News for 'Department of Rural Development'

Bihar Polls: Non-Stop Contest For Sops

Bihar Polls: Non-Stop Contest For Sops

Rediff.com2 Oct 2025

Both NDA and INDIA are racing to woo marginalised groups with Assembly polls fast approaching.

'Ample Room For New Entrants In Equity Exchange'

'Ample Room For New Entrants In Equity Exchange'

Rediff.com31 Aug 2025

'Market momentum and investor interest are at unprecedented levels, making this the opportune moment.'

How Kerala Aims to Be India's First Poverty Free State

How Kerala Aims to Be India's First Poverty Free State

Rediff.com14 Jul 2025

Despite facing financial constraints, Kerala has been able to invest in welfare schemes and targeted programmes.

Musk's Starlink Can Only Target 2M Users

Musk's Starlink Can Only Target 2M Users

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

... with a maximum speed of 200 megabits per second (mbps) across the country for Rs 3,000 per month.

Hemant Soren distributes portfolios; keeps home, gives finance to Cong

Hemant Soren distributes portfolios; keeps home, gives finance to Cong

Rediff.com6 Dec 2024

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has distributed portfolios among the new ministers, keeping key departments such as Home, Personnel, and several others to himself. The Congress' Radhakrishna Kishore was given Finance, Commercial Tax, Planning and Development Department, and Parliamentary Affairs departments. JMM's Deepak Biruwa was allotted the departments of Revenue, Registration and Land Reforms (non-registration), and Transport. Chamra Linda, another JMM leader, was allotted the departments of Schedule Tribes, Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes (except Minority Welfare). RJD's Sanjay Prasad Yadav was given the departments of Industries, and Labour, Planning, Training and Skill Development. The Congress' Irfan Ansari got Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, besides Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, and Disaster Management departments. The chief minister also kept to himself the departments of Cabinet Secretariat, Personnel, Administrative Reforms and Official Language, Road Construction, Building Construction, and those departments yet to be distributed to anyone. Among the other ministers, JMM's Ramdas Soren was given the School Education and Literacy, and Registration departments. Party colleague Hafizul Hasan was allotted the departments of Water Resources, and Minority Welfare Department. Panchayati Raj, Rural Works, and Rural Development departments were given to Congress MLA Deepika Pandey Singh. The CM gave Drinking Water and Sanitation, and Excise and Prohibition departments to JMM's Yogendra Prasad. JMM legislator Sudhivya Kumar became the minister for Urban Development and Housing, Higher and Technical Education, and Tourism, Art Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs departments. Shilpi Neha Tirkey of the Congress was allotted Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperative Department. A total of 11 MLAs took oath as ministers in the Hemant Soren government in Jharkhand on Thursday.

Sitharaman Orders Banks to Return Unclaimed Citizens' Money

Sitharaman Orders Banks to Return Unclaimed Citizens' Money

Rediff.com23 Sep 2025

Given that a sizeable part of this money is part of the coveted current accounts and savings accounts, it is surprising that banks are not in a hurry to revive these accounts, notes Tamal Bandyopdhyay.

ED arrests Jh'khand minister's secy after Rs 35cr cash recovery

ED arrests Jh'khand minister's secy after Rs 35cr cash recovery

Rediff.com7 May 2024

The ED on Monday had raided a 2BHK flat in Ranchi that is allegedly occupied by Lal's domestic help Jehangir, as part of a money laundering investigation into alleged irregularities in the state rural development department, they said.

Maha portfolio allocation: Fadnavis gets Home, Ajit Finance, Shinde...

Maha portfolio allocation: Fadnavis gets Home, Ajit Finance, Shinde...

Rediff.com21 Dec 2024

Shiv Sena's Dadaji Bhuse is the new school education minister while Uday Samant continues to be the industries minister.

Maha to scrap land fragmentation law; 50 lakh families to benefit

Maha to scrap land fragmentation law; 50 lakh families to benefit

Rediff.com9 Jul 2025

The Maharashtra government will grant legal status to subdivided land parcels up to January 1, 2025, by relaxing and gradually scrapping the land fragmentation law. This decision aims to resolve legal hurdles related to property registration, construction permissions, and ownership for over 50 lakh families.

Officers with Ardh Kumbh experience to handle Maha Kumbh post stampede

Officers with Ardh Kumbh experience to handle Maha Kumbh post stampede

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

The Uttar Pradesh government has deployed two senior IAS officers, who were part of the team that successfully conducted the 2019 Ardh Kumbh, to oversee the smooth conduct of the Maha Kumbh Mela in the wake of the recent stampede that left at least 30 pilgrims dead. The officers, Ashish Goyal and Bhanu Chandra Goswami, have extensive experience in administration in Prayagraj, including crowd management and inter-agency coordination. They will join Mela Adhikari Vijay Kiran Anand, forming a trio that was part of the mega fair six years ago. The government has also deployed additional senior police officers to strengthen security and crowd management ahead of Basant Panchami, one of the key bathing days of the festival, on February 3.

After FIR, Himachal minister calls NHAI officials 'most corrupt'

After FIR, Himachal minister calls NHAI officials 'most corrupt'

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

Singh said that about 150 people including women and forest, revenue and other officials were present at the time of the incident, and if the officials were assaulted, "why are there no eyewitnesses".

162 students trapped in flooded Jharkhand school rescued

162 students trapped in flooded Jharkhand school rescued

Rediff.com29 Jun 2025

The students were trapped in the school located at Pandarsoli on the Haldipokhar-Kowali Road in Kowali police station area since Saturday night after the premises got flooded due to heavy rain.

ED arrests Jharkhand minister Alamgir Alam in Rs 35 cr cash haul

ED arrests Jharkhand minister Alamgir Alam in Rs 35 cr cash haul

Rediff.com15 May 2024

The agency had last week arrested Alam's personal secretary and state administrative service officer Sanjeev Kumar Lal (52) and the latter's domestic help Jahangir Alam (42) following the seizure of more than Rs 32 crore cash from a flat linked to them.

'Stray Dogs In Ghettos Is A Health Nightmare'

'Stray Dogs In Ghettos Is A Health Nightmare'

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

'It will be an explosion of zoonotic diseases from these places.' 'People will not be able to live or work for kilometres around these places where thousands of street dogs are kept.'

Rare earth curbs to hit EV, RE, defence sectors

Rare earth curbs to hit EV, RE, defence sectors

Rediff.com28 Jun 2025

India's macroeconomic health is in a "relative goldilocks situation", and although the risk of higher landed oil prices, due to insurance cost surges and closure of choke points due to the brief Israel-Iran war, has receded, it is "too soon to sound the 'all clear' for the rest of the year", the Finance Ministry said on Friday.

ED to quiz J'khand minister Alamgir Alam after Rs 37-cr cash seizure

ED to quiz J'khand minister Alamgir Alam after Rs 37-cr cash seizure

Rediff.com12 May 2024

Alamgir Alam had distanced himself from the activities of Lal while speaking to reporters after the ED raids, pointing out that he had earlier served with other ministers of the state government too.

Newly constructed bridge collapses in Bihar, none hurt

Newly constructed bridge collapses in Bihar, none hurt

Rediff.com19 Jun 2024

The bridge, constructed by the rural works department at a cost of Rs 10 crore, was not opened to the public as approach roads were yet to be constructed.

8 cheetahs to be brought to India from Africa's Botswana

8 cheetahs to be brought to India from Africa's Botswana

Rediff.com18 Apr 2025

India is set to bring eight cheetahs from Botswana in two phases, with four arriving by May 2025. This follows the successful reintroduction of cheetahs to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, with the population now at 26, including 14 cubs born in India. The initiative aims to boost cheetah conservation efforts and create inter-state collaboration for their protection. The project has already seen significant investment, with over Rs 112 crore spent on cheetah rehabilitation.

Why This Banker Didn't Get Promoted!

Why This Banker Didn't Get Promoted!

Rediff.com2 May 2025

The bank made a Rs 67 crore net profit, up 21% from the previous year. Its deposits grew 8%, the loan book 10%. Net bad loans dropped from 7.53% to 6.07%. So why was the banker, who headed the bank, not promoted?

Elon Musk's Starlink gets satcom nod for India

Elon Musk's Starlink gets satcom nod for India

Rediff.com6 Jun 2025

Elon Musk's Starlink has got licence for satcom services in India, according to sources.

Rural jobs: Jairam Ramesh slams Maharashtra's apathy

Rural jobs: Jairam Ramesh slams Maharashtra's apathy

Rediff.com28 Oct 2011

Ramesh wants Maharashtra to be a pace setter.

2 IAS officers suspended after Punjab U-turn on panchayat dissolution

2 IAS officers suspended after Punjab U-turn on panchayat dissolution

Rediff.com31 Aug 2023

Hours after taking a 'U-turn' by informing the high court that it is withdrawing its notification dissolving all gram panchayats in the state, the Punjab government suspended two senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers on Thursday for a 'technically-flawed' decision.

2 crore more houses to be constructed under PM Awas Yojana

2 crore more houses to be constructed under PM Awas Yojana

Rediff.com10 Aug 2024

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday approved the proposal of the Department of Rural Development for construction of two crore more houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Gramin (PMAY-G). The Cabinet approved the 'Implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin during FY 2024-25 to 2028-29,"which prescribes for the construction of two crore more houses at existing unit assistance of Rs 1.20 lakh in plain areas and Rs 1.30 lakh in North Eastern Region States and Hill States of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, according to an official statement.

Siddaramaiah re-allocates portfolios to Kharge, Patil

Siddaramaiah re-allocates portfolios to Kharge, Patil

Rediff.com31 May 2023

Kharge will take care of IT & BT along with existing portfolio, while Large & Medium Industries Minister M B Patil has been given the additional charge of Infrastructure Development.

ED recovers Rs 35 cr from domestic help of J'khand minister's secretary

ED recovers Rs 35 cr from domestic help of J'khand minister's secretary

Rediff.com7 May 2024

The premises are alleged to be of the domestic help of Jharkhand Rural Development Minister Alamgir Alam's personal secretary Sanjiv Lal.

Improve Customer Service, Banks Told, Or Else!

Improve Customer Service, Banks Told, Or Else!

Rediff.com28 May 2025

In 2023-2024, 95 scheduled commercial banks received over 10 million complaints from their customers. The process of KYC at many banks has become 'HYC' -- harass your customer, points out Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Infy, AP rural BPO push to create 1,000 jobs

Infy, AP rural BPO push to create 1,000 jobs

Rediff.com27 Oct 2009

Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty chief executive officer T Vijaya Kumar and Infosys BPO Limited CEO and managing director Amitabh Chaudhry signed the MoU in the presence of chief minister K Rosaiah, state rural development minister Vatti Vasantha Kumar and other senior officials in Hyderabad.

Pawan Kalyan to be Andhra dy CM; Naidu's son gets IT

Pawan Kalyan to be Andhra dy CM; Naidu's son gets IT

Rediff.com15 Jun 2024

The actor-turned-politician has been allotted Panchayat Raj and Rural Development, Environment, Forests, and Science and Technology portfolios.

'IIFCL book can grow to Rs 4 trn by FY28'

'IIFCL book can grow to Rs 4 trn by FY28'

Rediff.com4 Jun 2025

'Although we are facing constraints related to lending and resource mobilisation, the government is aware of these.'

Can AI Improve Customer Service At PSBs?

Can AI Improve Customer Service At PSBs?

Rediff.com20 May 2025

'AI analyses body language, etiquette, and communication skills, providing an in-depth performance matrix and a ranking system to help employees identify areas of improvement.'

Irrigation, rural job schemes to be linked

Irrigation, rural job schemes to be linked

Rediff.com13 Jan 2016

MNREGS labourers are usually engaged in irrigation projects.

'I've No Desire To Be Prime Minister'

'I've No Desire To Be Prime Minister'

Rediff.com4 Jul 2025

'I am not an aspiration-oriented politician.' 'This is the time to redefine politics.' 'Politics of power is not real politics.'

Abhinav Bindra gets mention from 'friend' Bach at IOC session

Abhinav Bindra gets mention from 'friend' Bach at IOC session

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

The IOC launched the first Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) in India in May 2022, with the Olympism-themed curriculum being integrated into the school education system in Odisha.

Rural India back on politicians' itinerary

Rural India back on politicians' itinerary

Rediff.com9 Oct 2007

The farm sector's contribution to Indian economy is just around 20 per cent and rural India is in a shambles.

Tribal families plan return to Abujhmad after 21 yrs

Tribal families plan return to Abujhmad after 21 yrs

Rediff.com15 Nov 2024

More than two decades after deserting their village due to Maoists, around 25 tribal families are planning to return to their native place in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district.

Suspected GBS toll rises to 6 in Pune after 63-year-old man's death

Suspected GBS toll rises to 6 in Pune after 63-year-old man's death

Rediff.com7 Feb 2025

The number of suspected Guillain-Barr Syndrome (GBS) deaths in Pune district, Maharashtra, has reached six after a 63-year-old man died. The outbreak has been linked to water contamination caused by campylobacter jejuni, a common bacterial pathogen that causes gastroenteritis and can trigger GBS. The number of suspected GBS cases has risen to 173, with 140 diagnosed with GBS. 34 patients are in Pune Municipal Corporation limits, 87 from newly added villages in PMC area, 22 from Pimpri Chinchwad civic limits, 22 from rural parts of the district, and eight from other districts. Of the 173, a total of 72 have been discharged, 55 are in ICU and 21 are on ventilator support.

How BSP plans to regain OBC support ahead of UP polls in 2027

How BSP plans to regain OBC support ahead of UP polls in 2027

Rediff.com20 Apr 2025

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh is reviving its 'brotherhood committees', a strategy used successfully in the 2007 elections, to bolster its support among Other Backward Castes (OBCs) ahead of the 2027 state assembly elections. These committees, to be formed in all 403 constituencies, aim to connect with 100 people from OBC communities in each village, acting as ambassadors of the party at the booth level. The BSP sees these committees as a counter to the Samajwadi Party's PDA pitch and a means to consolidate its scattered rural vote bank. The party is also highlighting the 'anti-Dalit' and 'anti-OBC' tactics of the Congress, BJP and SP, hoping to capitalize on perceived grievances and reposition itself as a champion of marginalized communities.

Space Industry Thrilled With FM Plans

Space Industry Thrilled With FM Plans

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

'The scrapping of import duty would help Indian companies compete in international markets, thus paving the way for India becoming a space manufacturing hub for the world.'

Full list: Modi's New Ministers And Their Portfolios

Full list: Modi's New Ministers And Their Portfolios

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

Here is the complete list of ministers in Modi 3.0 and their portfolios:

Should depositors put money in co-operative banks?

Should depositors put money in co-operative banks?

Rediff.com18 Feb 2025

The co-operative banking sector is well regulated, and a few cases of restrictions being imposed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) should not paint a negative picture of the entire sector, said Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) secretary Ajay Seth on Monday. "Co-operative banks in the country are generally quite robust, and the RBI takes regulatory action whenever issues arise.