News for 'Department of Government Efficiency'

Delhi to set up dedicated centres for treatment of black fungus

Delhi to set up dedicated centres for treatment of black fungus

Rediff.com21 May 2021

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said dedicated centres will be set up for the treatment of black fungus or mucormycosis cases at three city government-run hospitals.

In rare move, railways prematurely retires 32 officers

In rare move, railways prematurely retires 32 officers

Rediff.com6 Dec 2019

The only time in recent history when the railways undertook such a move was in 2016-17 when four officers were prematurely retired.

Banks are catalysts of economic revival: Sitharaman

Banks are catalysts of economic revival: Sitharaman

Rediff.com9 Sep 2020

The finance minister said easy access and efficiency in providing banking services will help in revival of businesses which are restarting operations after the lockdown.

Stalin Draws Up Line Of DMK Succession

Stalin Draws Up Line Of DMK Succession

Rediff.com14 Dec 2022

What does Udhayanidhi's induction as minister mean? For the DMK, it indicates the future course, direction and leadership. It is continuity with change, and change with continuity, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

Time For Modi To Redesign The IAS

Time For Modi To Redesign The IAS

Rediff.com6 May 2022

Narendra Modi's real legacy will be if he can redesign the IAS and the concept of an all-India service, argues T C A Srinivasa Raghavan.

14-point taxman's charter comes with 6 points for citizens

14-point taxman's charter comes with 6 points for citizens

Rediff.com13 Aug 2020

The income tax department was committed to treat every taxpayer as honest, unless proven otherwise, and provide fair, courteous and reasonable treatment, according to the taxpayers' charter adopted on Thursday. The charter also expects taxpayers to pay taxes on time and be honest and compliant.

Why is the government reacting in fits and starts to Paris agreement

Why is the government reacting in fits and starts to Paris agreement

Rediff.com16 Mar 2016

The Niti Aayog has finalised the first draft of a new national energy policy.

Labs say capping RT-PCR rates is big blow to business

Labs say capping RT-PCR rates is big blow to business

Rediff.com3 Apr 2021

'We urge the government to have discussions with private labs on the actual cost of running a test.'

Airport PPPs on a crowded runway; private sector bids could be subdued

Airport PPPs on a crowded runway; private sector bids could be subdued

Rediff.com30 May 2022

Airports hold pride of place in the government's National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) programme to monetise public assets. Private airport operators, including the Adani group, Fairfax, GMR and Zurich Airport, are expected to evince interest in the next round of public private partnership (PPP) development of state-owned Airport Authority of India (AAI) airports. Industry analysts, however, do not expect bids to be as high as the last round, which saw Adani group gain control of six airports.

'Government websites hold so much unprotected data'

'Government websites hold so much unprotected data'

Rediff.com7 Apr 2015

Gulshan Rai talks to Surabhi Agarwal about the tussle with social media companies over sharing data, Section 66a of the Information Technology Act and his new job.

Air India sale: Govt signs share purchase agreement with Tata Sons

Air India sale: Govt signs share purchase agreement with Tata Sons

Rediff.com25 Oct 2021

The government on Monday signed the share purchase agreement with Tata Sons for the sale of national carrier Air India for Rs 18,000 crore. Earlier this month, the government had accepted an offer by Talace Pvt Ltd, a unit of the holding company of the salt-to-software conglomerate, to pay Rs 2,700 crore cash and take over Rs 15,300 crore of the airline's debt. Following that, on October 11 a Letter of Intenet (LoI) was issued to the Tata Group confirming the government's willingness to sell its 100 per cent stake in the airline.

Why Amit Mitra is important to Mamata

Why Amit Mitra is important to Mamata

Rediff.com27 Nov 2021

No longer Bengal's finance minister, Amit Mitra, Mamata's principal chief advisor, will still advise and aid the 'chief minister and finance department on all matters relating to management of state finance', represent the 'state government in national and international events/meetings/committees' and examine 'important proposals/files and policy issues relating to financial matters referred to him for advice/views'.

Traders' body seeks to ban Amazon's e-com biz in India

Traders' body seeks to ban Amazon's e-com biz in India

Rediff.com18 Feb 2021

Traders' body CAIT on Thursday urged the government to impose a ban on Amazon's e-commerce portal and its operations in India, accusing the global e-tailing giant of indulging in predatory pricing, deep discounting and inventory control. Addressing a press conference, CAIT secretary-general Praveen Khandelwal demanded an "immediate ban on Amazon's portal and its operations in India" and an investigation against the company in a time-bound manner. He also urged the government to probe the business practices of Amazon and Flipkart. However, responding to the allegations, both Amazon and Flipkart said they remain compliant with Indian laws.

Central Vista: PM's residence to be ready by Dec 2022

Central Vista: PM's residence to be ready by Dec 2022

Rediff.com3 May 2021

The redevelopment project of the Central Vista -- the power corridor of the country -- envisages a new triangular Parliament building, a Common Central Secretariat and the revamping of the three-km-long Rajpath from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate and new residences for the prime minister and the vice president.

MEA draws Capitol Hill parallel as US reacts to farmers' protest

MEA draws Capitol Hill parallel as US reacts to farmers' protest

Rediff.com5 Feb 2021

Hours after the Joe Biden Administration reacted to the farmer protests, India on Thursday said the comments must be seen in their entirety and compared reactions to the violence at the Red Fort with those seen after storming of the United States Capitol.

Kangana vs Maharashtra govt over 'Mumbai-PoK' remark

Kangana vs Maharashtra govt over 'Mumbai-PoK' remark

Rediff.com4 Sep 2020

In a tweet, Ranaut had recently asked "why is Mumbai feeling like Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir?" and tagged a report where Raut had purportedly said she should not come back to Mumbai if she was afraid of the city police.

Basavaraj Bommai takes charge as CM of Karnataka

Basavaraj Bommai takes charge as CM of Karnataka

Rediff.com29 Jul 2021

Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday took charge as the new Chief Minister of Karnataka, ending months of speculation about the change of guard in the state.

CPSE assets sale to bring about paradigm shift in infrastructure: FM

CPSE assets sale to bring about paradigm shift in infrastructure: FM

Rediff.com9 Mar 2021

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said monetisation of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE) assets is based on the principle of value creation for the government and investors and would bring about a paradigm shift in infrastructure augmentation and maintenance. Chairing the National Workshop with the states/UTs on Asset Monetisation organised by Niti Aayog, the minister sought the collaboration of states for the holistic development of infrastructure. She said India can become a $5 trillion economy, while striking the right balance between fiscal imperatives and socio-economic welfare, through active collaboration between the public and private sector.

Amarinder-Sidhu form 10-member coordination group, ministers get HQ duty

Amarinder-Sidhu form 10-member coordination group, ministers get HQ duty

Rediff.com20 Aug 2021

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and state Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu on Friday agreed to set up a 10-member strategic policy group to ensure better coordination between the party and the state government and expedite implementation of various government programmes.

Ola, Uber to soon drive e-vehicles

Ola, Uber to soon drive e-vehicles

Rediff.com17 Aug 2017

Initially it will procure only e-rickshaws and e-autos for leasing to operators

All ministries must focus on to improve 'ease of living': PM

All ministries must focus on to improve 'ease of living': PM

Rediff.com10 Jun 2019

He said that during the interaction, he has seen that secretaries have vision, commitment and energy to take the country forward.

Stimulus package for economic revival 'inadequate': Par panel

Stimulus package for economic revival 'inadequate': Par panel

Rediff.com28 Jul 2021

The stimulus package announced by the government for the revival of the pandemic-hit economy has been found to be "inadequate", according to a Parliamentary panel report. The report of the department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector has noted that in the process of economic recovery post-first wave of the pandemic, the second wave has even more vigorously ripped the economy particularly the MSME sector. "The committee observes that the stimulus package announced by the government for the economic revival from the pandemic hit economy has been found to be inadequate as the measures adopted were more of loan offering and long-term measures instead of improving the cash flow to generate demand as immediate relief," it said.

Available in January 2015: Modi govt's feats in e-book format

Available in January 2015: Modi govt's feats in e-book format

Rediff.com4 Dec 2014

With an eye on empowering the underprivileged by efficient and intelligent use of social media and creating awareness about the assistance available from the government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked his ministers to list the achievements of their respective departments and ministries in an e-book format before December 31, 2014.

Admiral Arun Prakash: 'Objectives of Agnipath are more political than military'

Admiral Arun Prakash: 'Objectives of Agnipath are more political than military'

Rediff.com7 Jul 2022

'It seems unlikely that a recruit will make a useful contribution as member of a combat unit.'

COVID-19: Govt plans 'larger force' to replace frontline workers

COVID-19: Govt plans 'larger force' to replace frontline workers

Rediff.com8 Apr 2020

It has decided to provide them with necessary training through online mode.

'Govt won't own a single share in Air India'

'Govt won't own a single share in Air India'

Rediff.com20 Oct 2021

'The business continuity clause will mean the Tatas will have to keep running the airline for three years, and cannot exit the flying business.'

Green signal for 5G trials but Chinese vendors kept out

Green signal for 5G trials but Chinese vendors kept out

Rediff.com5 May 2021

The Department of Telecom on Tuesday approved applications of telecom companies -- Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and MTNL -- for conducting 5G trials but none of them will be using technologies of Chinese entities. The list of telecom gear makers approved for trials include Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung, C-DOT and Reliance Jio's indigenously developed technologies.

US in talks with Taliban on daily basis: NSA

US in talks with Taliban on daily basis: NSA

Rediff.com24 Aug 2021

"We are in talks with the Taliban on a daily basis through both political and security channels. I'm not going to get into the details of those discussions here, to protect those discussions, which are covering a wide range of issues," Sullivan told reporters at a White House news conference.

Insisted on full disengagement in all talks with China: Govt

Insisted on full disengagement in all talks with China: Govt

Rediff.com31 Dec 2021

"Numerous rounds of talks have taken place with the Chinese counterparts to deescalate the situation without compromising on India's stand of 'complete disengagement and immediate restoration of status quo ante'," the defence ministry said.

The new Motor Vehicles Bill: What's it all about

The new Motor Vehicles Bill: What's it all about

Rediff.com1 Aug 2019

The much-needed amendments will improve road safety, facilitate citizens in their dealings with transport departments, strengthen rural transport, public transport and last-mile connectivity through automation, computerisation and online services.

Govt tightens purse strings: Only schemes that spent well to get more funds

Govt tightens purse strings: Only schemes that spent well to get more funds

Rediff.com13 Jan 2016

Finance ministry's drive is meant to meet fiscal deficit target and improve overall efficiency in government spending.

Jaitley likely to announce a tax-friendly Budget

Jaitley likely to announce a tax-friendly Budget

Rediff.com13 Dec 2017

The Income Tax Act might be amended to give effect to "jurisdiction-free assessment"

Shah conducts aerial survey in U'khand, rain loss pegged at Rs 7K cr

Shah conducts aerial survey in U'khand, rain loss pegged at Rs 7K cr

Rediff.com21 Oct 2021

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday conducted an aerial survey of rain-ravaged areas of Uttarakhand to asses the damage which the state government has pegged at Rs 7,000 crore.

On 9/11 anniv US sanctions over 2 dozen terrorists in Pakistan

On 9/11 anniv US sanctions over 2 dozen terrorists in Pakistan

Rediff.com11 Sep 2019

Utilising a new executive order signed by President Donald Trump, issued on the eve of the 9/11 anniversary, the treasury department sanctioned over two dozen individuals and entities from 11 terrorist groups, including Pakistan-based Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan.

After Niti Aayog, now it's time for Dipam

After Niti Aayog, now it's time for Dipam

Rediff.com20 Apr 2016

The Dipam will work under Finance Ministry.

Time to trim the fat army of babus

Time to trim the fat army of babus

Rediff.com21 Feb 2017

Just 5 departments account for about 88 per cent of the Union government's civilian employees. A leaner bureaucracy will help Modi keep his promise of maximum governance with minimum government, says A K Bhattacharya.

How Modi's anti-corruption drive has helped

How Modi's anti-corruption drive has helped

Rediff.com10 Oct 2017

Rapid rise in disposal of corruption cases against govt employees has helped

Govt employee is Andaman's 12th Covid-19 case, unearthed via pool testing

Govt employee is Andaman's 12th Covid-19 case, unearthed via pool testing

Rediff.com17 Apr 2020

A government employee has tested positive for Covid-19 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Friday, officials said. The 49-year-old man is the first positive case after the administration started pool testing of samples, they said.

Missed filing IT Returns?

Missed filing IT Returns?

Rediff.com11 Jan 2021

'If you miss the deadline, you can still file a belated tax return till March 31, 2021, with a fee under Section 234F, which could be up to Rs 10,000, in addition to an interest under Section 234A and 234B of the Act.'

Dear Nirmalaji, let homemakers get a salary

Dear Nirmalaji, let homemakers get a salary

Rediff.com22 Jan 2021

Hatneihoi Hangshing, a law student from Nagaland, tells Rediff.com's A Ganesh Nadar what she would like to see in Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget.