News for 'Citizens for Accountable Governance'

Twitter launches measure to tackle state polls-related misinformation

Twitter launches measure to tackle state polls-related misinformation

Rediff.com15 Mar 2021

The measures include an information search prompt with the Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) and State Election Commissions to provide reliable information around the elections, a custom emoji to encourage participation, a series of pre-bunks and debunks to tackle election-related misinformation, and a youth discussion series titled #DemocracyAdda aimed at voter literacy and civic participation among young Indians for the upcoming elections.

RERA: Only 22% happy with grievance redressal system

RERA: Only 22% happy with grievance redressal system

Rediff.com28 Jul 2021

However, the report pointed out that the implementation of the grievance redressal process still has many gaps as "only 22 per cent of the consumers involved in a grievance redressal process were satisfied due to the uncertain timelines involved". The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, was passed by Parliament in March 2016.

SC slams govt's vaccination policy as 'prima facie arbitrary'

SC slams govt's vaccination policy as 'prima facie arbitrary'

Rediff.com3 Jun 2021

The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to place on record all relevant documents and file notings reflecting its thinking culminating in the COVID-19 vaccination policy, and the purchase history till date of all jabs including Covaxin, Covishield and Sputnik V.

'Disgraceful, distressing, horrible': World leaders denounce violence in US

'Disgraceful, distressing, horrible': World leaders denounce violence in US

Rediff.com7 Jan 2021

The violence erupted after Trump supporters breached the Capitol and clashed with police on Wednesday, resulting in the death of four persons and interrupting a constitutional process to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's election victory.

'India is heading for a dangerous future'

'India is heading for a dangerous future'

Rediff.com24 Dec 2019

'You should raise your voice even at the cost of being called a deshdrohi. 'This country is built because of the raising of voices of the people and no one can silence such voices,' says Kannan Gopinathan who resigned from the IAS to protest against revocation of Article 370 in Kashmir.

Al Jazeera says Israel shot and killed its journalist

Al Jazeera says Israel shot and killed its journalist

Rediff.com11 May 2022

A veteran journalist working for Al Jazeera was killed on Wednesday during an Israeli operation in the West Bank city of Jenin, prompting the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Qatar-based network to blame the Israeli Army for her death.

'In 5 days all students will be out of Ukraine'

'In 5 days all students will be out of Ukraine'

Rediff.com3 Mar 2022

'We are trying to trace them.' 'We feel their phone batteries must have died because they are travelling by road.'

'Booking is like boarding a train after reservation'

'Booking is like boarding a train after reservation'

Rediff.com7 Jun 2021

'Some are doing one vaccination with one mobile number and the second with another.' 'Creating more accounts will not multiply the number of slots.'

Full Text: President's joint address to both houses of Parliament

Full Text: President's joint address to both houses of Parliament

Rediff.com31 Jan 2022

Here's the full text of President's Ram Nath Kovind's address to the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament on the first of Budget Session 2022.

Fadnavis writes to Sonia, slams Maha's handling of pandemic

Fadnavis writes to Sonia, slams Maha's handling of pandemic

Rediff.com15 May 2021

The former Maharashtra chief minister in his letter pointed out the high mortality rate in the state and alleged that the Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress government was neglecting Vidarbha, Marathwada and North Maharashtra in the fight against the pandemic.

10% reservation for upper caste cleared by President

10% reservation for upper caste cleared by President

Rediff.com12 Jan 2019

The notification said the Act will come into force from a date to be announced by the government later.

Nagaland killings renew demand to repeal AFSPA

Nagaland killings renew demand to repeal AFSPA

Rediff.com6 Dec 2021

The AFSPA is in force in Assam, Nagaland, Manipur (excluding Imphal Municipal Council Area), Changlang, Longding and Tirap districts of Arunachal Pradesh, and areas falling within the jurisdiction of eight police stations of districts in Arunachal Pradesh bordering Assam.

Caution: You are still being watched!

Caution: You are still being watched!

Rediff.com24 Mar 2019

The government claims the existing safeguards under the law are adequate, lawful, towards a legitimate purpose and provide for a "proportionate interference" in citizens' right to privacy, reports Nitin Sethi.

EWS quota not violative of Constitution's basic structure, 50% ceiling not inflexible: SC

EWS quota not violative of Constitution's basic structure, 50% ceiling not inflexible: SC

Rediff.com7 Nov 2022

The Supreme Court of India, by a majority view of 3:2, on Monday upheld the validity of the 103rd Constitution amendment providing 10 per cent reservation to people belonging to the economically weaker sections (EWS) in admissions and government jobs.

Mahinda under protection at naval base amid protests

Mahinda under protection at naval base amid protests

Rediff.com11 May 2022

Mahinda Rajapaksa, along with his wife and family, fled his official residence -- Temple Trees -- and took shelter at the naval base in Trincomalee.

Shah proposes idea of multipurpose ID card

Shah proposes idea of multipurpose ID card

Rediff.com23 Sep 2019

Shah also said the Census 2021 data will be collected through mobile app.

Despite grim outlook, fiscal stimulus unlikely for India Inc this year

Despite grim outlook, fiscal stimulus unlikely for India Inc this year

Rediff.com29 Apr 2021

They say that a stimulus package may not be necessary because, unlike last year's total lockdown, public transport, including the railways and airlines, is running and the restrictions on movement are localised and, in some cases, are partial rather than total.

Two reasons why you must invest in the NPS now

Two reasons why you must invest in the NPS now

Rediff.com29 Sep 2016

Reduction in the mandatory minimum contribution and extension to invest in the scheme from 60 years to 70 years has made the National Pension Scheme more friendly, says Anil Chopra, Group CEO & Director Bajaj Capital

Twitter to enable fair polls, eyes smart cities to stay relevant

Twitter to enable fair polls, eyes smart cities to stay relevant

Rediff.com3 Oct 2018

The micro-blogging platform hopes its new emphasis on governance would help differentiate it from Facebook and Instagram.

Man behind PM Modi's Chai Pe Charcha in talks to join Team Nitish

Man behind PM Modi's Chai Pe Charcha in talks to join Team Nitish

Rediff.com20 May 2015

Prashant Kishor, a core member of Narendra Modi's election campaign team, is likely to work for Nitish Kumar.

How the wealth of India's richest can make a difference

How the wealth of India's richest can make a difference

Rediff.com17 Jan 2022

Indian billionaires saw their combined fortunes more than double during the COVID-19 pandemic, and their count shot up by 39 per cent to 142, while the wealth of the ten richest is enough to fund school and higher education of children in the country for 25 years, a new study showed on Monday. In its annual inequality survey released on the first day of the World Economic Forum's online Davos Agenda summit, Oxfam India further said that an additional one per cent tax on the richest 10 per cent can provide the country with nearly 17.7 lakh extra oxygen cylinders, while a similar wealth tax on the 98 richest billionaire families would finance Ayushman Bharat, the world's largest health insurance scheme, for more than seven years. The COVID-19 pandemic saw a huge rush for oxygen cylinders and insurance claims during the second wave last year.

CEA Subramanian to return to academia after three-year stint

CEA Subramanian to return to academia after three-year stint

Rediff.com8 Oct 2021

Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) K V Subramanian will be leaving the finance ministry and returning to academia on completion of his three-year term. The government had appointed Subramanian, an ISB Hyderabad professor, as the CEA in December 2018. He had succeeded Arvind Subramanian, who quit the position close to a year ahead of his extended tenure. Subramanian's three-year term would have come up for renewal in December but he decided to return to academia.

US body wants India named for violating religious rights, chief dissents

US body wants India named for violating religious rights, chief dissents

Rediff.com21 Apr 2021

A US Congress-constituted quasi-judicial body on Wednesday asked the Joe Biden Administration to designate four nations, including India, as "countries of particular concern", alleging that religious freedom conditions there in 2020 continued their negative trajectory.

Pandora Papers: A Rich Man's Game

Pandora Papers: A Rich Man's Game

Rediff.com20 Dec 2021

The money stashed away in tax havens is estimated at between $5.6 trillion and $32 trillion, numbers to make your eyes pop, asserts T N Ninan.

Free vaccine, foodgrains to cost govt up to Rs 1.45 lakh cr

Free vaccine, foodgrains to cost govt up to Rs 1.45 lakh cr

Rediff.com8 Jun 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of providing free inoculation to all adults will entail total spending of anywhere between Rs 45,000 crore and Rs 50,000 crore. This is higher than Rs 35,000 crore that the government had budgeted.

Abhijit Banerjee has a piece of advice for the Modi govt

Abhijit Banerjee has a piece of advice for the Modi govt

Rediff.com15 Jul 2020

In the short run, the government should loosen the purse strings but trying to invent new instruments is a bad idea, Banerjee said. Trust, he said, in the system is important at this point and keeping that in mind.

How can you use such words for PM: HC to Umar Khalid

How can you use such words for PM: HC to Umar Khalid

Rediff.com20 May 2022

A bench of Justices Siddharth Mridul and Rajnish Bhatnagar was hearing Khalid's plea challenging a trial court's order which had on March 24 dismissed his bail application in the case.

What Today's Millennials Want From Govt

What Today's Millennials Want From Govt

Rediff.com12 Feb 2022

Tax benefit on WFH expenses, regulatory clarity on cryptos figure high on their wish list.

Bill for 10% quota for economically weak introduced in Lok Sabha

Bill for 10% quota for economically weak introduced in Lok Sabha

Rediff.com8 Jan 2019

The bill, approved by the Union Cabinet on Monday, was brought in on the last day of the Winter Session of Lok Sabha.

Wisconsin State Assembly Speaker supports farmers' protests in India

Wisconsin State Assembly Speaker supports farmers' protests in India

Rediff.com6 Jan 2021

Voicing his support for the farmers' protest in India, the Speaker of Wisconsin State Assembly has urged the Indian government to reconsider its decision on the three farm laws and listen to the concerns of the affected farmers.

Tharoor's House panel on I-T meets cyber experts

Tharoor's House panel on I-T meets cyber experts

Rediff.com14 Dec 2019

People familiar with the proceedings said independent cybersecurity experts from a private consulting firm, technology lawyers, government officials and WhatsApp representatives were asked questions about the Pegasus spyware and the larger issues surrounding surveillance, hacking and remedial measures.

How Prashant Kishor helped to revive Mamata's fortunes

How Prashant Kishor helped to revive Mamata's fortunes

Rediff.com2 May 2021

Realising, that there was a ground swell of anger against several lower level TMC leaders who were often accused of petty corruption in execution of public welfare schemes, Kishor designed the 'Didi Ke Bolo' (Tell Didi) campaign under which citizens could directly approach Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with their grievances.

NRIs, check the number of days you spend in India

NRIs, check the number of days you spend in India

Rediff.com2 Mar 2020

The Budget has changed the rules for Indian citizens and persons of Indian origin visiting India. Instead of 182 days, the number of days has been reduced to 120. You will be treated as a resident of India for tax purposes if you stay in the country for more than 120 days in a financial year and 365 days in the past four years. One consequence of the change will be that people of Indian origin who reside outside India will be able to spend a smaller number of days in the country if they wish to keep their non-resident status intact, points out Sanjay Kumar Singh.

Sitharaman may announce 2nd coronavirus relief package this week

Sitharaman may announce 2nd coronavirus relief package this week

Rediff.com6 Apr 2020

The finance ministry is working on a second relief package for the Indian economy hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak and the 21-day nationwide lockdown imposed to curb the contagion, sources said. Last month, the government announced a Rs 1.70 lakh crore relief package in the form of foodgrains and cash transfers for the poor and vulnerable section of the society to help them deal with the hardships caused by the lockdown. Now, the government is working on a stimulus to be given to hard-hit sectors of the economy after the lockdown is lifted, sources said, adding that an announcement is expected in the next few days depending on the severity of the pandemic.

India launches COVID vaccination for all above 45

India launches COVID vaccination for all above 45

Rediff.com1 Apr 2021

More than 6.5 crore vaccine doses have been administered across the country so far to frontline workers, healthcare workers, those above 60 and for people aged above 45 with specified co-co-morbid conditions.

India's IT and business services mkt to reach $13 bn by Dec 2020: IDC

India's IT and business services mkt to reach $13 bn by Dec 2020: IDC

Rediff.com25 Nov 2020

India's IT and business services market is expected to grow 5.4 per cent annually to reach $13 billion by December this year, research firm IDC said. The segment grew 5.3 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) in January-June (H1) 2020 period as compared to 8.9 per cent growth in H1 2019, IDC said in a report. Of the IT and business services market, the IT services market contributed 77.4 per cent in H1 2020, growing 5.9 per cent y-o-y as compared to 9.3 per cent growth in the year-ago period.

Interest on small savings hiked after years

Interest on small savings hiked after years

Rediff.com20 Sep 2018

The rates of interest on various small savings schemes for the third quarter of financial year 2018-19, starting October 1 and ending on December 31, 2018, has been revised, the finance ministry said while notifying the rates.

10% quota for upper caste poor comes into force

10% quota for upper caste poor comes into force

Rediff.com14 Jan 2019

The Act amends Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution, by adding a clause which allows states to make 'special provision for the advancement of any economically weaker sections of citizens'.

PM-CARES to foot over 80% cost of phase 1 of vaccination drive

PM-CARES to foot over 80% cost of phase 1 of vaccination drive

Rediff.com2 Feb 2021

The PM-CARES fund, which has been set up to provide relief during the coronavirus pandemic, has contributed over Rs 2,200 crore for the first phase of vaccination drive, which is looking to inoculate frontline healthcare workers, the Expenditure Secretary said on Tuesday.

Judicial interventions to nudge executive and not to usurp power: CJI

Judicial interventions to nudge executive and not to usurp power: CJI

Rediff.com26 Nov 2021

Observing that Laxman rekha of separation of power is 'sacrosanct,' Chief Justice of India N V Ramana Friday said at times courts are compelled to intervene in the interest of justice and the intention is to nudge the executive, and not to usurp its role and they should not be projected as judiciary targeting another institution.