News for 'Health Ministry'

SC constitutes task force to address student suicides

SC constitutes task force to address student suicides

Rediff.com24 Mar 2025

The Supreme Court of India has formed a National Task Force (NTF) to address the growing concern of student suicides in higher educational institutions. The court took note of the recurring cases and directed Delhi Police to register FIRs on the complaints of families of two students who died by suicide at IIT Delhi in 2023. The NTF, chaired by former apex court judge Justice S Ravindra Bhat, will prepare a comprehensive report, including the identification of causes leading to suicides, analysis of existing regulations, and recommendations for strengthening protections. The NTF will also have the authority to conduct surprise inspections of higher educational institutions and make further recommendations to ensure a holistic approach to addressing mental health concerns and eliminating suicides.

First-ever phase-3 trial for dengue vaccine begins in India

First-ever phase-3 trial for dengue vaccine begins in India

Rediff.com14 Aug 2024

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Panacea Biotec have initiated the first-ever phase three clinical trial for developing a dengue vaccine in India, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday.

'Free Palestine' banner at UCL match irks French minister

'Free Palestine' banner at UCL match irks French minister

Rediff.com7 Nov 2024

UEFA to not place sanctions on PSG

Govt relaxes procurement norms for health, pharma ministries, DRDO

Govt relaxes procurement norms for health, pharma ministries, DRDO

Rediff.com10 May 2021

With the world's worst outbreak of COVID-19 severely straining the health system in the country, the government has made sweeping changes in the way departments procure medical supplies, including allowing procurement of the same item at different rates.

NDMA Plans 300 More Heat Action Plans as Mercury Rises

NDMA Plans 300 More Heat Action Plans as Mercury Rises

Rediff.com18 Mar 2025

States are mandated to develop and implement 'heat HAPs' for prevention of heat-induced diseases. But most do not go beyond standard advisory on heat prevention.

Sirens go off as Israel strikes down 'suspicious aerial targets'

Sirens go off as Israel strikes down 'suspicious aerial targets'

Rediff.com6 Oct 2024

The tensions between the two countries continue to remain high as several suspected drones launched from Lebanon were shot down by Israeli air defences on Sunday, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said.

Expanding Ayushman Bharat On Cards

Expanding Ayushman Bharat On Cards

Rediff.com15 Jun 2024

The move to expand the health insurance scheme's coverage comes at a time when several hospitals have complained of delays in reimbursement related to the procedures performed under the scheme.

Mpox confirmed in Kerala man who returned from UAE

Mpox confirmed in Kerala man who returned from UAE

Rediff.com18 Sep 2024

A 38-year-old man undergoing treatment in Kerala's northern Malappuram district has been confirmed to have contracted Mpox infection, the state health department said on Wednesday.

What Will Nirmalaji's Budget Be Like?

What Will Nirmalaji's Budget Be Like?

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

The Budget assumes significance as it comes on the back of lower-than-expected growth numbers during the second quarter and geopolitical uncertainty.

Tariff war escalates: China warns US of countermeasures, plans WTO suit

Tariff war escalates: China warns US of countermeasures, plans WTO suit

Rediff.com2 Feb 2025

In a statement, the Chinese ministry of commerce said that it would file a lawsuit with the World Trade Organisation against the US for its "wrongful practice," the Global Times reported.

Indian-origin soldier killed in car-ramming attack in West Bank

Indian-origin soldier killed in car-ramming attack in West Bank

Rediff.com12 Sep 2024

Staff Sergeant Geri Gideon Hanghal was a resident of Nof HaGalil and a soldier in the Kfir Brigade's Nahshon Battalion, the Israeli Army said.

An Agitation That Woke Up Kerala

An Agitation That Woke Up Kerala

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

It was a protest which held a mirror to the government of a state taking pride in its commitment to democracy, gender equality and social indices.One person, who in his employed days had known governments and political parties at close quarters, told me that public perception of how the Kerala government handled the ASHA workers' strike had been terrible, reports Shyam G Menon.

Can't confirm Covid XE case in Mumbai, says Maharashtra health minister

Can't confirm Covid XE case in Mumbai, says Maharashtra health minister

Rediff.com7 Apr 2022

Amid mounting concerns over the new 'XE' variant of Covid and a day after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation reported its first case in Mumbai, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Thursday said the state health department has not received any confirmation about the variant and thus cannot confirm it.

'No Politics When It Comes To The Country's Finances'

'No Politics When It Comes To The Country's Finances'

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

'Each state is unique, but when it comes to finance, the fundamentals cannot be different.'

'Take Advantage Of Trump Administration'

'Take Advantage Of Trump Administration'

Rediff.com19 Mar 2025

'Pick up momentum and find opportunities from an intelligence-sharing standpoint.'

Why BJP Still Hasn't Named Nadda's Successor

Why BJP Still Hasn't Named Nadda's Successor

Rediff.com18 Apr 2025

The prolonged delay over electing J P Nadda's successor possibly stems from the RSS leadership wanting a person who is at least equidistant from the Sangh as well as the Modi/BJP edifice, observes BJP-RSS watcher Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

Train crushes woman loco pilot returning after 'washroom break'

Train crushes woman loco pilot returning after 'washroom break'

Rediff.com14 Feb 2025

A woman loco pilot was killed in the Malda division of West Bengal after being hit by a speeding train while returning from a washroom break. The incident has sparked outrage among loco pilots' unions who have been demanding improved washroom facilities and safety measures for female drivers. This incident highlights the ongoing struggle for safe working conditions for women loco pilots, who face numerous challenges due to the lack of basic amenities and support.

14 killed in Israeli raid on West Bank refugee camp: Palestine

14 killed in Israeli raid on West Bank refugee camp: Palestine

Rediff.com21 Apr 2024

The Palestinian ministry of health said that they have found a number of bodies and injured people from the camp, as the IDF has partially withdrawn from the area.

Mysterious illness: J-K village declared 'containment zone'

Mysterious illness: J-K village declared 'containment zone'

Rediff.com23 Jan 2025

In view of the 'unidentified illness' in Rajouri's Badhal village, the village has been declared a containment zone, and the affected families' homes sealed; a few patients brought to Government Medical College (GMC) in Rajouri on Thursday.

After 3 years, a bureaucrat to head Sebi

After 3 years, a bureaucrat to head Sebi

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

Seasoned bureaucrat and a stickler for rules Finance Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey will be at the helm of capital market regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), for three years. The 1987-batch Odisha-cadre Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, Pandey, would replace Madhabi Puri Buch, whose three-year term ends on Friday.

WHO report 'baseless', attempt to 'tarnish' India's image: Health ministers

WHO report 'baseless', attempt to 'tarnish' India's image: Health ministers

Rediff.com7 May 2022

'There is no rationale behind the modelling methodology used by WHO to arrive at the estimate'

Covid-19: China refutes claims of 'gain-of-function' research at Wuhan lab

Covid-19: China refutes claims of 'gain-of-function' research at Wuhan lab

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

China has firmly denied that its Wuhan Institute of Virology conducted gain-of-function studies on coronavirus, rejecting allegations that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) funded such research at the lab. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, emphasized that the lab has never engaged in gain-of-function research, designed, made, or leaked COVID-19. China has also reiterated its stance on the origins-tracing of COVID-19, stating that the pandemic was "extremely unlikely" to have originated from a lab leak, as concluded by the WHO-China joint mission.

EC asks health secy to ramp up vaccination in 5 poll-bound states

EC asks health secy to ramp up vaccination in 5 poll-bound states

Rediff.com27 Dec 2021

An Allahabad high court bench of Justice Shekhar Yadav had on Thursday last urged the government and the poll panel to consider postponing the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections for a month or two and banning all political rallies amid the fears of an impending third wave of Covid.

NEET-PG Delay May Push Doctors Abroad

NEET-PG Delay May Push Doctors Abroad

Rediff.com24 Jun 2024

'The NEET-PG is the only exam for admission to MD, MS and PG Diploma courses.' 'Many doctors take time off from work to prepare for it, while others study during their long hospital shifts.'

Nipah Death Puts Kerala On Alert

Nipah Death Puts Kerala On Alert

Rediff.com22 Jul 2024

The scare of communicable diseases seems to be gripping the country with Maharashtra reporting 28 Zika cases this year, the highest since 2021.

Govt headhunter fails to find right candidate for BPCL top job

Govt headhunter fails to find right candidate for BPCL top job

Rediff.com2 Mar 2025

After HPCL, the government headhunter struggled to find a suitable candidate for the top job at Bharat Petroleum, as most applicants were narrow specialists lacking multidisciplinary experience needed to run a large organisation. The Public Enterprise Selection Board (PESB) last month interviewed a dozen candidates including BPCL director (finance) Vetsa Ramakrishna Gupta and its director (refineries) S Khanna but found none suitable for the job of chairman and managing director of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), according to a PESB order.

USTR Report Intensifies Trade Tensions With India

USTR Report Intensifies Trade Tensions With India

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

The US Trade Representative noted that India's average applied tariff rate stood at 17% per cent, the highest of any major world economy.

There will be some pain: Trump's message to Americans

There will be some pain: Trump's message to Americans

Rediff.com3 Feb 2025

United States President Donald Trump on Sunday criticised the trade deficits that the US has with Canada, Mexico, China, and argued that America should no longer 'subsidise' other countries, and urged businesses to manufacture domestically to avoid tariffs.

Meet India's new sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya

Meet India's new sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

Mansukh Mandaviya replaced Anurag Thakur in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new cabinet.

Doctors' strike cripples OPDs nationwide, Centre to form panel

Doctors' strike cripples OPDs nationwide, Centre to form panel

Rediff.com17 Aug 2024

The government on Saturday said a committee will be formed to propose safety measures for healthcare professionals even as OPD services were hit across the country as doctors joined the 24-hour nationwide strike called by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to protest the alleged rape and murder of a trainee medic in Kolkata.

'Exhausted In This Long Fight For Justice'

'Exhausted In This Long Fight For Justice'

Rediff.com9 Oct 2024

Two months after a junior doctor was brutally raped and killed, the doctors' protest in Kolkata rages on.

Want To Study In South Korea?

Want To Study In South Korea?

Rediff.com26 Feb 2025

The South Korean government is inviting applications for fully funded Seoul Tech Scholarships 2025.

EC to meet health officials to discuss holding polls amid Covid

EC to meet health officials to discuss holding polls amid Covid

Rediff.com27 Dec 2021

Assembly elections are due in five states including Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Uttarakhand, Goa, and Punjab for next year.

Budget proposes social security scheme for gig workers

Budget proposes social security scheme for gig workers

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said the government will arrange identity cards and registration on the e-Shram portal to assist 1 crore gig workers. Presenting the Union Budget 2025-26, the finance minister also said a scheme for the socio-economic upliftment of urban workers will be implemented.

Meet Nirmalaji's Budget Team

Meet Nirmalaji's Budget Team

Rediff.com30 Jan 2025

This will be the first full-year Budget of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government since it came to power for a third consecutive term in July last year.

Rijiju shunted out of law ministry, given earth sciences

Rijiju shunted out of law ministry, given earth sciences

Rediff.com18 May 2023

In a major cabinet reshuffle, Arjun Ram Meghwal has replaced Kiren Rijiju as the Union law and justice minister, a communique from the President's Secretariat said on Thursday.

Punjab DGP, MHA director meet fasting farmer leader Dallewal

Punjab DGP, MHA director meet fasting farmer leader Dallewal

Rediff.com15 Dec 2024

The Punjab Police chief, Gaurav Yadav, and a senior officer from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mayank Mishra, visited fasting farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana. They enquired about his health and heard his demands. Dallewal has been on a fast-unto-death since November 26 to press the Centre to accept the agitating farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP on crops. The visit came after the Supreme Court directed the Centre and Punjab government representatives to meet Dallewal and provide him medical help.

Doctors refuse to call off stir despite SC intervention

Doctors refuse to call off stir despite SC intervention

Rediff.com20 Aug 2024

The protest continued even as the Supreme Court intervened in the matter and constituted a 10-member National Task Force to formulate a protocol for ensuring the safety and security of doctors and other healthcare professionals.

Sena-UBT trolls Shinde over non-inclusion in NITI Aayog

Sena-UBT trolls Shinde over non-inclusion in NITI Aayog

Rediff.com17 Jul 2024

Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray leader Priyanka Chaturvedi on Wednesday took potshots at the rival Shiv Sena over its minister not finding a place in the reconstituted NITI Aayog.

Exports contracts; trade deficit widens to $23 bn

Exports contracts; trade deficit widens to $23 bn

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

eclined for the third month in a row in January, falling by 2.38 per cent year-on-year to $36.43 billion, while the trade deficit widened to $22.99 billion in the month. Imports rose by 10.28 per cent year-on-year to $59.42 billion in January due to an increase gold shipments, according to the Commerce Ministry data. The trade deficit was $21.94 billion in December and $16.55 billion in January last year.