-The Hindu Business Line Falling farm prices, drying up of industrial jobs and lesser MGNREGA work have sharpened rural discontent. The Budget cannot ignore these factors in a year of 8 State polls The year 2017 was roiled by rural discontent. After two consecutive drought years (2014-15 and 2015-16), when agriculture growth plummeted (see table), the countryside was awash with hope after a good monsoon in 2016-17. However, record foodgrain output (272 million...

-The Hindu Business Line Fragmentation of agricultural land has caused sharp, uneven fluctuations in farmer incomes. Policy must address this Inclusive growth — also called “pro-poor” growth — has become an important idea in the development discourse in India. It has widespread support because it combines the two most important ideas in development: income growth along with a progressive (or more egalitarian) distribution. The term was first embraced in the early 2000s...

-Hindustan Times Herein lies the crisis of farmer politicians. They have neither aspirations nor the power of coercion working for them. Rural distress dominated discussions around the political-economy in 2017, and will likely continue to do so in 2018, much to the consternation of political incumbents. Those in opposition will be looking forward to harvesting this anger for their own benefit. One question is worth asking though. Where is the farmer-politician in...

-The Times of India NEW DELHI: The Gujarat government is taking measures to meet rural challenges, chief secretary JN Singh told ET on Friday. The government was focused on improving implementation of schemes related to irrigation, minimum support price and crop insurance for farmers.   Gujarat saw a tough fight in the recently-concluded assembly polls, with BJP winning only 7 seats more than what was needed for an absolute majority. BJP lost 13...

-The Times of India NEW DELHI: In a clear indication of the nervousness over rising oil prices evoking popular anger, the government has asked state-run fuel retailers to stop raising the price of subsidised cooking gas cylinders by Rs 4 a month. The order was issued in October, around the same time the government cut excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 2 per litre to stave off rising consumer anger...