News for 'Committee of Secretaries'

SC praises protesting farmer leader as he breaks fast

SC praises protesting farmer leader as he breaks fast

Rediff.com28 Mar 2025

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who was on an indefinite hunger strike in support of various demands, has broken his fast after the Punjab government intervened and dispersed protesting farmers at Khanauri and Shambhu borders. The Supreme Court lauded Dallewal's efforts and acknowledged the government's action, while also asking for a status report on the situation. Contempt proceedings against the Punjab chief secretary and Director General of Police for not complying with the court's order of providing medical aid to Dallewal were dropped.

Two Muslim leaders quit JD-U over party's support to Waqf bill

Two Muslim leaders quit JD-U over party's support to Waqf bill

Rediff.com4 Apr 2025

Two individuals claiming to be members of the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) in Bihar announced their "resignation" from the party, citing dissatisfaction with its support for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. The JD(U) denied the resignations, claiming the individuals were not party members. However, some senior JD(U) leaders have expressed discontent over the passage of the bill, which they believe is detrimental to Muslims. The controversy over the Waqf Bill is likely to influence the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar.

Indian-American ex-journalist is Trump's dy Press Secy

Indian-American ex-journalist is Trump's dy Press Secy

Rediff.com25 Jan 2025

White House Office of Communications will be overseen by Deputy White House Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary Taylor Budowich.

Cong to hold nationwide stir against ED action in National Herald case

Cong to hold nationwide stir against ED action in National Herald case

Rediff.com16 Apr 2025

The Congress party in India has condemned the seizure of assets belonging to the National Herald, a newspaper founded by Jawaharlal Nehru, and announced nationwide protests against the action. The party's general secretary, KC Venugopal, described the action as "draconian" and said it was a politically motivated attempt to silence the opposition. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, among others, on charges of money laundering in the case. The Congress has called for protests in front of ED offices across the country on Wednesday.

Centre announces caste census; BJP, allies hail move

Centre announces caste census; BJP, allies hail move

Rediff.com1 May 2025

In a significant move, the Centre on Wednesday announced that caste enumeration will be part of the next population census, with the inclusion of caste details for the first time since independence hailed by the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies as a historic step to help design truly equitable and focused policies.

Probe panel quizzes KIIT founder, others in Nepalese student's suicide case

Probe panel quizzes KIIT founder, others in Nepalese student's suicide case

Rediff.com22 Feb 2025

The founder of KIIT, Achyuta Samanta, and other top officials of the private engineering college were questioned by a government committee about the alleged suicide of a Nepalese girl in her hostel and the assault on students of her country. The incident sparked outrage in the Odisha Assembly, with opposition members demanding a judicial inquiry. Samanta was questioned for two hours, along with the institute's Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Dean, and two suspended women officials. The committee is investigating the circumstances surrounding the student's suicide, the alleged high-handedness of the institute's administration, and the decision to suspend specific students and shut down the institute for them. The Odisha government has assured Nepalese students that it will cover their travel expenses, arrange remedial classes, and reschedule their mid-semester examinations if necessary.

SC summons CS, fin secretaries of 16 states over pay report non-compliance

SC summons CS, fin secretaries of 16 states over pay report non-compliance

Rediff.com11 Jul 2024

Though seven opportunities have been granted to the states, it appears that full compliance has not been affected and several states are in default, it said.

PMK founder Ramadoss takes back reins ahead of TN polls next year

PMK founder Ramadoss takes back reins ahead of TN polls next year

Rediff.com10 Apr 2025

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder Dr S Ramadoss has announced taking up the complete reins of the party, relegating his president son Anbumani to the role of working president. The move, announced ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Chennai, comes in anticipation of the 2026 Assembly election.

China honours officer injured in Galwan clash

China honours officer injured in Galwan clash

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

China has honored an army regiment commander who was injured in the Galwan Valley border clash with Indian soldiers in 2020 as an outstanding member of the national advisory body - Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Qi Fabao, who was made the torchbearer for the Winter Olympics in 2022, was among the 33 individuals honored with the 2024 Outstanding Performance Award for CPPCC Members. The incident, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers, led to a freeze in relations between the two countries for over four years. Ties were restored after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in October 2023.

Cong holds protest against ED action Sonia, Rahul in National Herald Case

Cong holds protest against ED action Sonia, Rahul in National Herald Case

Rediff.com16 Apr 2025

The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday said it had filed a chargesheet on April 9 in a money laundering case related to the National Herald newspaper. Apart from Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, the chargesheet also names senior Congress leaders Sam Pitroda and Suman Dubey as co-accused.

SC to hear pleas challenging Waqf Act on April 16

SC to hear pleas challenging Waqf Act on April 16

Rediff.com10 Apr 2025

A three-judge Supreme Court bench will hear petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, on April 16. The petitions, including those by politicians and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, were filed in the top court challenging the validity of the newly-enacted law. The Centre has filed a caveat in the apex court, seeking a hearing before any order is passed.

How rich did India's cricketers get after Champions Trophy win?

How rich did India's cricketers get after Champions Trophy win?

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a cash reward of Rs 58 crore for the Indian cricket team that won the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this month in Dubai.

Bengal Guv, NHRC, NCW teams meet Murshidabad victims as TMC fumes

Bengal Guv, NHRC, NCW teams meet Murshidabad victims as TMC fumes

Rediff.com19 Apr 2025

A delegation of the National Commission for Women (NCW), led by its chairman Vijaya Rahatkar, met with riot-affected women in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, assuring them of safety and demanding an NIA probe into the recent communal clashes. The women narrated their harrowing experiences and demanded permanent BSF camps in select areas of the district. The NCW team also visited relief camps in Malda district and assessed the condition of women affected by the violence.

Youtuber Savukku Shankar's house targeted; sewage, faeces dumped

Youtuber Savukku Shankar's house targeted; sewage, faeces dumped

Rediff.com25 Mar 2025

Popular Youtuber Savukku Shankar, known for his criticism of the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, had his residence targeted by a group of individuals who allegedly dumped sewage and human faeces inside. The incident has sparked outrage with opposition leaders condemning the act and demanding swift action. Shankar alleges the attack was orchestrated by a top Tamil Nadu Congress Committee leader and a police official, citing a prior corruption expose he made. The police are investigating the incident.

Tension eases in HP as Muslims drop objection to Maharana Pratap statue

Tension eases in HP as Muslims drop objection to Maharana Pratap statue

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

The Muslim community in Sujanpur Tira town in Himachal Pradesh has withdrawn its objection to a proposed Maharana Pratap statue outside a mosque. The decision comes after a delegation of the community submitted a memorandum to the Hamirpur administration, asking it not to install the statue in the park being built outside the mosque. The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) had called on the administration not to go back on its decision to install the statue at the approved spot.

Pune hospital ends deposit policy after pregnant woman's death

Pune hospital ends deposit policy after pregnant woman's death

Rediff.com5 Apr 2025

The Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune, India, has stopped taking deposits from patients at the emergency department after a pregnant woman died after being turned away for non-payment. The hospital faced intense criticism following the incident, which involved the wife of a BJP MLC's personal secretary. The woman was shifted to another hospital where she died after delivering twins.

Nana Patole replaced, Maharashtra Cong gets new chief

Nana Patole replaced, Maharashtra Cong gets new chief

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

Former MLA Harshwardhan Sapkal has been appointed as the new president of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), tasked with reviving the party in the state after its crushing defeat in the last year's assembly polls. Sapkal, a veteran politician, replaces Nana Patole, who held the position since 2021. The Congress aims to rebuild its base and prepare for upcoming local body polls, including those in Mumbai, Pune, Thane, and Nagpur. The party will also need to work with its allies, the Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP), to strengthen the opposition against the ruling BJP-led alliance.

Molested, driven out of home, women at Malda camp tell NCW

Molested, driven out of home, women at Malda camp tell NCW

Rediff.com18 Apr 2025

A delegation from the National Commission for Women (NCW) visited a relief camp in Malda, West Bengal, and reported that women were being harassed and threatened by police. The NCW team, led by chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, met with those displaced by riots in Murshidabad and alleged that the women were being coerced to return home without proper safety measures. The team is scheduled to travel to Murshidabad and Kolkata to continue their investigation.

191 Pak nationals return home after India sets 48-hour deadline

191 Pak nationals return home after India sets 48-hour deadline

Rediff.com26 Apr 2025

Following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, India has ordered all Pakistani nationals to leave the country within 48 hours. This has led to a mass exodus of Pakistani citizens from India, while several women married to Pakistani nationals and holding Indian passports are facing difficulties returning to their families in Pakistan.

Anurag Thakur 'ineligible' for BFI's poll process

Anurag Thakur 'ineligible' for BFI's poll process

Rediff.com14 Mar 2025

Attempts to include Anurag Thakur in the electoral college for the upcoming Boxing Federation of India elections were quashed after the former sports minister's name was not included in the final list approved by the returning officer on Thursday.

'A landmark moment for Indian cricket!'

'A landmark moment for Indian cricket!'

Rediff.com10 Mar 2025

BCCI lauds Team India's incredible run at the ICC Champions Trophy

Allahbadia row: Panel seeks law amendments to tackle abusive online content

Allahbadia row: Panel seeks law amendments to tackle abusive online content

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

A parliamentary panel has asked the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to submit a note on amendments needed in existing laws to clamp down on controversial content like the one involving YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia. Members from different parties voiced concern over Allahbadia's crass comments at a YouTube programme and called for stringent measures to punish him and to ensure that such an incident does not recur. The committee's chairperson and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey shared their concerns at the meeting attended by Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju and other senior ministry officials.

Election drama! BFI snubs former sports minister Anurag Thakur

Election drama! BFI snubs former sports minister Anurag Thakur

Rediff.com13 Mar 2025

The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has rejected former Sports Minister Anurag Thakur's nomination for the upcoming elections, citing his ineligibility.

MHA committee suspends secretary

MHA committee suspends secretary

Rediff.com7 Jul 2009

The Mumbai Hockey Association's newly-elected managing committee on Tuesday issued a show-cause notice to its secretary Kehar Singh, suspending him from all activities of the association for 90 days with immediate effect.

Which Pakistan General Will Deal With Jaish?

Which Pakistan General Will Deal With Jaish?

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

The Pakistan army's Bahawalpur Corps has always had a special significance for India as it keeps an eye on the Jaish e Mohammed, explains Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan desk at RA&W.

First Meitei-Kuki meet held since beginning of Manipur violence

First Meitei-Kuki meet held since beginning of Manipur violence

Rediff.com5 Apr 2025

In a significant step towards restoring peace in Manipur, representatives of the warring Meitei and Kuki communities met face-to-face for the first time since ethnic violence erupted nearly two years ago. The meeting, facilitated by the Union Home Ministry, aimed to enhance trust and cooperation between the communities and find a roadmap to restore normalcy in the state.

Ajit Doval back as NSA, P K Mishra as principal secretary to PM

Ajit Doval back as NSA, P K Mishra as principal secretary to PM

Rediff.com14 Jun 2024

The government on Thursday reappointed former IPS officer Ajit Doval as the National Security Adviser (NSA), according to an official order.

Around 12K cops join anti-drug drive in Punjab; 750 locations raided

Around 12K cops join anti-drug drive in Punjab; 750 locations raided

Rediff.com1 Mar 2025

Punjab Police launched a statewide operation against drugs, conducting raids at more than 750 locations as the cabinet sub-committee on the drug menace held its first meeting on Saturday. Around 12,000 police personnel were involved in the operation being carried out as part of an anti-drug campaign. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday set a deadline of three months to make the state drug-free. The operation led to the arrest of 290 drug smugglers after registration of 232 FIRs. Police recovered 8.14 kg heroin, 1.21 kg opium, 3.5 kg ganja, 19 kg poppy husk, 700 grams charas, 16,238 intoxicant tablets, injections and Rs 8.02 lakh cash.

Why Modi's visit to Sri Lanka is important

Why Modi's visit to Sri Lanka is important

Rediff.com4 Apr 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Sri Lanka, where he will hold talks with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and strengthen ties through agreements on defence, energy security, and digitalisation. This visit aims to further bolster the already strong relationship between the two nations and is expected to include several outcomes, including a defence cooperation agreement, debt restructuring, and a currency swap. This visit comes at a time when Sri Lanka is recovering from an economic crisis, where India played a significant role in providing financial assistance.

'Our Sardar': Cong asserts claim on Patel's legacy

'Our Sardar': Cong asserts claim on Patel's legacy

Rediff.com8 Apr 2025

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP-RSS of carrying out a "well-planned conspiracy" against national heroes and said that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's ideology was contrary to the RSS' ideas. He defended the relationship between Sardar Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru, saying they were "two sides of the same coin". He also criticized the BJP-RSS for their alleged attempts to appropriate the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel.

Beleaguered Gensol's independent director quits

Beleaguered Gensol's independent director quits

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

Gensol Engineering, the beleaguered firm that came under market regulator Sebi's lens for fund diversions and governance lapses, said that its independent director Arun Menon has resigned with immediate effect.

And the next Chief Election Commissioner is...

And the next Chief Election Commissioner is...

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

The sources in the government said the notification announcing the name of the next CEC could be issued "in the next few hours".

Army, IAF, Navy Promised Faster Defence Buys

Army, IAF, Navy Promised Faster Defence Buys

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

'Currently, it takes between two and three years to formulate the request for proposal for procuring specific military equipment for the armed forces. It should not be this way.'

'Naidu Will Not Waste Time Now'

'Naidu Will Not Waste Time Now'

Rediff.com3 May 2025

'Amaravati will be a game changer for Andhra Pradesh.'

Trouble brews in new WFI! Secretary accuses President of...

Trouble brews in new WFI! Secretary accuses President of...

Rediff.com22 Dec 2023

Hardly 24 hours have passed since the formation of the new wrestling federation and trouble has started brewing within the sports body with Secretary General Prem Chand Lochab demanding postponement of the junior Nationals, saying the President did not follow rules while announcing the dates for the competition.

Enemies Beware! Indian Army Set To Boost Long-Range Firepower

Enemies Beware! Indian Army Set To Boost Long-Range Firepower

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

The ATAGS has a range of 35-45 kilometres, depending on the ammunition used, and achieved a 47-km firing range during trials.

BCCI treasurer sworn in as Maha minister

BCCI treasurer sworn in as Maha minister

Rediff.com15 Dec 2024

Shelar is the second official from the incumbent committee to move on from his post after Jay Shah, who moved on from his post as the BCCI secretary to the chairman of the International Cricket Council.

'Rahul Gandhi Would Have Been Wiser Had He...'

'Rahul Gandhi Would Have Been Wiser Had He...'

Rediff.com17 Jan 2025

'...spent 1/10th of his time at 24, Akbar Road...' 'He would have met thousands of party workers and ordinary Congress supporters who have love for the party.' 'Left of Centre intellectuals have shaped Rahul's values, but he lacks earthiness.'

Bengal orders probe by CID, health dept into expired IV fluid case

Bengal orders probe by CID, health dept into expired IV fluid case

Rediff.com13 Jan 2025

The West Bengal government has ordered a CID probe into the death of a woman and three others falling critically ill after childbirth in a state-run hospital allegedly following the administration of 'expired' intravenous fluid. A 13-member committee will also investigate the matter parallelly. The decisions were taken at a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The CM also holds the health portfolio. "We have asked the CID to investigate the matter. They will look into all aspects and find out whether there were procedural lapses and whether SOPs (standard operating procedures) were properly followed or not," Chief Secretary Manoj Pant said. Pant said the CM held a review meeting with officials of the state health department and gave a clear direction that such negligence in administrative and procedural lapses will not be tolerated. "Strict action will be taken against those found guilty of any procedural lapses or in treatment," he said. Referring to the initial report on the incident submitted by the committee, Pant admitted that "clear violations" of norms were found in this matter. A woman died and four others were critical after the delivery of babies at the Medinipur Medical College and Hospital allegedly due to the administration of expired intravenous fluid, prompting the health department to constitute the panel to investigate the matter.

SC refers Yediyurappa corruption case to larger bench

SC refers Yediyurappa corruption case to larger bench

Rediff.com21 Apr 2025

The Supreme Court referred to a larger bench the legal issues stemming from a plea of BJP leader B S Yediyurappa, including the question whether a prior sanction to prosecute is needed under the Prevention of Corruption Act after a magisterial court order of inquiry. The questions revolve around the interplay between the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Code of Criminal Procedure on the issue of prior sanction to prosecute a public servant.