News for 'ACT'

Rahul's rare 1.5-hr-long meeting with Modi. Here's what happened

Rahul's rare 1.5-hr-long meeting with Modi. Here's what happened

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

Sources said the Leader of Opposition sought more details of the appointees and is learnt to have questioned the criterion adopted for the selection of Chief Information Commissioner and eight other Information Commissioners.

New Rural Jobs Bill Sparks International Concern

New Rural Jobs Bill Sparks International Concern

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

'Previously, contributing only 25 per cent of material costs, states now face burdens of 40 per cent to 100 per cent of total costs, ensuring poorer states will curb project approvals, directly stifling work demand.'

Jemimah guides India to comfortable win over Sri Lanka

Jemimah guides India to comfortable win over Sri Lanka

Rediff.com21 Dec 2025

Jemimah stars in India's comprehensive eight-wicket win against Sri Lanka in first women's T20I

G RAM G bill introduced in LS amid objections by Oppn

G RAM G bill introduced in LS amid objections by Oppn

Rediff.com16 Dec 2025

Opposition members strongly opposed the proposed legislation at the introduction stage and pressed for sending the bill to a parliamentary panel for greater scrutiny. The MPs, including Priyanka Gandhi of the Congress, strongly objected to the "removal" of Mahatma Gandhi's name.

The Sreenivasan I Knew

The Sreenivasan I Knew

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

I once asked him why he hadn't written scripts for his sons Vineeth and Dhyan. 'I made some suggestions about their scripts, and they haven't discussed their scripts with me after that,' he said with his trademark laugh.

Court acquits Dileep, finds 6 guilty in actress assault case

Court acquits Dileep, finds 6 guilty in actress assault case

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

The court, however, found six others, including prime accused Sunil N S alias Pulsar Suni, who directly committed the crime, guilty.

Govt to push nuclear reforms as Oppn targets SIR in winter session

Govt to push nuclear reforms as Oppn targets SIR in winter session

Rediff.com30 Nov 2025

The winter session of Parliament is set to begin with the government prioritizing its reforms agenda, including a bill to open the civil nuclear sector to private players. The opposition is expected to raise concerns about electoral roll revisions and air pollution.

Govt must raise minority safety with Bangladesh: Priyanka Gandhi

Govt must raise minority safety with Bangladesh: Priyanka Gandhi

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has condemned the lynching of a Hindu man in Bangladesh and urged the Indian government to raise the issue of the safety of Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist minorities with the Bangladeshi government.

ED attaches assets of celebrities in 1xBet money laundering probe

ED attaches assets of celebrities in 1xBet money laundering probe

Rediff.com19 Dec 2025

The Enforcement Directorate on Friday said it has attached assets worth a combined Rs 8 crore of former Indian cricketers, actors and models like Yuvraj Singh, Robin Uthappa, former Trinamool Congress MP Mimi Chakraborty, Sonu Sood and some others as part of its money laundering probe against an 'illegal' betting app named 1xBet.

Saregama To Invest This Much In Bhansali Productions

Saregama To Invest This Much In Bhansali Productions

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

Bhansali Productions will retain creative control, and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, founder, Bhansali Productions, said that for him, powerful and meaningful cinema requires time, trust, and a deep respect for the process, which the company was able to align with Saregama India.

Odisha Gives MLAs A 200% Pay Hike

Odisha Gives MLAs A 200% Pay Hike

Rediff.com23 Dec 2025

In terms of MLA salaries, Odisha is followed by Telangana (about Rs 2.7 lakh), Maharashtra (Rs 2.6 lakh), Manipur (Rs 2.5 lakh), and Uttar Pradesh (Rs 2.4 lakh).

Insurance: Lack of legacy distribution network a challenge for foreign cos

Insurance: Lack of legacy distribution network a challenge for foreign cos

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

The Union Cabinet's decision to raise the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit in the insurance sector to 100 per cent is unlikely to significantly boost foreign investment as distribution remains a critical factor, requiring overseas players to partner with Indian businesses, experts said.

Govt to bring G RAM G Bill to replace MGNREGA; guarantees 125-day work

Govt to bring G RAM G Bill to replace MGNREGA; guarantees 125-day work

Rediff.com16 Dec 2025

A bill to repeal the MGNREGA and introduce a new rural employment law, the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), has been circulated among Lok Sabha members.

12 Rocking Christmas Markets

12 Rocking Christmas Markets

Rediff.com23 Dec 2025

The beautiful twinkling Christmas markets that come up across the world, as December begins, allow you to step into the magic Christmas.

Award-winning BrahMos scientist cleared of spying charges after 7 yrs

Award-winning BrahMos scientist cleared of spying charges after 7 yrs

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

Nishant Agarwal, a scientist who worked at the BrahMos missile centre, was cleared of charges of spying for Pakistan by the Bombay High Court after spending seven years in jail. The case revolved around the lack of 'mens rea' (guilty mind) and the prosecution's failure to prove intent.

Car bomber's J-K aide nabbed, 9th arrest so far; sent to NIA custody

Car bomber's J-K aide nabbed, 9th arrest so far; sent to NIA custody

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Yasir Ahmad Dar, a close associate of Red Fort area blast perpetrator Umar-un-Nabi, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to nine. Dar is accused of active involvement in the conspiracy behind the car bomb blast near Delhi's Red Fort on November 10.

'Insult to Bapu': Oppn MPs protest against G RAM G bill

'Insult to Bapu': Oppn MPs protest against G RAM G bill

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticizes the government's proposed bill to replace MGNREGA, arguing it weakens the guaranteed 100 days of employment for the poor and centralizes control over the scheme.

National Sports Governance Bill becomes an Act

National Sports Governance Bill becomes an Act

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

The National Sports Governance Bill has become an Act after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the landmark legislation that promises to revamp India's sports administration.

'Judges hitting sixes before retirement': SC flags 'unfortunate trend'

'Judges hitting sixes before retirement': SC flags 'unfortunate trend'

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

"How can an officer be suspended for judicial orders which can be appealed against and rectified by the higher judiciary?" he asked.

SIM-Binding Standoff: Telcos Vs Apps

SIM-Binding Standoff: Telcos Vs Apps

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

App-based communication services providers and Indian telcos are at loggerheads over the SIM-binding directions issued by the department of telecom, which are to be complied with by the end of February 2026.

French court orders PSG to pay Mbappe 60 million euros

French court orders PSG to pay Mbappe 60 million euros

Rediff.com16 Dec 2025

The court found that PSG had failed to pay three months of Mbappe's salary, an ethics bonus and a signing bonus due under his employment contract.

PM-led panel to pick information commissioners tomorrow

PM-led panel to pick information commissioners tomorrow

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

A panel headed by PM Modi and including Rahul Gandhi will meet to decide on the next Chief Information Commissioner and information commissioners for vacant positions at the Central Information Commission (CIC).

Imran Khan, Wife Get 17 Year Jail Term

Imran Khan, Wife Get 17 Year Jail Term

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have been sentenced to 17 years in prison each in the Toshakhana corruption case, involving alleged fraud related to state gifts.

Herald case: HC seeks Gandhis' reply on ED's challenge

Herald case: HC seeks Gandhis' reply on ED's challenge

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

The Delhi high court on Monday asked Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and others to respond to a plea by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) challenging the order of the trial court that refused to take cognisance of its chargesheet against them in the National Herald case.

'World like coalition politics; we have to be very nimble'

'World like coalition politics; we have to be very nimble'

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discusses India's foreign policy challenges in a multipolar world, emphasizing the need for nimbleness and prioritizing national interests.

National Guard soldier dies, another fighting for life: Trump

National Guard soldier dies, another fighting for life: Trump

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

The deceased National Guard soldier has been identified as US Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, who hailed from West Virginia.

NCLT Mumbai okays demerger of Vedanta into 5 distinct entities

NCLT Mumbai okays demerger of Vedanta into 5 distinct entities

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

The Mumbai Bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Tuesday gave its approval to Vedanta Limited's demerger proposal, clearing the way for the group to reorganise its operations into five distinct, sector-specific entities.

Punjab kabaddi player murder: Key accused killed in encounter

Punjab kabaddi player murder: Key accused killed in encounter

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

Harpinder alias Middu, a resident of Naushehra Pannuan in Punjab's Tarn Taran district, was injured in an exchange of fire in Lalru and later succumbed to injuries in hospital, the police said.

Centre restarts MGNREGA in West Bengal, but conditions apply

Centre restarts MGNREGA in West Bengal, but conditions apply

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

After a gap of more than three years, the central government has agreed to resume the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) works in West Bengal with immediate effect, but subject to mandatory adherence to stringent conditions. These include a prohibition on any work valued at more than 20 lakh, compulsory 100 per cent electronic know-your-customer (eKYC) verification of all workers, and mandatory pre-estimation field visits for all works before they are undertaken.

ED moves HC against trial court order in National Herald case

ED moves HC against trial court order in National Herald case

Rediff.com19 Dec 2025

The agency has questioned the trial court's findings and sought appellate review, arguing that the refusal to proceed has caused serious prejudice to the investigation and prosecution.

Relief for Gandhis as court rejects ED's National Herald chargesheet

Relief for Gandhis as court rejects ED's National Herald chargesheet

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

The ED has accused Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, as well as late party leaders Motilal Vora and Oscar Fernandes, along with Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda, and a private company, Young Indian, of conspiracy and money laundering.

Epstein files show photos of Clinton, Trump barely appears

Epstein files show photos of Clinton, Trump barely appears

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

The United States Department of Justice released a batch of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking investigation, including photos and records showing Bill Clinton, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Michael Jackson in social settings with Epstein, CNN reported.

Akhanda 2 Review: Barely Watchable

Akhanda 2 Review: Barely Watchable

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

Akhanda 2: Thandavam may appeal to Nandamuri Balakrishna's fans and will be a madcap awakening for those uninitiated in Boyapati Sreenu's no goofball ideas in constructing action, notes Arjun Menon.

19 US states sue Trump admin over new fee on H-1B visas

19 US states sue Trump admin over new fee on H-1B visas

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Nineteen United States states have sued the Trump administration over its 'unlawful' decision to impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions, warning that the move will worsen labour shortages in key sectors such as health care, education and technology.

'Kuldeep Sengar Does Not Deserve Any Mercy'

'Kuldeep Sengar Does Not Deserve Any Mercy'

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

'When the accused has a past record demonstrating unprecedented and unmatched criminality and perversion, I believe the interests of justice would have been better served if such a person remained behind bars.'

SC stays trial against Yediyurappa in POCSO case

SC stays trial against Yediyurappa in POCSO case

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed trial proceedings against former Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa in a sexual harassment case filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

31,000 RTI Appeals Await New CIC

31,000 RTI Appeals Await New CIC

Rediff.com16 Dec 2025

The Central Information Commission, which is functioning at full strength for the first time after December 2016, will need to consider 31,000 appeals and complaints. It takes more than a year for a matter to be heard by the Commission.

Nationwide Stir Against Scrapping MGNREGA

Nationwide Stir Against Scrapping MGNREGA

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

Civil society groups, led by the NREGA Sangharsh Morcha, are planning a nationwide protest -- similar to the farmers' stir a few years ago -- starting December 19 demanding scrapping of the new Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission.

Oscars 2026: The Films Homebound Is Competing With

Oscars 2026: The Films Homebound Is Competing With

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

A quick look at the 14 names the Neeraj Ghaywan movie is competing with for a spot in the top five nominations.

RBI imposes Rs 91 lakh penalty on HDFC Bank

RBI imposes Rs 91 lakh penalty on HDFC Bank

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

A penalty of Rs 91 lakh has been imposed on HDFC Bank for violating certain provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, the Reserve Bank said on Friday. The penalty has been imposed on the private sector lender for deficiencies in statutory and regulatory compliance, including those related to Know Your Customer (KYC).