News for 'Civil and Mechanical'

Judge who ordered Gyanvapi's video survey receives threat letter

Judge who ordered Gyanvapi's video survey receives threat letter

Rediff.com8 Jun 2022

Judge Ravi Kumar Diakar, who had ordered the video survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi, informed the Uttar Pradesh authorities on Tuesday that he had received a hand-written threat letter.

SC to set up bench to hear Gyanvapi case on Friday

SC to set up bench to hear Gyanvapi case on Friday

Rediff.com10 Nov 2022

The top court, on May 17, had passed an interim order directing protection of the area inside Gyanvapi premises at Varanasi.

Celebrating Indonesia's Festival Of Democracy

Celebrating Indonesia's Festival Of Democracy

Rediff.com13 Feb 2024

The 'Pesta Demokrasi' is a cause for celebration not only for Indonesia but also for democracy and forces for peace all over the globe, notes Sandeep Chakravorty, India's Ambassador to Indonesia.

Banks wrote off NPAs over 10 lakh crore in last 5 financial years: FM

Banks wrote off NPAs over 10 lakh crore in last 5 financial years: FM

Rediff.com13 Dec 2022

Banks have written off bad loans worth Rs 10,09,511 crore during the last five financial years, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed Parliament on Tuesday. The non-performing assets (NPAs), including those in respect of which full provisioning has been made on completion of four years, are removed from the balance sheet of the bank concerned by way of write-off, she said in a reply to Rajya Sabha. "Banks write off NPAs as part of their regular exercise to clean up their balance sheet, avail tax benefit and optimise capital, in accordance with RBI guidelines and policy approved by their boards.

UN members to review India's human rights report on Thursday

UN members to review India's human rights report on Thursday

Rediff.com9 Nov 2022

India's report outlining its steps towards the promotion and protection of human rights will be taken up for review as part of a mechanism under which UN member States review the human rights performance of fellow States, on Thursday in Geneva, according to the ministry of external affairs.

SC to hear plea for wazu during Ramzan at Gyanvapi on April 14

SC to hear plea for wazu during Ramzan at Gyanvapi on April 14

Rediff.com10 Apr 2023

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear on April 14 a plea by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid committee seeking permission for wazu (ritual ablution) at the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi during the month of Ramzan.

China 'firmly opposes external interference' in Maldives

China 'firmly opposes external interference' in Maldives

Rediff.com12 Jan 2024

'The two sides agree to continue firmly supporting each other in safeguarding their respective core interests,' a joint statement issued at the end of Muizzu's talks with Chinese leaders said.

Sale of ground-handling arm of Air India next fiscal

Sale of ground-handling arm of Air India next fiscal

Rediff.com13 Feb 2022

The government will start working on selling the ground-handling arm of erstwhile national carrier Air India and the Expression of Interest (EoI) is expected in the next fiscal, an official said. "We already have the Cabinet approval for selling the subsidiaries of Air India. "So we will come out with an EoI inviting bids for one of the ground-handling arms in the next fiscal," an official told PTI.

Incomplete probe can't deprive default bail despite chargesheet, rules SC

Incomplete probe can't deprive default bail despite chargesheet, rules SC

Rediff.com26 Apr 2023

Such a charge sheet, if filed by an investigating authority without first completing the investigation, would not extinguish the right to default bail, it said.

Balasore impact: Railways to fill posts in safety category via special drive

Balasore impact: Railways to fill posts in safety category via special drive

Rediff.com12 Jun 2023

The order said that zonal railways should have by now assessed their vacancies and planned for filling them up as per their fresh selection calendars.

India, EU hold human rights dialogue, agree to safeguard freedom of activists, journalists

India, EU hold human rights dialogue, agree to safeguard freedom of activists, journalists

Rediff.com15 Jul 2022

After a fresh round of human rights dialogue, India and the European Union on Friday concurred on the importance of safeguarding freedom, independence and diversity of civil society actors, including human rights defenders and journalists.

'New Laws Will Make India A Police State'

'New Laws Will Make India A Police State'

Rediff.com26 Dec 2023

'These new laws give complete (impunity) to the police.' 'Whatever little accountability the police had, all that is gone now.' 'There is no accountability mechanism against the police for abusing or misusing in the new laws.'

11 killed after giant crane collapses at Visakhapatnam shipyard

11 killed after giant crane collapses at Visakhapatnam shipyard

Rediff.com1 Aug 2020

TV visuals showed the giant crane falling on the ground with a loud thud.

Gyanvapi row: SC asks collector to hold meeting to provide wazu facilities

Gyanvapi row: SC asks collector to hold meeting to provide wazu facilities

Rediff.com17 Apr 2023

The court was hearing a plea by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid committee seeking permission for wazu at the mosque complex in Varanasi during the month of Ramzan.

Ram Temple And The Religion Vs Politics Debate

Ram Temple And The Religion Vs Politics Debate

Rediff.com17 Jan 2024

At a time when the BJP's stars are at the top on the eve of the Lok Sabha polls, the Puri-Joshimath Sankaracharyas may have kick-started a row whose efforts might be to divide Hindus, not in the name of castes, but on what passes for greater belief, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

U'khand: Helicopter crashed within seconds after takeoff

U'khand: Helicopter crashed within seconds after takeoff

Rediff.com18 Oct 2022

The helicopter came to pieces as it crashed and went up in flames.

New bill moots up to Rs 250 cr fine for violating data protection norms

New bill moots up to Rs 250 cr fine for violating data protection norms

Rediff.com3 Aug 2023

The government on Thursday tabled the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2023 in the Lok Sabha with an aim to protect the privacy of Indian citizens, while proposing a penalty of up to Rs 250 crore on entities for misusing or failing to protect digital data of individuals.

ISRO, NASA in talks to place Indian on ISS next year

ISRO, NASA in talks to place Indian on ISS next year

Rediff.com8 Sep 2023

India and the US on Friday said they have started talks to put in place a strategic framework for human space flight by year-end as they plan to send an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station in 2024.

DCW seeks CCTV on flights, tougher steps against drunk fliers

DCW seeks CCTV on flights, tougher steps against drunk fliers

Rediff.com15 Mar 2023

Prevent highly intoxicated travellers from boarding the aircraft, limit alcohol intake, instal CCTV cameras and sensitise staff about sexual harassment -- are part of the detailed guidelines given by the Delhi Commission for Women to the aviation regulator amid rising incidents of unruly passengers on flights.

Maoist threat will be wiped out from country in 2 yrs: Amit Shah

Maoist threat will be wiped out from country in 2 yrs: Amit Shah

Rediff.com6 Oct 2023

Chairing a meeting to review the security situation in LWE-affected states, Shah said the Modi government has adopted a policy of zero tolerance against left wing extremism since 2014.

Vedanta's Sterlite Copper invites EoIs to 'restart' the Thoothukudi unit

Vedanta's Sterlite Copper invites EoIs to 'restart' the Thoothukudi unit

Rediff.com13 Jun 2023

Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta's Sterlite Copper on Monday came out with an advertisement inviting expression of interest (EoI) for carrying out plant "restart activities" at its Thoothukudi unit in Tamil Nadu, that got closed more than five years ago following an order issued by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB). The EoI for restart comes when the company is still awaiting the final judgement on the issue, and the court has only allowed it to do maintenance work. "We have initiated the upkeep and maintenance activities at the plant as allowed by the Supreme Court vide its order dated May 4, 2023, in coordination with the district authorities.

Vistara to add 10 planes, 1,000 people this fiscal

Vistara to add 10 planes, 1,000 people this fiscal

Rediff.com8 Jun 2023

Full service carrier Vistara expects to add a total of 10 planes as well as hire more than 1,000 people in the current financial year and has shelved plans to fly to the US, according to a top executive. Currently, Vistara, which is set to be merged with Air India, has a fleet of 61 aircraft and a staff strength of over 5,200. During an interaction in Istanbul this week, Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan said there has been a ready pool of talent, especially pilots and cabin crew members, with the collapse of Go First.

Railways sacked 1 'non-performer' every 3 days since July 2021

Railways sacked 1 'non-performer' every 3 days since July 2021

Rediff.com24 Nov 2022

Ashwini Vaishnaw has repeatedly warned officials "to take VRS and sit at home" if they did not perform.

SC upholds ED's power to arrest, attach property under money-laundering law

SC upholds ED's power to arrest, attach property under money-laundering law

Rediff.com27 Jul 2022

The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday upheld the validity of certain provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and said it is not mandatory to give an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) in every case to the person concerned.

'Railways is known for covering up accidents'

'Railways is known for covering up accidents'

Rediff.com5 Jun 2023

'Imagine what will happen when a train running at 128 kmph moves onto a track that is meant to have only a speed less than 30 kmph!' 'Naturally, it will derail, and the coaches will go for a tailspin.'

NSG, CISF chiefs inspect Jammu drone strike scene

NSG, CISF chiefs inspect Jammu drone strike scene

Rediff.com30 Jun 2021

Specialists from the counter-terror drone wing of the NSG also demonstrated the functioning of its counter-UAS mechanism at the technical area of the IAF station, sources said.

Varanasi court to hear Hindu plea to worship Gyanvapi Shivling on Dec 2

Varanasi court to hear Hindu plea to worship Gyanvapi Shivling on Dec 2

Rediff.com17 Nov 2022

A Varanasi court on Thursday rejected the Gyanvapi masjid committee's objection to a petition seeking the right to worship a 'Shivling' claimed to have been found in the mosque complex, and fixed December 2 for hearing the case.

Banks wrote off Rs 10 lakh crore loans in 5 years, Sitharaman tells LS

Banks wrote off Rs 10 lakh crore loans in 5 years, Sitharaman tells LS

Rediff.com19 Dec 2022

Scheduled commercial banks have written off loans amounting to over Rs 10.09 lakh crore in the last five financial years and the process of recovery of dues from the borrowers continues, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed the Lok Sabha on Monday.

Centre moves SC over Delhi ruling, day after ordinance

Centre moves SC over Delhi ruling, day after ordinance

Rediff.com20 May 2023

The Centre on Friday brought an ordinance to create for the first time a National Capital Civil Service Authority (NCCSA) that will have the power to recommend the transfer and posting of all Group A officers and officers of DANICS serving in Delhi. NCCSA will be headed by the Chief Minister of Delhi, with the Chief Secretary and Principal Home Secretary of Delhi being the other two members.

SC sets up new bench for Bilkis plea against remission to convicts

SC sets up new bench for Bilkis plea against remission to convicts

Rediff.com24 Mar 2023

The Supreme Court will hear on March 27 a batch of pleas challenging the remission of sentence of 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano gang-rape case that also involves the killing of seven members of her family during the 2002 Gujarat riots.

SC extends order to protect 'Shivling' in Gyanvapi mosque

SC extends order to protect 'Shivling' in Gyanvapi mosque

Rediff.com11 Nov 2022

It also directed the Hindu parties to file their replies within three weeks on the appeal filed by the management committee of the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid challenging the Allahabad High Court order on the appointment of a survey commissioner.

Budget: CII wants govt to decriminalise GST, slash I-T rates

Budget: CII wants govt to decriminalise GST, slash I-T rates

Rediff.com20 Nov 2022

Industry body CII has pitched for a reduction in personal income tax rates, decriminalisation of the goods and services tax and a relook at the capital gains tax rates as part of its agenda presented to the government for the forthcoming Budget. Arguing that the GST law already contains adequate penal provisions for deterrence against evasion of taxes, CII has suggested decriminalisation of GST law. Also, the applicability of prosecution provisions should not be based on the absolute amount of tax evasion but should be based on real intent to evade the taxes and a certain percentage of the tax payable, it stated.

Capt Shiva Reporting For Duty In Siachen

Capt Shiva Reporting For Duty In Siachen

Rediff.com12 Jan 2023

She is the first lady to be deployed on the Siachen Glacier, the world's highest battlefield.

Why Theaterisation Of Armed Forces Is Important

Why Theaterisation Of Armed Forces Is Important

Rediff.com5 Sep 2023

As India progresses towards formulating its own model of theaterisation, the public must get involved in the debate because in the end, it affects the well-being of the entire nation, asserts Biswajit Dasgupta.

US comfortable with India buying oil from Russia: Biden aide

US comfortable with India buying oil from Russia: Biden aide

Rediff.com17 Feb 2023

By driving a hard bargain with Russia in procuring crude oil at the lowest price possible, India is furthering the policy of G7 and Washington is "comfortable" with New Delhi over its approach in addressing issues relating to energy security, a top Biden administration official said.

SC halts ASI survey, directs HC to hear Gyanvapi plea by Wednesday 5 pm

SC halts ASI survey, directs HC to hear Gyanvapi plea by Wednesday 5 pm

Rediff.com24 Jul 2023

The Supreme Court ordered on Monday that no invasive work would be undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to determine if the Gyanvapi mosque located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi was built upon a temple and agreed to hear a plea moved by the mosque committee during the day.

What The World Looks Like At Mid-Year

What The World Looks Like At Mid-Year

Rediff.com26 Jun 2023

The first five months of 2023 have witnessed at least six major events/trends that augur badly for global economic and socio-political prospects, points out Shankar Acharya, former chief economic adviser to the Government of India.

Gyanvapi survey report submitted in Varanasi court; SC defers hearing

Gyanvapi survey report submitted in Varanasi court; SC defers hearing

Rediff.com19 May 2022

A commission appointed by a court in Varanasi to conduct a videographic survey of the Kashi Vishwanath temple-Gyanvapi Mosque complex submitted its report on Thursday, an advocate said.

Has Sanatana Dharma Met Its Electoral Match In Caste Census?

Has Sanatana Dharma Met Its Electoral Match In Caste Census?

Rediff.com5 Oct 2023

It is not much of an issue just now, but it could become one if the idea of caste census captures socio-political imagination, going beyond electoral tags and identities, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

Deadline ends, Gyanvapi survey official says report not ready

Deadline ends, Gyanvapi survey official says report not ready

Rediff.com17 May 2022

'As per the orders of the court, the videography survey of the Gyanvapi Masjid complex took place from May 14 to May 16 from 8 am to 12 noon, and its report was to be submitted to the court'