News for 'Public Affairs Centre'

Nursing home inferno kills 38 senior citizens in China

Nursing home inferno kills 38 senior citizens in China

Rediff.com27 May 2015

A massive fire engulfed a private nursing home for senior citizens in central China, killing at least 38 residents who were charred beyond recognition and prompting authorities to order nationwide safety checks of public buildings.

J-K govt declares entire Kashmir valley in red zone

J-K govt declares entire Kashmir valley in red zone

Rediff.com4 May 2020

In Jammu region, three districts of Jammu, Samba and Kathua are in red zone.

Names of all NRC applicants published online

Names of all NRC applicants published online

Rediff.com14 Sep 2019

The names of all the 3.30 crore applicants as per draft NRC and supplementary list of inclusions and exclusions (final NRC) have been published.

Guidelines issued for reopening of higher educational institutions

Guidelines issued for reopening of higher educational institutions

Rediff.com8 Sep 2020

'Staggering of classroom activities to be done, with separate timing slots, to allow for adequate physical distancing and disinfection of classroom premises. Academic scheduling should have an intermix of regular classroom teaching and online teaching and assessments,' the ministry said.

Nirmalaji must wield the whip. Often

Nirmalaji must wield the whip. Often

Rediff.com18 Feb 2021

'Let us hope that this Budget delivers.' 'It needs 10 per cent plus real GDP growth in 2021-22, the rebound year,' notes Omkar Goswami.

SC to hear plea for full insurance of all bank deposits

SC to hear plea for full insurance of all bank deposits

Rediff.com16 Oct 2019

The plea, filed by Delhi-based Bejon Kumar Misra, said the Centre and RBI should be directed to ensure complete insulation and insurance of the hard-earned deposited money of people in various co-operative banks, including nationalised banks, by enacting an appropriate measure of 100 per cent insurance coverage towards the deposited amount.

After HRD, now Smriti Irani out of government panel

After HRD, now Smriti Irani out of government panel

Rediff.com19 Oct 2016

Union Ministers Smriti Irani and D V Sadananda Gowda have been dropped from Inter-State Council, official sources said on Wednesday.

LDF sweeps Kerala civic polls; BJP betters its 2015 show

LDF sweeps Kerala civic polls; BJP betters its 2015 show

Rediff.com16 Dec 2020

The LDF was also leading in 10 out of the 14 district panchayats and 108 block panchayats of the total of 152, according to the State Election Commission figures.

COVID-19: 'There will be some spikes'

COVID-19: 'There will be some spikes'

Rediff.com19 Feb 2021

'It is absolutely important for us to continue to message to people that they must wear masks, keep physical distancing, as much as is practically possible, at work or at home.'

After accusing allies of snooping, Patole says no rift in MVA

After accusing allies of snooping, Patole says no rift in MVA

Rediff.com13 Jul 2021

Reacting to Patole's suggestion that he was under watch, the NCP, which handles the home department, on Monday said his claim was based on incomplete information, while the Shiv Sena asserted that all was well in the ruling alliance.

'Modi govt failed to understand or to tackle COVID'

'Modi govt failed to understand or to tackle COVID'

Rediff.com1 May 2021

As India logged a world record of over four lakh coronavirus infections on Saturday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the entire world is shaken by what is happening here and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "dropping the ball and throwing it to states" after prematurely taking credit for having "won against COVID-19" when the second wave was already underway. "Rely on yourself is the motto. No one will come to help you. Definitely, not the prime minister," Gandhi said, while alleging that the COVID-19 situation has gone completely out of control for the Modi government, and wondered whether it was their way of making the states and the citizens truly 'Aatmanirbhar'.

Angry IOA boss Batra slams national sports federations

Angry IOA boss Batra slams national sports federations

Rediff.com21 May 2020

Indian athletes led the way in providing the Indian Olympic Association their feedback on how to restart national camps amid the coronavirus pandemic but a lot of national federations missed the deadline for submission of response, leaving IOA president Narinder Batra disappointed. On May 5, the IOA, while conceding that the risk of athletes losing motivation in the ongoing lockdown is real, sought their views along with those of coaches and other stakeholders on how to restart outdoor training.

'Why does govt treat the people like enemies?'

'Why does govt treat the people like enemies?'

Rediff.com10 Dec 2020

'This (opposition to the project) is not just architects, but everyone needs to know more.' 'We need to be allowed to participate, maybe, you can ignore what we have to say, that's your decision.' 'At least follow the process.

Why are people asking B V Srinivas for help?

Why are people asking B V Srinivas for help?

Rediff.com7 May 2021

B V Srinivas and his team of volunteers are able to procure and pass medical supplies, including oxygen cylinders delivery at doorsteps and securing hospital admissions for COVID patients.

Govt clears PowerGrid FPO; to divest 10% stake

Govt clears PowerGrid FPO; to divest 10% stake

Rediff.com22 Jul 2010

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs gave its nod to the 20 per cent follow-on offer by PowerGrid, an official statement said.

Stalin Needs to Think Fast, Act Faster

Stalin Needs to Think Fast, Act Faster

Rediff.com4 Sep 2021

Good intentions and elaborate roadmaps apart, there is an urgent need for the Tamil Nadu chief minister to come up with branded schemes like MGR's meal scheme, asserts N Sathiya Moorthy.

CAA has no provision to take away citizenship: Shah

CAA has no provision to take away citizenship: Shah

Rediff.com27 Dec 2019

I challenge Rahul Baba that let me know if there is even a single line in the act regarding the withdrawal of anyone's citizenship, said Shah.

Mamata says dining hall circular old as BJP alleges appeasement

Mamata says dining hall circular old as BJP alleges appeasement

Rediff.com28 Jun 2019

The matter was brought into public domain by the BJP's West Bengal unit president Dilip Ghosh who took to Twitter to slam the government for its directive.

India must embrace Biden's B3W initiative

India must embrace Biden's B3W initiative

Rediff.com1 Jul 2021

Joe Biden's B3W proposal aims to bring democracies together. India should come up with its own plans to contribute to the initiative, states Rahul Mishra.

Indore retains cleanest city tag for 3rd straight year

Indore retains cleanest city tag for 3rd straight year

Rediff.com6 Mar 2019

While the New Delhi Municipal Council area was given the 'Cleanest Small City' award, Uttarakhand's Gauchar was adjudged the 'Best Ganga Town' in the central government survey.

Modi, team to start pre-Budget consultations next week

Modi, team to start pre-Budget consultations next week

Rediff.com14 Dec 2019

In the 2020-21 Budget, the prime minister and the finance minister are keen to stamp their narrative, after various rollbacks following the previous Budget, said top government sources. Besides the scheduled meetings, the sources said, the Prime Minister's Office is expected to hold several meetings with top secretaries and officials on various ongoing schemes, their performance and also how some of them could be tweaked for better results.

'Temple may have to pledge treasure to RBI'

'Temple may have to pledge treasure to RBI'

Rediff.com25 Jul 2020

'As a person who has seen the treasure, I am worried about its safety.'

New Covid strain: MHA retains curbs in latest guidelines

New Covid strain: MHA retains curbs in latest guidelines

Rediff.com28 Dec 2020

In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said it has issued fresh guidelines for surveillance with regard to COVID-19 that will remain in force till January 31, as it asked the states and union territories to keep a strict vigil to prevent any rise in cases during the New Year celebrations and the winter season.

Security on high alert following Art 370 decision

Security on high alert following Art 370 decision

Rediff.com6 Aug 2019

The government has also told the state governments that "special care" should be taken of Jammu and Kashmir residents and students residing in their state.

SC stays Allahabad HC's 'Ram bharose' order on Covid management in UP

SC stays Allahabad HC's 'Ram bharose' order on Covid management in UP

Rediff.com21 May 2021

A vacation bench of Justices Vineet Saran and BR Gavai said that the directions of high court passed on May 17 shall not be treated as directives but an advice to Uttar Pradesh government.

'A good chunk of 70 million small businesses will be shuttered'

'A good chunk of 70 million small businesses will be shuttered'

Rediff.com28 May 2020

'Several businesses like entertainment, hospitality, travel etc would never be the same again.'

How DMK's Bharat Mata temple flummoxed the BJP

How DMK's Bharat Mata temple flummoxed the BJP

Rediff.com6 Aug 2021

Chief Minister Stalin seems to have drawn a line between his personal beliefs and those of others in the family, beginning with wife Durga Stalin, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

'Why and how did science in India stagnate?'

'Why and how did science in India stagnate?'

Rediff.com15 Dec 2020

'It looked as if India had been a major player in science at that time, raising the question when and why things changed,' says distinguished aerospace scientist Professor Roddam Narasimha.

MHA guideline has 2-year jail term for violation of lockdown

MHA guideline has 2-year jail term for violation of lockdown

Rediff.com25 Mar 2020

The Union home ministry has issued strict guidelines for the enforcement of the 21-day complete nationwide lockdown in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic, invoking the National Disaster Management Act which may result in imprisonment of up to two years for any violation. All government offices, the offices of state and Union territory governments, autonomous institutions, public corporations, commercial, private, industrial establishments shall remain closed, the guidelines issued by the ministry said.

Taliban-run Afghanistan: Does India have a role?

Taliban-run Afghanistan: Does India have a role?

Rediff.com12 Jul 2021

New Delhi should resist any temptation to act as spoiler and instead should cooperate with its SCO partners in reaching a regional consensus behind the formation of an interim government in Kabul, argues Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

PHOTOS: India celebrates Ganesh festival amid pandemic

PHOTOS: India celebrates Ganesh festival amid pandemic

Rediff.com22 Aug 2020

The 10-day Ganesh festival began on Saturday under the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic, with devotees restricting celebrations to their homes and using online platforms to get 'darshan' of the Lord at temples, amid strict COVID-19 restrictions imposed by governments.

Why I applaud Modi's leadership style

Why I applaud Modi's leadership style

Rediff.com5 Dec 2018

'The conception of Make-in-India, Skill India, Smart Cities, Digital India, Beti Bachao, Beti Padao and so on show a visionary breadth of mind, and Modi is almost the first political leader in India to put them into effect with single-minded zeal,' notes B S Raghavan, the former civil servant.

Stung by shift from finance ministry, Garg seeks VRS

Stung by shift from finance ministry, Garg seeks VRS

Rediff.com25 Jul 2019

It was not immediately clear when Garg submitted his voluntary retirement scheme application to the government. It was also not known if the government would accept the application. If he hadn't applied for VRS, he would have retired from government service at the end of October 2020 on attaining of 60 years of age. Garg did not answer phone calls seeking his comments.

Why Governor Dhankar is shooting darts at elected Mamata

Why Governor Dhankar is shooting darts at elected Mamata

Rediff.com4 May 2020

What makes Dhankar so outspoken? Could it because as governor he will be in the driver's seat if the Trinamool Congress performs below par in the elections next year? Shikha Shalini reports.

Noodle bar? Centre steps in as food regulators ask all states to test Maggi

Noodle bar? Centre steps in as food regulators ask all states to test Maggi

Rediff.com3 Jun 2015

The trouble for Nestle's Maggi started in Uttar Pradesh last month and has now spread nationwide. The Food and Drug Administration has directed all states on Wednesday to get sample of India's most popular instant noodles tested for high content of lead and mono-sodium glutamate, a taste enhancer.

8 states account for 90% coronavirus cases in India

8 states account for 90% coronavirus cases in India

Rediff.com9 Jul 2020

The GoM was told that six states -- Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal -- account for 86 per cent of the deaths caused by COVID-19 and 32 districts account for 80 per cent of such fatalities, the Union health ministry said.

Economic surveys: A case of hits and misses on GDP numbers

Economic surveys: A case of hits and misses on GDP numbers

Rediff.com5 Feb 2021

Of the seven surveys presented under Modi govt, predictions of three were quite close to the actual GDP growth rate, one saw the base year change in between, but the last three were way off the mark.

The long fight against Section 377

The long fight against Section 377

Rediff.com6 Sep 2018

Timeline of events relating to proceedings on the issue.

COVID-19: Every life counts

COVID-19: Every life counts

Rediff.com21 Apr 2020

The benefits of modern medicine have led people to demand more from the State, and to value every life. Even a modest death toll caused by an epidemic today is unacceptable, says Dipankar Gupta.

How Modi walked into his own Pakistan trap

How Modi walked into his own Pakistan trap

Rediff.com29 Apr 2019

For the first time in our political history, Pakistan has become centre stage of the incumbent's campaign, points out Shekhar Gupta.