News for 'Cabinet and Parliament'

Modi-Trump Call: 'Headwind Becomes Tailwind': FM

Modi-Trump Call: 'Headwind Becomes Tailwind': FM

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

The finance minister said that consolidation of state-owned banks could proceed at any time without waiting for the recommendations of the proposed high-level committee on banking.

ISRO Invites Indian Industry To Build Space Station

ISRO Invites Indian Industry To Build Space Station

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

The Bharatiya Antariksh Station represents the next phase of India's human spaceflight ambitions, enabling long-duration presence in space, advanced microgravity research and technology development, and supporting future human exploration missions.

Nirmala Sitharaman: 'Focus Of Budget Was To Keep Stable Growth Going'

Nirmala Sitharaman: 'Focus Of Budget Was To Keep Stable Growth Going'

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

'We kept this Budget on a larger plank, rather than on one incident, however serious.'

Nirmala Sitharaman: 'Prime Minister Modi Does Not Tolerate Gaming Of The System'

Nirmala Sitharaman: 'Prime Minister Modi Does Not Tolerate Gaming Of The System'

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

'Grassroots-level corruption, which disrupts the last-mile work, cannot be ignored in your enthusiasm and drive to get going to complete the project.' 'Like it was in MGNREGA, in some states, it is the case with the Jal Jeevan mission.' 'The last minute levels of corruption can ruin the intent of the project itself.' 'When you see that people can game a particular well-intended and well-crafted project, you need to correct that.'

'I Don't Want To Let Down The Economy...'

'I Don't Want To Let Down The Economy...'

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

'This Budget has a one-year agenda, which you can call the sprint, and the marathon is towards Viksit Bharat.'

India, EU free trade deal to likely conclude on Jan 27

India, EU free trade deal to likely conclude on Jan 27

Rediff.com25 Jan 2026

India and the European Union are set to announce on January 27 the conclusion of negotiations and finalisation of a free trade agreement, which is aimed at boosting economic ties between the two regions amid disruptions in global trade due to US tariffs, an official said.

Ajit Pawar's Balancing Act With Muslims

Ajit Pawar's Balancing Act With Muslims

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

Ajit Pawar became a ray of hope for Muslims, the only man in power who could resolve their grievances.

New Zealand opens longer work visas for Indian students

New Zealand opens longer work visas for Indian students

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

New Zealand has liberalised mobility provisions under the concluded trade pact, enabling Indian students to access longer post-study work visas and allowing 5,000 Indian professionals, including yoga instructors and chefs, to work in the Oceania country.

'India Should Not Rush To Celebrate Trump's Trade Announcement'

'India Should Not Rush To Celebrate Trump's Trade Announcement'

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

'Trump says India will buy over $500 billion of US goods.' 'At present, India's annual imports of goods and energy from the US are under $50 billion.' 'Reaching $500 billion would likely require more than 20 years, suggesting the figure refers to a long-term aspiration rather than a near-term commitment.'

Yunus aide quits hours after Hadi's brother points fingers at govt

Yunus aide quits hours after Hadi's brother points fingers at govt

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

The brother of slain Bangladeshi radical leader Sharif Osman Hadi has alleged that a faction within the interim government plotted his brother's killing to disrupt the upcoming general election. A special assistant to the Chief Adviser has resigned following the allegations.

Is Azharuddin to start a new innings under Revanth Reddy?

Is Azharuddin to start a new innings under Revanth Reddy?

Rediff.com29 Oct 2025

Speculation is growing that former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin may be inducted into the Telangana Cabinet. The Telangana PCC President neither confirmed nor denied the possibility. If inducted, Azharuddin would be the first minority minister in the current cabinet.

Russia ratifies key military pact with India ahead of Putin's visit

Russia ratifies key military pact with India ahead of Putin's visit

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

Russia's State Duma ratified a key military pact with India, the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support (RELOS), ahead of President Vladimir Putin's visit to New Delhi. The agreement facilitates mutual logistical support between the two countries' military forces during exercises, training, and disaster relief efforts.

Shivraj Patil, towering Congress figure, felled by 26/11 fallout

Shivraj Patil, towering Congress figure, felled by 26/11 fallout

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

Congress veteran and former Lok Sabha Speaker Shivraj Patil passed away at 90. He served as Union Home Minister and held several key posts during his long political career.

Will Budget 2026 Break Sunday Rule?

Will Budget 2026 Break Sunday Rule?

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

Officials said the government is keen to conform to the convention of the Union Budget for 2026-2027 being presented on February 1 despite it falling on a Sunday in 2026.

60 Years On This Week, Indira Gandhi Became Prime Minister

60 Years On This Week, Indira Gandhi Became Prime Minister

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

In a culture where children take up the profession of their father, her becoming a politician was seen as natural and acceptable.

100% FDI in insurance likely soon

100% FDI in insurance likely soon

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

The Union Cabinet on Friday approved 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in the insurance sector, a move that was welcomed by industry as it would help attract more capital and global expertise, while boosting insurance coverage in the country. A bill to amend the insurance law is likely to be tabled on Monday in Parliament, whose winter session is slated to conclude on December 19.

How Modi's Committee-Led Governance Is Driving Reforms

How Modi's Committee-Led Governance Is Driving Reforms

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

The change in the government's engagement with the economy's need for reforms is more nuanced than how analysts have so far perceived it, points out A K Bhattacharya.

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's First Woman PM, Passes Away

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's First Woman PM, Passes Away

Rediff.com30 Dec 2025

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's former first female prime minister and chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, has died at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness.

Cong announces farm laws-style stir against MGNREGA repeal

Cong announces farm laws-style stir against MGNREGA repeal

Rediff.com27 Dec 2025

The Congress will launch a nationwide campaign against the repeal of the United Progressive Alliance-era rural employment legislation Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) on January 5, similar to the pushback against the three farm laws which eventually forced the Narendra Modi government to rollback its decision, party president Mallikarjun Kharge said.

Pakistan creates new post of Chief of Defence Forces

Pakistan creates new post of Chief of Defence Forces

Rediff.com8 Nov 2025

Pakistan on Saturday brought in a Constitutional amendment to create a new post of chief of defence forces to ensure greater coordination and unified command among the three services.

Monsoon session from July 21, will Parliament discuss Op Sindoor?

Monsoon session from July 21, will Parliament discuss Op Sindoor?

Rediff.com4 Jun 2025

The monsoon session of Parliament will be held from July 21 to August 12, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Wednesday.

Time To Elect, Not Select Governors

Time To Elect, Not Select Governors

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

In a federal democracy, the people must have a say (indirect or direct) in an office as important as that of governor. Especially in a governor who can now effectively veto a bill by simply refusing to sign it, argues Harishchandra.

Whatever party decides: Siddaramaiah on leadership row

Whatever party decides: Siddaramaiah on leadership row

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday reiterated that he will abide by the Congress high command's decision on the leadership change issue in the state.

Sidda invites DKS for breakfast meet as BJP warns of no-trust motion

Sidda invites DKS for breakfast meet as BJP warns of no-trust motion

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has invited his deputy D K Shivakumar for a breakfast meeting to discuss the leadership row, amid an ongoing power struggle within the state's Congress party.

2 Indian-origin faces in new Canadian PM's cabinet

2 Indian-origin faces in new Canadian PM's cabinet

Rediff.com15 Mar 2025

Indo-Canadian Anita Anand and Delhi-born Kamal Khera are part of new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's cabinet. Anand is the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry while Khera is Minister of Health. Carney's cabinet with 13 men and 11 women is smaller than Trudeau's 37-member team.

Setback for Omar as NC tastes its first ever defeat in Budgam

Setback for Omar as NC tastes its first ever defeat in Budgam

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

The NC has won every assembly election in Budgam whenever it has fielded a candidate from the Shia-dominated segment. The only time the seat was not represented by the NC was in 1972 when the party had boycotted the polls across J-K.

Nepal lifts social media ban after deadly protests kill 19

Nepal lifts social media ban after deadly protests kill 19

Rediff.com9 Sep 2025

Three days ago, the Nepal government had ordered to ban 26 social media sites, including Facebook and X over their failure to register with the Nepal government.

This MLA Wants Workers To Have The Right To Disconnect

This MLA Wants Workers To Have The Right To Disconnect

Rediff.com5 Nov 2025

The debate over working hours flared up after Infosys Co-founder N R Narayana Murthy called for 14-hour workdays.

No Full-Stop To Govt Versus Governors Tussle

No Full-Stop To Govt Versus Governors Tussle

Rediff.com27 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court's opinion on the presidential reference can impact on any number of cases if and when governors, if not the President, take a literary view of the Supreme Court's 'ppinion' on their 'discretionary powers' without reference to the rider on 'reasonable time', points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

Nepal Set to Appoint Lady Caretaker PM

Nepal Set to Appoint Lady Caretaker PM

Rediff.com12 Sep 2025

Nepal's former chief justice Sushila Karki is likely to be appointed as head of a caretaker government, which would conduct fresh elections, addressing the demands of the agitating group

Upper castes bag 22 JD-U tickets, Muslims get 4

Upper castes bag 22 JD-U tickets, Muslims get 4

Rediff.com16 Oct 2025

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal-United made public the names of candidates for all 101 seats it will be contesting in the assembly polls, with more than half of them from the backward and extremely backward classes.

Modi-led Cabinet clears Union Budget 2025-26

Modi-led Cabinet clears Union Budget 2025-26

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

This is the second Budget of the BJP-led NDA government in its third term in office.

'Only BJP Can Defeat BJP In Gujarat'

'Only BJP Can Defeat BJP In Gujarat'

Rediff.com21 Oct 2025

'The BJP's top leadership realised that their cadres are not happy with them, so they changed the ministers and got in new faces.'

Waqf Bill to be introduced in this Parliament session: Amit Shah

Waqf Bill to be introduced in this Parliament session: Amit Shah

Rediff.com29 Mar 2025

Only four working days are left for the ongoing budget session to come to an end on April 4.

What Nepal Gen-Z demands after toppling Oli govt

What Nepal Gen-Z demands after toppling Oli govt

Rediff.com11 Sep 2025

Youth-led Gen Z group in Nepal demands Parliament dissolution and Constitution amendment amid anti-government protests and a rising death toll. They emphasize dialogue and warn against political manipulation.

Will Japan's Iron Lady Deepen India-Japan Ties?

Will Japan's Iron Lady Deepen India-Japan Ties?

Rediff.com15 Oct 2025

As a protege of Shinzo Abe, Takaichi is expected to scale bilateral ties much higher. Trade and investment shall grow. People-to-people contacts shall be scaled up, points out Dr Rajaram Panda.

19 killed as violence erupts in Nepal over social media ban; HM resigns

19 killed as violence erupts in Nepal over social media ban; HM resigns

Rediff.com8 Sep 2025

At least 19 people were killed and dozens injured on Monday as violent protests by youths rocked the Nepalese capital and certain other areas over the government's decision to ban social media sites, prompting authorities to deploy the army in Kathmandu to control the situation.

'Prime Minister's Inclusion Is A Constitutional Mockery'

'Prime Minister's Inclusion Is A Constitutional Mockery'

Rediff.com22 Aug 2025

'This type of comprehensive legislation has never been introduced before in Parliament's history.' 'A bill that simultaneously affects ministers, chief ministers, and the prime minister represents completely uncharted Constitutional territory.' 'Throughout our nation's legislative history, the established policy has consistently held that public office holders should face punishment only after receiving conviction from a competent court of law. Without this safeguard, we risk systematic destabilisation, and our federal structure would face complete collapse.' 'Any central government could potentially deploy this legislation against state governments they oppose politically. This represents the most frightening prospect and dangerous possibility that these bills create.'

Modi brought bill against himself: Shah on bill to remove PM, CMs

Modi brought bill against himself: Shah on bill to remove PM, CMs

Rediff.com25 Aug 2025

'I want to ask the entire nation and the opposition. Can a Chief Minister, Prime Minister, or any leader run the country from jail?'

Violent protests continue in Nepal, minister's houses targeted

Violent protests continue in Nepal, minister's houses targeted

Rediff.com10 Sep 2025

The protesters shouted slogans such as KP Chor, Desh Chhod (K P Sharma Oli is a thief, quit the country), "Take action against corrupt leaders".