News for 'Public Affairs Centre'

After Parliament, now focus on VP Enclave, new PMO

After Parliament, now focus on VP Enclave, new PMO

Rediff.com28 May 2023

The government also plans to build MPs' chambers that will come up on the land where the Transport Bhawan and Shram Shakti Bhawan are located.

Ghulam Nabi Azad declines Sonia Gandhi's offer to lead J-K campaign

Ghulam Nabi Azad declines Sonia Gandhi's offer to lead J-K campaign

Rediff.com17 Aug 2022

Congress president Sonia Gandhi Tuesday appointed former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad as the party's campaign committee chief in the union territory, but he declined the offer.

CBI gets govt nod to prosecute Sisodia in snooping case

CBI gets govt nod to prosecute Sisodia in snooping case

Rediff.com22 Feb 2023

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs conveyed to Delhi's Lt Governor's office granting of sanction to prosecute Sisodia under Section 17 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (powers to police for investigating a public servant).

How PM Modi Became Saint Modi

How PM Modi Became Saint Modi

Rediff.com27 Nov 2023

The transmogrification of Prime Minister Modi to Saint Modi began with the ground-breaking ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. By identifying himself with Lord Ram, Modi raised himself in popular imagination to a saintly person.

SC to beef up own 2018 verdict on curbing hate crimes

SC to beef up own 2018 verdict on curbing hate crimes

Rediff.com25 Aug 2023

The Supreme Court Friday said it will strengthen its 2018 guidelines for dealing with mob violence, hate speeches and lynching to ensure that culprits are dealt with equally, irrespective of their communities for their public utterances spreading bigotry.

Govt must be given leeway to save nation: SC on Sec 6A of citizenship law

Govt must be given leeway to save nation: SC on Sec 6A of citizenship law

Rediff.com7 Dec 2023

Referring to section 6A of the Citizenship Act applicable exclusively to Assam, a five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said governments have to make compromises for the overall well-being of the nation.

Caste survey: 34% Bihar families earn less than Rs 200/day

Caste survey: 34% Bihar families earn less than Rs 200/day

Rediff.com7 Nov 2023

The percentage of households who live on less than Rs 6,000 a month or less than Rs 200 a day among the Scheduled tribe households (42.91 per cent) was almost the same as among scheduled caste households (42.78 per cent).

When Some Speak For All

When Some Speak For All

Rediff.com19 Jan 2024

...close to the 2024 general election. The BJP calling the Congress 'seasonal Hindu' is as laughable as the saffron party sparing itself the title of 'seasonal extreme Hindu.'

How else should one describe its election campaigns of the past years?
It was typically obsessive religion and personality cult with economic development for fig leaf, asserts Shyam G Menon.

NGO sues BBC for Rs 10,000 cr over Modi documentary, Delhi HC issues notice

NGO sues BBC for Rs 10,000 cr over Modi documentary, Delhi HC issues notice

Rediff.com22 May 2023

An NGO claimed that its documentary cast a slur on the reputation of India, its judiciary and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

TN govt's request to free Rajiv's killers not referred to Centre, says Guv

TN govt's request to free Rajiv's killers not referred to Centre, says Guv

Rediff.com15 Sep 2018

The governor said a decision on the issue would be taken in a "just and fair manner" in accordance with the Constitution.

How dengue in India is linked to climate change

How dengue in India is linked to climate change

Rediff.com25 Nov 2023

The transmission of dengue is closely associated with three key factors -- rainfall, humidity and temperature -- that dictate the geographies in which it spreads and the transmission rate of the viral infection caused by the dengue virus (DENV), and transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes.

Congress' Cricket Promise In MP

Congress' Cricket Promise In MP

Rediff.com15 Nov 2023

'The concept of an MP IPL team is the brainchild of Kamal Nath.' 'If the Congress government comes to power in the state, he will assemble an IPL team for MP with the assistance of his business contacts.'

SC issues notice to Centre on Somali pirates

SC issues notice to Centre on Somali pirates

Rediff.com14 Jan 2013

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Centre on a public interest litigation seeking direction to the government to frame effective anti-piracy guidelines in the wake of increasing incidents of Indian seamen being held hostages by Somali pirates.

Hamas attack: Under fire, Netanyahu apologises for blaming security services

Hamas attack: Under fire, Netanyahu apologises for blaming security services

Rediff.com29 Oct 2023

His comments evoked sharp criticism following which it was deleted.

India's Untold Nepal Stories

India's Untold Nepal Stories

Rediff.com11 Mar 2024

In 2017, a retired R&AW officer conveyed that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was keen to get monarchy restored in Nepal and suggested that I support these efforts.

Broadcast licence renewal doesn't need security nod: Kerala's MediaOne to SC

Broadcast licence renewal doesn't need security nod: Kerala's MediaOne to SC

Rediff.com1 Nov 2022

A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Hima Kohli commenced hearing on the plea of the news channel against the Kerala high court's order upholding the Centre's decision to ban its telecast on security grounds.

Digital Loan Apps: Boon Or Bane?

Digital Loan Apps: Boon Or Bane?

Rediff.com18 Jan 2024

For the time being, digital lending remains a grey area, notes Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

CAG to audit reconstruction of Delhi CM's residence

CAG to audit reconstruction of Delhi CM's residence

Rediff.com27 Jun 2023

The Union home ministry has recommended the special CAG audit taking note of a May 24 letter by Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena which pointed out 'gross and prima facie financial irregularities' in the 'reconstruction' of the chief minister's official residence, they claimed.

Face masks, limited hours: Centre's guidelines for Metro services

Face masks, limited hours: Centre's guidelines for Metro services

Rediff.com2 Sep 2020

This comes ahead of the resumption of the functioning of metro rails across the country from September 7.

Ram Temple And The Religion Vs Politics Debate

Ram Temple And The Religion Vs Politics Debate

Rediff.com17 Jan 2024

At a time when the BJP's stars are at the top on the eve of the Lok Sabha polls, the Puri-Joshimath Sankaracharyas may have kick-started a row whose efforts might be to divide Hindus, not in the name of castes, but on what passes for greater belief, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Lessons For The World From 2023

Lessons For The World From 2023

Rediff.com29 Dec 2023

One looks upon the coming new year with foreboding as current wars in Ukraine and Gaza spill over and escalate and new ones erupt in incipient fault lines across the world, notes former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

National Anthem in cinemas: Centre urges SC to modify order, forms panel

National Anthem in cinemas: Centre urges SC to modify order, forms panel

Rediff.com8 Jan 2018

The committee has to consider a wide range of issues relating to the national anthem, and have extensive discussions with various ministries.

Looking At 1999: 25 Years Ago In Bollywood...

Looking At 1999: 25 Years Ago In Bollywood...

Rediff.com12 Mar 2024

Sukanya Verma recaps all those events from 25 years ago.

PM Modi's US visit: India's entry into critical mineral alliance on table

PM Modi's US visit: India's entry into critical mineral alliance on table

Rediff.com21 Jun 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the US is expected to see discussion on India's possible entry into a US-led global alliance on critical minerals, officials told Business Standard. In June last year, the US, the European Union, and other G7 partners launched the Minerals Security Partnership to ensure that China did not further strengthen its grip on supplies of critical minerals the world over. Various ministries, including the Ministry of Finance, have communicated to the Ministry of External Affairs to explore the possibility of India joining the partnership, officials said.

Centre needs to tread cautiously on Netaji files: Venkaiah Naidu

Centre needs to tread cautiously on Netaji files: Venkaiah Naidu

Rediff.com19 Sep 2015

The Centre will take a decision on declassification of files held by it related to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose only after studying its impact on India's relations with other countries, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said in Hyderabad on Saturday.

No constitutional fraud in annulling Art 370, due process followed: Govt to SC

No constitutional fraud in annulling Art 370, due process followed: Govt to SC

Rediff.com25 Aug 2023

The five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, which heard their contentions at length, told them they will have to justify the procedure adopted for abrogation as the court cannot postulate a situation "where the ends justify the means".

How To Crack UPSC 2023

How To Crack UPSC 2023

Rediff.com17 Feb 2023

It is recommended to allocate a minimum of 3 to 4 hours for studying over the weekdays and maximise effort during the weekends, suggests Sarmad Mehraj, teacher and VP, product (UPSC) at BYJU'S.

'In life as well as in politics, nothing is black or white'

'In life as well as in politics, nothing is black or white'

Rediff.com15 Dec 2023

'There was trust, but perhaps there was also this apprehension that given the supreme post of prime minister, Sonia Gandhi felt her authority may be a challenged.'

At ASEAN, Modi presents 12-point proposal to bolster cooperation

At ASEAN, Modi presents 12-point proposal to bolster cooperation

Rediff.com7 Sep 2023

Modi attended the 20th ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta. Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr Kao Kim Hourn also attended the summit.

Budget 2023-24: Stay on fiscal glide path, economists advise FM Sitharaman

Budget 2023-24: Stay on fiscal glide path, economists advise FM Sitharaman

Rediff.com29 Nov 2022

The Union government could target a fiscal deficit of 5.8-6 per cent of nominal GDP for 2023-24, and it should continue its capital expenditure push and look to simplify the personal income tax regime, economists recommended Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her team during their pre-Budget interaction on Monday. Starting last week, Sitharaman had eight pre-Budget consultations this time. More than 110 invitees representing seven stakeholder groups participated in these meetings, the finance ministry said in a statement. The stakeholder groups included representatives and experts from agriculture and agro-processing industry; industry, infrastructure & climate change; financial sector and capital markets; services and trade; social sector; trade unions and labour organisations; and economists.

'Politically, BJP is ruthless'

'Politically, BJP is ruthless'

Rediff.com20 Jul 2023

'The BJP think they are running an ideology machine in this country, and they have to convert everyone, from people to parties to party leaders.'

It's BJP vs Congress as MP, Chhattisgarh vote

It's BJP vs Congress as MP, Chhattisgarh vote

Rediff.com17 Nov 2023

In both of these Hindi heartland states, the straight contest between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition Congress.

TCS bags electronic passport mandate from MEA

TCS bags electronic passport mandate from MEA

Rediff.com8 Feb 2022

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has bagged -- from the Ministry of External Affairs -- the contract for delivering electronic passports (e-passports), according to sources. This deal is in addition to the second phase of implementing the Passport Seva Program, which the company got from the ministry. Players such as Thales India and HP participated in this deal, which is expected to be of Rs 1,000-1,200 crore.

Centre grants sanction to prosecute Delhi minister Satyendar Jain

Centre grants sanction to prosecute Delhi minister Satyendar Jain

Rediff.com29 Nov 2018

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal reacted strongly to the development claiming the case was registered against Jain as he was working for the regularisation of city's unauthorised colonies.

Every Ruling Party Like Its Writ To Run

Every Ruling Party Like Its Writ To Run

Rediff.com24 Jun 2023

Despite their opposition based on ideology, both the political Right and the political Left possess similar behaviour, observes Shyam G Menon.

Govt Misses Divestment Target

Govt Misses Divestment Target

Rediff.com19 Jan 2023

Ahead of the Budget, the government has achieved almost half the divestment target of Rs 65,000 crore. FY23 divestment receipts are unlikely to be anywhere close to the budgeted target.

Centre issues new Covid guidelines from Dec 1

Centre issues new Covid guidelines from Dec 1

Rediff.com25 Nov 2020

The guidelines said that keeping in view the recent spike in new cases in a few states and UTs, ongoing festival season and onset of winter, it is emphasised that to fully overcome the pandemic there is a need to maintain caution and to strictly follow the prescribed containment strategy.

HC upholds single judge's order barring Media One, cites security of State

HC upholds single judge's order barring Media One, cites security of State

Rediff.com2 Mar 2022

The Kerala high court on Wednesday upheld the Centre's decision to deny security clearance to Malayalam news channel Media One saying it was of the view there were certain aspects, in the intelligence reports about the channel which affect public order or national security.

Why 2024 Polls Are Crucial For AIADMK

Why 2024 Polls Are Crucial For AIADMK

Rediff.com4 Sep 2023

With the assembly polls only two years away, in 2026, any demoralising defeat in 2024, would challenge not only the party's continued relevance but also EPS's leadership, asserts N Sathiya Moorthy.

Surveillance by State unacceptable unless absolutely necessary: SC ex-judge

Surveillance by State unacceptable unless absolutely necessary: SC ex-judge

Rediff.com1 Apr 2023

Justice Chelameswar said the State has reasons to keep surveillance depending upon the situations, but there should be "an amount of transparency in the process".