News for 'Parliamentary Affairs and State Excise'

Kharge, Rijiju spar in RS over West Asia conflict discussion

Kharge, Rijiju spar in RS over West Asia conflict discussion

Rediff.com1 Apr 2026

The Rajya Sabha witnessed a heated debate between the opposition and the government regarding a discussion on the West Asia crisis, with accusations of political maneuvering and failure to uphold the dignity of parliamentary positions.

Raghav Chadha on the way out? AAP replaces him as deputy leader in Rajya Sabha

Raghav Chadha on the way out? AAP replaces him as deputy leader in Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com2 Apr 2026

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has requested the Rajya Sabha secretariat to remove Raghav Chadha as the party's deputy leader in the House, proposing Punjab MP Ashok Mittal as his replacement, amidst Chadha's absence from key party events and prolonged silence on AAP matters.

Gujarat cabinet rejig: A look at new ministerial portfolios

Gujarat cabinet rejig: A look at new ministerial portfolios

Rediff.com18 Oct 2025

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel allocated portfolios following a major cabinet reshuffle, with Harsh Sanghavi becoming Deputy CM and receiving Home and Industries. New ministers, including Rivaba Jadeja, were also assigned responsibilities.

Maha portfolio allocation: Fadnavis gets Home, Ajit Finance, Shinde...

Maha portfolio allocation: Fadnavis gets Home, Ajit Finance, Shinde...

Rediff.com21 Dec 2024

Shiv Sena's Dadaji Bhuse is the new school education minister while Uday Samant continues to be the industries minister.

Hemant Soren distributes portfolios; keeps home, gives finance to Cong

Hemant Soren distributes portfolios; keeps home, gives finance to Cong

Rediff.com6 Dec 2024

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has distributed portfolios among the new ministers, keeping key departments such as Home, Personnel, and several others to himself. The Congress' Radhakrishna Kishore was given Finance, Commercial Tax, Planning and Development Department, and Parliamentary Affairs departments. JMM's Deepak Biruwa was allotted the departments of Revenue, Registration and Land Reforms (non-registration), and Transport. Chamra Linda, another JMM leader, was allotted the departments of Schedule Tribes, Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes (except Minority Welfare). RJD's Sanjay Prasad Yadav was given the departments of Industries, and Labour, Planning, Training and Skill Development. The Congress' Irfan Ansari got Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, besides Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, and Disaster Management departments. The chief minister also kept to himself the departments of Cabinet Secretariat, Personnel, Administrative Reforms and Official Language, Road Construction, Building Construction, and those departments yet to be distributed to anyone. Among the other ministers, JMM's Ramdas Soren was given the School Education and Literacy, and Registration departments. Party colleague Hafizul Hasan was allotted the departments of Water Resources, and Minority Welfare Department. Panchayati Raj, Rural Works, and Rural Development departments were given to Congress MLA Deepika Pandey Singh. The CM gave Drinking Water and Sanitation, and Excise and Prohibition departments to JMM's Yogendra Prasad. JMM legislator Sudhivya Kumar became the minister for Urban Development and Housing, Higher and Technical Education, and Tourism, Art Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs departments. Shilpi Neha Tirkey of the Congress was allotted Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperative Department. A total of 11 MLAs took oath as ministers in the Hemant Soren government in Jharkhand on Thursday.

WATCH LIVE! Modi Sarkar vs Opposition, DAY 3

WATCH LIVE! Modi Sarkar vs Opposition, DAY 3

Rediff.com23 Jul 2015

Catch all the action from the Monsoon session of Parliament, LIVE

Why is AAP not made accused in excise case as beneficiary, SC asks ED

Why is AAP not made accused in excise case as beneficiary, SC asks ED

Rediff.com4 Oct 2023

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to explain why the political party (Aam Aadmi Party) which was allegedly the beneficiary of the Delhi Excise Policy 'scam', has not been made an accused in the money laundering case.

JD-U sticks to demand for special status for Bihar

JD-U sticks to demand for special status for Bihar

Rediff.com6 Jun 2024

Granting SCS to the state has been a long-pending demand of the JD-U supremo and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, whose Bihar cabinet had even passed a resolution last year requesting the Centre to grant SCS to the state.

Sangma keeps heavyweight portfolios with NPP, allies get rest

Sangma keeps heavyweight portfolios with NPP, allies get rest

Rediff.com9 Mar 2023

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma retained the key departments for his National Peoples Party, and gave the lesser politically significant ones to alliance partners Bharatiya Janata Party, Hill State Peoples Democratic Party and United Democratic Party as he allocated portfolios on Thursday.

Mizoram: 9 out of 11 MNF ministers lose to ZPM

Mizoram: 9 out of 11 MNF ministers lose to ZPM

Rediff.com4 Dec 2023

The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) has faced a rout as it could win only 10 seats, while the main opposition ZPM bagged 27 seats in the 40-member House.

K'taka portfolios: Siddaramaiah keeps finance, Shivakumar gets irrigation

K'taka portfolios: Siddaramaiah keeps finance, Shivakumar gets irrigation

Rediff.com29 May 2023

Shivakumar has got the all-important Major and Medium Irrigation and Bengaluru City Development, including the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Bangalore Development Authority, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority and the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited.

Where Would India Be Without Dr Singh?

Where Would India Be Without Dr Singh?

Rediff.com27 Dec 2024

What stood out in his 15-year journey as a member of the political executive at the Centre was his glowing record as India's most successful and effective finance minister. Both as prime minister and finance minister, he understood the importance of gradualism, except when the economy or the polity was in a crisis.

Has Modi Learnt Nothing From Election Result?

Has Modi Learnt Nothing From Election Result?

Rediff.com29 Jun 2024

On June 26, for the likes of me, the music died. Any impression of potential change held forth by the outcome of the 2024 general election, was vaporised, reveals Shyam G Menon.

Nitish keeps home, Tejashwi gets health; JD-U ministers get depts back

Nitish keeps home, Tejashwi gets health; JD-U ministers get depts back

Rediff.com17 Aug 2022

Portfolios were on Tuesday allocated in the new Bihar cabinet headed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who, predictably, retained the all-important home department which helps him keep direct control on the state police.

Gehlot allocates portfolios, retains home, finance

Gehlot allocates portfolios, retains home, finance

Rediff.com22 Nov 2021

The 15 ministers were sworn in on Sunday for the expanded Gehlot cabinet, fulfilling a key demand of former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot whose rebellion last year shook the state's Congress government.

Channi keeps 14 portfolios, Amarinder's ministers retain theirs

Channi keeps 14 portfolios, Amarinder's ministers retain theirs

Rediff.com29 Sep 2021

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Tuesday allocated portfolios to the new ministers, keeping 14 departments with himself and giving home affairs to deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and health to other deputy O P Soni.

Maha portfolios: Sena gets home, NCP finance, Cong revenue

Maha portfolios: Sena gets home, NCP finance, Cong revenue

Rediff.com13 Dec 2019

Portfolios were distributed 2 weeks after the MVA govt was sworn-in. Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde will be home minister while NCP's Jayant Patil will be finance minister.

Draft GST bills from Centre to states have no rates

Draft GST bills from Centre to states have no rates

Rediff.com17 Nov 2016

The Centre is likely to introduce the Central GST and integrated GST bills in late November or early December in the ongoing session in the form of money Bills.

Fadnavis gets home, finance; BJP bags key portfolios in Maha cabinet

Fadnavis gets home, finance; BJP bags key portfolios in Maha cabinet

Rediff.com14 Aug 2022

Five days after the induction of 18 ministers into his cabinet, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday allocated portfolios, keeping Urban Development and 11 other ministries with himself, while giving the crucial Home Department to Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.

Nitish retains home; Dy CMs get finance, industry

Nitish retains home; Dy CMs get finance, industry

Rediff.com17 Nov 2020

A 14-member council of ministers was sworn in Patna by Governor Phagu Chauhan on Monday and the BJP bagged seven berths.

Fadnavis allocates portfolios; BJP retains key depts

Fadnavis allocates portfolios; BJP retains key depts

Rediff.com6 Dec 2014

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday allocated portfolios to the twenty-member council of ministers, including 10 of the Shiv Sena, who were inducted into his expanded cabinet.

Congress-JD(S) reach power sharing deal, announce tie-up for 2019

Congress-JD(S) reach power sharing deal, announce tie-up for 2019

Rediff.com1 Jun 2018

The Congress has conceded the plum Finance portfolio to its junior partner, resolving a thorny issue, after its president Rahul Gandhi intervened and spoke to Kumaraswamy.

Punjab passes law to enable hotels near highways serve liquor

Punjab passes law to enable hotels near highways serve liquor

Rediff.com23 Jun 2017

However, restriction on opening of liquor vends within 500 metres of highways will remain as per the directions of the Supreme Court.

Portfolios allocated to ministers in Rajasthan; Gehlot keeps 9, Pilot 5

Portfolios allocated to ministers in Rajasthan; Gehlot keeps 9, Pilot 5

Rediff.com27 Dec 2018

Apart from the chief minister and deputy chief minister, 13 cabinet and 10 ministers of state were allocated portfolios.

BJP prepares for Modi model of sarkar in Maharashtra

BJP prepares for Modi model of sarkar in Maharashtra

Rediff.com28 Oct 2014

BJP hints at implementing Modi's model of minimum government maximum governance in Maharashtra

Pranab, Modi, Demonetisation

Pranab, Modi, Demonetisation

Rediff.com8 Nov 2022

'Modi had not discussed demonetization with me prior to his announcement on 8 November 2016. 'I learnt of it along with the rest of the country. 'I was not surprised when he did not discuss the issue with me prior to making the public announcement. 'It fitted in with his style of making dramatic announcements.' A fascinating excerpt from Pranab Mukherjee's The Presidential Years: 2012-2017.

UP portfolios announced; Adityanath retains home

UP portfolios announced; Adityanath retains home

Rediff.com22 Mar 2017

The list has been sent to Governor Ram Naik for approval.

Bihar Min caught in video asking crowd to hit PM's photo with shoes

Bihar Min caught in video asking crowd to hit PM's photo with shoes

Rediff.com1 Mar 2017

The video is of a gathering at Amour assembly constituency of Mastan in Purnea district that was convened on February 22 to protest against demonetisation

Maha portfolios: Ajit Pawar gets finance; Aaditya tourism

Maha portfolios: Ajit Pawar gets finance; Aaditya tourism

Rediff.com5 Jan 2020

With this allocation of portfolios, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP has got most of the 'plum' ministries.

Shah, Sitharaman stand tall among ministers

Shah, Sitharaman stand tall among ministers

Rediff.com22 Jul 2021

Strengthening the portfolios of the home minister and the finance minister is a message that should not be missed, points out A K Bhattacharya.

Yediyurappa picks 3 deputy CMs for Karnataka

Yediyurappa picks 3 deputy CMs for Karnataka

Rediff.com26 Aug 2019

Among the three Deputy Chief Ministers are Govind Karjol, who has also been given the charge of PWD and Social welfare; Ashwath Narayan the portfolio of Higher Education, IT & BT, Science and Technology; and Laxman Savadi with Transport department.

Buses & pick-up vans escape cess under GST

Buses & pick-up vans escape cess under GST

Rediff.com28 Mar 2017

No mention of cab aggregators in GST bills

Fresh push for GST: Jaitley, Naidu meet Congress leaders

Fresh push for GST: Jaitley, Naidu meet Congress leaders

Rediff.com14 Dec 2015

With just eight days left for the winter session, Jaitley and Parliamentary Affairs Minster M Venkaiah Naidu held consultations with Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad and Deputy Leader Anand Sharma.

Kumaraswamy to expand ministry on Wednesday

Kumaraswamy to expand ministry on Wednesday

Rediff.com5 Jun 2018

Sources said while the Janata Dal-Secular will have nine new ministers, the Congress will have nearly 12 of its legislators inducted into the cabinet. Lone Bahujan Samaj Party MLA N Mahesh will also be a part of the cabinet expansion and will be given a key portfolio.

FIR against Bihar Min for asking crowd to hit PM's photo with shoes

FIR against Bihar Min for asking crowd to hit PM's photo with shoes

Rediff.com2 Mar 2017

Abdul Jalil Mastan caught on camera asking a crowd at a note ban protest to hit with shoes the photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sparking condemnation and kicking up a ruckus in the state legislature.

Congress can't win the people's trust by disrupting Parliament

Congress can't win the people's trust by disrupting Parliament

Rediff.com23 Jul 2015

'The Congress has no moral right to throw mud at others. The Gandhis talking of corruption sounds worse than the devil quoting scripture.'

GST bill taken up in LS, fate uncertain in RS

GST bill taken up in LS, fate uncertain in RS

Rediff.com5 May 2015

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley appealed to parties to rise above partisan considerations to support it.

Kumaraswamy expands cabinet amid heartburn

Kumaraswamy expands cabinet amid heartburn

Rediff.com6 Jun 2018

Fourteen ministers are from the Congress, nine from its ruling coalition partner Janata Dal-Secular and one each from the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Karnataka Pragnyavantha Janatha Party.

8 days on, Parliament stuck on demonetisation

8 days on, Parliament stuck on demonetisation

Rediff.com28 Nov 2016

Both Houses were adjourned multiple times as Opposition members kept on shouting slogans against the PM.