News for 'Centre for Policy Alternatives'

Direct tax: Budget 2025-26 eases burden, boosts spending and growth

Direct tax: Budget 2025-26 eases burden, boosts spending and growth

Rediff.com3 Feb 2025

The eighth Budget of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman continued to focus on 'GYAN' (Garib, Youth, Annadata, Nari) to maintain a consistent and coherent strategy initiated over the years in pursuing the government's vision for Viksit Bharat. The approach, characterised by incremental yet impactful steps, aims to create a compounding effect over time.

Citizens don't have right to know source of political funds: Centre

Citizens don't have right to know source of political funds: Centre

Rediff.com30 Oct 2023

The top court law officer said the power of judicial review is not about scanning state policies for the purposes of suggesting better or different prescriptions.

India's gig economy may add 90 mn jobs, contribute 1.25% to GDP

India's gig economy may add 90 mn jobs, contribute 1.25% to GDP

Rediff.com29 Nov 2024

The gig economy market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17 per cent to reach a gross volume of $455 billion by the end of 2024, according to a white paper by The Forum for Progressive Gig Workers. Estimates suggest the gig economy has the potential to create 90 million jobs and add 1.25 per cent to India's GDP (gross domestic product) over time.

'Jal Jungle Zameen Trumped Roti Beti Mati'

'Jal Jungle Zameen Trumped Roti Beti Mati'

Rediff.com27 Nov 2024

'Jairam Mahto's new party dented the NDA because he pulled a lot of the OBC vote.'

SC rejects plea seeking review of electoral bonds scheme

SC rejects plea seeking review of electoral bonds scheme

Rediff.com5 Oct 2024

The review pleas filed by advocate Mathews J Nedumpara and others contended that the matter related to the scheme falls in the exclusive domain of legislative and executive policy.

Third alternative an imperative need: Bengal CM

Third alternative an imperative need: Bengal CM

Rediff.com27 Mar 2008

It is now an imperative need to find a third alternative at the Centre after the failure of the Congress-led UPA alliance and the Bharatiya Janata Party-led combine's potential of being a threat to the country's secular fabric, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya said. The issue would be vigorously deated at the CPI-M Congress beginning in Coimbatore on March 29, Bhattacharya, a party politbureau member, told a Left Front rally in Kolkata.

Delhi's Pollution Nightmare!

Delhi's Pollution Nightmare!

Rediff.com18 Nov 2024

Clean air needs action all year round; and that it will work only if we act jointly and at scale, asserts Sunita Narain.

Will Japan Instability Derail India Ties?

Will Japan Instability Derail India Ties?

Rediff.com8 Nov 2024

There is nothing to be worried about as bilateral ties are robust with solid foundations. Both are on the same page on the economic and defence/security ties bilaterally and globally and that shall continue irrespective of change in political dispensation in either country, points out Dr Rajaram Panda.

An alternative front will automatically emerge without PM face: Naidu

An alternative front will automatically emerge without PM face: Naidu

Rediff.com4 Oct 2018

He said discussions are still going on with various parties over forging an opposition alliance.

Restrain WhatsApp from implementing new privacy policy: Govt to HC

Restrain WhatsApp from implementing new privacy policy: Govt to HC

Rediff.com19 Mar 2021

The affidavit further said that the IT Rules impose a host of obligations on a company in relation to the security of the data collected by it in the course of its business.

'One education policy for all states not viable'

'One education policy for all states not viable'

Rediff.com16 Aug 2020

'What can be applicable in Manipur may not make sense in Bengal'

New vax policy came after weeks of deliberations: Govt

New vax policy came after weeks of deliberations: Govt

Rediff.com8 Jun 2021

The government said it had been evaluating the implementation of the decentralised model of vaccination since its launch on May 1 and that the decision to centralise it again was taken after detailed deliberations and following requests by some states, amid claims by the Opposition that the policy change was due to the Supreme Court's intervention.

How India Erred In Its Hasina Gamble

How India Erred In Its Hasina Gamble

Rediff.com21 Aug 2024

New Delhi -- which has had a disastrous neighbourhood policy that has alienated almost all the States with which it has a land or sea border -- seemed to be unwilling over the past years to even consider that its unquestioning support of Sheikh Hasina was painting it into a corner, points out Mihir S Sharma.

Why EV Sales Dropped To 14%

Why EV Sales Dropped To 14%

Rediff.com2 Jul 2024

So far this year, around 839,545 electric vehicles have been sold, accounting for approximately 6.69% of the total 12,541,684 vehicles sold.

WhatsApp's new privacy policy challenged in Delhi HC

WhatsApp's new privacy policy challenged in Delhi HC

Rediff.com14 Jan 2021

The plea was filed by advocate Chaitanya Rohilla who stated that WhatsApp changed its privacy policy in "most arbitrary manner" and had made it compulsory for its users to accept its terms and conditions, failing which the accounts and services would be terminated after February 8, 2021 for the respective user.

This Mum Helps Women Return To Work

This Mum Helps Women Return To Work

Rediff.com3 Jan 2025

In two years, the start-up Overqualified Housewives has helped over 6,000 women across India find flexible-job roles across India from salaries ranging between Rs 8,000 to Rs 80,000, making them financially independent.

Will Udhayanidhi's Elevation Backfire On Stalin?

Will Udhayanidhi's Elevation Backfire On Stalin?

Rediff.com1 Oct 2024

Udhayanidhi's 'untimely' elevation as deputy CM may be used against the party, for critics to argue that the DMK's 'first family's is not concerned about anything else but their clan's welfare. If packaged and delivered properly, some of the sting may stick at election time, predicts N Sathiya Moorthy.

Modi Knows How To Deal With Dissanayake

Modi Knows How To Deal With Dissanayake

Rediff.com23 Sep 2024

For India to view the new Sri Lankan leadership only through the prism of the past or through their narrow view on China, is fraught with possibilities that should be avoided, asserts N Sathiya Moorthy.

Is Tamil Nadu Heading For A Jallikattu 2.0 Moment?

Is Tamil Nadu Heading For A Jallikattu 2.0 Moment?

Rediff.com20 Sep 2024

The recent 'revelation' by TN fishers freed by Sri Lanka after they had paid up Lankan rupees 50,000 each in fines, that their hair was tonsured in prison and they were forced to remove their garments other than the underpants, and were also made to clean toilets, as if with vengeance, has touched a raw nerve this time, just as another issue or issues had done it ahead of the Jallikattu protests, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Kamal Haasan@70: What Makes Him Ulaga Nayagan

Kamal Haasan@70: What Makes Him Ulaga Nayagan

Rediff.com6 Nov 2024

'With passage of time, Kamal did move away from the humdrum of commercial cinema, using it only as a peg to launch a new concept or new technology, as no other actor/film-maker has done in Indian cinema.' N Sathiya Moorthy assesses the career and politics of movie legend Kamal Haasan on his 70th brthday.

Which is Better? FDs Or Debt MFs?

Which is Better? FDs Or Debt MFs?

Rediff.com5 Sep 2024

Feature for feature, bank FDs are indeed better than debt funds today, mainly thanks to Ms Sitharaman, notes Debashis Basu.

India's Economic Reality And The Hype

India's Economic Reality And The Hype

Rediff.com13 Jul 2024

From connectivity woes to infrastructure advancements and the startup boom, there is a gulf between claims and reality in India's economic landscape, points out Devangshu Datta.

SC strikes down electoral bonds as 'unconstitutional', orders disclosure of donors

SC strikes down electoral bonds as 'unconstitutional', orders disclosure of donors

Rediff.com16 Feb 2024

In a landmark judgment that delivered a big blow to the government, the Supreme Court on Thursday annulled the electoral bonds scheme, saying it violates the constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression as well as the right to information.

Plea against WhatsApp privacy policy: Delhi HC judge recuses

Plea against WhatsApp privacy policy: Delhi HC judge recuses

Rediff.com15 Jan 2021

During the short hearing, Justice Prathibha M Singh took strong objection to an email sent by WhatsApp to the court. "I was in any case not going to hear it," the court clarified and sent the matter to another bench recording that the email sent by WhatsApp should be withdrawn unconditionally.

Mahatma Gandhi knew the importance of soft power: Doval

Mahatma Gandhi knew the importance of soft power: Doval

Rediff.com12 Jan 2024

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Friday called Mahatma Gandhi 'a great strategist' and said that the revered Indian leader knew the importance of utilising soft power against the brute forces during the freedom struggle.

What Are RBI's Challenges In 2024?

What Are RBI's Challenges In 2024?

Rediff.com9 Feb 2024

The challenge for the RBI in 2024 is likely to be less about containing elevated inflation and more about curbing excessive financial market exuberance and a 'problem of plenty', notes Sajjid Chinoy, Chief India Economist JP Morgan.

Ruling MNF holds edge in Mizoram, but rise of new party is a challenge

Ruling MNF holds edge in Mizoram, but rise of new party is a challenge

Rediff.com9 Oct 2023

The ruling Mizo National Front led by Zoramthanga is looking for a second straight term in the 2023 assembly polls.

Does Modi govt have an Afghan Policy?

Does Modi govt have an Afghan Policy?

Rediff.com28 Aug 2021

The flawed Indian policy toward Afghanistan is missing the woods for the trees. The Modi government doesn't have a 'big picture', observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar, who played a stellar role in beginning India's systemic dealings in Afghanistan in 1994.

Alternatives to pellet guns in few days: Rajnath

Alternatives to pellet guns in few days: Rajnath

Rediff.com25 Aug 2016

During a joint press conference with the Jammu-Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, the home minister also said that there is no future for India without Kashmir.

11 parties form 'alternative' to UPA; trouble for BJP, Congress

11 parties form 'alternative' to UPA; trouble for BJP, Congress

Rediff.com25 Feb 2014

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, 11 parties on Tuesday got together with a vow to defeat Congress-led United Progressive Alliances and prevent the Bharatiya Janata Party from coming to power by presenting themselves as an alternative to them.

'China won't do another 1962'

'China won't do another 1962'

Rediff.com18 Nov 2006

Mohan Guruswamy, chairman of the Centre for Policy Alternatives, New Delhi, on the Indo-China relations.

Plea in SC for court-monitored SIT probe into electoral bonds scheme

Plea in SC for court-monitored SIT probe into electoral bonds scheme

Rediff.com14 May 2024

A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta took note of the submissions of lawyer Prashant Bhushan, appearing for NGOs 'Common Cause' and the Centre for Public Interest Litigation, that the plea needed to be listed for hearing at the earliest.

'The BJP Is A Huge Banyan Tree'

'The BJP Is A Huge Banyan Tree'

Rediff.com2 May 2024

'Elections are fought to win.' 'In our party, the leadership takes the final decision, and our leaders are very clear about it.'

Modi Or Manmohan? Who Travelled More?

Modi Or Manmohan? Who Travelled More?

Rediff.com27 Feb 2024

While Narendra Modi spent fewer days abroad than his predecessor -- 275 days versus Dr Singh's 306 - he has travelled more widely than any other Indian PM.

GOAT, Vijay's Failed Political Launch Vehicle

GOAT, Vijay's Failed Political Launch Vehicle

Rediff.com9 Sep 2024

Vijay has a lot of young and middle-aged women fans, but as voters, they are possibly now with the DMK, or remain with the AIADMK. Recapturing this constituency would have helped Vijay's political launch and the GOAT script and dialogues could have gone a long way in helping out. But the kind of script and screenplay and the unusually and equally unnecessary long run-time (3 hours, 3 minutes) that GOAT offers takes the film experience over the heads of those that are not familiar with secret agents and uranium theft in Tamil cinema, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Centre should privatise all PSBs, except State Bank of India: NCAER

Centre should privatise all PSBs, except State Bank of India: NCAER

Rediff.com12 Jul 2022

The Centre should privatise all public sector banks (PSBs), except the State Bank of India (SBI). This is because private banks have emerged as a credible alternative to PSBs with substantial market share. Also, government ownership hinders the ability of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to regulate the sector, according to a report by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER).

Column: Why Modi Should Not Get 400 Plus Seats

Column: Why Modi Should Not Get 400 Plus Seats

Rediff.com3 Jun 2024

'Imagine what the BJP's urges would be if India's electorate awarded it truly brute majorities like the 400 plus seats the prime minister called for in the 2024 general elections?' asks Shyam G Menon.

Centre testing our patience, emasculating tribunals: SC

Centre testing our patience, emasculating tribunals: SC

Rediff.com6 Sep 2021

The Supreme Court Monday said the Centre was testing its "patience" and "emasculating" tribunals by not appointing officials to the quasi-judicial bodies which are facing severe crunch of presiding officers as well as judicial and technical members and sought action on the matter by September 13.

2023: 2nd Warmest Year Since 1901

2023: 2nd Warmest Year Since 1901

Rediff.com12 Jan 2024

The five warmest years in Indian weather history have occurred in the past 14 years -- the others being 2009, 2017 and 2010, in order of intensity.

Kejriwal: From anti-corruption crusader to liquor scam accused

Kejriwal: From anti-corruption crusader to liquor scam accused

Rediff.com21 Mar 2024

In his absence, the party stares at uncertainty as many of its other senior leaders are either in jail or in political obscurity.