-Down to Earth The annual rise of material price came after a pause of 2 years because of the pandemic The Centre has increased allocations for materials cost for mid-day meals at schools by 9.6 per cent, after two unprecedented years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The measure, however, is insufficient to protect against rising inflation, stakeholders and experts complained. In absolute figures, the hike translates to a measly 48 paise for a primary...

The newly released World Bank report has estimated that the number of extremely poor people globally went up by nearly 71 million in the year 2020 as compared to 2019 — a 11 percent increase. Between 2019 and 2020, the number of poor swelled by around 56 million in India. It means that about 79 percent of the total people globally who slipped into poverty during the first year of...

-ThePrint.in Wheat stocks are half of where they stood in October 2021. Public stocks of rice are nearly double stocking norm, but price outlook depends on actual harvest this season. New Delhi: Despite the unabated rise in food prices, which drove retail inflation to a five-month high of 7.41 per cent in September, there is limited legroom for the government to intervene in the market by selling public stocks to cool prices.  Data...

-Business Standard External storms are morphing into hurricanes. India is in a relatively better position than many other countries, but this period of heightened volatility will require agility and clarity on policy Despite recovering from the pandemic, repeated global shocks have presented numerous challenges for India’s economy this year, driving inflation and evoking balance of payments (BoP) pressures. These shocks will likely persist for much longer.  In the US, even amidst signs of...

-The Hindu September food inflation quickens sharply to 8.41%, the steepest level in 22 months; economists warn that the negative surprise could spur more rate increases from the Reserve Bank of India India’s retail inflation accelerated to 7.41% in September from 7% in August, with food price inflation surging sharply from 7.62% in August to 8.6% in September, the National Statistical Office (NSO) said on Wednesday. At 7.41%, September’s retail inflation level is...