News for 'Information Commission'

HC rejects scribe Langa's plea to quash FIR in GMB document theft case

HC rejects scribe Langa's plea to quash FIR in GMB document theft case

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

The Gujarat High Court dismissed a plea filed by journalist Mahesh Langa seeking the quashing of an FIR registered against him for allegedly stealing "highly sensitive and confidential documents" belonging to the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB). The court found that prima facie, Langa's involvement in the crime was evident from the evidence collected during the investigation. The court further stated that the investigation is at a nascent stage and it would be inappropriate to exercise its inherent powers in favor of the petitioner at this stage.

Sitharaman on how India will remain an engine of growth despite Trump's tariff

Sitharaman on how India will remain an engine of growth despite Trump's tariff

Rediff.com8 Apr 2025

The resilience of the economy and strength of domestic demand will continue to make India an engine of growth amid the rapidly evolving global trade landscape as a result of US tariffs, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in London on Tuesday.

Midnight decision disrespectful: Rahul on CEC appointment

Midnight decision disrespectful: Rahul on CEC appointment

Rediff.com18 Feb 2025

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has criticized the government's decision to appoint Gyanesh Kumar as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) in the middle of the night, arguing that it is "disrespectful" and "discourteous" given the ongoing Supreme Court challenge to the selection process. Gandhi presented a dissent note to the selection committee, stating that the process violates the Supreme Court order and undermines the integrity of the electoral process.

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.

US Firms Back Trump's India Tariffs

US Firms Back Trump's India Tariffs

Rediff.com31 Mar 2025

Industry associations and companies in the United States, including the US Chamber of Commerce, Coalition of Services Industries and the iconic bike company Harley Davidson have called on the Donald Trump dispensation to push India to reduce tariffs, non-tariffs, and regulatory barriers to boost American exports.

Review: The Waking Of A Nation: Boring!

Review: The Waking Of A Nation: Boring!

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

Ram Madhvani's series is all over the place and also boring to watch, complains Deepa Gahlot.

President nod for FIR against Sisodia, Jain in Rs 2,000-cr classroom scam

President nod for FIR against Sisodia, Jain in Rs 2,000-cr classroom scam

Rediff.com13 Mar 2025

President Droupadi Murmu has approved the registration of an FIR against AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain in an alleged scam of Rs 2,000 crore in the construction of classrooms in Delhi government schools. The alleged scam involves the construction of around 12,748 classrooms at an inflated cost, according to a report by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of the Delhi government. The ACB report alleged that the classrooms were constructed at a rate of Rs 8,800 per square feet, whereas the average construction cost was around Rs 1,500 per square feet. The President's approval came under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Punjab: Grenade attack on BJP leader's home, 2 held; ISI link suspected

Punjab: Grenade attack on BJP leader's home, 2 held; ISI link suspected

Rediff.com8 Apr 2025

A loud sound was heard at around 1 am outside Kalia's residence near Shastri Market in Jalandhar, police said, adding that no one was hurt in the incident.

Govt examines need for law to regulate digital content

Govt examines need for law to regulate digital content

Rediff.com22 Feb 2025

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry is examining the existing statutory provisions and the need for a new legal framework to regulate 'harmful' content amid complaints of 'obscenity and violence' being shown on digital platforms.

After cement, Adani and Birla are set for a face-off in the wires and cable biz

After cement, Adani and Birla are set for a face-off in the wires and cable biz

Rediff.com30 Mar 2025

After cement, billionaire Gautam Adani's group and Kumar Mangalam Birla's Aditya Birla Group are set for a face-off in the wires and cable business with both conglomerates announcing forays into the high double-digit growth sector.

Allahbadia row: Mumbai police grills Apoorva, 3 others

Allahbadia row: Mumbai police grills Apoorva, 3 others

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

The Mumbai Police have recorded statements from four individuals, including social media influencer Apoorva Mukhija, in connection with controversial remarks made by Ranveer Allahbadia on the YouTube show "India's Got Talent." The controversy erupted after a video of Allahbadia's comments sparked debate on freedom of speech and decency. The Maharashtra Cyber Department registered a First Information Report against the show, and a BJP functionary filed a complaint alleging offensive language targeting disabled persons. Allahbadia has issued an apology, but the issue has gained significant attention, prompting calls for regulation of social media and an NCW summons to those involved.

A Mighty Warship Gets Ready To Roar!

A Mighty Warship Gets Ready To Roar!

Rediff.com14 Jan 2025

INS Surat is the Indian Navy's first AI enabled warship.

Are I-T Returns Details Private?

Are I-T Returns Details Private?

Rediff.com21 Sep 2024

Disclosing an individual's income-tax returns is tantamount to violating the person's fundamental right to privacy as recognised by the Constitution.

IRS officer, kin found dead at Kerala home; sister was facing CBI case

IRS officer, kin found dead at Kerala home; sister was facing CBI case

Rediff.com22 Feb 2025

The Kerala Police are investigating the mysterious deaths of an IRS officer, his sister, and their mother in Kochi. The officer, Maneesh Vijay, and his sister, Shalini Vijay, were found hanging inside their house, while their mother, Shakuntala Agarwal, was discovered dead on her bed. Police have not yet established a direct link between the deaths and a CBI case in which Shalini was summoned as an accused. Preliminary findings suggest the siblings died by suicide, but the cause of their mother's death is still under investigation. The family had been residing in the quarters for the past year and a half but reportedly kept to themselves, maintaining limited interaction with neighbours, police added.

Builder-Buyer Deals: How To Stay Alert

Builder-Buyer Deals: How To Stay Alert

Rediff.com4 Mar 2025

'Buyers should be provided either a fixed possession date or a firm date for the start of construction.'

Allahbadia apologises for 'parents have sex' remarks after backlash

Allahbadia apologises for 'parents have sex' remarks after backlash

Rediff.com10 Feb 2025

During his recent appearance on the show, Ranveer Allahbadia asked a contestant whether they would rather watch their parents have sex for the rest of their life or join them once and put a stop to it.

New FBI chief Kash Patel traces his roots to Gujarat village

New FBI chief Kash Patel traces his roots to Gujarat village

Rediff.com21 Feb 2025

Kash Patel, the first Indian-American to head the FBI, has traced his roots to Bhadran village in Gujarat's Anand district. Patel's family migrated to Uganda 70 to 80 years ago, before selling their ancestral houses and moving to foreign countries. Patel was born in New York and is a trained lawyer who is an ice-hockey fan.

'Unable To Crack UPSC. Please Help!'

'Unable To Crack UPSC. Please Help!'

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

rediffGURU Major Inderpaul Singh (retd) offers career guidance and helps students and individuals handle challenges in their professional lives.

Cong moves SC against amendments to election rules

Cong moves SC against amendments to election rules

Rediff.com24 Dec 2024

The Congress on Tuesday filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court challenging the recent amendments to the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 and expressed hope that the apex court will help restore the 'fast eroding' integrity of the electoral process.

Samay Raina removes all 'India's Got Latent' episodes after row

Samay Raina removes all 'India's Got Latent' episodes after row

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

Comedian Samay Raina has removed all episodes of his YouTube show "India's Got Latent" following a controversy sparked by influencer Ranveer Allahbadia's comments. Raina said he will cooperate with investigating agencies and apologized for the controversy. The show faced widespread criticism after Allahbadia's remarks about parents and sex went viral. The incident has led to police investigations and summons from the National Commission for Women.

Allahbadia row: Maharashtra cyber police summons 40 persons

Allahbadia row: Maharashtra cyber police summons 40 persons

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

Social media influencer Allahbadia is likely to appear before the city police in a day or two.

Maha BJP MLA in a soup as women's panel steps in over actor Prajakta remarks

Maha BJP MLA in a soup as women's panel steps in over actor Prajakta remarks

Rediff.com30 Dec 2024

The Maharashtra State Commission for Women has directed Mumbai Police to take immediate action on a complaint filed by actor Prajakta Mali against MLA Suresh Dhas for making inappropriate remarks about her. Mali alleged that Dhas' comments impacted her personal and social life and led to defamatory content being circulated online. The commission has instructed the Mumbai Police Commissioner to submit a factual report on the matter. Dhas has stated that he is ready to face any consequences regarding the issue and has emphasized the need to focus on the Santosh Deshmukh murder case and crime in Beed district.

Assam CM may order SIT probe into 'Pak links' of Gogoi's wife

Assam CM may order SIT probe into 'Pak links' of Gogoi's wife

Rediff.com15 Feb 2025

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into allegations of Pakistan links of Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi's British wife Elizabeth Colburn. Sarma alleged that Colburn had visited Pakistan after her marriage and that there are apprehensions of ISI infiltration into the Chief Minister's Office when Gogoi's father, the late Tarun Gogoi, was the chief minister. Sarma also shared screenshots of social media posts by Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, an advisor of the Pakistan Planning Commission and a former colleague of Colburn, claiming that the relationship between the Gogois and Sheikh appeared to be "deeply rooted." Sarma's allegations have been rejected by the Congress as "laughable and entertaining."

'Fraud on society': Ex-IAS trainee Puja Khedkar denied pre-arrest bail

'Fraud on society': Ex-IAS trainee Puja Khedkar denied pre-arrest bail

Rediff.com23 Dec 2024

Khedkar is accused of misrepresenting information in her application for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2022, to get reservation benefits.

Did US meddle in Indian elections? Trump drops big hint

Did US meddle in Indian elections? Trump drops big hint

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

Trump further pointed out India's strong economic position and high tariffs on US goods, stating, "They got a lot of money. They're one of the highest taxing countries in the world in terms of us. We can hardly get in there because their tariffs are so high."

ED team raids former CM Bhupesh Baghel's premises, alleges attack

ED team raids former CM Bhupesh Baghel's premises, alleges attack

Rediff.com11 Mar 2025

The Enforcement Directorate on Monday raided the premises of former Chhattisgarh chief minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel as part of a money laundering investigation against his son in the alleged liquor scam case and seized about Rs 30 lakh apart from some documents, official sources said.

Why Was Your Health Claim Rejected?

Why Was Your Health Claim Rejected?

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

Health insurance claims are often denied due to exclusions in policy terms. Buyers frequently overlook the fine print or misinterpret clauses.

SC to hear woman SP's rape case against IPS officer

SC to hear woman SP's rape case against IPS officer

Rediff.com20 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court has postponed the hearing on a plea filed by a Bihar Police woman officer against a Patna High Court order that quashed the FIR against an IPS officer whom she accused of rape on the false promise of marriage. The court asked the woman's lawyer to make certain amendments to the petition before the next hearing in two weeks.

How to get more bang for the buck out of field agents

How to get more bang for the buck out of field agents

Rediff.com23 Jan 2025

Will allowing business correspondents to hawk insurance products help in reviving 5-lakh strong field agents as a viable channel?

'India Must Not Support Nepal's Ex-King'

'India Must Not Support Nepal's Ex-King'

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

'Gyanendra back on the throne would be bad news for the Nepali people. He may not have learnt from his experience, but we have.'

'CBI should reveal discoveries from Swizz evidence on Bofors payoffs'

'CBI should reveal discoveries from Swizz evidence on Bofors payoffs'

Rediff.com9 Mar 2025

Journalist and author Chitra Subramaniam has demanded that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) make public its findings from the "box of evidence" received from Switzerland regarding the Bofors payoffs. Subramaniam, author of 'Boforsgate: A Journalist's Pursuit of Truth', expressed concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the evidence, questioning who opened the box, when it was opened, and what it contained. She also raised doubts about the official narrative regarding the alleged bribe in the Bofors case, suggesting the sum of Rs 64 crore may not reflect the full extent of the corruption. Subramaniam also alleged that the CBI planted stories about Hindi film actor Amitabh Bachchan to derail the investigation and launched a political vendetta against the Bachchans. She recalled that Bachchan had come to her home and asked if she had seen his name. The CBI has recently requested assistance from the United States in the case, seeking information from private investigator Michael Hershman, who claims to have crucial details about the scandal. The Bofors scandal, a major bribery case involving the Indian government and the Swedish arms manufacturer Bofors in the 1980s, pertains to allegations of a Rs 64-crore bribe in a Rs 1,437-crore deal for the supply of 400 155mm field Howitzers.

Will create robust mechanism to check suicides at IITs, IIMs: SC

Will create robust mechanism to check suicides at IITs, IIMs: SC

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

The Supreme Court of India has assured the creation of a robust mechanism to address the alarming number of suicides occurring in Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). The court was informed that 18 suicides had taken place in these institutions over the past 14 months. The court has also directed the University Grants Commission (UGC) to finalize draft regulations aimed at combating caste-based discrimination in educational institutions.

Rs 1.2 Lakh Scholarship For Entrance Exam Coaching

Rs 1.2 Lakh Scholarship For Entrance Exam Coaching

Rediff.com28 Nov 2024

Students from de-notified tribes, nomadic tribes and semi-nomadic tribes will receive coaching fees of up to 1,20,000 and additional benefits for preparing for entrance examinations such as JEE, NEET, CLAT and the NDA.

Weak earnings, slow execution play spoilsport for Power Grid Corp

Weak earnings, slow execution play spoilsport for Power Grid Corp

Rediff.com18 Feb 2025

Power Grid Corporation of India's (PWGR's) Q3FY25 revenue declined 3 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to Rs 11,200 crore, with operating profit falling 7 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 9,500 crore and margin contracting to 85 per cent from 91 per cent Y-o-Y. Other income surged 89 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 500 crore, but regulatory income dropped 62 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 42.5 crore.

Analysts bullish on HDFC Life post Q3 results; Nomura upgrades to 'Buy'

Analysts bullish on HDFC Life post Q3 results; Nomura upgrades to 'Buy'

Rediff.com17 Jan 2025

HDFC Life Insurance Company (HDFC Life) delivered a strong performance in the December quarter of the current financial year (Q3FY25), exceeding market expectations with robust earnings growth. The company reported a 13.7 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) increase in net profit to Rs 414.9 crore in the quarter. The value of new business (VNB) rose 8.6 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 930 crore, compared to Rs 856 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

SC protects ex-IAS trainee Puja Khedkar from arrest till Feb 14

SC protects ex-IAS trainee Puja Khedkar from arrest till Feb 14

Rediff.com15 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court has granted anticipatory bail to Puja Khedkar, a former IAS probationer, who is accused of cheating and wrongly availing OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services examination. Khedkar is accused of misrepresenting information in her application for the UPSC civil services examination, 2022, to get reservation benefits. She has refuted all the allegations against her.

It's treason: Rahul slams RSS chief's 'true Independence' remark

It's treason: Rahul slams RSS chief's 'true Independence' remark

Rediff.com15 Jan 2025

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat of treason for his remark that India got "true independence" after the Ram temple consecration. Gandhi also criticized the Election Commission, alleging a "serious problem" with the country's election system.

Why are we giving $21 million to India?: Trump on DOGE cut

Why are we giving $21 million to India?: Trump on DOGE cut

Rediff.com19 Feb 2025

Trump made these remarks after Elon Musk-led DOGE's (Department of Government Efficiency) disclosed that USAID contributed USD 21 million to Election Commission for boosting voter turnout.

With Samariya India gets CIC after a month, but 6 openings remain

With Samariya India gets CIC after a month, but 6 openings remain

Rediff.com6 Nov 2023

Samariya, the first Dalit to have been appointed to the post, was working as information commissioner in the transparency panel Central Information Commission (CIC). A 1985-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Telangana cadre, Samariya retired after serving as the labour and employment secretary in the Government of India. He was sworn in as the information commissioner on November 7, 2020.

CEC reacts on EVM, voter roll tampering allegations

CEC reacts on EVM, voter roll tampering allegations

Rediff.com7 Jan 2025

On deletions, Kumar clarified that they are processed only through Form 7 or Form B, following strict guidelines.