News for 'Essential Services'

Did These Election Promises Win Tamil Nadu For Vijay?

Did These Election Promises Win Tamil Nadu For Vijay?

Rediff.com4 May 2026

Actor-politician Vijay's TVK party is likely to form the government, bringing focus to their election promises, including gold for marriage, financial assistance for women, and job creation.

Stock Markets Today: Sensex, Nifty Tumble as West Asia Conflict & PM Modi's Austerity Appeal Spook Investors

Stock Markets Today: Sensex, Nifty Tumble as West Asia Conflict & PM Modi's Austerity Appeal Spook Investors

Rediff.com11 May 2026

Indian stock markets experienced a significant sell-off, with the Sensex tumbling over 1,300 points, driven by escalating crude oil prices due to US-Iran tensions and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for austerity measures, which amplified investor concerns about India's economic outlook.

Delhi choked by worst AQI of the year, strict curbs kick in

Delhi choked by worst AQI of the year, strict curbs kick in

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

A thick layer of toxic smog enveloped the national capital on Saturday as air quality deteriorated sharply, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to invoke the strictest curbs under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR.

CM Vijay begins welfare push, but Tamil Nadu's debt crisis looms large

CM Vijay begins welfare push, but Tamil Nadu's debt crisis looms large

Rediff.com10 May 2026

TVK founder Vijay, upon becoming Chief Minister, approved free electricity units and special forces for women's safety and anti-drug efforts. He pledged a commitment to secularism and social justice, asserting his authority as the sole power centre.

Fuel curbs brew concern over Darjeeling first flush

Fuel curbs brew concern over Darjeeling first flush

Rediff.com18 Mar 2026

Tea planters in Darjeeling have raised that a shortage of commercial LPG, triggered by the ongoing conflict in West Asia, could hit tea processing during the first flush, the delicate early-season harvest that commands the highest premiums and often sets the tone for the year.

Haryana CM Saini Foresees BJP Rule in West Bengal

Haryana CM Saini Foresees BJP Rule in West Bengal

Rediff.com8 Apr 2026

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini predicts a BJP government in West Bengal, citing a desire for development and change among the state's residents.

AI summit, board exams: Delhi braces for traffic chaos

AI summit, board exams: Delhi braces for traffic chaos

Rediff.com16 Feb 2026

Delhi is implementing heightened security and traffic restrictions for the five-day AI Impact Summit, deploying over 10,000 police personnel and issuing traffic advisories to minimize disruption to commuters and students.

Gold, silver sell at huge discount after tariff hike

Gold, silver sell at huge discount after tariff hike

Rediff.com15 May 2026

Despite a sharp increase in import duties on gold and silver to 15 per cent, the precious metals are trading at significant discounts in the domestic market, with gold seeing discounts of up to $200 an ounce and silver up to $6 an ounce.

SC refuses to change religious practices at Banke Bihari temple in UP

SC refuses to change religious practices at Banke Bihari temple in UP

Rediff.com13 Apr 2026

The Supreme Court has stated it will not make structural changes to religious practices at the Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan, hearing a petition challenging administrative decisions affecting traditions.

'One Operation Sindoor Won't End Terror'

'One Operation Sindoor Won't End Terror'

Rediff.com10 May 2026

'India's security challenges are no longer confined to the Line of Control or the Line of Actual Control.'
'They also span cyber networks, economic systems, information warfare, technology ecosystems, maritime routes, and internal social cohesion.'

Meghalaya Curfew Eased Amid Garo Hills Election Unrest

Meghalaya Curfew Eased Amid Garo Hills Election Unrest

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

Curfew imposed in Meghalaya's East and West Garo Hills districts has been relaxed to allow residents to procure essential items following violence related to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections.

At 89, My Father Chose Ayodhya, Varanasi, Sikkim

At 89, My Father Chose Ayodhya, Varanasi, Sikkim

Rediff.com3 Jun 2026

Sacred spots and soaring peaks: Bucket-listing across the heartland. Roopa Unnikrishnan and her father journey through the heart of India.

Old vs New Tax Regime: Higher Allowances, HRA Changes Warrant Review

Old vs New Tax Regime: Higher Allowances, HRA Changes Warrant Review

Rediff.com30 Apr 2026

Recent changes to tax exemptions and allowances, including increased education, hostel, and HRA limits, have made the old tax regime more competitive against the new regime, prompting salaried employees to re-evaluate their choice for the current financial year.

Rich Indians Are Spending More Money On...

Rich Indians Are Spending More Money On...

Rediff.com28 Apr 2026

Travel is now the dominant spending category for India's affluent consumers, who are prioritising experiences and luxury goods over retail buying, according to a new report.

Summer Holiday Travel Insurance: Key Things To Know

Summer Holiday Travel Insurance: Key Things To Know

Rediff.com30 Apr 2026

Understand your travel insurance policy before travelling abroad this summer. This article outlines what travel insurance covers, including trip cancellations, missed connections, and medical emergencies, and what it excludes, such as war-related disruptions and pre-existing conditions.

UP Petrol Pump Manager Booked For Denying Fuel To Ambulance

UP Petrol Pump Manager Booked For Denying Fuel To Ambulance

Rediff.com25 Apr 2026

Police in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, have registered a case against a petrol pump manager for allegedly denying fuel to a private ambulance, resulting in the death of a 50-year-old patient.

Retail Inflation Edges Up to 3.48% in April on Costlier Jewellery, Kitchen Staples

Retail Inflation Edges Up to 3.48% in April on Costlier Jewellery, Kitchen Staples

Rediff.com13 May 2026

India's retail inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), increased to 3.48 per cent in April, up from 3.40 per cent in March, primarily due to a surge in prices of gold and silver jewellery, as well as certain kitchen staples like tomatoes and cauliflower.

Indian Banks Discuss AI Security Risks After Global Concerns

Indian Banks Discuss AI Security Risks After Global Concerns

Rediff.com23 Apr 2026

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met with bank heads to discuss the risks associated with Artificial Intelligence (AI) following global concerns about Anthropic's Mythos model and its potential threat to financial systems' data security.

World's Best Airport Washrooms

World's Best Airport Washrooms

Rediff.com23 Apr 2026

According to the annual World Airport Awards by Skytrax, Hong Kong International Airport has been named the 2026 winner for the finest airport restrooms.

Investment Disclosure Tightens Tax Scrutiny

Investment Disclosure Tightens Tax Scrutiny

Rediff.com7 May 2026

From the financial year 2025-2026, the government has introduced a new column in the tax return form for presumptive taxpayers, requiring them to disclose their year-end investments. This requirement was not present last year.

Avoid destination weddings, prefer online classes: Modi continues austerity push

Avoid destination weddings, prefer online classes: Modi continues austerity push

Rediff.com11 May 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to citizens to adopt austerity measures, including avoiding destination weddings abroad and reducing edible oil consumption, to mitigate the impact of the West Asia crisis on India's economy.

Avoid These Life Insurance Mistakes

Avoid These Life Insurance Mistakes

Rediff.com8 May 2026

Proposal forms are often filled by the agent. Check the form after it is filled.

Heavy rain paralyses Mumbai; train services suspended

Heavy rain paralyses Mumbai; train services suspended

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

Heavy rains caused severe waterlogging, traffic jams, and disruptions to local train services in Mumbai. Schools and colleges were closed due to a 'red alert' issued by the IMD.

Chhattisgarh deputy CM to take surrendered Maoists to state assembly

Chhattisgarh deputy CM to take surrendered Maoists to state assembly

Rediff.com23 Nov 2025

Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma met surrendered Naxalites at a rehabilitation center in Sukma, offering them a visit to the state assembly and directing officials to improve their living conditions and opportunities.

Sri Lanka Urged To Probe Easter Blast Masterminds

Sri Lanka Urged To Probe Easter Blast Masterminds

Rediff.com21 Apr 2026

Sri Lanka commemorated the 7th anniversary of the Easter blasts, with Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith urging authorities to investigate individuals directly or indirectly involved in the deadly attacks, irrespective of their status.

J-K: BRO rescues 60, including 40 soldiers, from snowbound Doda

J-K: BRO rescues 60, including 40 soldiers, from snowbound Doda

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) rescued 60 people, including 40 soldiers, stranded in a snowbound area of Doda district, Jammu and Kashmir. The BRO also restored connectivity to strategic roads in the Rajouri district after heavy snowfall.

US embassy in Oman orders staff to 'take cover'

US embassy in Oman orders staff to 'take cover'

Rediff.com3 Mar 2026

Amid rising tensions in West Asia following a series of strikes and counter-strikes, the United States Embassy in Muscat on Tuesday instructed its staff to shelter in place.

Iranian supertanker bypasses US Navy blockade

Iranian supertanker bypasses US Navy blockade

Rediff.com3 May 2026

An Iranian tanker successfully bypassed the US Navy to deliver crude oil to the Asia-Pacific region, despite ongoing tensions and a US blockade.

ISRO to print rocket components with Russian 3D printing machine

ISRO to print rocket components with Russian 3D printing machine

Rediff.com29 Apr 2026

The RusBeam 2800 is now India's largest electron-beam wire deposition 3D printer operating under vacuum. The machine was custom-built for India and is operated with software developed by Rosatom.

J-K Education Board to Act Against Schools Hiking Fees Arbitrarily

J-K Education Board to Act Against Schools Hiking Fees Arbitrarily

Rediff.com30 Mar 2026

The Jammu and Kashmir government has directed the JKBOSE to take strict action against private schools found to be arbitrarily increasing fees and violating established regulations.

Poor Credit Score May Cost You Jobs

Poor Credit Score May Cost You Jobs

Rediff.com14 Apr 2026

Over the past three years, the appointments of 20 candidates selected through the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection were cancelled or offers were withdrawn due to poor credit history.

RSS doesn't practice Hindutva politics, rather...: Bhagwat

RSS doesn't practice Hindutva politics, rather...: Bhagwat

Rediff.com23 Feb 2026

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat stated that the Sangh focuses on individual development to build a strong society and nation, rather than practicing Hindutva politics. He emphasized the importance of unity, devotion to the motherland, and the need for women's equal participation in governance.

The Top 5 Engineering Careers In India

The Top 5 Engineering Careers In India

Rediff.com21 Apr 2026

Nayagam PP, career counsellor and founder of EduJobs360, explains how traditional engineering choices are being replaced with flexible, future-ready career paths that align with industry requirements.

Curfew relaxed in Leh for 4 hrs, people queue up to buy essentials

Curfew relaxed in Leh for 4 hrs, people queue up to buy essentials

Rediff.com27 Sep 2025

For the first time since curfew was imposed three days ago in violence-hit Leh town of Ladakh, the restrictions were relaxed Saturday afternoon in a phased manner for a few hours, providing relief to residents who lined up outside shops selling essential commodities.

What Can We Do To Minimise The LPG Misery?

What Can We Do To Minimise The LPG Misery?

Rediff.com14 Mar 2026

Let us start with ourselves. If we can reduce our LPG consumption by half, the problem is solved. Reduce wastage. Alter eating styles. Diversify methods of food preparation, suggests Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta (retd).

NEET UG 2026: City Intimation Slip Released; Find Out All You want To Know

NEET UG 2026: City Intimation Slip Released; Find Out All You want To Know

Rediff.com13 Apr 2026

While this is not the admit card, it is a crucial pre-exam document that is vital for candidates appearing for the NEET-UG 2026 exam.

US-Iran talks: First phase concludes, both sides exchange texts

US-Iran talks: First phase concludes, both sides exchange texts

Rediff.com12 Apr 2026

The United States and Iran concluded the first phase of in-person talks in Islamabad, with both delegations exchanging written texts to formalise areas of understanding. The discussions, involving key representatives from both sides, are aimed at reducing tensions and exploring possibilities of a structured understanding.

Power shift in Andhra: CM Naidu hands key TDP role to son Nara Lokesh

Power shift in Andhra: CM Naidu hands key TDP role to son Nara Lokesh

Rediff.com29 Apr 2026

Chandrababu Naidu has reorganised the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), appointing his son Nara Lokesh as working president and emphasising a blend of experienced and new leaders to strengthen the party.

How Mamata Banerjee Fared In Her 15 Year Rule

How Mamata Banerjee Fared In Her 15 Year Rule

Rediff.com4 May 2026

Under the TMC, Bengal has seen expansion of welfare, but not big-ticket private investment.

'Netanyahu Has Infiltrated Trump's Cabinet'

'Netanyahu Has Infiltrated Trump's Cabinet'

Rediff.com20 Apr 2026

'As result, Netanyahu 'convinced' Trump to go to war with the help of overoptimistic Israeli intelligence assessments, essentially explaining to him that they only need to bomb Iran for 3-4 days, and the regime would then collapse.' 'Rather unsurprisingly, Netanyahu is ever since blaming his own intel service for the entire operation failing.'