Zia Haq reports on public policy, economy and agriculture. Particularly interested in development economics and growth theories.
Articles by Zia Haq
‘No 100% selection promise in ads by coaching centres’
experts say the COMPETITION AMONG STUDENTS ALONG WITH exaggerated assurances of success often drive aspirants to suicide
Updated on Jan 10, 2024 05:42 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Jan Aushadi stores to help save health care costs: Amit Shah
India will have nearly 200,000 primary agricultural cooperative societies or PACS in the next five years, Amit Shah said.
Updated on Jan 09, 2024 02:53 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Centre plans to make north shrimp-output hub
The Union government is working on an aquaculture plan worth ₹576 crore in four northern states to create a hub of farming shrimp for export and domestic consumption by utilizing land unsuitable for crops/
Updated on Jan 08, 2024 07:22 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
India’s GDP to grow 7.3% in FY 2024, says govt estimate
Projections of strong growth amid six hikes of the repo rate by the central bank since 2022 come ahead of the Union Budget in February
Overseas orders and busy wedding season boost basmati rice business
Basmati, prized for its aroma and long grain, is witnessing a demand surge from traditional global buyers in the Middle East, the US and European Union.
Updated on Dec 31, 2023 01:27 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Zia Haq picks his favourite read of 2023
As India surges ahead as the fastest-growing economy in the world, a new book shows that the nation needs more social welfare investment to keep up with poorer neighbours who have raced ahead in health and nutrition
Ahead of polls, govt to sell Bharat brand subsidised staples
Centre is planning to scale up output and sales of basic commodities, such as Bharat Atta and Bharat Dal, its subsidised brand of wheat flour and lentils
Updated on Dec 29, 2023 12:43 AM IST
Ahead of Lok Sabha polls, Centre to sell Bharat brand subsidised staples
The government is also considering offering subsidized rice and restricting the amount of grain traders can stock to boost supplies.
Updated on Dec 29, 2023 05:24 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Red Sea strikes alarm basmati exporters, govt advises caution
Shippers of Indian basmati rice are concerned about the Middle East conflict after two cargo vessels were struck by drones in the Red Sea. This could force suppliers to change routes and increase costs. The Red Sea route is important for India's sea trade to Africa, the Middle East, and the EU. Additionally, the surge in basmati rice exports due to higher demand from the Middle East has raised prices for farmers. India has banned shipments of other rice varieties to cool domestic prices, so increased basmati exports could help narrow the agricultural trade gap.
Updated on Dec 26, 2023 08:28 AM IST
2023: A year of food-price and climate shocks
The year was particularly challenging one, as the country was hit by intense heatwaves, erratic rains, floods, droughts, storms and cyclones
Updated on Dec 25, 2023 04:35 PM IST
Depleting groundwater behind surge in garlic prices
Depleting groundwater in major garlic-producing states in India is causing a sharp increase in garlic prices, reaching ₹400 per kg in certain markets. A patchy monsoon and poor rainfall have damaged crops, leading to a decline in garlic output. The situation is expected to stabilise in January with the arrival of a fresh crop, but prices may remain elevated until March. China is the largest producer of garlic globally, accounting for 73.8% of total production.
Updated on Dec 19, 2023 04:51 PM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Farm fire cases on the decline, Parliament told
Incidents of paddy-stubble burning during a 45-day harvesting cycle in northern states in the current season have declined by 54
Updated on Dec 14, 2023 05:14 AM IST
Centre won’t revert to old pension scheme, Parliament told
The Union government has no plan to shift to the old pension scheme (OPS), which five states have opted for so far, the Centre told the Lok Sabha.
Updated on Dec 13, 2023 01:05 PM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Inflation rises to a three-month high of 5.55%, driven by food costs
Retail inflation, as measured by the consumer price index, rose 5.55% in Nov 2023 from a year ago, up from 4.87% in October, but slightly below expectations
Govt to buy maize at MSP, raise output to meet biofuel needs
The Union government has signed off on a plan to procure maize at federally fixed minimum support prices (MSP) while increasing its output and productivity by expanding the area under cultivation, as part of a strategy to meet India’s biofuels needs
Updated on Dec 10, 2023 06:26 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Govt bars onion export
The steps come amid anticipated lower output of food items due to a patchy summer monsoon and drought in some states.
Published on Dec 09, 2023 04:35 PM IST
‘Monetary policy actively disinflationary’: RBI keeps repo rate unchanged at 6.5%
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said the central bank’s successive policy rate hikes, a reference to increases in interest rates, “seems to be working”
Procurement of rice by FCI fell in the last three years: Govt
Procurement of kharif or summer-sown rice by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has declined steadily over the past three years, data cited in a Parliament reply on Wednesday showed.
Updated on Dec 07, 2023 07:16 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Indian banks have been resilient despite global turmoil: Sitharaman
Indian banks remain healthy, strong and resilient despite a global turmoil, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman told Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
Updated on Dec 06, 2023 02:07 AM IST
Hat-trick points to a hat-trick in 2024, says Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Bharatiya Janata Party's victories in three heartland states as an endorsement of his policies and a sign of a hat-trick win in the 2024 general elections. Modi highlighted the support of women, youth, farmers, and the poor, and warned the opposition against negativity. The BJP won three out of four state elections held in November, with Congress winning in Telangana. Modi also accused the Congress of attempting to divide the country on the basis of caste. He promised to fulfill the promises made to women and mothers.
Updated on Dec 04, 2023 06:58 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Tap export markets, create economic zones for co-ops, says expert panel
Some of the recommendations, such as priority for export-oriented cooperatives, are already under implementation
Updated on Nov 25, 2023 07:02 AM IST
India vulnerable to food-price shocks, warns RBI Governor
India’s retail inflation eased to a three-month low of 5.02% in September on the back of softer vegetable prices, higher than the target of 4%
Fund for Centre’s anti-inflation intervention in need of ₹5.5k-cr
The consumer affairs ministry in India urgently needs ₹5500 crore ($800 million) for a fund that helps control food prices and maintain emergency reserves of key commodities. The ministry is exploring ways to meet the cash demand, including borrowings and advances. The fund, set up by the Modi government, allows the government to release items such as onions and pulses during shortages and price spirals. The current budget allocation for the fund is just ₹100,000, and the ministry is relying on a revolving fund of ₹250 crore, which is insufficient to meet its operations.
Updated on Nov 12, 2023 05:12 AM IST
By next week, refund airfares for bookings during lockdown: Govt to travel aggregators
The Indian government has instructed online travel platforms to process all pending fare refunds from the pandemic lockdown period by next week. The government has set a deadline for travel aggregators to return fares to customers who booked tickets during the lockdown period, and follow-up actions will be taken to ensure compliance. The Central Consumer Protection Authority has issued notices to several online travel platforms and travel agencies, and an investigation is ongoing into non-compliance and irregularities. Additionally, the government is cracking down on "dark patterns" on travel websites, which are design tactics intended to deceive consumers.
Updated on Nov 09, 2023 06:04 AM IST
Centre rolls out subsidised ‘Bharat Atta’ at ₹27.50/kg ahead of Diwali
Under the scheme, flour will be sold at a cut price of ₹27.50 per kilo, compared to the market price of ₹32-34 per kg.
Updated on Nov 07, 2023 05:01 AM IST
Union govt starts selling onions at reduced rates as prices soar
Lower supplies due to delayed harvests of the summer crop have driven prices of the commonly consumed vegetable for a second time in the past six months
Updated on Nov 02, 2023 04:51 AM IST
Supply shock triggered by uneven monsoon spurs onion price surge
A fresh supply shock triggered by a deficient monsoon has led to a surge in onion prices, which have more than doubled within a fortnight in several states, as the Union government began releasing stocks from its reserves to cool rates amid high festive season demand
Updated on Oct 31, 2023 07:56 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Climate crisis spurs olive oil price surge
Droughts, heatwaves and wildfires linked to climate change in key producer countries have nearly halved the world’s harvests of olives for second straight year.
Updated on Oct 30, 2023 06:58 AM IST
Climate crisis goes for olive oil, prices surge
In a forecast in May, global price-setter Spain, the source of half the world’s olive oil supply, said production is expected to fall nearly 48% over last year
Updated on Oct 29, 2023 03:35 PM IST
Centre curbs onion export as prices double
A minimum export price (MEP) of $800 per tonne on a freight-on-board basis will be applicable on onion effective October 29 and remain in force until December 31
Published on Oct 28, 2023 09:42 PM IST