News for 'Legislative Department'

Rajasthan, Andhra, Assam oppose same-sex marriage: Centre tells SC

Rajasthan, Andhra, Assam oppose same-sex marriage: Centre tells SC

Rediff.com10 May 2023

The Centre had, in an affidavit filed in the apex court earlier, said it had issued a letter on April 18 to all states inviting comments and views on the "seminal issue" raised in these petitions.

Govt accepts Cairn's offer on retro tax

Govt accepts Cairn's offer on retro tax

Rediff.com18 Nov 2021

Moving quickly towards ending a retrospective tax dispute with a firm that gave India its largest oilfield, the government has accepted Cairn Energy PLC's undertakings which would allow for the refund of taxes, sources said. Meeting the requirements of the new legislation that scraps levy of retrospective taxation, the company had earlier this month given required undertakings indemnifying the Indian government against future claims as well as agreeing to drop any legal proceedings anywhere in the world. The government has now accepted this and issued Cairn a so-called Form-II, committing to refund the tax collected to enforce the retrospective tax demand, two sources with direct knowledge of the development said.

Digital Competition Law Worries Big Tech

Digital Competition Law Worries Big Tech

Rediff.com18 Jan 2023

'The message is not clear whether we are wanted.' 'All this could adversely impact our strategy in India and also investments.'

TMC, AAP, CPI to boycott new Parliament's inauguration, more parties may follow suit

TMC, AAP, CPI to boycott new Parliament's inauguration, more parties may follow suit

Rediff.com23 May 2023

The Trinamool Congress and the Communist Party of India on Tuesday said they will skip the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building even as the war of words over the prime minister and not the President scheduled to do the honours on May 28 continued between the government and the Congress.

Can invoke special powers to dissolve marriage: SC

Can invoke special powers to dissolve marriage: SC

Rediff.com1 May 2023

A five-judge Constitution bench said the SC is empowered under Article 142 of the Constitution to do complete justice.

AMU's Governance Structure Is Democratic, Not Divine

AMU's Governance Structure Is Democratic, Not Divine

Rediff.com18 Mar 2023

These self-appointed well-wishers of AMU are basically for the control or police model of university governance. They have no faith whatsoever in the democratic functioning of the universities, observes Faizan Mustafa, former dean, Faculty of Law, and Registrar, Aligarh Muslim University.

Sawant, 8 ministers take oath in Goa, Rane among 4 dropped

Sawant, 8 ministers take oath in Goa, Rane among 4 dropped

Rediff.com28 Mar 2022

Sawant took the oath in Konkani language.

Didn't send any official: Kerala minister replies to Atishi's tweet

Didn't send any official: Kerala minister replies to Atishi's tweet

Rediff.com24 Apr 2022

Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty Sunday contradicted Aam Aadmi Party legislator Atishi's claims that 'officials from Kerala visited a government school in Delhi to understand and implement the city's education model', asserting that his state's Department of Education never sent any officials to the national capital.

No govt exists in Maha when rains are wreaking havoc: Raut

No govt exists in Maha when rains are wreaking havoc: Raut

Rediff.com14 Jul 2022

"Maharashtra is again under a lockdown. Nearly 100 people have died due to floods," he said.

Retro Tax: Cairn drops lawsuits in US, UK

Retro Tax: Cairn drops lawsuits in US, UK

Rediff.com26 Dec 2021

Britain's Cairn Energy Plc has dropped lawsuits against the Indian government and its entities in the US and other places and is in the final stages of withdrawing cases in Paris and the Netherlands to get back about Rs 7,900 crore that were collected from it to enforce a retrospective tax demand. As part of the settlement reached with the government to the seven-year old dispute over levy of back taxes, the company - which is now known as Capricorn Energy PLC - has initiated proceedings to withdraw lawsuits it had filed in several jurisdictions to enforce an international arbitration award which had overturned levy of Rs 10,247 crore retrospective taxes and ordered India to refund the money already collected. Two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said Cairn on November 26 withdrew the lawsuit it had brought in Mauritius for recognition of the arbitration award and took similar measures in courts in Singapore, the UK and Canada.

Odisha govt no to sharing info on Puri Jagannath temple's treasury

Odisha govt no to sharing info on Puri Jagannath temple's treasury

Rediff.com29 Aug 2022

Shree Jagannath Temple Administration under the state law department, did not respond to the queries of Bolangir-based RTI activist Hemant Panda.

Hemant Soren wins trust vote amid walkout by BJP MLAs

Hemant Soren wins trust vote amid walkout by BJP MLAs

Rediff.com6 Sep 2022

Soren also claimed that his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma indulged in "purchase" of Jharkhand MLAs.

Lokpal Bill sent to President for assent

Lokpal Bill sent to President for assent

Rediff.com31 Dec 2013

The much-awaited anti-corruption measure Lokpal was tonight one step short of becoming a law with the government sending the bill to President Pranab Mukherjee for his assent.

'Biren Singh's BJP government is playing with fire in Manipur'

'Biren Singh's BJP government is playing with fire in Manipur'

Rediff.com18 May 2023

'Had it not been for the complicity of the state and Biren Singh's leadership, these riots would not have spread this far and for so long.'

Encroaching on others' rights, HC tells Jains seeking ban on meat ads

Encroaching on others' rights, HC tells Jains seeking ban on meat ads

Rediff.com26 Sep 2022

The Bombay high court on Monday asked three Jain religious charitable trusts and a city resident practising Jainism why they were seeking to encroach on the rights of others by appealing for restrictions or ban on advertisements for meat and meat products in print and electronic media.

BJP denies council ticket for Pankaja Munde again

BJP denies council ticket for Pankaja Munde again

Rediff.com8 Jun 2022

Earlier, there were speculations that the party may nominate Pankaja Munde, the daughter of late BJP leader Gopinath Munde, for the MLC polls, to be held on June 20.

21 die in Bihar hooch tragedy; triggers political slugfest

21 die in Bihar hooch tragedy; triggers political slugfest

Rediff.com14 Dec 2022

Sale and consumption of alcohol was completely banned in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government in April, 2016.

MP CM allocates portfolios, Scindia loyalists get key ministries

MP CM allocates portfolios, Scindia loyalists get key ministries

Rediff.com13 Jul 2020

The 28 new ministers who joined the Chouhan cabinet on July 2 include 20 of cabinet rank and eight ministers of state.

Chintan Shivir: Cong plans 50% quota for SCs, STs, minorities in party

Chintan Shivir: Cong plans 50% quota for SCs, STs, minorities in party

Rediff.com14 May 2022

Noting that a very important policy for advancement of SCs and STs was Schedules Caste Sub-Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan, Raju said the group has recommended a central and states' legislation on them.

Call to treat widows with dignity grows after Maharashtra village shows way

Call to treat widows with dignity grows after Maharashtra village shows way

Rediff.com20 May 2022

Days after Herwad village in Maharashtra's Kolhapur district passed a resolution to ban the customs associated with widowhood to maintain women's "right to live with dignity", those spearheading the campaign are now following up with the state government, demanding that a law be framed to end the "regressive" traditions.

Kailash Gehlot presents Delhi budget, remembers Sisodia

Kailash Gehlot presents Delhi budget, remembers Sisodia

Rediff.com23 Mar 2023

The Delhi government's budget size for 2022-23 was Rs 75,800 crore and Rs 69,000 crore in the preceding year.

Protesters go on rampage during Bihar bandh, BJP leaders get security

Protesters go on rampage during Bihar bandh, BJP leaders get security

Rediff.com18 Jun 2022

A railway station and a police vehicle were torched and several law enforcers injured in stone-pelting incidents on the fourth consecutive day of protests against Agnipath scheme on Saturday when a bandh was also called to press for the demand for rollback of the new scheme for recruitment in armed forces.

Complaint against Sadhguru, Himanta over jeep safari in Kaziranga

Complaint against Sadhguru, Himanta over jeep safari in Kaziranga

Rediff.com26 Sep 2022

A police complaint was lodged on Sunday against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, spiritual leader Jaggi Vasudev and others for allegedly violating wildlife protection laws during their jeep safari after dusk in the Kaziranga Nation Park the previous day.

Shiv Sena's Anil Parab latest Maharashtra minister to face ED's money laundering probe

Shiv Sena's Anil Parab latest Maharashtra minister to face ED's money laundering probe

Rediff.com26 May 2022

The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday raided multiple locations in Maharashtra as part of a money laundering probe against state transport minister Anil Parab and others linked to alleged irregularities in a land deal in coastal Dapoli area of Ratnagiri district and other charges, officials said.

What's keeping govt from appealing against Vodafone verdict?

What's keeping govt from appealing against Vodafone verdict?

Rediff.com23 Nov 2020

The government may be waiting for the outcome of an arbitration initiated against its levy of Rs 10,247 crore retrospective tax on UK's Cairn Energy Plc before deciding on appealing against losing a tax case against Vodafone Group, sources said. An international arbitral tribunal is expected to give a decree within next few days on Cairn Energy Plc's challenge to the Indian government seeking Rs 10,247 crore in retrospective taxes. If the arbitration award in the Cairn cases goes against India, the government has to pay the British firm over Rs 7,600 crore to reverse the dividend and tax refund it had ceased and shares it sold to recover part of the tax demand.

Raj Thackeray urges BJP not to contest Andheri bypoll

Raj Thackeray urges BJP not to contest Andheri bypoll

Rediff.com16 Oct 2022

While Fadnavis has admitted that the letter was sent to him in good faith, he said that he would have to discuss with the party leadership before taking a decision.

AIADMK-BJP Snipe At Each Other

AIADMK-BJP Snipe At Each Other

Rediff.com26 May 2023

The BJP and the AIADMK are unable to sort out ideological differences, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Was govt's decision to sell Cairn shares flawed?

Was govt's decision to sell Cairn shares flawed?

Rediff.com8 Aug 2021

Faced with prospect of its assets across the globe being seized just like Pakistan and Venezuela, the government decided to scrap retrospective taxation but the international embarrassment could have been avoided had 'attached' shares of Britain's Cairn Energy Plc not been sold, according to tax and legal experts. On Thursday, the government introduced a Bill in Parliament to scrap the tax rule that gave the tax department power to go 50 years back and slap capital gains levies wherever ownership had changed hands overseas but business assets were in India. The 2012 legislation was used to levy a cumulative of Rs 1.10 lakh crore of tax on 17 entities, including UK telecom giant Vodafone, but substantial punitive action was taken only in the case of Cairn.

Kejriwal govt adds Vailankanni Church to its free pilgrimage scheme

Kejriwal govt adds Vailankanni Church to its free pilgrimage scheme

Rediff.com24 Nov 2021

The Delhi government has included Vailankanni Church in Tamil Nadu to the list of pilgrimage sites under its free pilgrimage scheme for senior citizens, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Wednesday.

K'taka guv gives nod to anti-conversion ordinance, violators to be jailed

K'taka guv gives nod to anti-conversion ordinance, violators to be jailed

Rediff.com17 May 2022

The bill was passed in the assembly in December last year but was pending before the council where the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is one short of a majority.

Prashant Kishor quits as Punjab CM's principal advisor

Prashant Kishor quits as Punjab CM's principal advisor

Rediff.com5 Aug 2021

In his resignation letter, Kishor stated that as he decided to take a temporary break from an active role in public life, he will not be able to discharge his duties as the principal advisor to the Punjab CM.

Gehlot's Mutiny Is A Congress Game Changer

Gehlot's Mutiny Is A Congress Game Changer

Rediff.com29 Sep 2022

Ashok Gehlot has proved that a strong state leader can challenge the Congress high command.

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.

Droupadi Murmu to take oath as India's 15th President today

Droupadi Murmu to take oath as India's 15th President today

Rediff.com25 Jul 2022

On July 21, the former Jharkhand governor Murmu registered a historic win over her rival Yashwant Sinha in the Presidential election, becoming the first woman tribal candidate and the second woman in the country to occupy the highest office in the country.

Parliamentary panel bats for simultaneous LS, state polls

Parliamentary panel bats for simultaneous LS, state polls

Rediff.com16 Mar 2021

Batting for holding of simultaneous elections in the country, a parliamentary committee on Tuesday said this will reduce the burden on the exchequer, expenditure of political parties and also ensure that human resources are optimally utilised.

PMLA case: ED summons Maharashtra minister Parab for questioning on Wednesday

PMLA case: ED summons Maharashtra minister Parab for questioning on Wednesday

Rediff.com15 Jun 2022

The federal agency wants to question and record Parab's statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, they said.

Cairn officially withdraws cases to get Rs 7,900 cr tax refund

Cairn officially withdraws cases to get Rs 7,900 cr tax refund

Rediff.com3 Nov 2021

UK-based Cairn Energy PLC on Wednesday said it has agreed to drop litigations to seize Indian properties in countries ranging from France to the UK as it has accepted the Indian government's offer to settle tax dispute relating to the levy of taxes retrospectively. Meeting the requirements of new legislation that scraps levy of retrospective taxation, the company has given required undertakings indemnifying the Indian government against future claims as well as agreeing to drop any legal proceedings anywhere in the world. The government now has to accept this and issue Cairn a so-called Form-II, that will commit it to refund the tax collected to enforce the retrospective tax demand.

Manpower shortage affects I-T operations

Manpower shortage affects I-T operations

Rediff.com2 Jun 2021

The vacancies are learnt to be impacting the I-T department's day-to-day functioning.

'BJP is beatable in Gujarat'

'BJP is beatable in Gujarat'

Rediff.com10 Nov 2022

'Modi is imposing himself as the face of Gujarat to send a message that people should not forget that a Gujarati is prime minister.'

Cong's Kuldeep Bishnoi resigns as MLA, set to join BJP Thursday

Cong's Kuldeep Bishnoi resigns as MLA, set to join BJP Thursday

Rediff.com3 Aug 2022

Bishnoi said the Congress has deviated from its ideology and is no longer what it was during Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi's time.