News for 'Environment Ministry'

483 infra projects show cost overruns of Rs 4.43 lakh cr

483 infra projects show cost overruns of Rs 4.43 lakh cr

Rediff.com22 Aug 2021

As many as 483 infrastructure projects, each worth Rs 150 crore or more, have been hit by cost overruns totalling more than Rs 4.43 lakh crore, according to a report. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation monitors infrastructure projects worth Rs 150 crore and above. Of the 1,781 such projects, 483 reported cost overruns and 504 were delayed.

Delhi gasps for breath: Govt orders 50% WFH, primary schools shut

Delhi gasps for breath: Govt orders 50% WFH, primary schools shut

Rediff.com4 Nov 2022

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that primary schools will be closed from Saturday in view of spike in pollution levels in the national capital.

Little choice for beverage cos but to import paper straws

Little choice for beverage cos but to import paper straws

Rediff.com23 Jun 2022

Parle Agro, which sells beverages such as Frooti in small tetra packs, has already started importing paper straws. Dabur India, which sells its fruit juices in tetra packs under the brand Real, is also considering importing paper straws.

PIX: Eid celebrated across the country with fervour

PIX: Eid celebrated across the country with fervour

Rediff.com10 Jul 2022

People came out of homes in large numbers, offered namaz at mosques, greeted each other with hugs and exchanged food and gifts across the length and breadth of India to celebrate Eid-ul-Adha on Sunday.

Is GM mustard a hazard for honey bees?

Is GM mustard a hazard for honey bees?

Rediff.com15 May 2018

There has been strong opposition from organisations influential with the government against approval to GM foods.

Does TN govt's decision to permanently close Sterlite hold water?

Does TN govt's decision to permanently close Sterlite hold water?

Rediff.com5 Jun 2018

When it closed close down the copper plant at Thoothukudi in 2013. Its orders were held illegal by the NGT on procedural grounds

India trashes Pak's claim of role in attack near Hafiz Saeed's house

India trashes Pak's claim of role in attack near Hafiz Saeed's house

Rediff.com8 Jul 2021

At a media briefing, ministry of external affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi asked Pakistan to focus on setting its own house in order in containing terror networks and said that the international community is well aware of that country's credentials when it comes to terrorism.

Indian legal system a hurdle for aircraft lessors: Air India to govt

Indian legal system a hurdle for aircraft lessors: Air India to govt

Rediff.com12 Dec 2022

Tata Group-owned Air India has informed the Centre that aircraft lessors wish to set up their special purpose vehicles (SPVs) outside India since they aren't enthused about the Indian 'legal structure' and are loath to take risks. Indian airlines have a combined fleet of about 700 planes; over 85 per cent are on lease. A majority of lessors are based in Ireland due to its attractive tax policy, light-touch regulations, and swift legal system.

Pak summons Indian envoy, protests violation of airspace

Pak summons Indian envoy, protests violation of airspace

Rediff.com11 Mar 2022

"Pakistan Air Force continuously monitored the complete flight path of the flying object from its point of origin in Sirsa in India till its point of impact near Mian Channu and initiated requisite tactical actions in accordance with standard operating procedures," Pakistan Army spokesman Major General Babar Iftikhar said.

Delhi's air quality improves on the back of winds

Delhi's air quality improves on the back of winds

Rediff.com23 Nov 2021

Officials at the India Meteorological Department said winds gusting up to 20 kmph on Sunday and 25 kmph on Monday led to a marked improvement in the air quality and improved visibility.

IAF inducts India-made light combat helicopters 'Prachand'

IAF inducts India-made light combat helicopters 'Prachand'

Rediff.com3 Oct 2022

The 5.8-tonne twin-engine gunship chopper is armed with air-to-air missiles, 20 mm turret guns, rocket systems and other weapons.

'People of Ladakh feel betrayed'

'People of Ladakh feel betrayed'

Rediff.com21 Feb 2023

'The Government of India should start a dialogue with the people of Ladakh, but the trouble is they are not willing to listen to our grievances.'

Notification lifting jallikattu ban hasn't been quashed: Javadekar

Notification lifting jallikattu ban hasn't been quashed: Javadekar

Rediff.com20 Jan 2016

The minister said the Centre will soon keep its stand clear in front of SC.

Agnipath will change composition of region-, caste-based regiments

Agnipath will change composition of region-, caste-based regiments

Rediff.com14 Jun 2022

The scheme is aimed at slashing the salary and pension bills of the three services, which have been increasing rapidly.

U'khand to get MI-17 cargo chopper for reconstruction work

U'khand to get MI-17 cargo chopper for reconstruction work

Rediff.com13 Jun 2014

The Centre will provide MI-17 cargo chopper to Uttarakhand to ferry heavy equipment to calamity-hit high altitude areas to expedite reconstruction work in the hill state.

Dry run for Covid vaccination in all states, UTs on Jan 2

Dry run for Covid vaccination in all states, UTs on Jan 2

Rediff.com31 Dec 2020

A dry run for COVID-19 vaccination will be conducted by all state and union territory administrations on January 2 to test the linkages between planning and implementation and to identify the challenges, the Centre said on Thursday.

Coal block cancellation: Miners mull taking Centre to court

Coal block cancellation: Miners mull taking Centre to court

Rediff.com20 Feb 2014

The companies are crying foul over the cancellation of 25 blocks held by 68 firms over the past two days.

The Importance of Smriti Irani

The Importance of Smriti Irani

Rediff.com19 Jul 2021

Being made a member of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs makes her an important player in BJP politics, observes Rashme Sehgal.

Govt depts to add over 1.4 lakh jobs between 2019 and March 1, 2021

Govt depts to add over 1.4 lakh jobs between 2019 and March 1, 2021

Rediff.com1 Feb 2021

Over 1.4 lakh jobs are estimated to be created between March 2019 and March 2021 in various central government departments, according to the Union Budget presented on Monday. The strength of government establishments was 32,71,113 as on March 1, 2019, which is estimated to increase to 34,14,226 by the first day of next month - an increase of 1,43,113, it said. The budget documents have given a break-up of the jobs estimated to be created in central government departments between 2019 and March 2021.

Tejas beats China's JF-17 to emerge as Malaysia's top choice

Tejas beats China's JF-17 to emerge as Malaysia's top choice

Rediff.com3 Jul 2022

It is learnt that the Chinese JF-17 was cheaper but could not match the technical parameters of the Tejas Mk-IA variant and the offer of maintenance of the Su-30 fleet as proposed by India.

Modi's plane flies over Pak airspace en route to Italy

Modi's plane flies over Pak airspace en route to Italy

Rediff.com31 Oct 2021

Prime Minister Modi's plane Boeing 777, 300ER, K7066 entered the Pakistani airspace from Bahawalpur, passed through Turbat and Panjgur and via Iran and Turkey reached Italy, The Express Tribune reported.

Kerala protests ban on sale of cattle for slaughter, organises beef fests

Kerala protests ban on sale of cattle for slaughter, organises beef fests

Rediff.com27 May 2017

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan dashed off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his intervention for repealing the measure. He said the Centre's decision amounts to an "intrusion" to the rights of the states in the country's federal structure.

Plastic straws cause FMCG firms indigestion

Plastic straws cause FMCG firms indigestion

Rediff.com27 Jun 2022

The industry may account for just 0.05 per cent of the total volume of single-use plastics in the country. And the product it uses is just one among the 22 - including spoons, forks, plates, knives and trays - that will be banned across the country from July 1 by government order. Yet, it is the plastic straw that is at the centre of public focus as fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies make a last-ditch effort to get the government to extend the deadline.

75 coal mines to go under the hammer in second round of auction

75 coal mines to go under the hammer in second round of auction

Rediff.com25 Feb 2021

In order to keep the interest of new and small players intact, the coal ministry is offering only small- and medium-sized coal mines in the second round.

'Shankar is chained for 17 hours a day'

'Shankar is chained for 17 hours a day'

Rediff.com14 Jan 2022

'There are around 80 to 100 elephants in zoos around the country.' 'We should not keep them in captivity for our entertainment.'

India successfully cultures UK-variant of Covid strain: ICMR

India successfully cultures UK-variant of Covid strain: ICMR

Rediff.com3 Jan 2021

The ICMR claimed that no country has yet reported successful isolation and culture of the UK-variant of SARS-CoV-2.

'You can't build large dams in the Himalayas'

'You can't build large dams in the Himalayas'

Rediff.com8 Feb 2021

'We have been appealing to various governments for so many years that there should be no dams in the Himalayas, but no one listens.' 'Nature responded in its own way.'

Data protection bill: Govt hopes to pass new law by next Budget session

Data protection bill: Govt hopes to pass new law by next Budget session

Rediff.com4 Aug 2022

After withdrawing the personal data protection bill, the government is hopeful of getting a new legislation passed by the next Budget session of Parliament, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said. The government on Wednesday withdrew the Personal Data Protection Bill from the Lok Sabha. The Joint Committee on Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019, headed by BJP member P P Chaudhary, had tabled its report in Lok Sabha on December 16, 2021.

Govt hopes to pass new data protection law by Budget session

Govt hopes to pass new data protection law by Budget session

Rediff.com4 Aug 2022

After withdrawing the personal data protection bill, the government is hopeful of getting a new legislation passed by the next Budget session of Parliament, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said.

'I Will Remove Corruption From Goa'

'I Will Remove Corruption From Goa'

Rediff.com2 Feb 2022

'If you weed out corruption, you will bring glory to Goa.'

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.

Put Covid norm violators on flights in no-fly list: HC

Put Covid norm violators on flights in no-fly list: HC

Rediff.com3 Jun 2022

The Delhi high court on Friday called for strict action against those found violating masking and hand hygiene norms at airports and in aircraft, observing that the Covid-19 pandemic has not abated and keeps rearing its ugly head.

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.

'Don't expect major cuts in direct tax rates'

'Don't expect major cuts in direct tax rates'

Rediff.com18 Jan 2023

'You may see some movement indicating a simpler tax regime with less exemptions but with fewer tax rates making life simpler for taxpayers.'

How safe are India's electric scooters?

How safe are India's electric scooters?

Rediff.com31 Mar 2022

The government-appointed expert committee, which probes incidents of Ola Electric's S1 Pro and Okinawa vehicles catching fires, has added the latest case of fire involving PureEV electric scooter to its investigation, a senior government official told Business Standard. "A team comprising experts from Indian Institute of Science (IISC) and Centre for Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES) are investigating the cases. "As soon as the report is submitted, we shall take appropriate action," said Giridhar Aramane, secretary at the ministry of road transport and highways.

SpiceHealth, AAI in blame game over Covid fiasco at Amritsar airport

SpiceHealth, AAI in blame game over Covid fiasco at Amritsar airport

Rediff.com13 Mar 2022

SpiceHealth had on January 6 and January 7 tested 469 passengers who arrived on two charter flights from Italian capital Rome and found 298 of them to be COVID-19-positive.

Armed forces to get 70 ha land in Gulmarg, Sonamarg

Armed forces to get 70 ha land in Gulmarg, Sonamarg

Rediff.com6 Jan 2022

The armed forces can undertake infrastructure development even in ecologically fragile areas which are declared "strategic areas" by the government.

How dangerous is plastic packaging?

How dangerous is plastic packaging?

Rediff.com7 Jun 2016

After recognising its adverse health effects, the govt has now dismissed its own lab reports to conclude that the evidence against plastic is insufficient.

Labour pain for pvt domestic airlines as staff threaten mass leave over pay

Labour pain for pvt domestic airlines as staff threaten mass leave over pay

Rediff.com21 Jul 2022

Failure to reinstate salary even two years after the drastic cuts has landed the airline industry in a massive industrial relation crisis. While employees of Air India had organised a strike back in 2011, it is for the first time that private airlines are facing serious stress related to workers. IndiGo witnessed two of them, back to back. In the first instance, around 50 per cent of the IndiGo flights were delayed as a large number of crew members went on mass sick leave, apparently to participate in a rival airline's walk-in job interview.