News for 'Ashok Pradhan'

Ashok Pradhan is MoS for Telecom & IT

Ashok Pradhan is MoS for Telecom & IT

Rediff.com26 May 2003

Ashok Pradhan on Monday took charge as the Minister of State for Telecommunications and Information Technology.

Ashok Pradhan joins Samajwadi Party, attacks BJP

Ashok Pradhan joins Samajwadi Party, attacks BJP

Rediff.com8 Apr 2014

In a setback to the Bharatiya Janata Party days ahead of the April 10 elections in Gautam Budh Nagar, former Union minister and senior leader Ashok Pradhan on Tuesday joined the Samajwadi Party, claiming that there was "trade" of Lok Sabha tickets in the saffron party.

Chhattisgarh woman calls off wedding after finding groom drunk

Chhattisgarh woman calls off wedding after finding groom drunk

Rediff.com25 Jun 2026

A 22-year-old woman in Chhattisgarh refused to marry her groom after he arrived heavily intoxicated at their wedding ceremony, leading to a scuffle. Her decision, made despite a prior warning to the groom about his drinking, has been widely praised and led to her felicitation by local police for taking a stand against alcohol addiction. The groom's family has agreed to compensate the bride's family for wedding expenses.

Seven Sentenced to Life for 2021 Sambalpur Murder

Seven Sentenced to Life for 2021 Sambalpur Murder

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

An Odisha court has sentenced seven individuals to life imprisonment for the murder of a man in the Sambalpur district in 2021. The verdict was delivered after examining witnesses and evidence, with each convict also facing a fine.

'I Was Protesting For Every Student In The Country'

'I Was Protesting For Every Student In The Country'

Rediff.com3 days ago

'I went to protest because whatever is going on in our country is not right.'

Why Modi Praised Nanded's Pethkars On Mann Ki Baat

Why Modi Praised Nanded's Pethkars On Mann Ki Baat

Rediff.com30 Jun 2026

'We ourselves hadn't heard it initially. Many people called us. The entire village was overjoyed.'

Delhi Cop Used Recently Issued Pistol In Killing

Delhi Cop Used Recently Issued Pistol In Killing

Rediff.com27 Apr 2026

A Delhi Police head constable, Neeraj Balhara, allegedly used his recently issued Glock service pistol to kill a 21-year-old delivery agent in Jaffarpur Kalan. Balhara has been apprehended, and an investigation is underway.

Congress Accuses Rajasthan BJP Of NEET Paper Leak Cover-Up

Congress Accuses Rajasthan BJP Of NEET Paper Leak Cover-Up

Rediff.com13 May 2026

Congress leaders in Rajasthan have accused the BJP government of attempting to suppress the NEET-UG paper leak, alleging the involvement of a local BJP leader. The BJP denies the claims, while the Congress demands answers and an impartial investigation.

NEET paper leak: CBI arrests 5; TN CM Vijay calls for abolishing test

NEET paper leak: CBI arrests 5; TN CM Vijay calls for abolishing test

Rediff.com14 May 2026

The CBI has arrested five individuals and conducted searches across India in connection with the NEET UG paper leak case. Protests have intensified, and calls for the Education Minister's resignation have grown louder. Political parties are trading blame, and the Supreme Court is considering a plea for an overhaul of the National Testing Agency.

Cong moves Odisha MLAs to Karnataka ahead of RS polls

Cong moves Odisha MLAs to Karnataka ahead of RS polls

Rediff.com13 Mar 2026

The Congress party in Odisha has moved its MLAs to Karnataka due to concerns about cross-voting in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. Meanwhile, the BJD has called for meetings of its legislators.

Rajaji bust replaces Lutyens' statue at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Rajaji bust replaces Lutyens' statue at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Rediff.com24 Feb 2026

A bust of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, the first Indian governor-general, has replaced a statue of British architect Edwin Lutyens at Rashtrapati Bhavan, symbolizing a move away from colonial influences and embracing Indian heritage.

Nitish Kumar gives up home portfolio after 20 years

Nitish Kumar gives up home portfolio after 20 years

Rediff.com21 Nov 2025

The home portfolio of Bihar, which Chief Minister Nitish Kumar kept with himself all through his nearly 20-year-long tenure, has been given to his deputy, BJP leader Samrat Chowdhury, this time, according to an official notification issued on Friday.

'Hema-Dharam's Was The Most Dignified Second Marriage'

'Hema-Dharam's Was The Most Dignified Second Marriage'

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

'One of the dignified aspects of their relationship is that Hema reportedly told Dharamji that she would never disturb his first family.'

Bihar polls: Gehlot meets Lalu, Tejashwi as Congress, RJD patch up

Bihar polls: Gehlot meets Lalu, Tejashwi as Congress, RJD patch up

Rediff.com22 Oct 2025

Internal discord within the INDIA bloc has led to alliance partners contesting against each other in at least eight assembly seats in Bihar. The Congress, RJD, and Left parties are facing challenges in seat-sharing arrangements for the upcoming elections.

PIX: A century on, Indian hockey still unites the nation

PIX: A century on, Indian hockey still unites the nation

Rediff.com7 Nov 2025

'This game against Tottenham will be important for us... to be (around) the top of the league.'

Panchayat Season 4 Review: Evil In Rustic Paradise

Panchayat Season 4 Review: Evil In Rustic Paradise

Rediff.com24 Jun 2025

Panchayat Season 4 is watchable, mainly because of the wonderful actors, who, over the seasons have developed a warm rapport, notes Deepa Gahlot.

12 Congress MLAs suspended from Odisha assembly for one week

12 Congress MLAs suspended from Odisha assembly for one week

Rediff.com25 Mar 2025

The Odisha Assembly Speaker, Surama Padhy, suspended 12 Congress MLAs for seven days for indiscipline in the House. The suspension followed a motion moved by the government Chief Whip, Saroj Pradhan. The suspended MLAs include the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader, Rama Chandra Kadam, and other prominent figures. The Congress members protested the decision, playing gongs and demonstrating in the assembly. The opposition BJD condemned the move, calling it motivated to suppress the voice of opposition. The Congress party demanded the withdrawal of the suspension order and criticized the government's actions. The House was adjourned multiple times amid the pandemonium.

PIX: Jeetendra, Rahul Gandhi, L K Advani at a wedding

PIX: Jeetendra, Rahul Gandhi, L K Advani at a wedding

Rediff.com20 Feb 2013

Here's looking at fashion designer Sakshee Pradhan's wedding album.

Pradhan made BJP poll incharge for UP, Shekhawat in Punjab

Pradhan made BJP poll incharge for UP, Shekhawat in Punjab

Rediff.com8 Sep 2021

Gearing up for the upcoming state assembly polls, the Bharatiya Janata Partyon Wednesday named its organisational spearheads for the elections, putting Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Pralhad Joshi, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Bhupender Yadav in charge for the contest in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Manipur respectively.

'Leaked' Pradhan report may be unauthentic: Chavan

'Leaked' Pradhan report may be unauthentic: Chavan

Rediff.com7 Dec 2009

Turning the table on the opposition, the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party government in Maharashtra has now raised doubts over the very authenticity of the Ram Pradhan panel report that was leaked to media recently.

B Ashok is new Chairman of IOC

B Ashok is new Chairman of IOC

Rediff.com14 Jul 2014

Modi is believed to have signed on Ashok's appointment file before he left for Brazil to attend BRICS Summit, an oil ministry official said in New Delhi.

BJP ends Naveen's 24-year rule in Odisha, set to form govt

BJP ends Naveen's 24-year rule in Odisha, set to form govt

Rediff.com5 Jun 2024

The BJP won 74 seats in the 147-member Odisha assembly and was leading in four more seats, the Election Commission of India.

Noida killings: BJP demands dismissal of UP govt

Noida killings: BJP demands dismissal of UP govt

Rediff.com29 Dec 2006

Speaking to rediff.com in Nithari village in Noida on the outskirts of Delhi, Pradhan said that he was shocked beyond words when he saw the story of the skeletons of children being found from a house in the village itself.

BSNL gesture for Raksha Bandhan

BSNL gesture for Raksha Bandhan

Rediff.com11 Aug 2003

Union Minister for State for Communications Ashok Pradhan has said the government will provide 'substantial' relief under a special package, on basic and mobile phones of BSNL, being presented as gifts to sisters on Raksha Bandhan on Tuesday.

Trai for duty cut on mobiles

Trai for duty cut on mobiles

Rediff.com18 Dec 2003

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has suggested reduction of customs duty on mobile phones to five per cent from 10 per cent

MTNL to invest Rs 2,284 crore

MTNL to invest Rs 2,284 crore

Rediff.com14 Aug 2003

Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd plans to invest Rs 2,284 crore (Rs 22.84 billion) this fiscal for developing telecom infrastructure, including the code division multiple access networks in the country, Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday.

17.9 lakh BSNL subscribers surrender landline

17.9 lakh BSNL subscribers surrender landline

Rediff.com3 Dec 2003

As many as 17.9 lakh (1.79 million) subscribers of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd and 203,000 customers of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd surrendered landline telephones between April to October this year, Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

BSNL's profit dips after corporatisation: Govt

BSNL's profit dips after corporatisation: Govt

Rediff.com13 Aug 2003

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd's profits have declined after its corporatisation, mainly on account of the sharp increase in wages, higher depreciation rates, provision of bad debts and wealth tax, Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

Delhi courtroom shootout: 2 gangsters arrested

Delhi courtroom shootout: 2 gangsters arrested

Rediff.com7 Oct 2021

A few days ago, the Crime Branch had taken jailed gangster Tillu Tajpuriya -- one of the prime conspirators -- in its custody to grill him about Gogi's killing.

BSNL may get Rs 18,515-cr govt aid

BSNL may get Rs 18,515-cr govt aid

Rediff.com6 Aug 2003

The government is considering a financial package of Rs 18,515 crore (Rs 185.15 billion) for the state owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd for providing services in the rural areas.

BJP leads with 20 Rajya Sabha MPs among 41 elected unopposed

BJP leads with 20 Rajya Sabha MPs among 41 elected unopposed

Rediff.com20 Feb 2024

Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, BJP chief J P Nadda and new party entrant Ashok Chavan and Union ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and L Murugan were among the 41 candidates elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha on Tuesday while Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh will witness polling on February 27.

Odisha: BJP candidate breaks EVM, attacks poll officer

Odisha: BJP candidate breaks EVM, attacks poll officer

Rediff.com25 May 2024

A sitting MLA and Bharatiya Janata Party candidate allegedly broke an electronic voting machine (EVM) and attacked a polling officer inside a booth during voting in Odisha which recorded a voter turnout of over 60.97 per cent in six Lok Sabha seats and 42 assembly segments, officials said.

'Why do you need Modi's pics on ration bags?'

'Why do you need Modi's pics on ration bags?'

Rediff.com20 Feb 2024

'If a poor voter sees Modi's picture on ration bags, it is natural he will vote for Modi and the BJP.'

Two Gehlot ex-ministers, many Congress leaders join BJP in Rajasthan

Two Gehlot ex-ministers, many Congress leaders join BJP in Rajasthan

Rediff.com10 Mar 2024

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, state BJP president C P Joshi and Union minister Bhupendra Yadav welcomed them into the party at its state headquarters in Jaipur.

Infosys CEO contender Ashok Vemuri quits

Infosys CEO contender Ashok Vemuri quits

Rediff.com28 Aug 2013

Most high-profile exit since co-founder Narayana Murthy returned to the helm.

Not just LS, RS too to see polls to 68 seats this year

Not just LS, RS too to see polls to 68 seats this year

Rediff.com4 Jan 2024

Sixty-eight Rajya Sabha members, including nine Union ministers, are completing their tenure this year, triggering a race of sorts among leaders across political parties to eye a six-year term in the Upper House of Parliament.

'Why Not Bundelkhand In Modi's Third Term?'

'Why Not Bundelkhand In Modi's Third Term?'

Rediff.com19 May 2024

'The Congress in the past backed the demand, but will not support it now since the SP opposes any division of UP.'

Rooftop solar charges up electric vehicle boom in India's smaller cities

Rooftop solar charges up electric vehicle boom in India's smaller cities

Rediff.com12 Feb 2024

The push given to rooftop solar installation in the Interim Budget ties in with its high rate of adoption in Tier-II and -III cities of India. If original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the automobile industry, government, and the solar sector are to be believed, in cities of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Kerala, 45-50 per cent of electric-vehicle (EV) users are employing rooftop power to charge their vehicles. This is compared to the national average of 25 per cent, say industry sources.

Serves no purpose: Pilot on Gehlot's 'gaddar' remark

Serves no purpose: Pilot on Gehlot's 'gaddar' remark

Rediff.com25 Nov 2022

Pilot said Gehlot has been calling him 'nikamma, naakara, gaddar and so on' but it was not part of his upbringing to use such language.