News for 'Civil Secretariat'

Heavy rains claim 26 lives in Kerala; red alert for Idukki reservoir

Heavy rains claim 26 lives in Kerala; red alert for Idukki reservoir

Rediff.com9 Aug 2018

Shutters of at least 22 reservoirs in the state have been opened to drain out excess water.

Ex-bureaucrats blame PM for India's 'darkest hour'

Ex-bureaucrats blame PM for India's 'darkest hour'

Rediff.com16 Apr 2018

A group of retired civil servants also called upon the PM to reach out to the families of the victims in Unnao and Kathua and "seek their forgiveness on behalf of all of us".

Modi's visit to Canada is the first by an Indian PM in 42 years!

Modi's visit to Canada is the first by an Indian PM in 42 years!

Rediff.com15 Apr 2015

'Notwithstanding the physical distance, the two countries historically had a convergence of approach and outlook to many international issues.' 'The relationship between the two countries cannot develop or flourish in a vacuum. There should be initiatives at various levels -- at the level of government, Parliament and the people.'

India calls for quick action against terror sponsors

India calls for quick action against terror sponsors

Rediff.com15 Jul 2016

Addressing the plenary session of the 11th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit here in the Mongolian capital, Vice President Hamid Ansari said, "all our societies today face unprecedented levels of threat from terrorism in all its manifestations. The most recent example is what has happened, most unfortunately in France."

'Commonwealth can't support a regime that attacks, kills regularly'

'Commonwealth can't support a regime that attacks, kills regularly'

Rediff.com13 Nov 2013

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's decision not to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at Colombo has once again put the focus on alleged cases of human rights abuses in Sri Lanka.

Odds favour Kejriwal, but air not even yet

Odds favour Kejriwal, but air not even yet

Rediff.com2 Jan 2016

Delhi's chief minister claims success, but his ambitious odd even scheme's real test could be on Monday.

K'taka Opposition tells govt to defy SC; not to release Cauvery to TN

K'taka Opposition tells govt to defy SC; not to release Cauvery to TN

Rediff.com1 Oct 2016

Karnataka government on Saturday moved the Supreme court seeking a review of its order directing the state to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu even as it faced strident calls from opposition parties not to release the water "at any cost".

Rahul meets Shinde over harassment of NE people in Delhi

Rahul meets Shinde over harassment of NE people in Delhi

Rediff.com6 Feb 2014

Rahul Gandhi on Thursday held consultations with Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and Members of Parliament from northeast to discuss steps to end the harassment of people.

What heights she would have taken India!

What heights she would have taken India!

Rediff.com6 Dec 2016

'She dwarfs every known politician of recent times with her imperious aura, iron will, tremendous drive, dauntless pursuit of goals she set before herself, ability to capture the people's imagination and unshakeable grip over her party and government,' says B S Raghavan, the distinguished civil servant.

'Imran would find it difficult to resist the army'

'Imran would find it difficult to resist the army'

Rediff.com30 Jul 2018

'He will be constrained if and when he tries to set the foreign policy agenda that is not to the liking of the army.'

After Nepal quake, Delhi chalks out disaster management plan

After Nepal quake, Delhi chalks out disaster management plan

Rediff.com28 Apr 2015

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday held a review meeting to discuss the preparedness of the national capital

What Jayalalithaa's extended hospitalisation means

What Jayalalithaa's extended hospitalisation means

Rediff.com4 Oct 2016

'It stands to reason that if a CM is hospitalised for long durations, and is perceived to be not fully functional, that it is the governor's Constitutional duty to ascertain by diligent efforts and arrive at a dispassionate conclusion about the CM being physically fit and mentally alert to discharge his/her Constitutional obligations,' says B S Raghavan, the distinguished civil servant.

CBI raids Chidambaram, son over 'favours' to Peter, Indrani's INX Media

CBI raids Chidambaram, son over 'favours' to Peter, Indrani's INX Media

Rediff.com16 May 2017

FIR says that the officials by virtue of influence exercised over them by Karti, not only ignored the serious illegality on the part of INX Media on both the counts but also deliberately showed undue favours to INX Group.

Why Two Leaves symbol is crucial for bypolls to Jaya's seat

Why Two Leaves symbol is crucial for bypolls to Jaya's seat

Rediff.com14 Mar 2017

For the AIADMK's cadres, it is much more than an election symbol, they believe the party's electoral chances rest on owning it, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

Dhirubhai Ambani, Dilip Shanghvi chosen for Padma awards

Dhirubhai Ambani, Dilip Shanghvi chosen for Padma awards

Rediff.com25 Jan 2016

Dhirubhai Ambani lived in a one-room chawl in Mumbai with his wife and children and went on to establish the Reliance Group.

Jaya, 4th Tamil Nadu CM in 5 to be hospitalised for long

Jaya, 4th Tamil Nadu CM in 5 to be hospitalised for long

Rediff.com10 Oct 2016

There is no alternative for the party and the state to wait for CM Jaya to return home as CM Jaya, and make her call, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

Modi mantra: Lean cabinet, not so lean PMO

Modi mantra: Lean cabinet, not so lean PMO

Rediff.com15 Oct 2014

The Prime Minister's Office has clarified that the total sanctioned strength of the PMO has been around 525 in the period 2011-14. As against this, the actual strength of the PMO in the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 was in the range of 407 to 411. The number has now declined to 385.

PHOTOS: Nation bids tearful adieu to its fallen heroes

PHOTOS: Nation bids tearful adieu to its fallen heroes

Rediff.com20 Sep 2016

An emotional farewell was given to the valiant army jawans who lost their lives in the Uri attack, as their last rites were performed in their respective native villages with full military and state honours.

Why India must be wary of Nepal's Lumbini Project

Why India must be wary of Nepal's Lumbini Project

Rediff.com6 May 2016

For India to endorse Nepal's Buddhist conference will be like sipping from a poisoned chalice, warns former RA&W official Jayadeva Ranade.

Tamil Nadu sans Amma: A state interrupted?

Tamil Nadu sans Amma: A state interrupted?

Rediff.com25 May 2015

Inaugurations and foundation-stone laying ceremonies might have been low-key but that doesn't mean Tamil Nadu stood still while J Jayalalithaa was out of office, Aditi Phadnis opines

Economists in India: Endangered species?

Economists in India: Endangered species?

Rediff.com21 Jul 2016

The pipeline for well-qualified and experienced policy economists at senior levels of government has broken, leading to a growing dearth of suitable candidates for top economist positions.

Yes, Rahul can, and Rahul must!

Yes, Rahul can, and Rahul must!

Rediff.com31 Jan 2018

Rahul Gandhi has the potential to grow into a good, effective, leader of the Opposition provided he puts his heart and soul into it, with a willingness to learn, says B S Raghavan, the distinguished civil servant who worked closely with India's first three prime ministers.

Taming Phailin: India's best show in disaster management

Taming Phailin: India's best show in disaster management

Rediff.com14 Oct 2013

With better preparedness and efficient planning and execution, toll restricted to a low level. Lesson from 1999 cyclone helped.

Varanasi dares to dream: All it took was one election

Varanasi dares to dream: All it took was one election

Rediff.com24 Jun 2014

The long-term plans for Varanasi will take time to materialise but what has changed is the mood, says Aditi Phadnis

Why did G K Pillai not object then?

Why did G K Pillai not object then?

Rediff.com3 Mar 2016

'Even though he knew full well that the manipulation went against the facts as he knew them, Pillai nonchalantly contented himself with stating that since the file came from the minister himself, he just passed it on as it was,' says B S Raghavan.

A legal crisis overtakes Telangana

A legal crisis overtakes Telangana

Rediff.com19 Jul 2016

K Chandrasekhara Rao is using politics to highlight an administrative and judicial issue, says B Dasarath Reddy.

China's Islamic terror problem

China's Islamic terror problem

Rediff.com5 Oct 2015

'Islamic State has declared that the liberation of Islamic Xinjiang from China is an objective. Beijing may well find that Pakistan is unable to assist in any meaningful way,' says China expert Jayadeva Ranade.

Beware! China's military games in Ladakh

Beware! China's military games in Ladakh

Rediff.com16 Sep 2015

'Intrusions by PLA troops in the Ladakh sector are more in number than elsewhere and this region is now likely to remain an area of enhanced Chinese interest,' warns China expert Jayadeva Ranade.

Modi attacks Khurshid over remarks against EC, SC

Modi attacks Khurshid over remarks against EC, SC

Rediff.com15 Mar 2014

The Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Friday attacked External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid for his criticism of the Election Commission and the Supreme Court, accusing him of denigrating the country's two most respected institutions on the foreign soil.

How Bihar changed under Nitish Kumar

How Bihar changed under Nitish Kumar

Rediff.com9 Nov 2015

What is Change really like in Bihar? Once seen as India's basket-case, what is its turnaround story like?

Counter-terror, climate change to be on Modi-Hollande talks table

Counter-terror, climate change to be on Modi-Hollande talks table

Rediff.com22 Jan 2016

Hollande will be arriving in Chandigarh on January 24 where he is expected to be received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Why did the Pakistan army warn R&AW?

Why did the Pakistan army warn R&AW?

Rediff.com8 May 2015

'After General Raheel Sharif took on the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, some sections of the military establishment may have felt unease as to whether the crackdown could be extended against friendlier 'non-State' actors like the Lashkar-e-Tayiba.'

Will reach out to all, including 'Muslim brothers': Modi

Will reach out to all, including 'Muslim brothers': Modi

Rediff.com22 Apr 2014

Narendra Modi on Tuesday said he would reach out to Muslim "brothers" like any other citizen of the country and made it clear that the contentious issues of Ram Temple and Uniform Civil Code would be addressed within the Constitutional framework.

Will Mamata's second term mark a fresh start for industry in Bengal?

Will Mamata's second term mark a fresh start for industry in Bengal?

Rediff.com7 Jun 2016

Investors can take heart from the first Cabinet meeting in the second innings.

How PM Modi keeps babus on tight leash

How PM Modi keeps babus on tight leash

Rediff.com10 Sep 2014

New Delhi bureaucrats, accustomed to leisurely lunches, golf in the afternoon and long weekends, have been shaken out of their somnolence, say authors. Fear and suspicion hang heavy over the red-sands.

Why Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is a lonely man today

Why Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is a lonely man today

Rediff.com21 Sep 2013

Under constant attack from his political opponents, the public and the media, he is said to have withdrawn into a shell, says Anita Katyal

What Gandhiji said about Nehru should suffice for history

What Gandhiji said about Nehru should suffice for history

Rediff.com29 May 2014

'How come with Nehru at the helm, India missed so many buses? He had such unchallenged power that he could have taken the country in any direction he wanted. The sad conclusion is inescapable that Nehru let things drift in true Hamletian ambivalence,' says B S Raghavan.

I did not waver from my loyalty to Indira Gandhi: Pranab Mukherjee

I did not waver from my loyalty to Indira Gandhi: Pranab Mukherjee

Rediff.com12 Dec 2014

Pranab Mukherjee's book The Dramatic Decade: The Indira Gandhi Years takes the readers through the economic and social unrest of the period leading up to the emergency, rise and fall of leaders, many splits within the Congress, while promising to offer more in the next two volumes of the trilogy, says Nivedita Mookerji.

Has Change really come to Bihar?

Has Change really come to Bihar?

Rediff.com24 May 2013

What is Change really like in Bihar? Once seen as India's basket-case, what is its turnaround story like? Archana Masih reports from India's other most talked about state.

'FDI policy should be seen in light of Make in India'

'FDI policy should be seen in light of Make in India'

Rediff.com15 Jul 2016

With EU, it is part of the FTA that we will need to negotiate.