News for 'General Services Administration'

2+2: COMCASA saves the day!

2+2: COMCASA saves the day!

Rediff.com10 Sep 2018

'India appears to have stood its ground on strategic autonomy by resisting US pressure on Russia, China and Iran, but succumbed to the temptation to walk into a tighter embrace in defence cooperation, a high priority of the Trump administration,' notes Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

Probing Vadra deal gets IAS officer his 43rd transfer

Probing Vadra deal gets IAS officer his 43rd transfer

Rediff.com16 Oct 2012

A senior Indian Administrative Service officer from Haryana is at the centre of a raging controversy after he was transferred in the wake of his decision to probe the alleged undervaluation of properties dealt with by Robert Vadra, son-in-law of Congress President Sonia Gandhi

UP cop lashes out at Mayawati, govt calls him 'mentally ill'

UP cop lashes out at Mayawati, govt calls him 'mentally ill'

Rediff.com5 Nov 2011

Caught in a cleft stick over the charges of rampant corruption leveled by a senior Indian Police Service officer, the Mayawati administration on Saturday ordered a high-level probe. DD Misra, deputy inspector general, state fire services pointed towards a scam worth crores of rupees in the fire department.

Be Prepared for Taliban Terror

Be Prepared for Taliban Terror

Rediff.com1 Sep 2021

Pakistan would want to take full advantage of the situation to direct Taliban trained terrorists into the Kashmir Valley, alert Lieutenant General Ashok Joshi (retd) and Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Dalit leader Charanjit Singh Channi is new Punjab CM

Dalit leader Charanjit Singh Channi is new Punjab CM

Rediff.com20 Sep 2021

The Congress picked Charanjit Singh Channi as the next chief minister of Punjab, making him the first Dailt to hold the post in the state, a day after Amarinder Singh resigned following a bitter power tussle in the party.

Why Central Vista project is all wrong

Why Central Vista project is all wrong

Rediff.com25 May 2021

The project shows a lack of respect for history, even if an inalienable part of it is colonial history, asserts T N Ninan.

Horror of Australia's wildfires emerge

Horror of Australia's wildfires emerge

Rediff.com3 Jan 2020

Bushfires are an annual problem for Australia, but this season has been unprecedented. As of January 2, about 5.9 million hectares (13.5 million acres) of land has been burnt; that's larger than Denmark and The Netherlands. The Australian state of New South Wales also declared its third emergency in as many months -- the last two times, in November and December. Furthermore, 18 people have died, eight on New Year's Eve, making it one of Australia's most deadly bushfire seasons.

Soon you may not go to jail for bouncing a cheque

Soon you may not go to jail for bouncing a cheque

Rediff.com10 Jun 2020

The finance ministry has proposed to decriminalise a host of minor offences, including those relating to cheque bounce and repayment of loans, in as many as 19 legislations to help businesses tide over the crisis caused by the coronavirus outbreak. The 19 legislations include Negotiable Instruments Act (cheque bounce), SARFAESI Act (repayment of bank loans), LIC Act, PFRDA Act, RBI Act, NHB Act, Banking Regulation Act and Chit Funds Act.

SC orders release of prisoners to decongest jails amid Covid surge

SC orders release of prisoners to decongest jails amid Covid surge

Rediff.com8 May 2021

Referring to a judgement, the top court asked authorities not to arrest mechanically in cases where the maximum sentence is up to seven years of jail term.

Analysts bullish on PSU stocks on divestment hope

Analysts bullish on PSU stocks on divestment hope

Rediff.com25 Mar 2021

The divestment process, however, will not be an easy affair as there are multiple stakeholders, including the employee unions, whose concerns will have to be addressed.

SA cricket franchises earn profits for first time in 25 years

SA cricket franchises earn profits for first time in 25 years

Rediff.com1 Sep 2016

Cricket South Africa's (CSA) franchises have experienced profits for the first time since the country was reinstated into international cricket in 1991. CSA President Chris Nenzani attributed this achievement to heightened corporate governance and diligent operational processes at its affiliates. "Congratulations to all concerned with these outstanding results," Nenzani said.

R-Day eve address: Prez stresses on observance of Fundamental Duties

R-Day eve address: Prez stresses on observance of Fundamental Duties

Rediff.com25 Jan 2022

In his address to the nation on the eve of 73rd Republic Day, President Kovind noted that democracy, justice, liberty, equality and fraternity form the bedrock of India and stressed that the observance of Fundamental Duties mentioned in the Constitution creates the proper environment for the enjoyment of Fundamental Rights.

Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez to headline Biden inauguration

Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez to headline Biden inauguration

Rediff.com14 Jan 2021

Lady Gaga will perform the national anthem. There will be a musical performance by Lopez, who has used her voice during the coronavirus pandemic to speak out against its disproportionate toll on minority communities.

China offers its COVID vaccine to diplomats, foreign scribes

China offers its COVID vaccine to diplomats, foreign scribes

Rediff.com18 Mar 2021

A notice issued to the foreign journalists on Wednesday said they can get the Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine, developed by Sinopharm's China National Biotec Group. Sinopharm's COVID-19 vaccine has been granted conditional market approval by China's National Medical Products Administration.

1 killed in firing during violent protests in Rajasthan's Dungarpur

1 killed in firing during violent protests in Rajasthan's Dungarpur

Rediff.com27 Sep 2020

Candidates of a teacher recruitment exam confronted police and indulged in arson while a delegation of theirs met Tribal Area Development Minister Arjun Singh Bamniya in Udaipur. While the meeting was going on, the protesters confronted the police again in the evening following which police opened fire to control the situation.

Will taxpayer's charter help bridge trust deficit?

Will taxpayer's charter help bridge trust deficit?

Rediff.com10 Feb 2020

India is often viewed as an aggressive tax jurisdiction by domestic and overseas taxpayers, and making the charter as part of the Act may help restore confidence among taxpayers.

No lockdown in 5 UP cities: SC puts HC order on hold

No lockdown in 5 UP cities: SC puts HC order on hold

Rediff.com20 Apr 2021

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Uttar Pradesh, said the state has taken several steps to contain the spread of coronavirus but to "lockdown five cities by a judicial order may not be the right approach".

Indian green economist wins 'environment Nobel'

Indian green economist wins 'environment Nobel'

Rediff.com28 Jan 2020

Renowned Indian environmental economist and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) goodwill ambassador Pavan Sukhdev has won the 2020 Tyler Prize, regarded as the 'Nobel Prize for the Environment', for his ground-breaking "green economy" work. Sukhdev, 59, who will receive the award alongside conservation biologist Gretchen Daily, has been acknowledged for his work on bringing the economic consequences of environmental degradation and loss to the attention of corporate and political decision-makers.

Pak tries to stop US from backing Pasha's suit

Pak tries to stop US from backing Pasha's suit

Rediff.com24 Dec 2010

Pakistani diplomats are engaged in behind-the-scenes diplomacy in a bid to stop United States President Barack Obama's administration from supporting a lawsuit filed against Inter-Services Intelligence chief Lieutenant General Ahmed Shuja Pasha in a US court by relatives of two Jewish-American victims of the Mumbai terror attacks.

Pentagon defends India's ASAT test

Pentagon defends India's ASAT test

Rediff.com12 Apr 2019

"The first lesson from the Indian ASAT is just the simple question of why did they do that. And the answer should be, I think to all the committee looking at it, is that they did that because they are concerned about threats to their nation from space," US Strategic Command Commander General John E Hyten told members of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday.

Moderna says its COVID-19 vaccine is 94.5% effective

Moderna says its COVID-19 vaccine is 94.5% effective

Rediff.com16 Nov 2020

Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Moderna's announcement comes just a week after Pfizer and Biontech said their COVID-19 vaccine candidate was found to be more than 90 per cent effective in preventing COVID-19 in participants.

Trump drops H-1B visa plan that could get 750,000 Indians deported

Trump drops H-1B visa plan that could get 750,000 Indians deported

Rediff.com9 Jan 2018

This provides for H-1B extensions beyond the 6-year limit.

SC reserves order on quota benefits in job promotions

SC reserves order on quota benefits in job promotions

Rediff.com30 Aug 2018

Attorney General K K Venugopal, appearing for the Centre, strongly argued in favour of granting quota to SC/ST employees.

'Indian call centres stole $300 million from Americans'

'Indian call centres stole $300 million from Americans'

Rediff.com28 Oct 2016

The five Ahmedabad-based call centres that made calls to people living in the US are Hglobal, Call Mantra, Worldwide Solution, Zoriion Communications and Sharma BPO Services.

Govt has no business to be in business: Modi

Govt has no business to be in business: Modi

Rediff.com24 Feb 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the government has no business to be in business and his administration is committed to privatising all PSUs barring the bare minimum in four strategic sectors. "It is government's duty to support enterprises and businesses. But it is not essential that it should own and run enterprises," he said. Modi also said the Centre's policy is to either monetise or modernise public sector enterprises, with the intent that the government has "no business to be in business".

India, Pakistan, Taliban On Same Page?

India, Pakistan, Taliban On Same Page?

Rediff.com30 Nov 2021

Delhi has come to accept the Taliban takeover in Kabul as a reality and seems increasingly unsure of its dogmatic view of the Taliban as a mere proxy of the Pakistani military and security establishment, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

19 arrested in UP for violence during anti-CAA protest

19 arrested in UP for violence during anti-CAA protest

Rediff.com17 Dec 2019

Protesters had vandalised a police station and torched vehicles in Mau. Internet services have been suspended in the district.

Cricket Buzz: BCCI extends Ratnakar Shetty's contract as GM

Cricket Buzz: BCCI extends Ratnakar Shetty's contract as GM

Rediff.com3 Apr 2018

Chaudhary conveyed the message to Shetty through an e-mail.

Curfew-like 48-hr total shutdown in 3 Odisha cities

Curfew-like 48-hr total shutdown in 3 Odisha cities

Rediff.com3 Apr 2020

The ongoing lockdown in force in other parts of the state will continue during which essential supplies like groceries, vegetables, fruits and milk will be available to the people.

COVID-19: Curbs put in 2 Maha districts, mutations found

COVID-19: Curbs put in 2 Maha districts, mutations found

Rediff.com18 Feb 2021

Researchers have found two new mutations in coronavirus samples from Amravati and Yavatmal districts of eastern Maharashtra which can escape neutralising antibodies, a senior official said on Thrusday. Meanwhile, authorities in the two districts have announced strict implementation of restrictions, including a weekend lockdown in Amravati, to stem the rising cases of COVID-19.

Bureaucrats, ex-servicemen in fray for Haryana polls

Bureaucrats, ex-servicemen in fray for Haryana polls

Rediff.com6 Oct 2014

In the wake of forthcoming assembly polls in Haryana, retired bureaucrats and police officers are in the fray to test political waters in the 'jat' heartland which goes to polls on October 15.

Medical devices to be treated as drugs from next fiscal

Medical devices to be treated as drugs from next fiscal

Rediff.com12 Feb 2020

The new regime aims to bring in ease of doing business, as the NITI Aayog has proposed to do away with the need to have manufacturing licences to register medical devices or to get a certificate of compliance.

After Fin Min objection, Railways stops officers' promotion

After Fin Min objection, Railways stops officers' promotion

Rediff.com1 Jun 2014

A scam had come to light in two lesser-known services-- Railway Board Secretariat Service and Railway Board Secretariat Clerical Service -- where promotions were being made allegedly without following due procedures and bypassing Union Cabinet's jurisdiction.

Armed forces fume despite MoD's clarification over rank parity

Armed forces fume despite MoD's clarification over rank parity

Rediff.com27 Oct 2016

The armed forces continue to be upset with the government over a defence ministry circular regarding rank parity vis-a-vis their civilian counterparts at the Service headquarters even though the ministry issued a statement on Thursday, saying no downgradation had been done.

How babus yearn to wear the judicial hat in tribunals

How babus yearn to wear the judicial hat in tribunals

Rediff.com7 Jun 2018

'Experience of administration may make a member of civil service a good administrator but not necessarily an able and impartial adjudicator,' observes the Supreme Court.

Trump picks Jeff Sessions for AG, Pompeo for CIA chief

Trump picks Jeff Sessions for AG, Pompeo for CIA chief

Rediff.com18 Nov 2016

Alabama Senator Sessions, who was among the first Senator to support Trump in the early part of his campaign and had served was the head of his national security team has been offered the position of US Attorney General, Fox News said.

Delhi govt cancels appointment of 9 advisors to AAP ministers

Delhi govt cancels appointment of 9 advisors to AAP ministers

Rediff.com17 Apr 2018

Sources said the MHA directions came after the services department wrote to it seeking to know the legal status of the appointment of the nine advisors.

Centre to borrow on behalf of states to meet GST shortfall

Centre to borrow on behalf of states to meet GST shortfall

Rediff.com15 Oct 2020

The Central government will borrow up to Rs 1.1 lakh crore on behalf of the states to bridge the shortfall in GST collections, the finance ministry said on Thursday. A slowdown in the economy since last fiscal has resulted in a drop in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections, upsetting the budgets of states which had given up their right to levy local taxes such as sales tax or VAT when GST was introduced in July 2017. To make up for the shortfall, borrowing from the market was proposed.

SC okays permanent commission for women in navy

SC okays permanent commission for women in navy

Rediff.com17 Mar 2020

The bench said denying permanent commission to women officers who have served the nation would result in serious miscarriage of justice.

Haryana govt chargesheets whistleblower IAS officer Khemka

Haryana govt chargesheets whistleblower IAS officer Khemka

Rediff.com27 Sep 2013

Cracking the whip on whistleblower IAS officer Ashok Khemka, the Haryana government has decided to charge sheet him for alleged administrative misconduct in cancelling the mutation of the land deal between Robert Vadra and real estate major DLF in Gurgaon.