Zia Haq reports on public policy, economy and agriculture. Particularly interested in development economics and growth theories.
Articles by Zia Haq
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The new withdrawal limit was raised because the older cap had become outdated in view of changing consumption expenditures
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
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
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
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
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.
Updated on Sep 14, 2024 01:49 AM IST
Zia Haq, 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.
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.
Updated on Sep 12, 2024 08:42 AM IST
Zia Haq, 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India plans to adopt a producer price index (PPI) to better track wholesale prices, replacing the outdated wholesale price index (WPI).
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.
Updated on Sep 11, 2024 05:46 AM IST
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).
Updated on Sep 08, 2024 06:48 AM IST
Zia Haq, 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.
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.
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.
Updated on Sep 03, 2024 08:04 AM IST
Zia Haq, 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
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
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
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
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
Updated on Aug 30, 2024 06:01 AM IST
Rajeev JayaswalZia Haq, 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
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.
Updated on Aug 29, 2024 08:06 AM IST
Zia Haq, 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.
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.
Published on Aug 26, 2024 10:25 AM IST
Zia Haq, New delhi
Unlike old pension scheme, new policy to be fully funded
The Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) will take effect from April 1, 2025.
Updated on Aug 26, 2024 05:41 AM IST
New pension scheme to benefit central govt staff
The UPS will also give out family or survivor-pension benefits, fixed at 60% of the last-drawn pension of a deceased employee.
Updated on Aug 25, 2024 06:16 AM IST
Zia HaqRajeev Jayaswal
Centre launches EPFO overhaul amid growing complaints
The labour ministry is on track to implement what is being called the EPFO 2.01 project aimed at easing processes and turn-around times for various members’ and employers’ transactions
Published on Aug 21, 2024 07:47 PM IST
Kharif sowing expands robustly on surplus rains
The total area sown under a slew of crops stood at 103.1 million hectares as on August 20, compared to 101 million hectares planted during the corresponding period of last year, which is higher by 2%
Published on Aug 20, 2024 08:10 PM IST
CCPA fines IAS coaching firm ₹3 lakh for misleading ad
CCPA fined Sriram’s IAS ₹3 lakh for misleading ads claiming 200+ UPSC selections and "No.1 institute" status, violating the Consumer Protection Act 2019.
Updated on Aug 19, 2024 07:24 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
CCPA fines IAS coaching firm ₹3 lakh for misleading ad
The CCPA has imposed a penalty of ₹3 lakh on Sriram’s IAS for misleading and exaggerated claims in its advertisements.
Skilled workforce must for a developed India: Gopinath
The India-born economist spoke at a chat session with NK Singh, chairman of the 15th Finance Commission, as part of the ongoing diamond jubilee conference of the prestigious Delhi School of Economics (DSE).
Updated on Aug 18, 2024 07:20 AM IST