The Pradhan Mantri Kissan Urja Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyaan (PM KUSUM scheme), introduced in 2019, has a commendable objective: that of solarising agriculture in India. But in the six years since its inception, the scheme has achieved only about 30 per cent of its targets. With its deadline year – 2026 – approaching fast, will it be able to cover the remaining ground? A new report by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), which focuses on gathering data and information especially from the perspective of farmers on on-ground implementation of the scheme, has offered a roadmap to help PM-KUSUM strike its…
Author: Editor's Desk, Tattva News
As communal tensions have gripped Bangladesh following deadly protests that forced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee the country, hundreds of Hindu temples, businesses and houses have been vandalised since Hasina’s ouster, a community association said on Tuesday. This comes as India has voiced concerns about the status of minorities and many have requested New Delhi’s intervention in the crisis. Hindus constitute around 8 per cent in Bangladesh’s 170 million people and have historically largely supported Hasina’s Awami League party, which identifies as largely secular. On the other hand, the opposition bloc led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)…
By Nava J Thakuria Now it’s official- Bangladesh’s lone Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus has been appointed as the head of interim government by Bangladesh President Muhammed Shahabuddin on Tuesday midnight following a series of discussions with the top military personnel, agitating student leaders and other law experts in Banga Bhaban. Prof Yunus, who was in Paris following a special invitation from the International Olympic Committee, agreed on principle to accept the responsibility of chief adviser to the caretaker government, which became necessary after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and left the country following a month long uprising led by…
Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat marched into the finals of the women’s 50kg freestyle event after her win over Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman at the Paris Olympics 2024. Vinesh has confirmed a medal for India at the ongoing Games. She won the bout 5-0. Vinesh was leading 1-0 at the end of the first period as her opponent conceded a point due to passivity. She unleashed her attack in the second period to take a big lead of 5-0. She kept it intact and got the better of the Pan American Games champion Guzman in the six-minute bout. Vinesh is the first Indian…
Reacting to the announcement that a new interim government is to be formed following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amid mass protests in Bangladesh, Smriti Singh, Regional Director for South Asia at Amnesty International, said “The first order of business for any interim government should be to ensure protection of people’s right to life, right to free speech and peaceful assembly and to find ways of de-escalating any potential for further violence”. Any measures proposed to move forward from this deadly chapter in Bangladesh’s history need to be rooted in the principles of justice, accountability and non-recurrence, she added.…
Deloitte India’s August update on the India Economic Outlook forecasts a growth rate of 7-7.2% for the country’s economy in the current fiscal year, driven by robust economic fundamentals and ongoing domestic policy reforms. The Union Budget 2024-25 has introduced several initiatives aimed at enhancing agriculture productivity, generating jobs for youth, boosting manufacturing, and improving financial access for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). These measures are expected to bolster supply-side demand, curb inflation, and stimulate consumer spending, particularly in rural areas. Deloitte India Economist Dr. Rumki Majumdar anticipates strong growth in the second half of the year, citing factors…
US Vice President and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris picked Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, looking to strengthen the Democratic ticket in Midwestern states. This comes hours after Harris officially secured the Democratic presidential nomination on Monday, becoming the first woman of Black and Indian heritage to contest the position on a major party ticket. According to sources, Harris zeroed in on three potential finalists in the recent days including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. He is a military veteran and union supporter who helped enact an ambitious Democratic agenda for his state, including sweeping protections…
Bangladesh’s Parliament was dissolved on Tuesday, the president’s office said in a statement, a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country following violent protests demanding her ouster. The announcement came hours after protesting student leaders set a deadline to dissolve Parliament and warned a “strict programme” would be launched if their deadline is not met. The student leaders had said in a video on Facebook that Parliament should be dissolved by 3 pm (0900 GMT) on Tuesday and asked “revolutionary students to be ready” if that did not happen. On Monday, President Shahabuddin had ordered the…
A significant portion of India’s agriculture budget, approximately 73%, is allocated towards welfare schemes and subsidies, according to a report by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER). These initiatives, including the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and subsidies for food and fertilizers, account for a substantial US$ 54.34 billion (Rs. 4.55 trillion). The report, authored by agriculture economists Mr. Ashok Gulati and Ms. Purvi Thangraj, highlights that food and fertilizer subsidies comprised over 50% of the Union Budget for the rural and agrarian sectors in FY25. With the central government allocating US$ 74.05…
Amid the turmoil in Bangladesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) this evening (August 5) at his official residence, at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. In the meeting, PM Modi was briefed about the situation in Bangladesh. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval are also present. Earlier, Jaishankar met Prime Minister Modi as Bangladesh leader Sheikh Hasina landed at the Hindon airbase near Ghaziabad on her way to London amid turmoil in her country. Jaishankar is believed to have briefed Modi about the evolving situation in the neighbouring country…