a Time of Global Uncertainty” and invitees also included experts from rating agencies, academics.
Updated on Dec 25, 2024 04:48 AM IST
Zia HaqGireesh Chandra Prasad
Jobs in unincorporated firms grow by 10%, annual survey shows
Unincorporated enterprises account for a significant chunk of Asia’s third-largest economy, with a share of 45% in gross domestic product or GDP.
As tech evolves, so must our regulatory frameworks: Pralhad Joshi
On the occasion of National Consumers’ Day, Union food and consumer affairs minister Pralhad Joshi answers key questions on consumer rights.
Updated on Dec 24, 2024 08:26 AM IST
Farmers push for SC’s help after parliamentary standing committee backs MSP law
Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal and protesting farmers’ unions have urged the Supreme Court to ask the Centre to implement the committee recommendation.
Updated on Dec 23, 2024 07:10 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Govt to roll out star ratings to show ease of repair of household appliances
The department of consumer affairs launched the right-to-repair portal in July to provide consumers with easy access to information about repair and reuse of products
Updated on Dec 19, 2024 07:19 PM IST
Centre proposes GST-like panel to push lapsed farm reforms
In June, the agriculture ministry formed a panel to prepare a draft national policy framework on agricultural marketing.
Updated on Dec 18, 2024 06:09 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
India is not about one man, it is about us: Kapil Sibal
RS MP Kapil Sibal said in Parliament that Election Commission is no longer an open institution and owes answers to the nation during the Constitution debate.
Updated on Dec 17, 2024 02:39 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi