Search results for 'Public Works Departments'

Toxic haze envelops Delhi, doctors warn of health risks

Toxic haze envelops Delhi, doctors warn of health risks

Rediff.com18 Nov 2024

Delhi's air quality deteriorated significantly on Monday, with areas like Dwarka, Mundka and Najafgarh recording an AQI of 500, the worst this season. The city's overall AQI reached 491, triggering the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-IV restrictions in Delhi-NCR. Doctors warned of health risks, urging people to wear N95 masks and avoid outdoor activities. The Supreme Court questioned the Delhi government on its anti-pollution measures and warned against scaling down preventive measures without its permission. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi accused the BJP-led central government of political maneuvering while neglecting stubble burning in states it governs. Meanwhile, the city enforced stricter pollution control measures, including a ban on truck entry and suspension of construction activities. Air purifier sales surged, reflecting the public's concern over the severe air pollution.

Kashmiri Pandit women marrying non-migrants won't lose status: HC

Kashmiri Pandit women marrying non-migrants won't lose status: HC

Rediff.com1 Dec 2024

The two women -- Seema Koul and Vishalni Koul -- had moved the high court in 2018 after their provisional selection to the post of legal assistant in the department of disaster management relief, rehabilitation and re-construction under the PM package for Kashmiri migrants in December 1, 2017 forfeited on the ground that they have lost their migrant status having married non-migrant persons.

Modi, Macron fly together to Marseille, open new Indian consulate

Modi, Macron fly together to Marseille, open new Indian consulate

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron have called for enhancing trade and investment ties between their countries and committed to further deepening their engagement in the Indo-Pacific. They discussed a full spectrum of bilateral relations, including key global and regional issues, and stressed the urgent need for reform in the United Nations Security Council. The leaders also underscored their commitment to ensuring the global AI sector can drive positive social, economic, and environmental outcomes.

Atishi Marlena In Delhi's Hot Seat

Atishi Marlena In Delhi's Hot Seat

Rediff.com18 Sep 2024

The Delhi battlefield may not be a cakewalk for the Rhodes Scholar.

SC uploads probe report, with photos, video of 'cash recovery' at judge home

SC uploads probe report, with photos, video of 'cash recovery' at judge home

Rediff.com23 Mar 2025

The Supreme Court of India has released an inquiry report into the alleged discovery of a large amount of cash at the residence of Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma. The report, which includes photos and videos, was uploaded on the court's website. Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has formed an in-house committee to investigate the matter and has asked the Delhi High Court Chief Justice to not assign any judicial work to Justice Varma. Justice Varma has denied the allegations, claiming they are part of a conspiracy to frame him. The inquiry report, submitted by the Delhi High Court Chief Justice, has been made public and calls for a deeper probe into the incident. The incident has raised concerns about judicial accountability and has prompted the Congress party to call for strong measures to uphold public trust in the judiciary.

Rs 16000,000,000: Amount splurged for CWG!

Rs 16000,000,000: Amount splurged for CWG!

Rediff.com1 Apr 2011

"It appears as if to economise was criminal and to splurge was civil." This was the observation made by the high-level Shunglu Committee, which found a loss of over Rs 1,600 crore in construction and renovation of venues for Commonwealth Games by different government agencies.

Heavy snowfall in Kashmir, flights, rail services suspended

Heavy snowfall in Kashmir, flights, rail services suspended

Rediff.com28 Dec 2024

Normal life was thrown out of gear in Kashmir on Saturday as most areas of the valley received snowfall, disrupting flight and railway operations and also leading to the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, officials said.

Train crash: Govt school used as morgue demolished

Train crash: Govt school used as morgue demolished

Rediff.com9 Jun 2023

The demolition was being carried out in presence of the school managing committee (SMC) members and Public Works Department officials.

MIT expels Indian-origin student for pro-Palestine essay

MIT expels Indian-origin student for pro-Palestine essay

Rediff.com11 Dec 2024

An Indian-origin PhD student at MIT, Prahlad Iyengar, has been suspended until January 2026 for his pro-Palestinian activism. The suspension effectively ends his NSF fellowship and disrupts his academic career. Iyengar is appealing the decision, arguing that it is a violation of free speech and a result of MIT's ties to the war industry. The suspension comes after MIT banned the distribution of a pro-Palestinian student-run magazine, "Written Revolution", which featured Iyengar's article "On Pacifism." The article included imagery and language that MIT deemed could be interpreted as a call for violent protest. Iyengar has been barred from campus and is facing a series of sanctions for his activism.

China flags handling differences, resolving misgivings in India talks with Misri

China flags handling differences, resolving misgivings in India talks with Misri

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

In the talks, China emphasised that the two sides should proceed from the fundamental interests of China, India and adhere to the strategic height and long-term perspective of China-India relations, the readout said.

CWG: Construction cost of five stadia crossed over Rs 1000 cr

CWG: Construction cost of five stadia crossed over Rs 1000 cr

Rediff.com2 Jan 2011

An RTI reply has revealed that the cost of construction of five Commonwealth Games venues by Central Public Works Department (CPWD) escalated by over Rs 1,110 crore than the original sanctioned amount.

6 Delhi schools receive bomb threats, 12-year-old student held

6 Delhi schools receive bomb threats, 12-year-old student held

Rediff.com14 Dec 2024

The boy told police that he sent the mail after seeing media reports about several schools in Delhi getting bomb threats. He believed that he would not get caught as none of the accused in the earlier cases had been caught yet, the source said.

Crypto or not: Industry to focus on user protection, licensing regime

Crypto or not: Industry to focus on user protection, licensing regime

Rediff.com25 Nov 2024

User protection and a proposal for a licensing framework for companies seeking to operate in the cryptocurrency area will be part of an upcoming consultation paper on the sector, said a senior industry executive. Even as specific regulations around crypto are yet to take shape, companies are setting up baseline user protection processes, including a redressal mechanism, fraud detection, regular filing of suspicious transaction reports (STRs), among others.

Rajouri deaths: Central team collects samples; curbs imposed

Rajouri deaths: Central team collects samples; curbs imposed

Rediff.com20 Jan 2025

A high-level inter-ministerial team conducted a six-hour investigation in Badhaal village, Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir, to ascertain the causes of death of 17 members of three families under mysterious circumstances. The team, led by a director-rank officer in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, collected samples and briefed by senior district, health and police officers. The team's visit follows the deaths of 16 people between December 7 and January 19. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities focusing on potential neurotoxins and a spring that tested positive for pesticides.

Rahul vs Scindia, royals over 'Maharaja' remarks

Rahul vs Scindia, royals over 'Maharaja' remarks

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

Addressing a rally in Mhow on Monday, Gandhi said Dalits, backwards and tribals had no rights before Independence, when "only maharajas and rajas enjoyed rights".

Monkeypox declared a public health emergency in New York City

Monkeypox declared a public health emergency in New York City

Rediff.com31 Jul 2022

New York City mayor Eric Adams and New York City department of health and mental hygiene commissioner Ashwin Vasan on Saturday declared a public health emergency due to the monkeypox outbreak.

Items stolen from bungalow vacated by Tejashwi, alleges NDA

Items stolen from bungalow vacated by Tejashwi, alleges NDA

Rediff.com7 Oct 2024

The ruling National Democratic Alliance in Bihar on Monday sparred with the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal over items allegedly stolen from a government bungalow recently vacated by Tejashwi Yadav, to whom it was allotted while he was the state's deputy chief minister.

He's not a victim of junior docs' stir but...: Bengal family on boy's death

He's not a victim of junior docs' stir but...: Bengal family on boy's death

Rediff.com16 Sep 2024

His family alleged that he died there due to the negligence of a senior physician who despite being on duty was late in attending him.

Beware The American Deep State

Beware The American Deep State

Rediff.com11 Dec 2024

Do not underestimate the ingenuity of the Deep State in America to have its way. Keeping the guard down will be a catastrophic mistake on the part of the Delhi establishment. We could get hit when least expected. That's what happened in Bangladesh and Syria, warns Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

More than 50% healthcare workers feel workplace unsafe: Study

More than 50% healthcare workers feel workplace unsafe: Study

Rediff.com20 Oct 2024

The cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1,566 healthcare workers from diverse medical institutions across India using a pre-tested, self-administered online questionnaire, which assessed various dimensions of workplace safety.

Can Praveen Sood Get CBI The Public's Trust?

Can Praveen Sood Get CBI The Public's Trust?

Rediff.com25 May 2023

He takes over the CBI in challenging times. The perception is that the agency is reduced to being an instrument of blackmail and intimidation by successive governments.

Snowfall, rain hit normal life in Himachal; 720 roads blocked

Snowfall, rain hit normal life in Himachal; 720 roads blocked

Rediff.com2 Feb 2024

As many as 720 roads, including four national highways, in Himachal Pradesh are blocked following snow while 2,243 transformers are disrupted.

'North Will Decide Who Will Rule India In Future'

'North Will Decide Who Will Rule India In Future'

Rediff.com18 Mar 2025

'The southern states will have no voice.' 'Political parties in future need to focus only on one region, the northern region, to win the general election.'

Why Tharoor Gives The Congress A Headache

Why Tharoor Gives The Congress A Headache

Rediff.com24 Feb 2025

The Kerala unit of the Congress instantly gets a headache when Shashi Tharoor lets loose one of his observations showering flowers on enemy territory. With every such action triggering controversy within a nervous Congress party, some feel it is high time Tharoor showed a degree of solidarity with the ideals of his party, notes Shyam G Menon.

Sudhir Ghosh: The MP Who Foresaw Quad

Sudhir Ghosh: The MP Who Foresaw Quad

Rediff.com17 Mar 2025

After the 1962 War with China, there was a demand to forge greater defence cooperation between India and the West. One such voice was that of Sudhir Ghosh, a distinguished MP, to tie up strategic cooperation with the USA immediately after the Chinese attack on India, recalls Rup Narayan Das.

Liberalization: How Dr Singh Convinced Narasimha Rao

Liberalization: How Dr Singh Convinced Narasimha Rao

Rediff.com2 Jan 2025

'I had to persuade him. I think he was a sceptic to begin with, but later on he was convinced that what we were doing was the right thing to do, that there was no other way out.'

Stand by Adani report, closure not due to threats, says Hindenburg founder

Stand by Adani report, closure not due to threats, says Hindenburg founder

Rediff.com4 Feb 2025

Activist short-seller Nathan Anderson, known for his high-profile campaigns against the likes of Adani Group, said he is closing his firm, Hindenburg Research, not because of any threat -- legal or otherwise -- and that he stands by all its reports.

Canada's allegations serious, India not cooperating: US

Canada's allegations serious, India not cooperating: US

Rediff.com16 Oct 2024

"When it comes to the Canadian matter, we have made clear that the allegations are extremely serious and they need to be taken seriously. We wanted to see the government of India cooperate with Canada in its investigation. Obviously, they have not chosen that path," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at his daily news conference.

45 specialists to join Modi govt in major lateral entry push

45 specialists to join Modi govt in major lateral entry push

Rediff.com17 Aug 2024

Forty-five specialists will soon be joining key posts of joint secretaries, directors and deputy secretaries in different central ministries as part of the Modi government's ambitious plan to infuse fresh talent to further improve ease of governance.

Himachal rain fury: Death toll rises to 74

Himachal rain fury: Death toll rises to 74

Rediff.com17 Aug 2023

Since the onset of the monsoon on June 24, 217 persons have died in rain-related incidents in Himachal Pradesh.

Has India's 'Bad Bank' Worked Or Not?

Has India's 'Bad Bank' Worked Or Not?

Rediff.com26 Sep 2023

The target was for banks to sell Rs 2 trillion worth of non-performing assets to NARCL, the so-called 'bad bank, by 2021-2022. Only 10 per cent of this has been executed.

35 cr pilgrims may attend Maha Kumbh Mela: UP govt

35 cr pilgrims may attend Maha Kumbh Mela: UP govt

Rediff.com12 Jan 2025

The Uttar Pradesh government is expecting over 35 crore pilgrims to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, a significant increase from the 24 crore who attended the 2019 Kumbh Mela. The event, which will take place over 45 days, will feature extensive security and sanitation measures, as well as a digital component. The state government has allocated Rs 7,000 crore for the event.

A Labourer's Daughter Is World Champion

A Labourer's Daughter Is World Champion

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

When Kasturi Rajamurty won a gold medal in powerlifting at the WPPL World Cup in Russia, she sure had come a long way. From a life of penury to constantly being short of funds to fuel her passion, she had finally triumphed, and how.

Govt depts to come under tax scanner

Govt depts to come under tax scanner

Rediff.com22 Jun 2006

Ex-RAW official charged in US in plot to kill Pannun

Ex-RAW official charged in US in plot to kill Pannun

Rediff.com18 Oct 2024

Vikas Yadav, 39, was employed by the Cabinet Secretariat, which houses India's foreign intelligence service, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), the federal prosecutors claimed on Thursday in an indictment filed in a US court in New York.

Call them back to office, they'll quit: Musk-Vivek's bold plan

Call them back to office, they'll quit: Musk-Vivek's bold plan

Rediff.com21 Nov 2024

Tesla owner billionaire Elon Musk and Indian American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy in an op-ed provided an insight into their blueprint for an unprecedented government reform that includes mass federal job cuts and massive expense reduction.

Atishi sworn in as Delhi CM, retains 13 portfolios

Atishi sworn in as Delhi CM, retains 13 portfolios

Rediff.com22 Sep 2024

Atishi will have a brief tenure in office as assembly elections in the national capital are due in February.

AAP govt snubs LG again, to go ahead with public assembly

AAP govt snubs LG again, to go ahead with public assembly

Rediff.com12 Feb 2014

With Bharatiya Janata Party Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi set to connect with people through a discussion over a cup of tea, Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad on Wednesday expressed doubt over Modi being a tea seller and stressed it was he who used to sell tea in his childhood in Patna.

Rains, winds claim 26 lives in north India in 2 days; bring relief from heat

Rains, winds claim 26 lives in north India in 2 days; bring relief from heat

Rediff.com27 May 2023

In Rajasthan, 13 deaths related to rain and storm were reported over the last two days while at least 12 people were killed due to lightning strikes in Jharkhand during the same period, officials said.

MP CM allocates portfolios, Scindia loyalists get key ministries

MP CM allocates portfolios, Scindia loyalists get key ministries

Rediff.com13 Jul 2020

The 28 new ministers who joined the Chouhan cabinet on July 2 include 20 of cabinet rank and eight ministers of state.