News for 'Central Public Information Officer'

Non-citizens not barred from seeking information under RTI Act: HC

Non-citizens not barred from seeking information under RTI Act: HC

Rediff.com20 Mar 2023

The court stated that creating an absolute bar on the disclosure of information to non-citizens would be contrary to the purpose and object of the RTI Act itself, and the same cannot be read into the legislation.

Will BJP Be The New Congress?

Will BJP Be The New Congress?

Rediff.com4 Jul 2025

Only in the event of the RSS managing to force Modi into accepting a consensual candidate, will the party not continue to 'being' the 'next Congress', observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

Sebi bans IndusInd Bank former CEO, 4 others from securities mkt

Sebi bans IndusInd Bank former CEO, 4 others from securities mkt

Rediff.com28 May 2025

Markets regulator Sebi on Wednesday barred former CEO of IndusInd Bank, Sumant Kathpalia, and four other senior officials from accessing the securities markets in connection with an alleged insider trading in the bank's shares. In addition to the market ban, Sebi has impounded Rs 19.78 crore collectively from the five individuals, according to an interim order passed by the regulator.

Punjab LoP Bajwa booked over '50 bombs' claims

Punjab LoP Bajwa booked over '50 bombs' claims

Rediff.com13 Apr 2025

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday demanded that Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa reveal the source of his claim that 50 bombs had reached the state, questioning if he had direct links with Pakistan. Bajwa, who had made the statement in a TV interview, said he cooperated with police but refused to divulge his sources. The police visited Bajwa's residence and questioned him about his statement. Mann also sought a clarification from the Congress party, saying the government will take strict action if Bajwa's statement was meant only to "create panic."

SBI refuses to share electoral bonds details under RTI Act

SBI refuses to share electoral bonds details under RTI Act

Rediff.com11 Apr 2024

The RTI also sought the details of the fees paid by the SBI to senior advocate Harish Salve to defend its case against the disclosure of the electoral bonds' records, citing that the records are held in a fiduciary capacity and the information is personal in nature.

'Operation Sindoor Was A Dream Operation'

'Operation Sindoor Was A Dream Operation'

Rediff.com23 May 2025

'The precision strikes were well planned and excellently executed. The world will be studying this operation.'

How is our info useful to you: PMO asks RTI applicant

How is our info useful to you: PMO asks RTI applicant

Rediff.com1 Apr 2013

In an apparent violation of the Right to Information Act, the Public Information Officer at the Prime Minister's Office has refused to provide information to an applicant, saying he failed to show how it was "useful" to him "either personally, socially or nationally".

The Politics of A Caste Census

The Politics of A Caste Census

Rediff.com2 May 2025

While data can empower communities, it reinforces identities, making local politics more caste-centric, with decisions increasingly contested on the grounds of representation.

Such dynamics could lead to shifting alliances and, in the worst case, local governance getting paralysed as each group demands proportional power-sharing, explain Amitabh Kundu and Mehebub Rahaman.

MP hides behind national security clause on Project Cheetah

MP hides behind national security clause on Project Cheetah

Rediff.com24 Jul 2024

The Madhya Pradesh forest department has refused to provide information under the Right to Information Act on management of cheetahs brought from Africa and their cubs born in India.

Sidda suspends Bengaluru police chief, orders RCB representatives' arrest

Sidda suspends Bengaluru police chief, orders RCB representatives' arrest

Rediff.com6 Jun 2025

Speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting, the chief minister also announced a one-man judicial probe, headed by Justice Michael D'Cunha, a retired high court judge of Karnataka, into the tragic incident.

Shakti Dubey tops 2024 civil services exam; women dominate top 5

Shakti Dubey tops 2024 civil services exam; women dominate top 5

Rediff.com22 Apr 2025

Shakti Dubey has topped the civil services examination 2024, with Harshita Goyal and Dongre Archit Parag getting the second and third ranks, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) announced on Tuesday. The top five successful candidates comprise three women and two men. The civil services examination is conducted annually in three stages -- preliminary, main and interview -- by the UPSC to select officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) among others. A total of 1,009 candidates -- 725 men and 284 women -- have been recommended by the UPSC for appointment to various services.

Jalgaon: Train crushes 12 as fire rumour scrambles passengers

Jalgaon: Train crushes 12 as fire rumour scrambles passengers

Rediff.com23 Jan 2025

At least 12 passengers were killed on Wednesday evening when they jumped from their train in panic due to a 'fire incident', only to be run over by another train on the adjacent tracks in North Maharashtra's Jalgaon district, officials said.

What The Next Census Will Discover

What The Next Census Will Discover

Rediff.com5 Jun 2025

The next Census' findings will help identify the extent of India's ageing population and vulnerability levels.

What's wrong in using spyware against terrorists, asks SC

What's wrong in using spyware against terrorists, asks SC

Rediff.com29 Apr 2025

The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday questioned the issue of using "spyware against terrorists" and stated that any report touching upon the country's "security and sovereignty" won't be made public. The court indicated it might address individual concerns regarding privacy breaches, but the report of the technical committee would not be a document for public discussion. The court will examine the extent to which the report can be shared publicly. The court's statement came during a hearing on a petition related to the alleged use of Pegasus spyware for surveillance. The court also emphasized that "having spyware is not wrong, against whom you are using is the question" and that the security of the nation cannot be compromised. The hearing has been adjourned to July 30.

7 of 13 passengers killed in Jalgaon train tragedy hailed from Nepal

7 of 13 passengers killed in Jalgaon train tragedy hailed from Nepal

Rediff.com23 Jan 2025

Seven of the 13 people who died in a train accident in Maharashtra's Jalgaon district were from Nepal. The accident occurred when passengers on the Mumbai-bound Pushpak Express got off the train after an alarm chain-pulling incident and were run over by the Karnataka Express on the adjacent tracks. A fire rumour spread in the train, prompting passengers to jump off. The incident highlighted the dangers of chain-pulling and the need for better safety measures on Indian Railways.

'How MPs NOT disclosing tax returns is in public interest'

'How MPs NOT disclosing tax returns is in public interest'

Rediff.com17 Apr 2013

A three-bench Central Information Commission, has repeatedly questioned the representatives of the 20 members of Parliament whose IT returns were asked for under the Right to Information Act, on how disclosing of their IT returns was not in larger public interest.

NIA focuses Rana probe on Lashkar link; may take him to key locations

NIA focuses Rana probe on Lashkar link; may take him to key locations

Rediff.com11 Apr 2025

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has begun questioning Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, to uncover the larger conspiracy behind the deadly strikes. Rana, who was extradited from the US, is being held at the NIA headquarters in New Delhi. The interrogation is focused on his possible connection with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and his suspected links with the Pakistani spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Telangana tunnel collapse: DM rejects reports of finding bodies

Telangana tunnel collapse: DM rejects reports of finding bodies

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

Rescue efforts to locate eight people trapped in a collapsed tunnel in Telangana continue, with over 500 rescuers working on a war footing. Despite days of intensive search and rescue operations, no breakthrough has been achieved yet. Authorities have dismissed reports of bodies being found in the debris and are working to clear the debris and access the trapped workers. The tunnel collapse occurred on February 22, trapping eight personnel working on the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel project. Among the trapped are two engineers, two operators, and four laborers.

Former AAP minister Satyendar Jain booked in CCTV project

Former AAP minister Satyendar Jain booked in CCTV project

Rediff.com19 Mar 2025

The Delhi government's Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has registered a case against former PWD minister and senior AAP leader Satyendar Jain over alleged corruption in a Rs 571-crore CCTV project. According to the ACB, Jain allegedly accepted a bribe of Rs 7 crore to waive the liquidated damages penalty of Rs 16 crore imposed on Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). The project, which was executed when he was a PWD minister in the previous Arvind Kejriwal government, was related to the installation of 1.4 lakh CCTV cameras across all 70 assembly constituencies.

Violent protests against Waqf law shift to other areas of Bengal

Violent protests against Waqf law shift to other areas of Bengal

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

Supporters of the Indian Secular Front (ISF) clashed with police in West Bengal on Monday during protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, leading to several injuries and the torching of multiple police vehicles. The clash occurred after police stopped ISF supporters from attending an anti-Waqf Act rally in Kolkata. The protests escalated when the crowd attempted to break through police barricades. The situation was brought under control after a large police force was deployed. ISF leader Naushad Siddique condemned the Waqf Act and accused the BJP of trying to incite communal tension. Meanwhile, the ruling Trinamool Congress dismissed the ISF as a "party of no consequence." Communal violence related to the Waqf Act has also occurred in other parts of West Bengal.

Curfew clamped in Manipur's Churachandpur after 2 communities clash

Curfew clamped in Manipur's Churachandpur after 2 communities clash

Rediff.com17 Mar 2025

Curfew was imposed in Manipur's Churachandpur on Monday as a precautionary measure following clashes between Hmar and Zomi communities. The decision came after a Hmar tribal leader was assaulted, leading to demands for the perpetrators to be identified. Prohibitory orders were also imposed in the district, banning unauthorized processions and assemblies, and restricting the carrying of weapons. The violence stemmed from an altercation involving the Hmar leader, who was accused of nearly hitting a two-wheeler rider. The incident sparked protests and clashes, with central security forces intervening to disperse mobs. The Hmar Village Volunteers have imposed a total shutdown in Pherzawl and Jiribam districts in response to the violence.

'CBI should reveal discoveries from Swizz evidence on Bofors payoffs'

'CBI should reveal discoveries from Swizz evidence on Bofors payoffs'

Rediff.com9 Mar 2025

Journalist and author Chitra Subramaniam has demanded that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) make public its findings from the "box of evidence" received from Switzerland regarding the Bofors payoffs. Subramaniam, author of 'Boforsgate: A Journalist's Pursuit of Truth', expressed concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the evidence, questioning who opened the box, when it was opened, and what it contained. She also raised doubts about the official narrative regarding the alleged bribe in the Bofors case, suggesting the sum of Rs 64 crore may not reflect the full extent of the corruption. Subramaniam also alleged that the CBI planted stories about Hindi film actor Amitabh Bachchan to derail the investigation and launched a political vendetta against the Bachchans. She recalled that Bachchan had come to her home and asked if she had seen his name. The CBI has recently requested assistance from the United States in the case, seeking information from private investigator Michael Hershman, who claims to have crucial details about the scandal. The Bofors scandal, a major bribery case involving the Indian government and the Swedish arms manufacturer Bofors in the 1980s, pertains to allegations of a Rs 64-crore bribe in a Rs 1,437-crore deal for the supply of 400 155mm field Howitzers.

Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra to be next RBI Governor

Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra to be next RBI Governor

Rediff.com9 Dec 2024

The government on Monday appointed Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra as the 26th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet cleared Malhotra's name, who has been appointed as the RBI Governor for three years, starting Wednesday. Malhotra, a 1990 Batch Rajasthan Cadre IAS Officer, will replace Shaktikanta Das, whose tenure ends on Tuesday (December 10, 2024).

Govt refuses info on amount spent on COVID-19 equipment

Govt refuses info on amount spent on COVID-19 equipment

Rediff.com29 May 2020

'The Central Public Information Officer is not required to furnish information which requires drawing of inteference and/or making of assumption, or to interpret information, or to solve the problem raised by the applicant, or to furnish replies to hypothetical questions. 'The Information sought does not come under the definition of information as defined in Section 2(f) of RTI Act, 2005. The CPIO has no specific information to provide (sic),' it said.

Why Kerala Opposes Sand Sea Mining

Why Kerala Opposes Sand Sea Mining

Rediff.com19 Apr 2025

If as critics point out, the environmental impact assessment study was commissioned only after the auction process got underway with not all the stakeholders getting to know of it, then the government has already compromised the trust it could have enjoyed with Kerala's public including its coastal communities, points out Shyam G Menon.

SC seeks govt reply on plea against CAG appointment process

SC seeks govt reply on plea against CAG appointment process

Rediff.com17 Mar 2025

The Supreme Court of India has sought the government's response on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that challenges the appointment process of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), arguing it's unconstitutional. The PIL, filed by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation, claims the current process, solely through executive appointment by the Prime Minister, undermines the CAG's independence and violates constitutional principles. The court, while acknowledging the importance of institutional trust, questioned the extent to which it should intervene in the appointment process and whether this would constitute rewriting constitutional provisions. The PIL suggests the CAG's appointment should be similar to other independent bodies, with a selection committee comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, and Chief Justice of India. The case has implications for the independence and transparency of India's audit system.

SC directs AAP to vacate Rouse Avenue office by Aug 10

SC directs AAP to vacate Rouse Avenue office by Aug 10

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

The top court had on March 4 directed the party to vacate its office by June 15 after noting that the plot was allotted to the Delhi high court for expanding judicial infrastructure.

'Tahawwur Rana Won't Get Solitary Confinement, But...'

'Tahawwur Rana Won't Get Solitary Confinement, But...'

Rediff.com11 Apr 2025

'It is ensured that no adversaries or people who oppose Tahawwur Rana's philosophy are housed in the same ward or jail.' 'Additionally, it is ensured that he does not have any prior contacts within that jail.' 'So, the lodgment of such a high-profile prisoner is done very carefully.'

BCCI finally brought under RTI

BCCI finally brought under RTI

Rediff.com1 Oct 2018

The CIC, the top appellate body in RTI matters, went through the law, orders of the Supreme Court, the Law Commission of India report, submissions of the Central Public Information Officer in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to conclude that the status, nature and functional characteristics of the BCCI fulfil required conditions of Section 2(h) of the RTI Act.

'Post Office Bill Certain To Be Misused'

'Post Office Bill Certain To Be Misused'

Rediff.com19 Dec 2023

'It does two things that even our erstwhile colonial masters did not deem fit for their subjects: The Bill does away with any checks or balances on the exercise of interception and surveillance powers, including any penalty whatsoever for unauthorised interception, opening, scrutiny, or destruction of postal materials.'

Odisha law prof murders father in front of mother over financial dispute

Odisha law prof murders father in front of mother over financial dispute

Rediff.com3 Jul 2024

Preliminary investigations suggest that financial disputes may have triggered the fatal confrontation.

ED conducts raids in Karnataka MUDA case involving Siddaramaiah

ED conducts raids in Karnataka MUDA case involving Siddaramaiah

Rediff.com18 Oct 2024

The MUDA office in Mysuru and some other locations are being raided by the federal probe agency officials along with an escort of a central paramilitary force, the sources said.

What Will RBI Governor's Agenda Be?

What Will RBI Governor's Agenda Be?

Rediff.com10 Dec 2024

As RBI governor, Sanjay Malhotra will have to give the highest priority to the interest of the economy while deciding on the growth-inflation trade off at Mint Street.

Days after violence, Bahraich shopkeepers get demolition notices

Days after violence, Bahraich shopkeepers get demolition notices

Rediff.com19 Oct 2024

Shopkeepers in Bahraich scrambled to salvage their goods on Saturday, apprehending a demolition drive by the authorities. According to a local lawmaker, the Public Works Department has served demolition notices to 23 establishments -- 20 of them belonging to Muslims.

28L diyas to illuminate Ayodhya in first deepotsav after consecration

28L diyas to illuminate Ayodhya in first deepotsav after consecration

Rediff.com30 Oct 2024

The government aims to better its last year's Guinness World Record by lighting 25 lakh diyas on the banks of Saryu river.

MTech Grads, How You Can Get Govt Jobs

MTech Grads, How You Can Get Govt Jobs

Rediff.com6 Jan 2025

rediffGURU Aasif Ahmed Khan counsels students on the best career options in tech and engineering.

487 trees to make way for Central Vista's executive enclave housing PMO

487 trees to make way for Central Vista's executive enclave housing PMO

Rediff.com13 Apr 2022

The executive enclave will house the new Prime Minister's Office, Cabinet Secretariat, India House and the National Security Council Secretariat.

IAF frames own RTI rules; ignores DOPT directives

IAF frames own RTI rules; ignores DOPT directives

Rediff.com2 Jan 2011

In apparent violation of a government circular, the Indian Air Force has said it is not accepting Right To Information fee drawn in favour of the "Accounts Officer".

Kolkata rape-murder: CBI debunks fake letter circulating on social media

Kolkata rape-murder: CBI debunks fake letter circulating on social media

Rediff.com21 Aug 2024

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday dismissed a fake letter being circulated on social media in connection with the ongoing probe into the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata.

'Rahul Gandhi Would Have Been Wiser Had He...'

'Rahul Gandhi Would Have Been Wiser Had He...'

Rediff.com17 Jan 2025

'...spent 1/10th of his time at 24, Akbar Road...' 'He would have met thousands of party workers and ordinary Congress supporters who have love for the party.' 'Left of Centre intellectuals have shaped Rahul's values, but he lacks earthiness.'