News for 'General Services Administration'

At least 12 US Marines, many Afghans killed in Kabul twin blasts

At least 12 US Marines, many Afghans killed in Kabul twin blasts

Rediff.com27 Aug 2021

An ISIS suicide bomber was responsible for the explosion outside the Kabul airport, Politico reported citing US officials.

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?

Govt announces post-retirement jobs for Agniveers as protests erupt

Govt announces post-retirement jobs for Agniveers as protests erupt

Rediff.com15 Jun 2022

The Centre on Wednesday announced a raft of post-retirement employment possibilities for 'Agniveer' like priority in recruitment to the central armed police forces (CAPF) and Assam rifles but that failed to assuage the concerns of the opposition Congress which warned the 'transformative' 'Agnipath' scheme will reduce the operational effectiveness of the armed forces.

Why telcos fear 5G rollout is unviable

Why telcos fear 5G rollout is unviable

Rediff.com10 Jun 2022

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has bluntly told the government there is no reason for its members to roll out 5G networks as they will be unviable if 'captive private wireless networks' are allowed to be run by enterprises. The COAI, which has Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea as its key members, has written to Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw saying there is 'no business case for the roll out of 5G networks'. Permitting such captive networks will 'diminish the revenue so much that there will be no viable business case left for the telecom service providers and there will not remain any need for 5G network roll out by telecom service providers (TSPs)'.

'When India grows, world grows': Modi at UNGA

'When India grows, world grows': Modi at UNGA

Rediff.com25 Sep 2021

Addressing the 76th United Nations General Assembly session here, Prime Minister Modi said that today, every sixth person in the world is an Indian.

2 Indian Americans likely to be in Biden admin's cabinet

2 Indian Americans likely to be in Biden admin's cabinet

Rediff.com18 Nov 2020

Murthy, who currently is the top Indian-American advisor to President-elect Joe Biden on COVID-19, is a potential pick for the post of Secretary of Health and Human Services and Stanford University Professor Arun Majumdar for the post of Secretary of Energy, The Washington Post and Politico said in their reports on Tuesday that mentions a list of potential picks for various Cabinet-level positions in the Biden administration.

Agnipath stir: Bihar Dy CM house attacked, BJP offices torched

Agnipath stir: Bihar Dy CM house attacked, BJP offices torched

Rediff.com18 Jun 2022

Protests against 'Agnipath' left Bihar in flames on Friday when rampaging mobs set fire to dozens of railway coaches, engines and stations and torched Bharatiya Janata Party offices, vehicles and other property, prompting the police to suspend internet services in nearly a third of the state.

Punjab govt shunts out chief secy considered 'close' to Amarinder

Punjab govt shunts out chief secy considered 'close' to Amarinder

Rediff.com23 Sep 2021

The Charanjit Singh Channi-led government in Punjab on Thursday shunted Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan and appointed Anirudh Tewari in her place.

Stalin's Son Rises In The Party Of The Rising Sun

Stalin's Son Rises In The Party Of The Rising Sun

Rediff.com1 Dec 2022

His likable boy-next-door face and casual approach to public speaking have a unique appeal for the younger generation, but it stops there, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Getting Laid Off? Know Your Rights

Getting Laid Off? Know Your Rights

Rediff.com1 Dec 2022

Companies today are taking a very fashionable way to reduce their workforce. Instead of the outright firing of employees, an alternative approach that some companies are using is the passive-aggressive method which is both deliberate and accidental, points out corporate lawyer Ishanee Sharma.

Vaishnaw, Thakur take charge of Railways, I&B ministry

Vaishnaw, Thakur take charge of Railways, I&B ministry

Rediff.com8 Jul 2021

A former Indian Administrative Service officer of the 1994-batch, Vaishnaw has handled important responsibilities for over 15 years and was particularly known for his contribution to the public-private partnership (PPP) framework in infrastructure, something that will help him in the rail sector.

Patiala clashes: 3 top cops shunted out; 3 arrested

Patiala clashes: 3 top cops shunted out; 3 arrested

Rediff.com30 Apr 2022

The order to suspend the services was issued by the home affairs and justice department and heavy police security was deployed at the site of the clashes outside the Kali Mata temple in Patiala.

Bihar imposes lockdown till May 15 after HC nudge

Bihar imposes lockdown till May 15 after HC nudge

Rediff.com5 May 2021

A day after the Patna high court slammed the Bihar government for its poor handling of the second wave of the pandemic and sought to know whether it was enforcing lockdown or not, the administration on Tuesday announced imposition of lockdown from May 5 to May 15.

Dept of Public Enterprises now part of FinMin

Dept of Public Enterprises now part of FinMin

Rediff.com7 Jul 2021

The government has merged the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) with the finance ministry to give it a better control over state-owned firms and facilitate its ambitious privatisation programme. Finance ministry will now have six departments while DPE's hereto parent ministry, the ministry of heavy industries and public enterprises will now be called the ministry of heavy industries. Previously, the disinvestment ministry - created under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government - was merged with the finance ministry and is now a department under it. Also, Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) was abolished and administration of foreign investments was given to the finance ministry (FinMin).

Five years of GST: Recovery of input tax credit still a struggle

Five years of GST: Recovery of input tax credit still a struggle

Rediff.com27 Jun 2022

Agra has long been known for the Taj Mahal, but it is also a manufacturing hub filled with micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that make everything from electronic components to metal products, from paints and chemicals to footwear. And five years after the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the MSMEs here complain that while the indirect tax regime has been transformative, cutting out the need to file multiple taxes, its biggest drawback has been the delay in credit refunds. Whoever you speak to - MSME owners, tax lawyers, or industry bodies like the National Chambers of Industries and Commerce (NCIC), Agra Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Chamber (AFMEC) and Agra Shoe Manufacturers Association (ASMA) - they all emphasise that the GST continues to face some key challenges.

Aryan Khan case taken away from Sameer Wankhede

Aryan Khan case taken away from Sameer Wankhede

Rediff.com5 Nov 2021

The action has been taken on 'administrative grounds', and as these six have 'wider and inter-state ramifications', they have been transferred to the operations unit in Delhi, NCB Deputy Director General (north-west region) Mutha Ashok Jain told PTI.

Does US Want India-China Ties Boiling?

Does US Want India-China Ties Boiling?

Rediff.com27 Dec 2021

Washington is signalling to Delhi that it can rely on American support in any great game vis-a-vis China. Delhi shouldn't fall into the trap, argues Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Mortal remains of only 3 of 13 killed in copter crash identified

Mortal remains of only 3 of 13 killed in copter crash identified

Rediff.com9 Dec 2021

Out of the 13 people killed in the IAF helicopter crash near Coonoor on Wednesday, the mortal remains of only Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and Brig LS Lidder could be identified, officials said on Thursday.

Charges of Favour to Reliance General Insurance: CBI probing former Irda chairman

Charges of Favour to Reliance General Insurance: CBI probing former Irda chairman

Rediff.com14 Oct 2014

Penalty for unapproved policy changes allegedly reduced from Rs 17,500 crore to Rs 20 lakh

Charges of Favour to Reliance General Insurance: CBI probing former Irda chairman

Charges of Favour to Reliance General Insurance: CBI probing former Irda chairman

Rediff.com14 Oct 2014

Penalty for unapproved policy changes allegedly reduced from Rs 17,500 crore to Rs 20 lakh

SC stays Guj HC order to send people not wearing masks to serve at COVID centres

SC stays Guj HC order to send people not wearing masks to serve at COVID centres

Rediff.com3 Dec 2020

In the hearing conducted through video-conferencing, the bench, also comprising Justices R Subhash Reddy and M R Shah, took note of the submissions by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the high court order was also harsh, having serious repercussions on the health of the violators.

Armed forces launch Op CO-JEET to fight Covid in India

Armed forces launch Op CO-JEET to fight Covid in India

Rediff.com3 May 2021

"Under the CO-JEET" plan, personnel of the three wings of the armed forces -- the Army, the Indian Air Force and the Navy -- have been pressed into service to help restore oxygen supply chains, set up COVID beds and provide help to the civilian administration in its fight to control the pandemic," said the Lt General, whose post of deputy chief integrated defence staff (medical) comes under the Chief of Defence Staff.

3 Pilots Tested Positive For Psychotropic Substances

3 Pilots Tested Positive For Psychotropic Substances

Rediff.com27 Aug 2022

commercial airlines and air navigation service providers have to carry out random drug tests on at least 10 per cent of their flight crew and air traffic controllers every year.

Govt gets 5.59 lakh public grievances so far this yr

Govt gets 5.59 lakh public grievances so far this yr

Rediff.com12 Jul 2022

The Centre received 5.59 lakh public grievances against various government departments in the first half of this year, with the Department of Financial Services (DFS) getting most of such complaints, according to an official report.

Senior Cong leader Indira Hridayesh passes away

Senior Cong leader Indira Hridayesh passes away

Rediff.com13 Jun 2021

Leader of Opposition in the Uttarakhand Assembly Indira Hridayesh passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest in New Delhi on Sunday.

DGCA to make drug test a must for pilots, crew members

DGCA to make drug test a must for pilots, crew members

Rediff.com26 Aug 2021

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has released a draft procedure that calls for testing pilots, other aviation personnel and crew members for psychoactive substances before they take to the skies. The Indian civil aviation regulator has sought comments from stakeholders over the next 30 days before issuing a regulation to this effect. Asking airlines and airports to do random checks on crew and air traffic controllers, DGCA proposed that violators be suspended for a minimum of three years or their licence be permanently cancelled as maximum punishment.

Army says social media posts about imposition of Emergency fake

Army says social media posts about imposition of Emergency fake

Rediff.com30 Mar 2020

Army officials also said no effort is being initiated to rope in services of retired personnel, the National Cadet Corps and the volunteers enrolled under the National Service Scheme in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

Grant permanent commission to women officers: SC to army

Grant permanent commission to women officers: SC to army

Rediff.com25 Mar 2021

The apex court said the Annual Confidential Report evaluation criteria for grant of permanent commission to women officers ignored the achievement and laurels brought by them to the Indian Army.

'They were defaming Gujarat': Court denies bail to Setalvad, Sreekumar

'They were defaming Gujarat': Court denies bail to Setalvad, Sreekumar

Rediff.com30 Jul 2022

A sessions court in Ahmedabad on Saturday rejected the bail applications of activist Teesta Setalvad and former director general of police R B Sreekumar, arrested for allegedly fabricating documents to 'frame innocent people' in 2002 riots cases.

Won't spare those involved in desecration cases: Channi

Won't spare those involved in desecration cases: Channi

Rediff.com3 Oct 2021

The CM's statement came on a day state Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu once again sought the replacement of Punjab's police chief and advocate general.

Kerala governor reads out criticism of Centre in House address as Oppn cries foul

Kerala governor reads out criticism of Centre in House address as Oppn cries foul

Rediff.com18 Feb 2022

Amid the opposition UDF's sloganeering against him, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Friday delivered the customary address to the assembly with the policy document outlining the Left government's administrative achievements and criticising the Centre for allegedly pushing the state to financial constraints by reducing its resource allocations.

2 Lashkar terrorists gun down Kashmiri Pandit in crowded govt office

2 Lashkar terrorists gun down Kashmiri Pandit in crowded govt office

Rediff.com12 May 2022

A government employee belonging to the Kashmir Pandit community was shot dead by suspected militants at his office in the Chadoora area of Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, officials said in Srinagar.

World Trade Center reopens 13 years after 9/11 attacks

World Trade Center reopens 13 years after 9/11 attacks

Rediff.com4 Nov 2014

The 104-storey building's opening marks an emotional milestone for the United States.

Reserve Bank supersedes boards of Srei firms

Reserve Bank supersedes boards of Srei firms

Rediff.com4 Oct 2021

The Reserve Bank on Monday superseded the boards of Srei Infrastructure Finance as well as Srei Equipment Finance, citing concerns over governance and payment defaults, and decided to refer the two NBFCs for resolution under the insolvency law. This is only the second time in as many years that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is referring entities for the resolution process under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) after taking first ever such step in the case of DHFL back in 2019. Superseding the boards of the crisis-hit Srei Infrastructure Finance Limited (SIFL) and Srei Equipment Finance Limited (SEFL), the RBI has appointed Rajneesh Sharma, former Chief General Manager of Bank of Baroda as the administrator to manage the affairs of the two companies.

Indian-American physician named co-chair of Biden's Covid task-force

Indian-American physician named co-chair of Biden's Covid task-force

Rediff.com9 Nov 2020

Dr Murthy, 43, a former United States Surgeon General, along with two other co-chairs -- Dr David Kessler and Dr Marcella Nunez-Smith -- would lead a team of leading public health experts who will advise Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on the deadly virus.

Officials 'intimidated' Indian journalists critical of govt: US report

Officials 'intimidated' Indian journalists critical of govt: US report

Rediff.com13 Apr 2022

India in the past rejected similar reports.

Bhupendra Patel takes oath as Gujarat CM, allots portfolios

Bhupendra Patel takes oath as Gujarat CM, allots portfolios

Rediff.com13 Dec 2022

Patel was administered the oath as the 18th chief minister by Governor Acharya Devvrat at a function held at the Helipad Ground near the new Secretariat.

4G internet being restored in entire J-K after 18 months

4G internet being restored in entire J-K after 18 months

Rediff.com5 Feb 2021

High-speed mobile internet services had been restored in two districts -- Ganderbal in Kashmir region and Udhampur in Jammu region -- in August last year.

ITBP officer posted as head of eastern command along LAC

ITBP officer posted as head of eastern command along LAC

Rediff.com21 Oct 2020

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which guards the Line of Actual Control with China, has posted its first officer to head the newly-created Guwahati-based eastern command that oversees deployment of border battalions in that region.

US On Diplomacy Road With Taliban?

US On Diplomacy Road With Taliban?

Rediff.com29 Sep 2021

There is growing acceptance of the idea in the international community that engaging the Taliban government is a far better approach than ostracising it, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.