News for 'Political Affairs Committee of the Cabinet'

My priorities are govt's priorities: Foreign Secretary Jaishankar

My priorities are govt's priorities: Foreign Secretary Jaishankar

Rediff.com29 Jan 2015

S Jaishankar took charge as foreign secretary, replacing Sujatha Singh, on Thursday.

Govt might resort to ordinance route for insurance, coal Bills

Govt might resort to ordinance route for insurance, coal Bills

Rediff.com23 Dec 2014

Since Parliament is still in session, the government refrained from making an official statement but the ministers said there were ample 'precedents by the Congress governments in the past' of Bills being pushed through the ordinance route.

Cong MLA charges Karnataka party leadership; issued notice

Cong MLA charges Karnataka party leadership; issued notice

Rediff.com21 May 2019

"K C Venugopal is a buffoon, I feel sorry for him, I feel sorry for my leader Sri Rahul Gandhi ji," Baig told reporters.

Manish Tewari revives 2012 troops' movement controversy, draws flak

Manish Tewari revives 2012 troops' movement controversy, draws flak

Rediff.com10 Jan 2016

Questioning the timing of the remarks, the BJP demanded a statement from former PM Manmohan Singh and former defence minister A K Antony on the issue.

Lalu-Mulayam-Mamata-Mayawati absence makes Sonia's iftar a political miss

Lalu-Mulayam-Mamata-Mayawati absence makes Sonia's iftar a political miss

Rediff.com14 Jul 2015

Sonia Gandhi's iftar was meant to be a powerful show of unity of Opposition parties to take on the Modi Sarkar, but that was not to be...

Kovind will carry vast experience to Rashtrapati Bhavan

Kovind will carry vast experience to Rashtrapati Bhavan

Rediff.com20 Jul 2017

The president-elect has vast public, social, and political experience which will help him better to discharge his duty as the First Citizen of India.

Government makes U-turn after row erupts over RTI reply on Bose

Government makes U-turn after row erupts over RTI reply on Bose

Rediff.com2 Jun 2017

The controversy was triggered by a reply from the ministry of home affairs to an RTI filed by a Kolkata resident.

India-Asean services FTA in limbo over retail FDI

India-Asean services FTA in limbo over retail FDI

Rediff.com15 Apr 2014

Thailand, Indonesia want unconditional access to India's multi-brand retail space.

Fear stalks babus at Raisina Hill after Sujatha Singh sacked

Fear stalks babus at Raisina Hill after Sujatha Singh sacked

Rediff.com30 Jan 2015

Sujatha Singh is the third senior official to have been dismissed by NDA.

Sitharaman becomes India's first full-time woman defence minister

Sitharaman becomes India's first full-time woman defence minister

Rediff.com3 Sep 2017

The 58-year-old Rajya Sabha MP will face several challenges, including strengthening of the combat capabilities of the army, navy and the air force due to changing regional security matrix and geo-political dynamics.

Sibling rivalry erupts again in DMK

Sibling rivalry erupts again in DMK

Rediff.com4 Jan 2014

Sibling rivalry in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam came to the fore for yet another time on Saturday, with the party high command dissolving a Madurai unit and replacing it with a temporary body dominated by supporters of its Treasurer M K Stalin.

With GST on agenda, Monsoon Session from July 18

With GST on agenda, Monsoon Session from July 18

Rediff.com29 Jun 2016

The session will have 20 working days for now.

Ibne Abbas to be new Pakistani envoy to India

Ibne Abbas to be new Pakistani envoy to India

Rediff.com9 Oct 2013

Veteran Pakistani diplomats Syed Ibne Abbas and Jalil Abbas Jilani would be the new Pakistani envoys to India and the United States respectively as part of a wide-ranging reshuffle of envoys in key capitals around the world.

The armed forces' strategy is still anchored to 1964

The armed forces' strategy is still anchored to 1964

Rediff.com18 May 2015

Every demand of the armed forces remains essentially anchored to 1964 and its fulfilment or otherwise largely a function of money availability

Who is No. 2 in government? Answer expected this week

Who is No. 2 in government? Answer expected this week

Rediff.com8 Apr 2015

When Prime Minister Modi travelled to the US last year Home Minister Rajnath Singh was officially put in charge of the government. But the BJP's national executive in Bengaluru made it clear who now matters in the party and in what order. Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com reports

Govt hopes to sell Air India, lease Ashok hotel next fiscal

Govt hopes to sell Air India, lease Ashok hotel next fiscal

Rediff.com19 Jan 2019

'The target for next year is unlikely to be more than that of this year. The more you divest in any cycle, the less your potential pipeline for the next,' said an official. 'The first two issues we want to tackle and complete in FY20 are Air India and Hotel Ashok.'

How the CBI can be saved

How the CBI can be saved

Rediff.com31 Oct 2018

'The CBI should be bifurcated and the CBI's charter should be restricted to anti-corruption cases.'
'The investigation of major criminal cases having national and international implications, and national crimes spread over more than one state may be entrusted to a new national crime bureau,' recommends Dr Madhav Godbole, the former home secretary.

'Pinning all the blame on Rahul is simplistic, unfair'

'Pinning all the blame on Rahul is simplistic, unfair'

Rediff.com10 Jun 2019

'I would personally like to see Rahul Gandhi continue as party president.' 'I genuinely believe he has far more to offer to the party still, particularly in leading us in these challenging times that we find ourselves in.'

MHA says J-K leaders to be released but gives no time-frame

MHA says J-K leaders to be released but gives no time-frame

Rediff.com15 Nov 2019

Home ministry officials told the parliamentary panel that those detained under the PSA can challenge their detention in a designated tribunal.

Jet-Etihad deal: Finmin raises questions on effective control

Jet-Etihad deal: Finmin raises questions on effective control

Rediff.com10 Jul 2013

While the FIPB has sought more transparency on whether the rules concerning effective control would be followed once the deal fructifies, the Finance Ministry has also written to Sebi for a report on the Jet-Etihad deal, official sources said Wednesday.

US-India: Why 2+2 may not always be 4

US-India: Why 2+2 may not always be 4

Rediff.com23 Dec 2019

'This is a historic juncture when the US is in great need of an alliance with India to strengthen its hands in the fierce struggle with China in the Asian theatre,' points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Is this why Rahul visits temples?

Is this why Rahul visits temples?

Rediff.com6 Apr 2018

'When it comes to national politics, the Modi-Shah BJP has successfully redefined secularism.' 'If a party like the Congress has to have a future, it has to move closer to the secular centre from the far Left where its Left infatuation during the UPA years dragged it,' argues Shekhar Gupta.

PM speaks to Xi, congratulates on his re-election

PM speaks to Xi, congratulates on his re-election

Rediff.com20 Mar 2018

The telephonic talk between Modi and Xi came a day after Modi congratulated Xi on Chinese social media.

Kumaraswamy appeals to Congress high-command to pacify sulking MLAs

Kumaraswamy appeals to Congress high-command to pacify sulking MLAs

Rediff.com8 Jun 2018

The CM met M B Patil, a prominent Congress leader under whose leadership a section of dissatisfied MLAs have been holding meetings.

Jairam Ramesh: The man who Congress loves to hate

Jairam Ramesh: The man who Congress loves to hate

Rediff.com9 Jan 2014

Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh is coming under increasing fire from his own party colleagues for quite a few reasons, says Anita Katyal

How Modi can make our diplomats more effective

How Modi can make our diplomats more effective

Rediff.com26 May 2015

Has the Modi government ensured that the MEA keeps abreast of the times, asks Ambassador Vivek Katju.

AAP welcomes EC's order to defer doubling of gas price

AAP welcomes EC's order to defer doubling of gas price

Rediff.com25 Mar 2014

The commission asks for notification to be deferred; RIL's KG-D6 pricing issue may return to Cabinet

Xi gets the generals he wants

Xi gets the generals he wants

Rediff.com7 Sep 2017

To rise quickly in the PLA's hierarchy, you need to be close to Xi Jinping. Retired RA&W officer Jayadeva Ranade on the changes in China's military leadership.

Uproar in RS over SP leader linking alcohol to Hindu gods

Uproar in RS over SP leader linking alcohol to Hindu gods

Rediff.com19 Jul 2017

The remark by Agrawal was expunged by the chair even as it came for a strong condemnation from the BJP.

Rajnath Singh takes charge as Union home minister

Rajnath Singh takes charge as Union home minister

Rediff.com29 May 2014

Rajnath Singh, under whose stewardship the Bharatiya Janata Party has stormed to power with its highest-ever tally, took charge as the Union home minister.

Mending fences with China begins

Mending fences with China begins

Rediff.com26 Feb 2018

'Significantly, Foreign Secretary Gokhale was received at very high level in Beijing.' 'It only shows China's keenness to move forward and put the relationship on a 'win-win' footing,' says Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Will NDA grant Congress LOP post in Lok Sabha?

Will NDA grant Congress LOP post in Lok Sabha?

Rediff.com5 Jun 2014

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sumitra Mahajan will be appointed Speaker of the 16th Lok Sabha on Friday. Other key parliamentary posts like that of Leader of Opposition, deputy Speaker, chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and head of the all-important standing committee on finance will be keenly contested.

Why has the army chief not been appointed yet?

Why has the army chief not been appointed yet?

Rediff.com8 Dec 2016

According to convention, Lieutenant General Praveen Bakshi should be named as General Dalbir Singh Suhag's successor as army chief

Had actually sought early retirement, claims Sujata Singh

Had actually sought early retirement, claims Sujata Singh

Rediff.com29 Jan 2015

Sujatha Singh claimed that she had actually sought early retirement.

No other PM has come close to Nehru's success

No other PM has come close to Nehru's success

Rediff.com14 Nov 2019

'His contributions in setting up transparent precedents of governance are still basically intact despite the cynicism of several of his successors,' notes Jamini Bhagwati.

India shoots down live satellite, 4th country to enter space power club

India shoots down live satellite, 4th country to enter space power club

Rediff.com27 Mar 2019

India is only the fourth country to acquire such a specialised and modern capability after the United States, Russia and China.

Congress staring at poll rout in Haryana

Congress staring at poll rout in Haryana

Rediff.com2 Jul 2014

Factionalism has been made bitter by the level of personal attacks that warring senior leaders indulge in. Kavita Chowdhury reports.

Delhi government clears Jan Lokpal bill

Delhi government clears Jan Lokpal bill

Rediff.com3 Feb 2014

The Delhi Cabinet on Monday cleared the draft of the much talked-about Jan Lokpal bill which provides for covering all public servants -- from chief minister to Group D employees -- and seeks life term as maximum punishment for those found guilty of corruption.

20 years after Pokhran: PMs and India's nuclear ambitions

20 years after Pokhran: PMs and India's nuclear ambitions

Rediff.com11 May 2018

20 years ago this day, May 11, 1998, India conducted its second nuclear test at Pokharan in Rajasthan. In a fascinating interview on Rediff.com, K Subrahmanyam revealed how Indian PMs reacted to nuclear ambitions.

Trianmool's new A team: Mukul Roy kept at bay

Trianmool's new A team: Mukul Roy kept at bay

Rediff.com14 Feb 2015

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Saturday carried out a major reshuffle in the party set-up