News for 'Department of Legal Affairs'

How two ministers made tribals lose control over forests

How two ministers made tribals lose control over forests

Rediff.com7 Jan 2016

Nitin Gadkari and Prakash Javdekar lobbied Jual Oram to change process, that may now open a Pandora's box.

The bizarre tale of Cairn retro tax

The bizarre tale of Cairn retro tax

Rediff.com6 Mar 2022

The levy of retrospective tax on the UK's Cairn Energy Plc is a tale of bizarre twists and turns that saw its attached shares being sold in May 2018 amid the passing of the baton from a full-time finance minister to interim one and the talks at the highest level to resolve the dispute, to claims that levy of back taxes was a result of an investigation into Panama Papers leak. The government late last month refunded about Rs 7,900 crore it had collected from selling residual shares of the British firm in its erstwhile India unit, seizing dividend and withholding tax refunds, to settle an eight-year-old dispute that had tarred the country's reputation as an investment destination. But, this did not come about easily. For seven years, the establishment vehemently justified in courts and outside seeking of Rs 10,247 crore in back taxes plus interest and penalty from a firm that gave India its biggest onshore oil discovery.

Go paperless. Use DigiLocker

Go paperless. Use DigiLocker

Rediff.com10 May 2019

In DigiLocker, a user can get different government departments to issue documents in digital format. At present, there are 117 such issuers. You can get PAN, Aadhaar, vehicle fitness certificate, vehicle tax receipt, class ten and twelve mark sheets, driving licence, caste certificate, ration card, birth certificate, college degrees and diplomas, marriage certificate, and many more.

US not in a rush to recognise Taliban govt: White House

US not in a rush to recognise Taliban govt: White House

Rediff.com9 Sep 2021

'No one in this administration, not the President nor anyone on the national security team, would suggest that the Taliban are respected and valued members of the global community'

AMU's Governance Structure Is Democratic, Not Divine

AMU's Governance Structure Is Democratic, Not Divine

Rediff.com18 Mar 2023

These self-appointed well-wishers of AMU are basically for the control or police model of university governance. They have no faith whatsoever in the democratic functioning of the universities, observes Faizan Mustafa, former dean, Faculty of Law, and Registrar, Aligarh Muslim University.

India rejects US govt report on religious freedom

India rejects US govt report on religious freedom

Rediff.com12 Jun 2020

"Our principled position remains that we see no locus standi for a foreign entity to pronounce on the state of our citizens' constitutionally protected rights," Spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs Anurag Srivastava said.

Jaishankar 'endeavours' to expand vaccine production with US help

Jaishankar 'endeavours' to expand vaccine production with US help

Rediff.com29 May 2021

Calling COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines as one of the most important aspects of his discussions with top officials of the Biden administration, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said the endeavour is to expand production of vaccines in India with assistance from the US.

Oil Min says regulator nod not needed for CNG stations

Oil Min says regulator nod not needed for CNG stations

Rediff.com9 Dec 2013

The Ministry recently issued an order saying 'no authorisation from Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board is required for setting up of a CNG station.' PNGRB has been since 2009 issuing licences to entities for city gas distribution networks, essentially for retailing compressed natural gas to automobiles and piped cooking gas (piped natural gas or PNG) to households.

'Nightwatchman' Bommai will stay till polls

'Nightwatchman' Bommai will stay till polls

Rediff.com27 Aug 2022

Success in Karnataka's assembly polls will hinge on two factors: Drop a large number of incumbent MLAs and project Modi and not the state leaders, least of all Bommai.

Don't travel to India with satellite devices, UAE warns

Don't travel to India with satellite devices, UAE warns

Rediff.com13 Jun 2013

The United Arab Emirates has warned its nationals not to carry any satellite communication devices such as Thuraya and Iridium while travelling to India.

Oppn protests move to extend terms of CBI, ED chiefs, calls it arbitrary

Oppn protests move to extend terms of CBI, ED chiefs, calls it arbitrary

Rediff.com9 Dec 2021

The Opposition on Thursday protested the government's move to extend the tenures of the directors of Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate up to a maximum of five years from the present two years, alleging it was 'arbitrary' and without any logic.

India's dwindling circle of friends

India's dwindling circle of friends

Rediff.com23 Jun 2020

'India is now surrounded on its north, west and east by unfriendly neighbours -- Pakistan, China, Nepal and Bangladesh -- some of whom are openly inimical,' notes Amulya Ganguli.

Why US-based IT firms are likely to send more work to India

Why US-based IT firms are likely to send more work to India

Rediff.com25 Sep 2020

Most of the large Indian IT services players, such as TCS, Infosys, Wipro, and HCL Tech, have signalled increased offshoring efforts and opting for local hires in the US, primarily to address the immigration-related challenges.

Foreign listing of start-ups, MSMEs will now be easier

Foreign listing of start-ups, MSMEs will now be easier

Rediff.com10 Nov 2020

The criteria for allowing companies to avail of this provision will include profitability, networth, paid-up capital, and turnover.

After back to back poll drubbing, reshuffle begins in Congress

After back to back poll drubbing, reshuffle begins in Congress

Rediff.com5 May 2017

Among the 17 new AICC secretaries named so far, 10 are below 50 years of age, indicating the generational change in the 132-year-old Congress being brought in by 47-year-old Rahul, reports Amit Agnihotri.

NIA to probe Kerala gold smuggling case

NIA to probe Kerala gold smuggling case

Rediff.com10 Jul 2020

The gold, weighing over 30 kg, was seized from the "diplomatic baggage" that had landed by air cargo at the Thiruvananthapuram international airport recently from the Gulf.

New rules may allow confiscation of absconder's assets

New rules may allow confiscation of absconder's assets

Rediff.com3 Feb 2017

The department of economic affairs is said to be in discussions with various probe agencies, including the income tax department and the Enforcement Directorate, and bankers in drafting the final rules.

AAP govt gives nod to prosecute Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam under UAPA

AAP govt gives nod to prosecute Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam under UAPA

Rediff.com6 Nov 2020

The police can now name them in their supplementary charge sheet, an official said. In a late evening statement, the government said that this is a purely procedural matter, adding that the elected government has no role to play in this.

The Strange Case Of S Nambi Narayanan

The Strange Case Of S Nambi Narayanan

Rediff.com25 Aug 2022

The ISRO spy case is dead. And yet, not dead.

BPCL may sell IGL, Petronet pie to shed promoter status

BPCL may sell IGL, Petronet pie to shed promoter status

Rediff.com25 May 2021

Privatisation-bound Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) may sell a part of its stake in Petronet LNG and Indraprastha Gas (IGL) to shed its promoter status to obviate the need for its new owner to make open offers for the two gas companies, sources said. BPCL holds 12.5 per cent of shareholding in India's largest liquefied natural gas importer, Petronet, and a 22.5 per cent stake in city gas retailer, IGL. It is a promoter of both the listed companies and holds board positions. As per the legal position evaluated by Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) - the department running the process for sale of government's entire 52.98 per cent stake in BPCL - the acquirer of BPCL will have to make an open offer to the minority shareholders of Petronet and IGL for acquisition of 26 per cent shares, three sources with knowledge of the matter said.

US calls for dialogue to resolve farmer protests

US calls for dialogue to resolve farmer protests

Rediff.com5 Feb 2021

Recognising that peaceful protests are a hallmark of a thriving democracy, the United States has said that it encourages dialogue between the protesting farmers and the Indian government to resolve their differences.

Agencies to put restrictions on suspects going abroad

Agencies to put restrictions on suspects going abroad

Rediff.com19 Jun 2019

A list of at least 20 individuals has been sent to the immigration department to prevent them from flying overseas.

'Indrani was very angry'

'Indrani was very angry'

Rediff.com30 Nov 2022

'At any point did you find out why Sheena had not disclosed her true relationship with Indrani?' Rahul: 'Sheena had told me as her grandparents were dependent on Indrani financially (and if she told the truth) her grandparents would suffer.' 'She had slapped Sheena the night before which she was very not happy about.'

Aadhaar Bill to ensure privacy protection

Aadhaar Bill to ensure privacy protection

Rediff.com3 Mar 2016

The UIDAI, set up in 2009, will manage the generation and authentication of Aadhaar numbers.

Letter reveals decision to free Alam was taken under Governor's rule

Letter reveals decision to free Alam was taken under Governor's rule

Rediff.com10 Mar 2015

The letter claims that the order for Alam's release was sent in February

EXPLAINED: What's this row over now-retired Bengal Chief Secretary

EXPLAINED: What's this row over now-retired Bengal Chief Secretary

Rediff.com1 Jun 2021

Following is the gist of the controversy over sudden transfer of West Bengal Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay, who retired on Monday, to Delhi and related rules.

How the US Lost the Opium War in Afghanistan

How the US Lost the Opium War in Afghanistan

Rediff.com20 Sep 2021

The US spent $1.5 million a day since 2001 fighting the opium war in Afghanistan. After hundreds of airstrikes failed to curtail the Taliban's $200-million-a-year opium trade, the US military quietly ended the campaign when the Trump administration officials engaged in direct peace talks with the Taliban, notes Atanu Biswas.

'I told them India was like a giant jumbo jet. It would take off slowly and be unstoppable'

'I told them India was like a giant jumbo jet. It would take off slowly and be unstoppable'

Rediff.com10 Jan 2023

This doctor couple put their faith in India. And in return India has put faith in them.

Babus refuse to comply with AAP govt's order on transfers

Babus refuse to comply with AAP govt's order on transfers

Rediff.com5 Jul 2018

Sisodia says it amounts to contempt of court and the leadership is seeking legal opinion on the matter.

National e-com policy to be announced within 12 months: Govt

National e-com policy to be announced within 12 months: Govt

Rediff.com26 Jun 2019

The government, in February, had released the draft national e-commerce policy proposing setting up a legal and technological framework for restrictions on cross-border data flow and also laid out conditions for businesses regarding collection or processing of sensitive data locally and storing it abroad.

Why India must protest China's Hong Kong policy

Why India must protest China's Hong Kong policy

Rediff.com30 May 2020

'India need to look beyond the economic prism.' 'China had no qualms in taking the Kashmir issue to the UN Security Council last year -- not once, but thrice -- thus violating Indian sensitivities,' observes China expert Srikanth Kondapalli.

US had sought Indian inquiry into maid's allegations

US had sought Indian inquiry into maid's allegations

Rediff.com20 Dec 2013

Admitting to differences in interpretation of law, the United States on Friday said India had not acceded to demands for providing details of the inquiry into allegations made by diplomat Devyani Khobragade's domestic maid or make her available for discussing charges.

No action against firms for non-payment of wages during lockdown: SC

No action against firms for non-payment of wages during lockdown: SC

Rediff.com12 Jun 2020

A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, Sanjay Kishan Kaul and M R Shah said industries and employees need each other and they should sit together to arrive at a settlement on the issue of payment of wages.

Trump is setting the stage to grab power

Trump is setting the stage to grab power

Rediff.com12 Nov 2020

If push comes to shove, Trump is probably planning to order the US army to clear his path for a second term. What if the armed forces refuse to obey their commander-in-chief?, asks Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Guj HC declares BJP minister's election as void

Guj HC declares BJP minister's election as void

Rediff.com12 May 2020

The Gujarat high court on Tuesday declared state Bharatiya Janata Party minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama's election in 2017 as void on grounds of malpractice and manipulation.

2 top US senators ask Blinken to raise farmers' issue with India

2 top US senators ask Blinken to raise farmers' issue with India

Rediff.com19 Mar 2021

Schumer and Menendez said the months-long demonstrations have been met with orders from the central government and local authorities to shut off internet access in protest areas, cut off water and electricity supplies for the tens of thousands living in protest camps, and impede the work of journalists reporting on the protests.

US-Taliban: A Package Deal?

US-Taliban: A Package Deal?

Rediff.com30 Aug 2021

The Biden administration expects the Modi government to continue to remain as its loyal camp follower even as Washington continues to act in self-interests, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

China probed weaponising COVID in 2015: Reports

China probed weaponising COVID in 2015: Reports

Rediff.com10 May 2021

The paper also includes musing that SARS -- which hit China in 2003 -- could have been a man-made bioweapon deliberately unleashed by "terrorists".

Invested in Bitcoin etc? Get ready for the taxman

Invested in Bitcoin etc? Get ready for the taxman

Rediff.com20 Jan 2018

Income tax department sends out notices to cryptocurrency investors on suspicion of tax evasion.