Zia Haq reports on public policy, economy and agriculture. Particularly interested in development economics and growth theories.
Articles by Zia Haq
India to ask World Bank expert to pause Indus dispute meetings
The office of Lino at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which is adjudicating disputes raised by Pakistan regarding the Kishenganga and Ratle dams
Published on May 06, 2025 04:00 AM IST
India cuts off water flow to Pakistan from dam on river Chenab
India’s actions came within hours of Pakistan’s testing its surface-to-surface ballistic missile on Saturday.
Updated on May 05, 2025 03:54 PM IST
Plans afoot to create 12 GW from new Indus projects
India suspended the Indus water treaty with Pakistan a day after terrorists linked to the neighbouring country killed 26 people in J&K
Published on May 05, 2025 04:00 AM IST
Eateries to soon disclose ‘analogue’ paneer in menus
Eateries will have to specify in their menus whether their dishes contain traditional dairy-based paneer or so-called analogue or non-dairy paneer
Published on Apr 30, 2025 06:56 AM IST
Govt taking steps to ensure employment for youth: Modi
PM Modi emphasized government efforts to boost employment and self-employment, highlighting initiatives for youth empowerment and economic growth.
Published on Apr 27, 2025 06:42 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Working on plans to halt flow of water to Pak, says minister
India's government plans to prevent water flow from cross-border rivers to Pakistan, suspending the Indus Waters Treaty after a deadly terror attack.
Published on Apr 26, 2025 06:36 AM IST
Troubled waters: Why the Indus treaty matters
India has suspended the Indus water treaty with Pakistan, potentially affecting water flows, citing the need for renegotiation amid rising tensions.
Published on Apr 25, 2025 04:00 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Record wheat, rice stocks as spells of rain shielded crops
Wheat stocks in the world’s second-largest producer surged to a three-year high this month, aided by strong harvests, official figures showed.
Published on Apr 19, 2025 07:16 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Edible oil manufacturers allege duty evasion via Nepal
On September 14, 2024, India upped the basic customs duty on crude soybean oil, crude palm oil, and crude sunflower oil from 0% to 20%, taking the so-called effective duty on crude edible oils to 27.5%.
Published on Apr 16, 2025 07:32 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Women’s financial sector participation going up
A government report shows rising women’s labor force participation and investment, but education and political representation lag, highlighting ongoing inequality.
Published on Apr 14, 2025 05:54 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Social security plan for gig workers firmed up
The social security fund for gig workers is likely to be run by the EPFO, the state-backed retirement income manager that handles the social-security accounts of about 70 million formal-sector employees gig workers are set to have access to pensions and insurance under the plan
Published on Apr 08, 2025 05:50 AM IST
Centre eases EPFO withdrawal, claims settlements
Union labour minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in a post on X the reforms will make “claim settlement process simpler, faster and hassle-free for crores of both EPF members and employers”.
Published on Apr 04, 2025 07:04 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Parl clears bill to strengthen immigration laws
The bill, already passed by the Lok Sabha on March 27, was cleared by a voice vote after a debate and will now be sent for President Droupadi Murmu’s approval
Published on Apr 03, 2025 04:00 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Centre to integrate ESIC with Ayushman Bharat
Union government plans to integrate ESIC healthcare with Ayushman Bharat, expand coverage, and establish 20 new medical colleges for low-wage workers.
Published on Apr 02, 2025 07:10 AM IST
Govt report flags dependence on coal for energy requirements
Coal production grew by 11.71% in 2023-24, reaching 997.83 million tonnes, up from 893.19 million tonne in the previous year, the report said
Updated on Mar 30, 2025 01:45 AM IST
‘Social security protection now covers 48% of Indians’: ILO
New estimates by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) put India’s total social-security coverage at 48.8%, compared to 24% earlier.
Updated on Mar 26, 2025 04:50 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Farmers’ outfits plan nationwide protest
The protesting farmers’ unions have also alleged that the crackdown on them and evictions from their encampments at Shambhu and Khanauri, bordering Punjab and Haryana, were done at the “behest of corporate lobbies and industrialists”.
Published on Mar 21, 2025 07:38 AM IST
What led the AAP govt in Punjab to act against farmers?
Punjab government dismantles 13-month farm protests due to waning public support, business pressure, and internal farmer divisions, surprising many.
Published on Mar 21, 2025 05:48 AM IST
Millions of poor not yet under food safety net, House panel told
The food ministry said about 7.9 million people are still left to be covered under the public distribution system for various reasons despite being eligible.
Published on Mar 16, 2025 04:03 AM IST
Major constraints in implementing Jal Jeevan Mission: Parl panel report
The panel, presenting its third report on demands for grants (2025-26) for the Jal Shakti ministry, also questioned officials on the reasons behind a sharp cut in funding for the programme in 2024-25 compared to previous years.
Published on Mar 13, 2025 07:56 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Yamuna virtually ‘dead’in city, says Parliamentary panel report
The report, tabled in both houses of Parliament on Tuesday, said, of the three main portions of the river flowing through the states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi, the stretch in Delhi was the most polluted
Published on Mar 13, 2025 05:00 AM IST
Cost of home-cooked meals declined in February: Crisil tracker
Viewed individually, the cost of an average veg meal fell by 1%, while that of a non-veg plate rose nearly 6%.
Updated on Mar 11, 2025 04:01 PM IST
India may log bumper wheat and maize output
India is the world’s biggest wheat producer after China and produced 113.3 million tonnes of the winter-sown grain in 2024, according to the farm ministry
Published on Mar 11, 2025 01:38 AM IST
India willing to reduce tariffs further to woo US
Indian negotiators have expressed willingness to make deeper tariff cuts, including zero duty on some agricultural products, to help boost US-India trade to $500 billion by 2030
Published on Mar 10, 2025 06:04 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
India open to rationalising agriculture sector tariffs: Officials
The weighted average agricultural tariff levied by India is 37.66% versus 2.59% of US, according to the review. A tariff differential of 32% is likely to come under the scrutiny of the Americans.
Published on Mar 07, 2025 05:48 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Centre to unveil deregulation panel for ‘ease of doing business 2.0’ plan
The proposed commission, being conceptualised by a task force led by the union cabinet secretary, will suggest policies to crank up economic growth
Published on Mar 04, 2025 04:15 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Wheat acreage at a three-year high: Forecast
The government too is expected to put out its updated estimates soon, as the grain, key to the country’s food security, enters its maturing stage
EPFO keeps interest rates on PF unchanged at 8.25%
Provident funds provide retirement income and a financial safety net for nearly 70-million salaried Indians. It is often the key corpus of lifetime savings for the working people
Following nationwide crackdown, coaching, institutes refund ₹1.56 crore
Coaching institutes across various states have refunded ₹1.56 crore to students after a crackdown by the consumer affairs ministry.
Updated on Feb 26, 2025 11:02 AM IST
19th PM-Kisan tranche ensures relief for 97 million
PM Kisan, a cash-transfer scheme for farmers, marks six years with ₹3.5 lakh crore disbursed to nearly 100 million farmers, aiding smallholders despite challenges.
Published on Feb 25, 2025 07:28 AM IST