News for 'Department of Politics and Public Administration'

Will 'outsider' Raghubar Das be second-time lucky?

Will 'outsider' Raghubar Das be second-time lucky?

Rediff.com26 Nov 2019

By conventional yardsticks, Das was an audacious choice by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP president Amit Shah, like Devendra Fadnavis was in Maharashtra and Manohar Lal Khattar in Haryana. Will his choice pay off in the elections next month?

Limited but important gains from NRC

Limited but important gains from NRC

Rediff.com29 Aug 2018

The publishing of the NRC will not rid India from illegal immigrants who are already here. But even if it manages to withhold their political and voting rights, it will be a significant achievement, says Anand Kumar.

A day after I-T raids, TN chief secy replaced

A day after I-T raids, TN chief secy replaced

Rediff.com22 Dec 2016

The fate of Mohana Rao was not immediately known.

When will Modi shuffle his ministers?

When will Modi shuffle his ministers?

Rediff.com30 Jul 2020

Far more important than governance is to ensure how different states get necessary representation a'The pressure to expand the council of ministers will come from states where the BJP has formed a government after ousting the Congress,' predicts A K Bhattacharya.

Nehru's vision, Bhabha's mission

Nehru's vision, Bhabha's mission

Rediff.com14 Nov 2018

Nehru's faith in science and technology, his genuine respect for Bhabha, and their burning ambition worked synergistically to place India on the nuclear map of the world. Atomic energy developed and prospered because of Nehru's vision fulfilled by Bhabha's mission, recalls K S Parthasarathy, former secretary of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, on the occasion of India's first prime minister's 119th birthday today.

Trump fires official who said election was most secure in US history

Trump fires official who said election was most secure in US history

Rediff.com18 Nov 2020

Trump, who has launched a slew of lawsuits in key states, but has not provided any evidence to back his claims of fraud, announced on Twitter on Tuesday that he has fired Christopher Krebs, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) at the Department of Homeland Security.

Railways to IAS: Where are the Women?

Railways to IAS: Where are the Women?

Rediff.com4 Apr 2019

Women's representation in government jobs is less than 15%.

NSA spied on 5 Muslim-Americans including Indian-American

NSA spied on 5 Muslim-Americans including Indian-American

Rediff.com10 Jul 2014

The US National Security Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation spied on five prominent Muslim-American activists, including an Indian-origin attorney, according to the leaked documents which showed use of objectionable religious slurs against these individuals.

IAS topper Shah Faesal resigns, says Kashmiri Lives Matter in tweet

IAS topper Shah Faesal resigns, says "Kashmiri Lives Matter" in tweet

Rediff.com9 Jan 2019

Faesal, who recently returned from a foreign training and was awaiting posting, said he had decided to resign from Indian Administrative Service, "to protest against the unabated killings in Kashmir, and lack of any sincere reach out from the Union government".

Did 'Howdy Modi' really help India?

Did 'Howdy Modi' really help India?

Rediff.com9 Dec 2019

The Howdy Modi put a dagger into the heart of the 'bipartisan consensus' in the US regarding the relations with (Modi's) India, points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

He got ex-UP CMs evicted from their homes

He got ex-UP CMs evicted from their homes

Rediff.com25 Jun 2018

'My passion remains pushing for probity in public life and I shall continue my fight,' S N Shukla tells Virendra Singh Rawat.

Everyone deserves a voice in their govt, Blinken tells civil society

Everyone deserves a voice in their govt, Blinken tells civil society

Rediff.com28 Jul 2021

All people deserve to have a voice in their government and be treated with respect no matter who they are, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday while noting that Indians and Americans believe in human dignity, in equality of opportunity, the rule of law, fundamental freedoms, including freedom of religion and belief.

'Forget trade or defence. Talk chemistry! Chemistry ab badhega!'

'Forget trade or defence. Talk chemistry! Chemistry ab badhega!'

Rediff.com23 Feb 2020

'It's the first-ever US presidential visit which is specially planned for India.' 'The standalone visit itself has achieved something already. Don't underestimate it.' Sheela Bhatt gives us an exclusive glimpse of what the Modi government hopes to achieve from Trump's visit.

Biden's secretary of state will be...

Biden's secretary of state will be...

Rediff.com16 Nov 2020

'Biden's promise of returning to 'normalcy' after Trump appears to mean that the same old politicians, who are responsible for the 'endless wars' in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, are being brought out of the woodwork after four years,' notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

US suspends travel from Europe for 30 days amid coronavirus scare

US suspends travel from Europe for 30 days amid coronavirus scare

Rediff.com12 Mar 2020

The president said the European Union has "failed to take the same precautions" as his administration had implemented to contain the coronavirus outbreak.

Coronavirus blow for other parties, it's AIADMK vs DMK in 2021

Coronavirus blow for other parties, it's AIADMK vs DMK in 2021

Rediff.com8 May 2020

The Tamil Nadu voter may not be in the mood to test new talent, not when the state and the people are going through unprecedented and unanticipated crises, of which coronavirus is only the first. All of it boils down to an election between the ruling AIADMK and the Opposition DMK next year, with small-timers, had-been parties and promised parties left on the sidelines, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

Lockdown 4.0 till May 31: What's allowed, what isn't

Lockdown 4.0 till May 31: What's allowed, what isn't

Rediff.com18 May 2020

States and Union Territories have been given the powers for delineation of Red, Green and Orange Zones as per COVID-19 situation, the MHA said. All shops, except those in containment zones and malls, will be allowed to open from Monday with staggered timings during lockdown 4.0, it said.

SC asks Param Bir to approach HC; says matter 'quite serious'

SC asks Param Bir to approach HC; says matter 'quite serious'

Rediff.com24 Mar 2021

The Supreme Court on Wednesday termed as 'quite serious' the matter in which former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh has filed a plea against Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, but asked the Indian Police Service officer to approach the Bombay high court with his grievances.

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.

Snubbed by Modi-Shah, Nitish reached out to Lalu

Snubbed by Modi-Shah, Nitish reached out to Lalu

Rediff.com14 May 2019

Nitish 'sent his emissary, Prashant Kishor, to me on five different occasions.' 'Kishor seemed to indicate that if I were to assure in writing my party's support to the JD-U, the latter would pull out of the BJP alliance and rejoin the Mahagathbandhan.' A revealing excerpt from Lalu Prasad Yadav's Gopalganj To Raisina: My Political Journey.

Why are India's babus so unprofessional?

Why are India's babus so unprofessional?

Rediff.com16 Feb 2018

The 2G judgment suggests many bureaucrats have poor application, inadequate interest and are unwilling to be active participants in the policy process, says Babu Jacob.

EC says NITI Aayog VC violated poll code

EC says NITI Aayog VC violated poll code

Rediff.com5 Apr 2019

In a communication sent to Kumar, the EC asked him to be cautious in future while making statements.

US seeks 'rapid action' by India to ease Kashmir curbs

US seeks 'rapid action' by India to ease Kashmir curbs

Rediff.com27 Sep 2019

Trump on Wednesday said he offered 'arbitration or mediation' on the Kashmir issue to the leadership of India and Pakistan during his meetings with Modi and Khan and the two nuclear-armed neighbours have to 'just work it out'.

Arch-rivals Trump and Romney meet, discuss world affairs

Arch-rivals Trump and Romney meet, discuss world affairs

Rediff.com20 Nov 2016

The 2012 Republican presidential nominee and one of Trump's most vocal Republican Party critics during this year's election campaign, met privately with the President-elect for about an hour.

Should Women Fight Wars?

Should Women Fight Wars?

Rediff.com23 Sep 2021

Should we be exposing our women volunteers to the barbarity of actual combat?

Major probe underway: Trump on explosives sent to Obama, Clinton

Major probe underway: Trump on explosives sent to Obama, Clinton

Rediff.com25 Oct 2018

He said his administration will spare 'no resources or expense in this effort' to investigate who sent the packages.

Why Sasikala factor won't matter in TN polls next year

Why Sasikala factor won't matter in TN polls next year

Rediff.com31 Jul 2020

Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu are centred on chief ministerial candidates of rival parties. When Sasikala cannot contest even a panchayat election for six years after her release, even if she were to have sympathetic backers even among apolitical voters, she does not have any 'transferrable vote-bank' even otherwise for a chief minister candidate of her choice, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

Irrigation scam cases closed; not linked to Pawar, says official

Irrigation scam cases closed; not linked to Pawar, says official

Rediff.com25 Nov 2019

The ACB's clarification came after the Congress claimed Ajit Pawar was "exonerated" in lieu of his support to the Bharatiya Janata Party in forming a government two days ago.

Ahead of inauguration, Washington DC turns into fortress

Ahead of inauguration, Washington DC turns into fortress

Rediff.com18 Jan 2021

More than 25,000 National Guards have been deployed along with thousands of local police personnel and those from other security agencies. The area in and around Capitol Hill, a large part of Pennsylvania Avenue and the White House has been made out of bounds for the general public with eight-feet high iron barricades being erected.

Next PM must ensure Dr Singh's mistakes aren't repeated

Next PM must ensure Dr Singh's mistakes aren't repeated

Rediff.com7 Apr 2014

The next prime minister must ensure that the mistakes made by Manmohan Singh during his tenure are not repeated, notes A K Bhattacharya.

IAS vs IRS officers: The fight for supremacy

IAS vs IRS officers: The fight for supremacy

Rediff.com10 Aug 2016

In July, IRS officers in Mumbai held an incendiary meeting where they criticised the alleged interference in 'operational matters' by the department of revenue.

The message behind Trump's phone call

The message behind Trump's phone call

Rediff.com12 Sep 2017

Since the change in administration in the US, Indian leaders have publicly and privately identified with American objectives in Afghanistan.

PM Modi faces a bureaucratic test

PM Modi faces a bureaucratic test

Rediff.com9 Jun 2017

Here comes the moment of truth. Modi prides himself on offering an "incorruptible" government. Will he dilute the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill to coax the administration's fealty and compromise his self-image?

Jallikattu: 'Tamil rights, not pride, have been hurt'

Jallikattu: 'Tamil rights, not pride, have been hurt'

Rediff.com20 Jan 2017

'Politically, Tamil Nadu has faced several setbacks in the past -- the water sharing issue with Karnataka, on Katchatheevu, on the Tamil fishermen issue...' 'In all these issues, the central and state governments acted in an inefficient and incompetent manner.' 'That must have stayed in the minds of the people.'

Switzerland will share details of at least 50 Indian A/C holders

Switzerland will share details of at least 50 Indian A/C holders

Rediff.com16 Jun 2019

These individuals largely include businessmen associated with companies, including the dummy ones, in sectors ranging from real estate, financial services, technology and telecom to paints, home decoration, textiles, engineering goods, gems and jewellery. Several of these persons and their companies are said to be based in Kolkata, Gujarat, Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai.

Now, PM's nod must before suspending IAS officers

Now, PM's nod must before suspending IAS officers

Rediff.com30 Dec 2015

Indian Administrative Service officers working under the central government cannot be suspended without the nod of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a move aimed at allowing bureaucrats to take decisions without any fear of political backlash.

'Modi govt wants to control voices of Kashmiris'

'Modi govt wants to control voices of Kashmiris'

Rediff.com20 Oct 2020

'Anybody who speaks up, anybody who reports something that the government feels uncomfortable with, or comments on anything could be charged with criminal cases, could be summoned to police stations, slapped around or grilled for several hours. This has become a new norm.'

'Delhi LG's role is very disturbing'

'Delhi LG's role is very disturbing'

Rediff.com22 Jun 2018

'He is a former civil servant and has complete control over the administrators.' 'He should have sorted it out before it reached such a stage.' 'How did he allow the stalemate to go on for so many days?'

4 ways Nirmalaji's Budget is different

4 ways Nirmalaji's Budget is different

Rediff.com6 Mar 2021

But it is disappointing to note that Sitharaman's third Union Budget continues to promote a few problematic ideas, observes A K Bhattacharya.

Coming for Trump: The Delhi Jinx!

Coming for Trump: The Delhi Jinx!

Rediff.com9 Mar 2020

Does an invitation to visit India bring bad luck to majoritarian demagogues? asks Rahul Jacob.