News for 'Ministry of Environment'

Nepal's PM Deuba sacks 4 ministers a week after ally JSP quits coalition

Nepal's PM Deuba sacks 4 ministers a week after ally JSP quits coalition

Rediff.com14 Oct 2022

The JSP has made an electoral alliance with main opposition Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist headed by K P Sharma Oli.

Budget 2023 likely to steer clear of populist measures

Budget 2023 likely to steer clear of populist measures

Rediff.com30 Jan 2023

Ahead of the 2023-24 Union Budget, the thinking at the top level of the central government is clear: Gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 6-6.5 per cent is a comfortable enough target for FY24 and the focus should be on fiscal consolidation to ensure that the sovereign cost of borrowing does not become prohibitively expensive in a high-interest rate environment, according to people in the know. Those aware of deliberations between the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and the Ministry of Finance said while the Budget would look to strike a balance between infrastructure investment and welfare schemes, it is unlikely to be populist, though it will be the last full-year Budget before the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Incidentally, 6-6.5 per cent GDP growth is what the upcoming 2022-23 Economic Survey is expected to project for FY24.

HC asks TN to allow Assam team to inspect Joymala, other elephants

HC asks TN to allow Assam team to inspect Joymala, other elephants

Rediff.com16 Sep 2022

The Gauhati high court on Friday directed the Tamil Nadu government to give permission and security to a delegation from Assam while inspecting the elephants taken from Guwahati to temples of the southern state.

Gotabaya blames Covid for Lanka's economic woes

Gotabaya blames Covid for Lanka's economic woes

Rediff.com16 Jul 2022

Rajapaksa said he took the best steps like trying to form an all-party government to counter the economic meltdown.

Airlines, ground handlers told to go green

Airlines, ground handlers told to go green

Rediff.com22 Nov 2021

The civil aviation ministry has mandated airlines and ground-handling companies to phase out airport equipment older than 12 years and switch to electric or fuel-efficient variants by May 2022. While companies have welcomed the ministry's green initiative, they said that the deadline for implementation is tight. This is especially in the wake of financial challenges faced by the aviation sector during the pandemic.

China slams India's decision to ban 54 mobile apps

China slams India's decision to ban 54 mobile apps

Rediff.com17 Feb 2022

China on Thursday criticised India's latest decision to block access to 54 more Chinese mobile apps over security and privacy concerns, saying that the move has damaged the legitimate interests of companies from China. India on Monday blocked 54 more apps with Chinese links, including Tencent Xriver, Nice Video baidu, Viva Video Editor, and gaming app Garena Free Fire Illuminate. The Chinese apps allegedly obtain various critical permissions and collect sensitive user data. The collected real-time data are being misused and transmitted to servers located in a hostile country, sources in India said, adding that the IT ministry has issued interim directions for the blocking of 54 apps.

Is the Govt worried about the Himalayas?

Is the Govt worried about the Himalayas?

Rediff.com24 Feb 2022

'My belief that I could protect the Himalayas was shattered.'

Over Rs 20,000 crore lying unclaimed with LIC

Over Rs 20,000 crore lying unclaimed with LIC

Rediff.com15 Feb 2022

The amount of money lying unclaimed with the Life Insurance Corporation of India dwarfs the budgets of many ministries. There was Rs 21,539.5 crore which lay unclaimed with India's largest insurance company, according to details in the initial public offer (IPO) document it filed over the weekend. The regulatory documentation is ahead of LIC selling shares to the public through the stock exchange for the first time this financial year. This will be India's largest ever public listing.

India-Germany ties a model of success, says Modi, as 2 nations sign $10.5 bn green deal

India-Germany ties a model of success, says Modi, as 2 nations sign $10.5 bn green deal

Rediff.com2 May 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that the partnership between India and Germany could serve as an example of success in a complex world as the two sides inked several agreements focused on sustainable development under which India would receive USD 10.5 billion assistance by 2030 to boost the use of clean energy.

Joshimath: NTPC Not Responsible: Power Secy

Joshimath: NTPC Not Responsible: Power Secy

Rediff.com16 Jan 2023

In a letter to the chief secretary, government of Uttarakhand, Union Power Secretary Alok Kumar said the land subsidence in Joshimath was a very old issue, dating back to 1976, and the construction of the 4x130 megawatt Tapovan Vishnugad project started only in 2006 by NTPC.

Rise above politics, consider shifting Kuno cheetahs to Raj, SC tells Centre

Rise above politics, consider shifting Kuno cheetahs to Raj, SC tells Centre

Rediff.com18 May 2023

A bench of justices BR Gavai and Sanjay Karol told the Centre that from reports of experts and articles, it appears that KNP does not seem to be sufficient for such large number of cheetahs and the Union government may consider shifting them to other sanctuaries.

Govt brings ordinance to tackle air pollution in Delhi-NCR

Govt brings ordinance to tackle air pollution in Delhi-NCR

Rediff.com29 Oct 2020

Violation of the provisions entails a punishment of a jail term up to five years or with fine up to Rs 1 crore or with both, the ordinance released by the Ministry of Law and Justice on Thursday said.

Use of 10% ethanol-blended petrol saved over Rs 41,000 crore

Use of 10% ethanol-blended petrol saved over Rs 41,000 crore

Rediff.com8 Jun 2022

Use of 10 per cent ethanol-blended petrol has led to a saving of over Rs 41,000 crore in the foreign exchange for the country, minister of state for environment, forest and climate change Ashwini Kumar Choubey said on Wednesday. Speaking at an online event of auto industry body SIAM on sustainable mobility, the minister said the government is working in multiple ways to encourage sustainable mobility. "India recently achieved 10 per cent ethanol blending target 5 months in advance, saving over Rs 41,000 crore worth of fuel imports for the nation," Choubey noted.

Kerala floods put focus back on worsening situation in Western Ghats

Kerala floods put focus back on worsening situation in Western Ghats

Rediff.com19 Oct 2021

Gadgil and the report prepared by the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) headed by him are back in news after over two dozen people lost their lives in landslides and flash floods in the past few days in the hilly regions of Western Ghats in central Kerala districts of Kottayam and Idukki.

G-7 must support India's efforts in combating climate change: Modi

G-7 must support India's efforts in combating climate change: Modi

Rediff.com27 Jun 2022

Asserting that India's dedication to climate commitments is evident from its performance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hoped that rich countries of G-7 will support India's efforts in combating climate change and invited them to tap the huge market for clean energy technologies emerging in the country. In his remarks at the session on 'Investing in a better Future: Climate, Energy, Health' at G7 Summit, Modi highlighted India's track record and said it has achieved the target of 40 per cent energy-capacity from non-fossil sources nine years before time. "The target of 10 per cent ethanol-blending in petrol has been achieved 5 months before time.

Amid tragedy, ministry mulls '777 days in Himalayas'

Amid tragedy, ministry mulls '777 days in Himalayas'

Rediff.com26 Jun 2013

Even as the Uttarakhand floods are being referred to as man-made disasters, experts say such disasters are waiting to happen at places like Ooty and Munnar.

IAF to formally induct indigenously-built light combat chopper on Monday

IAF to formally induct indigenously-built light combat chopper on Monday

Rediff.com2 Oct 2022

It will be inducted into the IAF inventory at a ceremony in Jodhpur in presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and chief of air staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari.

The Many Portfolios Of Yogi Adityanath

The Many Portfolios Of Yogi Adityanath

Rediff.com4 Apr 2022

In his second term in office, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has retained 34 portfolios.

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.

Kejriwal govt to identify single-use plastic littering hotspots; shut mfg units by Jun 2022

Kejriwal govt to identify single-use plastic littering hotspots; shut mfg units by Jun 2022

Rediff.com18 Aug 2021

The Delhi government will identify single-use plastic littering hotspots and the entry points of such items into water bodies and drains by October 31 this year, according to a draft action plan for the elimination of the environmentally hazardous products.

AK Antony's son quits Cong over Modi documentary

AK Antony's son quits Cong over Modi documentary

Rediff.com25 Jan 2023

Anil Antony announced his resignation via a tweet in which he said that he was getting "intolerant calls" to retract his tweet against the documentary and the "wall of hate/abuses" on Facebook over the same issue have prompted him to take the decision.

Want democracy, statehood, 6th Schedule status: Protesting Ladakhis in Delhi

Want democracy, statehood, 6th Schedule status: Protesting Ladakhis in Delhi

Rediff.com15 Feb 2023

Environmental activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk accused the BJP of reneging on its promise of including Ladakh under the sixth schedule.

How govt plans to ease the process of coal mining

How govt plans to ease the process of coal mining

Rediff.com26 Aug 2020

Centre plans to acquire land and then give it on lease to miners.

DMK MPs quit NDA ministry

DMK MPs quit NDA ministry

Rediff.com21 Dec 2003

The party had quit the NDA citing differences with the BJP's Tamil Nadu unit.

How can you catch monkeypox? Govt lists dos and don'ts

How can you catch monkeypox? Govt lists dos and don'ts

Rediff.com3 Aug 2022

It underlined that anyone can catch the virus if they have had prolonged or repeated contact with an infected individual.

The Battle To Save Malabar Hill

The Battle To Save Malabar Hill

Rediff.com3 Oct 2023

'If the authorities go about completing this project the way they have proposed, this is going to cause a HUGE environmental impact not only on Malabar Hill but also on the rest of the city.'

Modi lands in Bali for G20 summit, no word on meet with Xi

Modi lands in Bali for G20 summit, no word on meet with Xi

Rediff.com14 Nov 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bali on Monday for the G20 Summit and bilateral meetings on its sidelines with key leaders attending this annual conference of the world's major economies.

Exports record flat growth; trade deficit widens in Nov

Exports record flat growth; trade deficit widens in Nov

Rediff.com15 Dec 2022

India's exports recorded a flat growth of 0.59 per cent to $31.99 billion in November, even as trade deficit widened to $23.89 billion during the month, according to the data released by the government on Thursday. Exports stood at $31.8 billion in November last year. Imports rose by 5.37 per cent to $55.88 billion in November as compared to $53.03 billion in the corresponding month a year ago, the data showed. During April-November 2022, exports rose by 11 per cent to $295.26 billion as against $265.77 billion in the same month last year.

How Coal India is chasing the monsoon to reduce coal supply disruptions

How Coal India is chasing the monsoon to reduce coal supply disruptions

Rediff.com14 Aug 2022

Way before the rains arrived at Talwandi Sabo Power plant in Punjab, the one check the coal ministry was carrying out was the availability of coal stock with the generator. Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL), the 1,980-Mw thermal power plant of Sterlite Energy, part of the Vedanta Group, which supplies about 15 per cent of Punjab's power, is one of the most difficult locations to manage coal supplies. It is nearly 1,700 km from the mines of Mahanadi Coalfields in Odisha, the longest coal route in India and possibly the trickiest as it cuts through the traffic heavy rail lines between Delhi and eastern India.

When Santa Wore A Red Sari

When Santa Wore A Red Sari

Rediff.com1 Feb 2023

The Budget oration of the finance minister and the confidence with which she delivered it, along with the measures and the recent upsurge in the economy would all contribute to unleashing the storied 'animal spirits' and help the economy run on the growth path quite smoothly. Or so the government hopes, notes Shreekant Sambrani.

SJM warns govt over 'dangerous' GM mustard

SJM warns govt over 'dangerous' GM mustard

Rediff.com28 Oct 2022

The Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) on Friday opposed a regulatory body's recommendation for environmental release of genetically modified mustard, calling it "dangerous" and urged the Centre to ensure that the crop's seed is not allowed to be planted "now or ever". In a letter to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, the RSS-affiliated organisation accused the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) of functioning in an "irresponsible fashion" and said the claims made in support of genetically modified (GM) mustard were "completely untrue, unsubstantiated and wrongly projected". "Swadeshi Jagran Manch has all along been opposing this dangerous and unneeded GM mustard being brought in through the backdoor as a public sector genetically modified organism (GMO)," organisation co-convenor Ashwani Mahajan said in the letter.

In RS govt poohpoohs concerns over lack of nuclear safety

In RS govt poohpoohs concerns over lack of nuclear safety

Rediff.com4 Aug 2022

Union minister Jitendra Singh assured the members of the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that there is better nuclear safety in India as compared to many other countries and there are enough safeguards in the Indian nuclear plants.

Will L'affaire Adani Affect Modi's Image?

Will L'affaire Adani Affect Modi's Image?

Rediff.com21 Feb 2023

Gautam Adani's alleged proximity to Narendra Modi may dent the latter's self-styled image of incorruptibility, points out Kanika Datta.

Bhupendra Patel takes oath as Gujarat CM, allots portfolios

Bhupendra Patel takes oath as Gujarat CM, allots portfolios

Rediff.com13 Dec 2022

Patel was administered the oath as the 18th chief minister by Governor Acharya Devvrat at a function held at the Helipad Ground near the new Secretariat.

'Absolutely unacceptable': US condemns attack on Indian consulate

'Absolutely unacceptable': US condemns attack on Indian consulate

Rediff.com21 Mar 2023

Raising pro-Khalistan slogans, the protesters on Sunday broke open the makeshift security barriers raised by the city police and installed two so-called Khalistan flags inside the Consulate premises. Two consulate personnel soon removed these flags.

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.

US condemns terrorists who seek to infiltrate across LoC

US condemns terrorists who seek to infiltrate across LoC

Rediff.com5 Mar 2021

Condemning the terrorists who seek to infiltrate across the Line of Control, the United States on Thursday called on all parties to reduce tensions along the LoC by returning to the 2003 ceasefire commitments.

Modi to discuss 'key issues' with G20 leaders in Bali

Modi to discuss 'key issues' with G20 leaders in Bali

Rediff.com14 Nov 2022

In a statement ahead of his visit to the Indonesian city for the G20 leaders' summit, Modi said he will also highlight India's achievements and its 'unwavering commitment' to collectively address key global issues.

Modi Cabinet reshuffle: Who got what

Modi Cabinet reshuffle: Who got what

Rediff.com8 Jul 2021

Fifteen Cabinet ministers and 28 Ministers of State were sworn-in by President Ram Nath Kovind at a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday evening.

Green Tribunal concerned over water use in IPL

Green Tribunal concerned over water use in IPL

Rediff.com16 Apr 2021

The National Green Tribunal has directed the Ministry of Jal Shakti to hold a meeting within a month to consider the issue of regulating extraction of ground water for maintenance of play grounds.