News for 'Citizens for Accountable Governance'

JD-S, BSP among 7 Opposition parties to join Parliament inauguration

JD-S, BSP among 7 Opposition parties to join Parliament inauguration

Rediff.com25 May 2023

Apart from the 18 members of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), including the Bharatiya Janata Party, seven non-National Democratic Alliance parties will attend the ceremony, going by their stated position on the issue which has snowballed into another political flashpoint between the ruling and opposition camps.

Data protection bill: Govt hopes to pass new law by next Budget session

Data protection bill: Govt hopes to pass new law by next Budget session

Rediff.com4 Aug 2022

After withdrawing the personal data protection bill, the government is hopeful of getting a new legislation passed by the next Budget session of Parliament, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said. The government on Wednesday withdrew the Personal Data Protection Bill from the Lok Sabha. The Joint Committee on Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019, headed by BJP member P P Chaudhary, had tabled its report in Lok Sabha on December 16, 2021.

Govt hopes to pass new data protection law by Budget session

Govt hopes to pass new data protection law by Budget session

Rediff.com4 Aug 2022

After withdrawing the personal data protection bill, the government is hopeful of getting a new legislation passed by the next Budget session of Parliament, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said.

Silence is better, says professor whose hand was chopped off by PFI activists

Silence is better, says professor whose hand was chopped off by PFI activists

Rediff.com28 Sep 2022

Professor TJ Joseph, whose hand was chopped off by activists of the Popular Front of India for alleged blasphemy 12 years ago, on Wednesday declined to respond to the Centre's ban on the radical Islamic outfit, saying observing silence was better at times than always talking.

Budget 2023 wish list: Insurers bat for hike in tax deduction limit

Budget 2023 wish list: Insurers bat for hike in tax deduction limit

Rediff.com19 Jan 2023

Ahead of the Union Budget 2023, insurers are hoping that the Centre will act on their recommendations, which includes increasing the limit for tax deduction under 80D of the Income Tax Act. Also among them are issuance of long-term bonds, tax incentives for home insurance premiums, and a separate section to claim deduction for term-insurance premium, among others. These suggestions would help improve the penetration of insurance in the country.

India 2022: Huge Economic Challenges

India 2022: Huge Economic Challenges

Rediff.com30 Sep 2022

Every patriot should learn from our history and recognise that celebrating size will neither negate nor obscure the huge economic challenges that India faces, asserts Rathin Roy.

Parl panel bats for new law to define functions, powers of CBI

Parl panel bats for new law to define functions, powers of CBI

Rediff.com23 Mar 2023

The panel said that vacant posts in the CBI are not being filled up at the required pace and recommended that "every effort should be made to fill up vacancies at the earliest".

How to make urban development projects more accountable

How to make urban development projects more accountable

Rediff.com7 Jul 2015

Implementation of the reforms through a special purpose vehicle is a way to seek greater accountability.

'Why should my wife pay Rs 5,000 tax for no mistake of hers?'

'Why should my wife pay Rs 5,000 tax for no mistake of hers?'

Rediff.com20 Oct 2022

Mihir Tanna, Associate Director, S K Patodia & Associates, answers your personal income tax queries.

At G-20 meet, Modi pitches for bringing digital transformation to every person's life

At G-20 meet, Modi pitches for bringing digital transformation to every person's life

Rediff.com16 Nov 2022

The digital transformation should not be confined to a small part of the "human race" and its greater benefits will be realised only when digital access becomes "truly inclusive", Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the G-20 summit on Wednesday. Modi also strongly pitched for a pledge by the G-20 leaders to work for bringing digital transformation into the life of every human being in the next 10 years so that no person is deprived of the benefits of the new technologies. In a session on digital transformation, the prime minister also said that principle of "data for development" will be an integral part of the overall theme of India's upcoming G-20 Presidency.

On day of Musk's Twitter takeover, govt amends social media grievance rules

On day of Musk's Twitter takeover, govt amends social media grievance rules

Rediff.com28 Oct 2022

The government on Friday tweaked IT rules to pave the way for setting up of grievance appellate panels, which will settle issues that users may have against the way social media platforms initially addressed their complaints regarding content and other matters.

'We are losing our independence more and more'

'We are losing our independence more and more'

Rediff.com19 Sep 2022

'Laws have been used in a way to serve the needs of the current regime and its authoritarian ideology.'

Adani stock crash rocks Parliament for second day

Adani stock crash rocks Parliament for second day

Rediff.com3 Feb 2023

Proceedings in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were disrupted as Opposition members raised slogans demanding a discussion and a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the fraud-allegation-triggered rout.

Indian student: 'We are safe in Ukraine'

Indian student: 'We are safe in Ukraine'

Rediff.com17 Feb 2022

'The Indian government evacuated its citizens from the clutches of the Taliban and Covid-hit Wuhan, so I am not worried.'

Beware! Now government can peep into your bedroom

Beware! Now government can peep into your bedroom

Rediff.com8 Sep 2015

India does not have a stringent privacy or data protection Act.

'Modi said fighting climate change improves life of citizens'

'Modi said fighting climate change improves life of citizens'

Rediff.com14 Nov 2015

'The Paris Conference is a decisive meeting on climate change.' 'Negotiating an agreement between 196 countries is indeed a challenge.' 'If we go beyond 2°C, the consequences will be extremely difficult to deal with.'The poor are the most vulnerable to the impact of climate change.'

Electoral bonds absolutely transparent: Govt tells SC

Electoral bonds absolutely transparent: Govt tells SC

Rediff.com14 Oct 2022

Electoral bonds have been pitched as an alternative to cash donations made to political parties as part of efforts to bring transparency in political funding.

Modi govt has committed treason, alleges Rahul on NYT's Pegasus report

Modi govt has committed treason, alleges Rahul on NYT's Pegasus report

Rediff.com29 Jan 2022

The Congress on Saturday attacked the Centre over a New York Times report which claimed that the Indian government bought the Pegasus spy tool in 2017 as part of a deal with Israel, alleging that the government indulged in illegal snooping using the spyware which amounts to 'treason.'

Army payoff: UPA government has abandoned statecraft

Army payoff: UPA government has abandoned statecraft

Rediff.com24 Sep 2013

The United Progressive Alliance government has abandoned its statecraft. It does not mind if the country is hurt as long as the UPA can score points when faced with a certain electoral defeat, says Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley

What You Must Know About Advance Tax

What You Must Know About Advance Tax

Rediff.com21 Mar 2023

Salaried persons whose liability is fully deducted as tax deducted at source by their employer need not worry about advance tax payments, unless they have other sources of taxable income.

SC puts off Pegasus hearing to Friday on solicitor-general's request

SC puts off Pegasus hearing to Friday on solicitor-general's request

Rediff.com22 Feb 2022

The Supreme Court agreed to hear on Friday, instead of Wednesday, a batch of pleas alleging the use of Israeli spyware for surveillance of certain people in India, after taking note of the submissions of the solicitor-general that he would be busy arguing a money-laundering case in another court.

New IT rules to put legal obligations on social media platforms: Govt

New IT rules to put legal obligations on social media platforms: Govt

Rediff.com29 Oct 2022

India's tweaking of IT rules allow formation of Centre-appointed panels, that will settle often-ignored user grievances against content decision of social media companies, Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, adding that this was necessitated due to the "casual" and "tokenism" approach of digital platforms towards user complaints so far.

Belarus activist, Russian, Ukrainian groups get Nobel Peace prize

Belarus activist, Russian, Ukrainian groups get Nobel Peace prize

Rediff.com7 Oct 2022

The Center for Civil Liberties, another awardee of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize, was founded for the purpose of advancing human rights and democracy in Ukraine. It has taken a stand to strengthen Ukrainian civil society and pressure the authorities to make Ukraine a full-fledged democracy.

Rs 1 cr cash, Rs 600 cr crime proceeds detected from Lalu family: ED

Rs 1 cr cash, Rs 600 cr crime proceeds detected from Lalu family: ED

Rediff.com11 Mar 2023

The ED had launched raids on Friday at multiple locations linked to Prasad's family members including that of his son and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav in Delhi.

India, A Miracle And A Wonder

India, A Miracle And A Wonder

Rediff.com16 Aug 2023

'There are many things we need to work on.' 'At the heart of it is, one, the extent of inequality, which is not good for democracy and nation; two, a structural decline on how a country ought to function, how people should be held accountable, whose role is what.'

How the government plans to simplify the tax system

How the government plans to simplify the tax system

Rediff.com25 Jan 2016

The Tax Administration Reform Commission submitted report to Jaitley in June 2014.

Travel restrictions eased for some OCI cardholders

Travel restrictions eased for some OCI cardholders

Rediff.com22 May 2020

According to a ministry of home affairs order, those allowed to travel to India include OCI cardholders who wish to come to the country on account of family emergencies. Minor children born to Indian nationals abroad and holding OCI cards, couples where one spouse is an OCI cardholder and the other is an Indian national and they have a permanent residence in India, and university students who are OCI cardholders (not legally minors) but whose parents are Indian citizens living in India were also allowed to visit the country.

Govt proposes new data privacy law, raises penalty to Rs 500 cr for violations

Govt proposes new data privacy law, raises penalty to Rs 500 cr for violations

Rediff.com18 Nov 2022

The government will "notify such countries or territories outside India to which a data fiduciary may transfer personal data", according to the draft unveiled on Friday for public feedback.

Interest rates on PPF, NSC remain unchanged for Q2

Interest rates on PPF, NSC remain unchanged for Q2

Rediff.com30 Jun 2021

In a relief to savers, the government on Wednesday kept interest rates on small savings schemes, including NSC and PPF, unchanged for the second quarter of 2021-22 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Public Provident Fund (PPF) and National Savings Certificate (NSC) will continue to carry an annual interest rate of 7.1 per cent and 6.8 per cent, respectively, in the second quarter as well. "The rates of interest on various small savings schemes for the second quarter of the financial year 2021-22 starting from July 1, 2021, and ending on September 30, 2021, shall remain unchanged from the current rates applicable for the first quarter (April 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021) for FY 2021-22," the finance ministry said in a notification.

On SC's sedition law stay, Rijiju talks of Lakshman Rekha

On SC's sedition law stay, Rijiju talks of Lakshman Rekha

Rediff.com11 May 2022

As the Supreme Court on Wednesday put on hold the application of sedition law, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju invoked "Lakshman Rekha" guiding different institutions, including the Executive and the Judiciary, and said no one should cross their "boundary".

How the government is smothering dissident NGOs

How the government is smothering dissident NGOs

Rediff.com20 Jun 2014

Muzzling NGOs is unbecoming of a democracy. Self-confident democracies encourage, indeed applaud, the involvement of citizens' associations, including NGOs, in social and political decision-making and development planning. Instead, our paranoid government bullies and terrorises them, says Praful Bidwai.

Your WhatsApp messages are encrypted but are they safe?

Your WhatsApp messages are encrypted but are they safe?

Rediff.com10 Oct 2020

Apart from physical access to handsets, metadata and backups are two common ways in which private communications can be broken.

Attacks on minorities continued in 2021, says US report on India

Attacks on minorities continued in 2021, says US report on India

Rediff.com2 Jun 2022

The US state department in its annual report to the Congress on international religious freedom has alleged that in India in 2021, attacks on members of the minority communities, including killings, assaults, and intimidation, occurred throughout the year.

Will engage with govt on takedown requests: Twitter

Will engage with govt on takedown requests: Twitter

Rediff.com30 Apr 2021

Days after it blocked dozens of posts allegedly critical of Covid-19 crisis handling, Twitter has said it will consider more requests from the government to withhold content and will continue to engage "openly and constructively" with it.

What's Time Zone Politics?

What's Time Zone Politics?

Rediff.com11 Apr 2023

In a world without politics, time zones would change by an hour for a shift of 15 degrees of longitude. But, of course, political considerations apply, explains Devangshu Datta.

'Is BJP above the law? Is Mr Adani above the law?'

'Is BJP above the law? Is Mr Adani above the law?'

Rediff.com8 Mar 2023

'If they are not, then the Modi government should order a JPC immediately.'

Excise case: Sisodia kingpin of conspiracy, CBI tells HC

Excise case: Sisodia kingpin of conspiracy, CBI tells HC

Rediff.com20 Apr 2023

The submissions were made by the CBI in a short written reply while opposing the senior Aam Aadmi Party leader's bail plea, which it said was devoid of any merit and was an attempt to misuse the intricacies of law to thwart the progress of investigation in the case.

Follow new IT rules: Parl panel tells Facebook, Google

Follow new IT rules: Parl panel tells Facebook, Google

Rediff.com29 Jun 2021

Facebook and Google officials in New Delhi on Tuesday deposed before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology on the issue of misuse of social media platforms.

Don't spare corrupt: Modi to CVC and anti-corruption agencies

Don't spare corrupt: Modi to CVC and anti-corruption agencies

Rediff.com3 Nov 2022

He said the country needs to have "zero tolerance" for corruption in the administrative ecosystem and this would work for the idea of a developed India.

Winter session begins today, farm law repeal among 26 bills on agenda

Winter session begins today, farm law repeal among 26 bills on agenda

Rediff.com29 Nov 2021

The government's agenda also includes the Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill, 2021.