News for 'Platform Committee'

Sachin Pilot to go ahead with fast despite Congress warning

Sachin Pilot to go ahead with fast despite Congress warning

Rediff.com11 Apr 2023

The move by Pilot to open a new front against Gehlot amid the factional fighting is seen as an attempt to pressure the party high command to resolve the leadership issue ahead of the year-end polls.

Pawar's Adani remarks put opposition unity in question

Pawar's Adani remarks put opposition unity in question

Rediff.com8 Apr 2023

At a time 20-odd opposition parties, many of them regional rivals, joined forces over the Adani issue, Nationalist Congress Party supremo Sharad Pawar's open support for industrialist Gautam Adani has put a question mark on the durability of a non-Bharatiya Janata Party block in the run-up to the 2024 parliamentary elections.

Cong seeks FIR against Amit Shah for Karnataka speech

Cong seeks FIR against Amit Shah for Karnataka speech

Rediff.com27 Apr 2023

It also requested the police that an 'urgent and immediate' first information report (FIR) be lodged against the former Bharatiya Janata Party chief and others for the 'offences'.

India, not China, better suited to resolve Ukraine war: US Congressman

India, not China, better suited to resolve Ukraine war: US Congressman

Rediff.com16 Jun 2023

'I certainly think India can play a leading role in helping us resolve the Russia-Ukraine crisis. India obviously has an old relationship with Russia'

Anil Agarwal to demerge 5 businesses of Vedanta, restructure zinc unit

Anil Agarwal to demerge 5 businesses of Vedanta, restructure zinc unit

Rediff.com29 Sep 2023

Mining magnate Anil Agarwal's conglomerate on Friday announced a major business shake-up, with flagship Vedanta Ltd approving a spin-off of its metals, power, aluminium and oil and gas businesses into separate listed entities and an overhaul of lucrative zinc unit planned as part of value creation and reducing debt load. Vedanta will issue one share of the five demerged businesses for every share held in the company, the firm said in a statement. The entire exercise, which would require shareholder and lender approval as well as a nod from the stock exchanges and courts, is expected to be completed in 12-15 months, its president for finance Ajay Agarwal said.

Bengal panchayat polls: Cong, govt employees demand more central forces

Bengal panchayat polls: Cong, govt employees demand more central forces

Rediff.com25 Jun 2023

The State Election Commission on Friday informed the Calcutta high court that it has requisitioned 822 companies of central forces for the July 8 panchayat polls in West Bengal.

'Multi-headed selfish alliance': BJP plays down Oppn unity meet

'Multi-headed selfish alliance': BJP plays down Oppn unity meet

Rediff.com23 Jun 2023

The remarks by the BJP leaders came as 17 opposition parties resolved to fight the 2024 Lok Sabha elections unitedly to defeat the saffron party and work with flexibility by setting aside their differences. They dubbed the planned alliance as "unholy and opportunistic".

In India, Saudi deals, a message for Pak on terror

In India, Saudi deals, a message for Pak on terror

Rediff.com11 Sep 2023

India and Saudi Arabia on Monday called on states to reject the use of terrorism against other countries and prevent access to weapons, including missiles and drones, to commit acts of terror.

'Narendra Modi is clearly rattled'

'Narendra Modi is clearly rattled'

Rediff.com29 Mar 2023

'The Bharat Jodo Yatra successfully resurrected the Rahul Gandhi brand.' 'There's a critical mass that has built up for the Congress and Mr Modi is feeling the heat on the Adani issue, the raids on the BBC offices, the Opposition getting together.'

Maha govt tables joint panel report on Shakti Bill

Maha govt tables joint panel report on Shakti Bill

Rediff.com22 Dec 2021

The draft bill provides for capital punishment for crimes against women and children, specifies deadline of 30 days to complete the probe since the day the complaint in such cases is lodged and puts the onus on social media platforms as well as internet provider companies to share the data for police investigation.

Seattle resolution on caste 'Hinduphobic': Indian-American senator

Seattle resolution on caste 'Hinduphobic': Indian-American senator

Rediff.com23 Feb 2023

"I condemn in the strongest terms the ordinance passed by the Seattle City Council. Caste discrimination simply doesn't exist now," Niraj Antani, the first Hindu and Indian-American state senator in Ohio's history, said.

Are you running 'let corrupt flee' campaign, Kharge asks Modi

Are you running 'let corrupt flee' campaign, Kharge asks Modi

Rediff.com29 Mar 2023

Hitting back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his corruption jibe at the Opposition, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday accused him of running a "bhrashtachari bhagao abhiyan" (make the corrupt flee campaign), and said that he must stop his image makeover by posing as an anti-corruption crusader.

HC orders status quo, Kukis put off mass burial on Amit Shah's request

HC orders status quo, Kukis put off mass burial on Amit Shah's request

Rediff.com3 Aug 2023

Hours before a planned mass burial of Kuki-Zomi people killed in Manipur's ethnic violence, the state's high court on Thursday ordered that status quo be maintained at the proposed burial site in Churachandpur district, while ITLF, an apex tribal body also said it was postponing burial service plans following requests from the Union home minister.

Bankey Bihari temple plans crowd control measures after stampede

Bankey Bihari temple plans crowd control measures after stampede

Rediff.com22 Aug 2022

Temple priest Gaurav Goshwami said limited number of devotees should be allowed inside the shrine at a time and a barrier system should put in place outside it to manage crowd.

GST Council likely to approve tribunal blueprint this month

GST Council likely to approve tribunal blueprint this month

Rediff.com12 Jun 2023

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, which is likely to meet in the third or fourth week of June, is set to clear the operational framework of the much-awaited GST appellate tribunal, which will deal with tax disputes and streamline resolution. "The final blueprint, mainly the operational part, is expected to be presented in the GST Council meeting for approval. "This will pave the way for the tribunal to be functional, both at the central and state levels," said a senior government official, who expects the tribunal to be up and running by November.

'Proud to be your partner': US hails India on Chandrayaan-3

'Proud to be your partner': US hails India on Chandrayaan-3

Rediff.com24 Aug 2023

Mainstream American newspapers, many of which had been sceptical of India's space mission and sometimes even made fun of it through cartoons, noted the great Indian achievement.

Centre starts process of eviction, sale of enemy properties worth Rs 1 lakh cr

Centre starts process of eviction, sale of enemy properties worth Rs 1 lakh cr

Rediff.com19 Mar 2023

There are a total of 12,611 establishments called enemy property, roughly estimated to be worth over Rs 1 lakh crore, in the country.

Asian Cricket Council slams PCB chief Sethi over Jay Shah tweet

Asian Cricket Council slams PCB chief Sethi over Jay Shah tweet

Rediff.com6 Jan 2023

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Friday hit back strongly at Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Sethi "vehemently denying baseless allegations" of unilateral decision making levelled against its president Jay Shah.

Train coach set afire in Kerala, police detain 1; NIA, IB join probe

Train coach set afire in Kerala, police detain 1; NIA, IB join probe

Rediff.com1 Jun 2023

The incident occurred on the Alappuzha-Kannur Executive Express train in which two months ago a man had set fire to his co-passengers, which resulted in three deaths including a toddler, leading to speculation that it might be a case of sabotage and connected to the earlier one.

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.

Govt to procure 200K-tonne onions amid farmer protest

Govt to procure 200K-tonne onions amid farmer protest

Rediff.com23 Aug 2023

Barely days after imposing a 40 per cent export tax on onions to cool down soaring prices, which, in turn, triggered widespread protests across the main growing belts, the Centre on Tuesday sought to mitigate both political and economic tensions gripping parts of Maharashtra. It decided to procure an additional 200,000 tonnes of onions at Rs 2,410 per quintal for its buffer stock from farmers, a rate that is strikingly close to the price at which they were being exported before the 40 per cent duty was levied on August 19. The export price before the imposition of the duty stood at around $320 per tonne free on board (approximately Rs 2,650 per quintal).

Former MyGovIndia chief Gaurav Dwivedi is new Prasar Bharati CEO

Former MyGovIndia chief Gaurav Dwivedi is new Prasar Bharati CEO

Rediff.com14 Nov 2022

Senior IAS officer and former MyGovIndia chief Gaurav Dwivedi was on Monday appointed the Chief Executive Officer of public broadcaster Prasar Bharati. A 1995-batch officer of Chhattisgarh cadre, Dwivedi will have a five-year tenure from the date he assumes charge. Currently, he is posted as Principal Secretary, Commercial Tax, in the Chhattisgarh government. "The President of India has today appointed, after due recommendation by the Selection Committee, Shri Gaurav Dwivedi, as Executive Member (Chief Executive Officer) in Prasar Bharati for a period of five years from his assumption of charge," a statement from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry said.

Pilot ends 5-hour fast, says struggle against corruption will continue

Pilot ends 5-hour fast, says struggle against corruption will continue

Rediff.com11 Apr 2023

Despite a warning issued to him by the Congress, former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot sat on a daylong fast at the Shaheed Smarak in Jaipur on Tuesday, demanding action in cases of alleged corruption related to the previous Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state led by Vasundhara Raje.

Twitter grilled on blocking Amit Shah account at parliamentary meet

Twitter grilled on blocking Amit Shah account at parliamentary meet

Rediff.com21 Jan 2021

Members of a parliamentary committee on Thursday raised the issue of Twitter temporarily locking the account of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in 2020 as well as misrepresentation of the Indian map by the micro-blogging site, sources said.

Ready to work with Parl panel on protecting citizens' rights: Twitter

Ready to work with Parl panel on protecting citizens' rights: Twitter

Rediff.com18 Jun 2021

Twitter on Friday said it 'stands prepared' to work with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on IT on safeguarding citizens' rights online, even as the panel categorically told the microblogging platform that rule of the land is supreme and not the company's policies.

Are Computers Destroying Chess?

Are Computers Destroying Chess?

Rediff.com25 Oct 2022

Cheating poses an existential challenge to chess. It's hard to know how it will be mitigated, but it must be, if chess is to continue being a legitimate sport, asserts Devangshu Datta.

Protect international cricket: MCC calls for urgent intervention

Protect international cricket: MCC calls for urgent intervention

Rediff.com10 Mar 2023

With franchise cricket taking over a major part of the calender, MCC called for urgent intervention to save international cricket.

Edtech company Byju's plans asset sale to pay off $1.2 billion loan

Edtech company Byju's plans asset sale to pay off $1.2 billion loan

Rediff.com12 Sep 2023

Byju's, India's most-valued startup, has decided to put two of its key assets -- Epic and Great Learning -- on the block to generate $800 million-$1 billion in cash, with an aim to meet the edtech firm's various commitments, including repaying the entire $1.2 billion term loan B (TLB) within six months, according to sources. The cash-strapped company has proposed repaying $300 million of the $1.2 billion loan in the next three months, depending on whether the lenders accept Byju's amendment proposal, said the people familiar with the development. "This loan repayment proposal has been submitted to the lenders and conversations are going in the right direction," said a person in the know.

Explain why minister, MP's accounts were locked: Parl panel to Twitter

Explain why minister, MP's accounts were locked: Parl panel to Twitter

Rediff.com29 Jun 2021

Last week, Twitter had blocked Union Information and Technology Minister Prasad from accessing his account which ratcheted up tensions with the government as it came under renewed attack for not following local laws.

Will call for CWC elections if elected Congress chief: Tharoor

Will call for CWC elections if elected Congress chief: Tharoor

Rediff.com12 Oct 2022

Tharoor also said the Congress must decentralise authority and truly empower the grassroots office-bearers of the party.

Parliament adjourned as Oppn remains firm on PM's statement on Manipur

Parliament adjourned as Oppn remains firm on PM's statement on Manipur

Rediff.com21 Jul 2023

Both houses of Parliament were adjourned for the day on Friday after an uproar over the violence in Manipur.

IAF inducts India-made light combat helicopters 'Prachand'

IAF inducts India-made light combat helicopters 'Prachand'

Rediff.com3 Oct 2022

The 5.8-tonne twin-engine gunship chopper is armed with air-to-air missiles, 20 mm turret guns, rocket systems and other weapons.

Justice Chandrachud bats for use of technology by judiciary

Justice Chandrachud bats for use of technology by judiciary

Rediff.com6 Sep 2022

Supreme Court judge Justice DY Chandrachud, who has been asking lawyers to adopt technological interventions, on Tuesday said that he saw someone recording the court's proceedings on a cell phone and wondered "how can he do so", but then he realised this was not a big deal as nothing is confidential in an open court hearing.

Police foils BBC's Modi docu screening at Jamia, detains protesting students

Police foils BBC's Modi docu screening at Jamia, detains protesting students

Rediff.com25 Jan 2023

The university administration said the screening will not be allowed and that they are taking all measures to prevent people and organisations with a "vested interest to destroy the peaceful academic atmosphere of the university".

Time to stand up to BJP's 'corruption washing machine': Uddhav's Sena

Time to stand up to BJP's 'corruption washing machine': Uddhav's Sena

Rediff.com6 Mar 2023

The Sena faction alleged corruption cases against BJP leaders are being suppressed.

Facebook asked to meet Shashi Tharoor-led MPs' panel on September 2

Facebook asked to meet Shashi Tharoor-led MPs' panel on September 2

Rediff.com21 Aug 2020

Besides representatives of Facebook, the committee has asked representatives of the ministry of electronics and information technology to remain present on September 2 to discuss on the subject of "safeguarding citizens' rights and prevention of misuse of social/online news media platforms including special emphasis on women security in the digital space".

Parliamentary panel on IT summons Facebook on September 2

Parliamentary panel on IT summons Facebook on September 2

Rediff.com20 Aug 2020

The political slugfest has been going on between the two, which started after Tharoor's announcement that the panel would like to hear from Facebook about the report published in Wall Street Journal claiming that the social media platform ignored applying its hate-speech rules to politicians of the ruling party in India.

Purchase of 30 MQ-9B drones okayed, to be announced after Modi-Biden talks

Purchase of 30 MQ-9B drones okayed, to be announced after Modi-Biden talks

Rediff.com16 Jun 2023

The defence ministry on Thursday accorded its approval to procure 30 MQ-9B Predator drones from the US to crank up the surveillance apparatus of the armed forces, especially along the frontier with China, people familiar with the development said.

Is The Congress Doomed?

Is The Congress Doomed?

Rediff.com7 Dec 2023

The Congress needs to reorganise itself at the grassroots, infuse younger blood, and have more boots on the ground. Just offering freebies is not the answer anymore. Leadership matters, asserts Ramesh Menon.

'Cybercrime has surpassed drug trafficking'

'Cybercrime has surpassed drug trafficking'

Rediff.com22 Dec 2022

Financial institutions are 300 times more vulnerable to cyberattacks than any other industry.