News for 'Minister of State for Rural Development'

Why Budget 2026 Deserves 8.5/10

Why Budget 2026 Deserves 8.5/10

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

This is the first Budget in my memory of Budgets over the last half a century which has embraced upfront, enthusiastically and emphatically, technology, modernity and fiscal sobriety, notes Shreekant Sambrani.

Not aware of, nor accepted: Tharoor says NO to Veer Savarkar Award

Not aware of, nor accepted: Tharoor says NO to Veer Savarkar Award

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

Tharoor later told reporters in the national capital that he heard about the award on Tuesday and that he was not going for the ceremony.

Won't accept Savarkar award or attend event: Tharoor

Won't accept Savarkar award or attend event: Tharoor

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

Shashi Tharoor categorically stated that he would not accept an award named after VD Savarkar, nor attend a related event, even as a senior party colleague wanted the Congress MP to not accept any honour named after the ideologue whom he claimed "bowed before the British."

'G RAM G Isn't A National Employment Guarantee Law'

'G RAM G Isn't A National Employment Guarantee Law'

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

'MGNREGA was about a guaranteed right to work.' 'The new law does not guarantee employment at all.' 'It removes everything that made MGNREGA a legal guarantee.'

'Pronouncements On Paper Don't Feed Babies'

'Pronouncements On Paper Don't Feed Babies'

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

'These children possess catastrophically low birth weights -- often 1.4 kgs or less. Such extremely low birth weight results in profoundly compromised neo-natal immunity.' 'The escalation to 97 deaths in three months precipitated contemporary attention precisely because this magnitude concentrates the humanitarian emergency, rendering it impossible for the administrative machinery to ignore.'

ED recovers Rs 35 cr from domestic help of J'khand minister's secretary

ED recovers Rs 35 cr from domestic help of J'khand minister's secretary

Rediff.com7 May 2024

The premises are alleged to be of the domestic help of Jharkhand Rural Development Minister Alamgir Alam's personal secretary Sanjiv Lal.

Karnataka cabinet approves bills on hate speech, cattle slaughter

Karnataka cabinet approves bills on hate speech, cattle slaughter

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

The Karnataka cabinet has approved eight draft bills, including those addressing hate speech, cattle slaughter, and social boycott, to be tabled in the upcoming legislative session.

2025 Marks India's Arrival As A Great Power

2025 Marks India's Arrival As A Great Power

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

In a world fractured by uncertainty, India stands out for its policy consistency, paired with sustained ambition, points out Pritam Banerjee.

Telangana summit attracts Rs 1.88 trillion investment proposals

Telangana summit attracts Rs 1.88 trillion investment proposals

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

Investment proposals for around Rs 1.88 trillion through 35 major agreements, spread across deep tech, green energy, and aerospace, were the hallmark moment of the first day of the two-day "Telangana Rising Global Summit", which started on Monday.

'Fadnavis Encouraged Thackerays To Unite'

'Fadnavis Encouraged Thackerays To Unite'

Rediff.com24 Dec 2025

'This will split the Marathi and Shiv Sena vote.' 'The BJP has conducted 3 surveys indicating they shall secure 109 seats in the BMC.' 'They do not wish for the Shinde Sena to demonstrate excessive strength in the BMC.' 'If the Thackerays secure 60-70 seats, that will affect Shinde's seats.'

Sonia Gandhi will look into matter: Govt on Nehru document return

Sonia Gandhi will look into matter: Govt on Nehru document return

Rediff.com28 Dec 2025

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has requested Sonia Gandhi to return Jawaharlal Nehru's documents to the Prime Ministers' Museum and Library, emphasizing their national significance. He also addressed the Aravalli Hills controversy and the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission.

Don't Expect Tax Relief In This Budget!

Don't Expect Tax Relief In This Budget!

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

After the last Budget's announcement of a major tax relief for those earning an annual salary of less than Rs 12 lakh, there is not much that individuals can look forward to in the forthcoming Budget, points out A K Bhattacharya.

A long-game Budget

A long-game Budget

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

The Union Budget for 2026-27, presented by Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday, which was a first, had an excellent domestic macro backdrop. According to the first advance estimates, gross domestic product (GDP) in constant prices is projected to grow 7.4 per cent in the current financial year, against 6.5 per cent in 2024-25.

Infy, AP rural BPO push to create 1,000 jobs

Infy, AP rural BPO push to create 1,000 jobs

Rediff.com27 Oct 2009

Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty chief executive officer T Vijaya Kumar and Infosys BPO Limited CEO and managing director Amitabh Chaudhry signed the MoU in the presence of chief minister K Rosaiah, state rural development minister Vatti Vasantha Kumar and other senior officials in Hyderabad.

Eknath Shinde 13th Maha minister to test Covid positive

Eknath Shinde 13th Maha minister to test Covid positive

Rediff.com24 Sep 2020

Shinde attended the state cabinet meeting earlier this week. He is the 13th state minister to be infected by the disease.

Why Modi plans to transfer Rs 10K each to Bihar's 75 lakh women

Why Modi plans to transfer Rs 10K each to Bihar's 75 lakh women

Rediff.com25 Sep 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch Bihar's 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana' on Friday and transfer Rs 10,000 each to the bank accounts of 75 lakh women across the state, totalling Rs 7,500 crore.

'People Knew Manmohan Singh Had No Vested Interest'

'People Knew Manmohan Singh Had No Vested Interest'

Rediff.com29 Nov 2025

'Maybe he was wrong, but they believed he genuinely meant what he said.'

NCP-SP leaders behind minister Gore's extortion case: Fadnavis

NCP-SP leaders behind minister Gore's extortion case: Fadnavis

Rediff.com25 Mar 2025

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has alleged that leaders of the opposition Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) were involved in a "conspiracy" against his cabinet colleague Jaykumar Gore in a case involving a woman. Fadnavis said there was proof of communication between NCP leaders Supriya Sule and Rohit Pawar, and one of the accused in the case where three persons, including the woman, have been arrested for trying to extort money from Gore. He also pointed to Gore's acquittal more than five years ago in a case involving the woman's allegations of harassment. Fadnavis emphasized that opposition and ruling parties are political opponents and not enemies. The CM also criticized the behavior of some opposition members in the state assembly, accusing them of insulting the House and pressuring ministers.

What Gave Birth To Maoists In Bastar

What Gave Birth To Maoists In Bastar

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

The Maoists in Bastar went from one village to another with kits providing badly needed medical intervention. The medical help was one key reason why the tribals were attracted to the Maoists, points out M R Narayan Swamy.

'Tejashwi Has The Momentum'

'Tejashwi Has The Momentum'

Rediff.com5 Nov 2025

'We have been struggling with problems, but we want to elect Tejashwi to see him as the next chief minister.'

Is Renaming Govt Schemes A Solution?

Is Renaming Govt Schemes A Solution?

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

This has been our history of good governance: Things that were difficult to do and required planning and implementation were first taken up and then abandoned, notes Aaakr Patel.

What works for NDA under Nitish Kumar, what doesn't

What works for NDA under Nitish Kumar, what doesn't

Rediff.com6 Oct 2025

A SWOT analysis of the NDA coalition led by Nitish Kumar as Bihar heads into assembly elections, examining its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats against the INDIA bloc.

Full list: Modi's New Ministers And Their Portfolios

Full list: Modi's New Ministers And Their Portfolios

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

Here is the complete list of ministers in Modi 3.0 and their portfolios:

'NPS Will Exceed 30% Growth This Financial Year'

'NPS Will Exceed 30% Growth This Financial Year'

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

'The informal sector can grow at a 100 per cent rate -- we have to plan big.'

Maha civic polls marred by violence, bogus voting allegations

Maha civic polls marred by violence, bogus voting allegations

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

The first phase of polling for municipal councils and nagar panchayats in Maharashtra was disrupted by violence and allegations of bogus voting. Clashes occurred between supporters of ruling allies BJP, NCP, and Shiv Sena. The Bombay High Court directed the SEC to postpone the counting of votes.

Nitish Kumar Has The Opportunity Of A Lifetime To Change Bihar

Nitish Kumar Has The Opportunity Of A Lifetime To Change Bihar

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

If he cannot do it this term by using his bureaucracy and experts from different fields, it will be a tragedy, asserts Ramesh Menon.

Andhra all set for huge investments from Adani Group, Reliance

Andhra all set for huge investments from Adani Group, Reliance

Rediff.com15 Nov 2025

Adani Group said on Friday it will invest around Rs 1 trillion in various sectors of Andhra Pradesh over the next ten years, deepening its commitment in the state where it will partner with Google for an artificial intelligence (AI) hub in Visakhapatnam.

Contractor's death: Karnataka minister Eshwarappa resigns

Contractor's death: Karnataka minister Eshwarappa resigns

Rediff.com15 Apr 2022

Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Minister K S Eshwarappa, against whom police have booked a case for allegedly abetting the suicide of contractor Santosh Patil, on Friday submitted his resignation to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.

Will Nitish Kumar Spring A Surprise On Friday?

Will Nitish Kumar Spring A Surprise On Friday?

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

While it is evident that the INDIA bloc has not shut its doors on Nitish Kumar, those within the NDA are hopeful that the JD-U's support base would benefit them as well

In first visit since unrest, Modi to unveil Rs 1,200 cr projects in Manipur

In first visit since unrest, Modi to unveil Rs 1,200 cr projects in Manipur

Rediff.com12 Sep 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for various development projects worth thousands of crores in Manipur, marking his first visit since ethnic violence broke out in the state. The visit includes interaction with internally displaced persons and the launch of infrastructure projects across multiple sectors.

Bihar Polls: Non-Stop Contest For Sops

Bihar Polls: Non-Stop Contest For Sops

Rediff.com2 Oct 2025

Both NDA and INDIA are racing to woo marginalised groups with Assembly polls fast approaching.

Musk's Starlink Can Only Target 2M Users

Musk's Starlink Can Only Target 2M Users

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

... with a maximum speed of 200 megabits per second (mbps) across the country for Rs 3,000 per month.

'I've No Desire To Be Prime Minister'

'I've No Desire To Be Prime Minister'

Rediff.com4 Jul 2025

'I am not an aspiration-oriented politician.' 'This is the time to redefine politics.' 'Politics of power is not real politics.'

Will Deepa Thoon Controversy Damage Stalin's DMK?

Will Deepa Thoon Controversy Damage Stalin's DMK?

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

The Deepa Thoon controversy, if not allowed to die a natural death, could take the election focus away from the anti-incumbency impacting the DMK and into the secular space. Stalin would love to have it that way, all over again, after the three past elections, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

Failing to ensure BJP clean sweep, Rajasthan minister quits

Failing to ensure BJP clean sweep, Rajasthan minister quits

Rediff.com4 Jul 2024

Kirodi Lal Meena has resigned as a minister in the Rajasthan government following the Bharatiya Janata Party's underwhelming performance in the Lok Sabha polls in the state.

India's very popular rural employment scheme faces tough times

India's very popular rural employment scheme faces tough times

Rediff.com4 Feb 2015

Timely payment under the MGNREGA is essential as it is a demand-driven scheme.

Nitin Gadkari: Longest serving transport minister gets another stint

Nitin Gadkari: Longest serving transport minister gets another stint

Rediff.com9 Jun 2024

Gadkari is credited with the construction of more than 90,000 km of national highways and 30,000 km of new roads in the country in the last 10 years.

'Gen Zs Are Not Interested In Farming'

'Gen Zs Are Not Interested In Farming'

Rediff.com3 Nov 2025

'They are totally disconnected with farm activities which their families have been involved in for years.'

Bihar: Gangster-turned-politician, who backed PK, killed

Bihar: Gangster-turned-politician, who backed PK, killed

Rediff.com31 Oct 2025

Gangster-turned-politician Dular Chand Yadav, once known for rubbing shoulders with the who's who of politics in Bihar, was allegedly shot dead near the state capital during an election campaign on Thursday, police said.

Scindia to Rupani: Bigwigs who died in air crashes

Scindia to Rupani: Bigwigs who died in air crashes

Rediff.com13 Jun 2025

Former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, who died in a tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday, joined the list of several top Indian politicians and prominent personalities who lost their lives in aviation accidents.