News for 'Public Affairs Centre'

'We started as a democracy, but have regressed to a banana republic'

'We started as a democracy, but have regressed to a banana republic'

Rediff.com25 Jan 2021

'Governments, democratically elected governments, are custodians for a short- specified time.' 'Parents don't let baby sitters decide the course of their child's future.'

Why Sri Lanka Is In Crisis

Why Sri Lanka Is In Crisis

Rediff.com4 Apr 2022

The protests brought home the fact that the Sri Lankan public is in no mood for halfway measures, as voices against Rajapaksa 'family rule' and 'securitisation' of the civilian administration began sidestepping the more critical economic crisis, affecting the nation and afflicting the individual, observes Sri Lanka watcher N Sathiya Moorthy.

Last act in long, acrimonious Bengal polls on Thursday

Last act in long, acrimonious Bengal polls on Thursday

Rediff.com28 Apr 2021

Over 84 lakh voters in West Bengal will decide the political fate of 283 candidates on Thursday, when 35 assembly constituencies go to polls in the eighth and final phase, amid a raging second wave of Covid-19.

What farmers fear the most

What farmers fear the most

Rediff.com30 Sep 2020

'The UPA was the gang that couldn't shoot straight. The NDA is the gang that can't stop shooting. They (the Modi government) are shooting at anybody, everybody, all directions, shooting themselves in the foot.'

Freedom of speech is most abused: SC on 'fake news' on Tablighis

Freedom of speech is most abused: SC on 'fake news' on Tablighis

Rediff.com8 Oct 2020

The apex court pulled up the Centre for its "evasive" and "brazen" affidavit on the issue.

WhatsApp's new privacy policy challenged in Delhi HC

WhatsApp's new privacy policy challenged in Delhi HC

Rediff.com14 Jan 2021

The plea was filed by advocate Chaitanya Rohilla who stated that WhatsApp changed its privacy policy in "most arbitrary manner" and had made it compulsory for its users to accept its terms and conditions, failing which the accounts and services would be terminated after February 8, 2021 for the respective user.

What is China's action plan for Tibet?

What is China's action plan for Tibet?

Rediff.com16 Dec 2021

National security, consolidation of border defences and border security highlights China's Tibet policy, points out Jayadeva Ranade, the former senior RA&W officer and China expert.

Power centre Delhi holds key to Modi's India revival dream

Power centre Delhi holds key to Modi's India revival dream

Rediff.com22 Dec 2014

Modi government must push reforms at a fast pace to restore growth.

'Criminals happiest under BJP: Akhilesh

'Criminals happiest under BJP: Akhilesh

Rediff.com14 Oct 2021

'The BJP will never act against the minister because it stands with criminals.'

Heritage buildings won't be demolished under Central vista: Govt

Heritage buildings won't be demolished under Central vista: Govt

Rediff.com31 May 2021

While the main building of the National Archives will remain intact, its annexe will be demolished and a new building will be constructed, officials said.

Oppn corners govt on price rise, unemployment; says breaching states' rights

Oppn corners govt on price rise, unemployment; says breaching states' rights

Rediff.com2 Feb 2022

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, speaking on the Motion of Thanks on the President's address, charged the government with not delivering on its various promises, including generating two crore jobs per year.

PSBs get more teeth to checkmate defaulters

PSBs get more teeth to checkmate defaulters

Rediff.com23 Nov 2018

The Ministry of Home Affairs amended its guidelines on October 12 to include the chairman, managing director or chief executive officer of each public sector bank on the list of authorities who can issue requests for opening look-out circulars against whom an FIR is yet to be filed.

For Taliban, US is Important

For Taliban, US is Important

Rediff.com9 Oct 2021

The Taliban knows that Washington holds the key, points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Winter session ends, Centre says Congress stalled bill triple talaq

Winter session ends, Centre says Congress stalled bill triple talaq

Rediff.com5 Jan 2018

The productivity of the Lok Sabha was 91.58 per cent while that of Rajya Sabha was 56.29 per cent.

Plea against WhatsApp privacy policy: Delhi HC judge recuses

Plea against WhatsApp privacy policy: Delhi HC judge recuses

Rediff.com15 Jan 2021

During the short hearing, Justice Prathibha M Singh took strong objection to an email sent by WhatsApp to the court. "I was in any case not going to hear it," the court clarified and sent the matter to another bench recording that the email sent by WhatsApp should be withdrawn unconditionally.

The men behind Sitharaman's 2nd Budget

The men behind Sitharaman's 2nd Budget

Rediff.com30 Dec 2019

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her second Budget a little more than a month from now. Like any other FM, Sitharaman will depend on her team of bureaucrats and advisors to frame and present the Budget.

COVID-19 situation 'especially serious' in these 5 cities: MHA

COVID-19 situation 'especially serious' in these 5 cities: MHA

Rediff.com24 Apr 2020

'The situation is especially serious in major hotspot districts or emerging hotspots like Ahmedabad and Surat (Gujarat), Thane (Maharashtra), Hyderabad (Telangana), and Chennai (Tamil Nadu),' the MHA statement said.

Nirmala repeats her feat, breaches another male bastion

Nirmala repeats her feat, breaches another male bastion

Rediff.com31 May 2019

Sitharaman, who became the first full-time woman defence minister in the first tenure of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government -- will also head the Corporate Affairs ministry in the new cabinet.

'Gandhi was not an advisor to Savarkar'

'Gandhi was not an advisor to Savarkar'

Rediff.com13 Oct 2021

'I am very grateful to Rajnathji that he confirmed the fact that Savarkar was a habitual mercy-seeker from the British.'

197 missing, 20 dead in U'khand floods: Shah tells Parliament

197 missing, 20 dead in U'khand floods: Shah tells Parliament

Rediff.com9 Feb 2021

Making a statement in the House "regarding an avalanche in Chamoli District of Uttarakhand", the Union minister said these inputs were based on the information received till Monday 5 pm from the state government.

Fresh crisis in Cong as Azad, Sibal seek CWC meet amid defections

Fresh crisis in Cong as Azad, Sibal seek CWC meet amid defections

Rediff.com29 Sep 2021

Beset by troubles on multiple fronts within, the Congress faces the danger of imploding with party veterans Ghulam Nabi Azad and Kapil Sibal on Wednesday sharply questioning the decision-making process, saying there are 'no monopolies', and demanded convening an urgent meeting of the Congress Working Committee for a 'dialogue'.

Floods End Stalin's Honeymoon

Floods End Stalin's Honeymoon

Rediff.com10 Dec 2021

With the unanticipated floods across Tamil Nadu catching the unprepared administration unawares, Stalin finds that some of the early positives that had rubbed on his initiatives have been lost, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Citibank likely to hive off consumer banking business in India

Citibank likely to hive off consumer banking business in India

Rediff.com8 Mar 2021

In India, it is not easy to fight it out with the large banks which are nimble-footed and technology-savvy and are continuously innovating on the retail turf with newer products for customer acquisition.

Rebalancing India-China, The Sri Lanka Way

Rebalancing India-China, The Sri Lanka Way

Rediff.com14 Feb 2022

Colombo seems to be veering to the middle path between China and the US on global matters, but in regional matters of strategic security, it is increasingly identifying with India, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

SC stays Puri's Rath Yatra due to COVID-19

SC stays Puri's Rath Yatra due to COVID-19

Rediff.com18 Jun 2020

'Lord Jagannath won't forgive us if we allow this year's Rath Yatra to go on'

Maharashtra govt extends lockdown in till June 30

Maharashtra govt extends lockdown in till June 30

Rediff.com31 May 2020

The Maharashtra government on Sunday extended till June 30 the lockdown in the entire state, and announced easing of restrictions and phase-wise resumption of activities under the "Mission Begin Again".

AFSPA: Repeal Won't Change Anything

AFSPA: Repeal Won't Change Anything

Rediff.com16 Dec 2021

The army has been left to do justice to itself for crimes it is accused of committing against civilians. As a force inside the government, obviously it will want that there be no intrusion into what they do, points out Aakar Patel.

Won't talk to Khattar until he apologises for 'inflicting brutality' on farmers: Amarinder

Won't talk to Khattar until he apologises for 'inflicting brutality' on farmers: Amarinder

Rediff.com28 Nov 2020

The Punjab CM's reaction has come after Khattar alleged on Saturday alleged that despite wanting to talk to him over the issue, he did not respond even when telephone calls to his office were made for three days.

BharatPe: 'Why should I resign?'

BharatPe: 'Why should I resign?'

Rediff.com12 Apr 2022

'At the first board meeting I chaired, I sensed that corporate governance is an issue in this company.' 'I started taking steps that may have aggrieved a few.' 'This has now become a mission I intend to accomplish before I step down.'

India bars all international flights, insists on work from home

India bars all international flights, insists on work from home

Rediff.com19 Mar 2020

The central government said the railways and civil aviation ministry must suspend all concessional travel on trains and flights, except for students, patients and disabled people.

Situation under control: Bengal govt replies to MHA advisory

Situation under control: Bengal govt replies to MHA advisory

Rediff.com10 Jun 2019

State Chief Secretary Malay Kumar De wrote that 'firm and appropriate actions' were initiated in all cases of violence without any delay.

Customary 'Halwa ceremony' kickstarts Budget proceedings

Customary 'Halwa ceremony' kickstarts Budget proceedings

Rediff.com23 Jan 2021

As part of the ritual, ''halwa'' is prepared in a big ''kadhai'' (large frying pot) and served to the entire staff involved in the Budget making exercise of the ministry. Halwa was served while maintaining COVID protocol with all present in mask and those distributing sweets were wearing gloves.

Top bureaucrat takes a jibe at RBI

Top bureaucrat takes a jibe at RBI

Rediff.com3 Nov 2018

Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Garg is the finance ministry's primary liaison with the RBI.

Govt nominates ex-CJI Gogoi to Rajya Sabha

Govt nominates ex-CJI Gogoi to Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com16 Mar 2020

He will be the first former Chief Justice of India to be nominated to Rajya Sabha. Former Chief Justice Ranganath Misra was also a Rajya Sabha member but he was elected on a Congress party ticket.

Piyush Goyal may present interim Budget on Feb 1

Piyush Goyal may present interim Budget on Feb 1

Rediff.com23 Jan 2019

The Budget is expected to make some key announcements, including relief package for farmers, poor and sops for the middle-class.

Assam NRC data goes offline; it's safe, says MHA

Assam NRC data goes offline; it's safe, says MHA

Rediff.com13 Feb 2020

The data was not available for a couple of days and it created panic in the public, mostly among the people excluded from the list as the rejection certificates were yet to be issued.

PM Modi to address nation on Tuesday, last day of 3-week lockdown

PM Modi to address nation on Tuesday, last day of 3-week lockdown

Rediff.com13 Apr 2020

The prime minister is likely to talk about its possible extension.

Sasikala brings EPS-OPS rift out in open

Sasikala brings EPS-OPS rift out in open

Rediff.com28 Oct 2021

The revived factionalism in the AIADMK, if not curbed now, has the potential to split the party vertically, warns N Sathiya Moorthy.

Meet those who led the farmers' movement

Meet those who led the farmers' movement

Rediff.com19 Nov 2021

Here are some of the key farmer leaders who fronted the protests.

Govt exploring possibility to produce Covaxin abroad

Govt exploring possibility to produce Covaxin abroad

Rediff.com21 May 2021

To address the shortage of COVID-19 jabs in the country, the government is exploring the possibility of boosting production of vaccines, including identifying manufacturing sites for indigenously developed Covaxin outside India, sources said.