News for 'Public Affairs'

HC directs MP to act on Union Carbide waste disposal in 6 weeks

HC directs MP to act on Union Carbide waste disposal in 6 weeks

Rediff.com7 Jan 2025

The Madhya Pradesh high court in Jabalpur on Monday directed the state government to take steps within six weeks for disposal of Bhopal-based Union Carbide's 337 tonnes of hazardous waste as per safety protocols, while restraining the media from publishing any fake news on the same.

History in Minutes: Who Betrayed Chandra Shekhar Azad?

History in Minutes: Who Betrayed Chandra Shekhar Azad?

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

On the 94th anniversary of the revolutionary giant's martyrdom, Utkarsh Mishra revisits the events of February 27, 1931.

Defence Is Key To India US Relationship

Defence Is Key To India US Relationship

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

The China threat continues to resonate in the strategic partnership between India and the USA, points out Rup Narayan Das.

Rajouri deaths: Central team collects samples; curbs imposed

Rajouri deaths: Central team collects samples; curbs imposed

Rediff.com20 Jan 2025

A high-level inter-ministerial team conducted a six-hour investigation in Badhaal village, Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir, to ascertain the causes of death of 17 members of three families under mysterious circumstances. The team, led by a director-rank officer in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, collected samples and briefed by senior district, health and police officers. The team's visit follows the deaths of 16 people between December 7 and January 19. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities focusing on potential neurotoxins and a spring that tested positive for pesticides.

Canada's allegations serious, India not cooperating: US

Canada's allegations serious, India not cooperating: US

Rediff.com16 Oct 2024

"When it comes to the Canadian matter, we have made clear that the allegations are extremely serious and they need to be taken seriously. We wanted to see the government of India cooperate with Canada in its investigation. Obviously, they have not chosen that path," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at his daily news conference.

Waqf land row: Karnataka withdraws notices to farmers

Waqf land row: Karnataka withdraws notices to farmers

Rediff.com2 Nov 2024

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah directed officials on Saturday to immediately retract all notices sent to farmers regarding Waqf land.

Cyberfraud Thrives On Fear!

Cyberfraud Thrives On Fear!

Rediff.com29 Jan 2025

The number of cyberfraud cases has skyrocketed from 2,677 in 1999-2000 to 29,082 in FY24 -- more than a 10-fold increase. The RBI pegs digital payment frauds at Rs 1,457 crore in FY24, up more than five times in a year. It's not just the number of frauds. What's alarming is the growing sophistication of the fraudsters, exposing the vulnerabilities within the financial system, observes Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Milind Rege, The Last of the Mohicans

Milind Rege, The Last of the Mohicans

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

'He devoted his entire life for the betterment of Mumbai cricket and cricketers.' 'Even when he left for the Elysian Fields, he was in harness as mentor/advisor to the MCA.' Hemant Kenkre mourns the passing of Mumbai cricket icon Milind Rege.

India saw remarkable transformation in 10 yrs: UNGA chief

India saw remarkable transformation in 10 yrs: UNGA chief

Rediff.com2 Feb 2025

UN General Assembly President Philemon Yang will visit India from February 4 to 8, his first official trip as President of the 79th session. Yang highlighted India's "remarkable transformation" over the past decade, particularly in digital and technological innovation, and plans to see how these advancements have reached the grassroots level during his visit. He also praised India's contributions to peacekeeping, humanitarian efforts, and its voice for the Global South.

East Bengal Football Club appeals for protection of minorities in Bangladesh

East Bengal Football Club appeals for protection of minorities in Bangladesh

Rediff.com4 Dec 2024

The iconic East Bengal Football Club called on the Bangladesh government to take immediate and effective measures to safeguard vulnerable communities.

South Korea puts travel ban on Prez amid martial law probe

South Korea puts travel ban on Prez amid martial law probe

Rediff.com9 Dec 2024

On Saturday, Yoon apologised to the nation in his first public statement since his attempt to declare martial law, acknowledging that he "caused anxiety and inconvenience" to people of South Korea.

ICC action on home soil has Pakistan fans buzzing

ICC action on home soil has Pakistan fans buzzing

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

The national team, captained for the bulk of those years by Misbah Ul Haq, hosted its 'home' games in the United Arab Emirates and remained relatively successful until fixtures trickled back onto Pakistani soil in 2018.

Centre to send 50 more CAPF companies to Manipur

Centre to send 50 more CAPF companies to Manipur

Rediff.com18 Nov 2024

The Indian government has sent an additional 50 CAPF companies, comprising over 5,000 personnel, to Manipur to address the challenging security and law and order situation in the northeastern state. This comes after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) deployed 20 additional CAPF companies to the state following violence in Jiribam district. The deployment brings the total number of CAPF companies in Manipur to 218. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will also meet to review the security situation in Manipur and strategize to handle the volatile situation in the state.

Took 5 decades to realise mistake: HC on barring govt staff from joining RSS

Took 5 decades to realise mistake: HC on barring govt staff from joining RSS

Rediff.com25 Jul 2024

The Madhya Pradesh high court on Thursday said it took the Union government nearly five decades to realise that an "internationally renowned" organisation like Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was wrongly placed in the list of organisations banned for government employees.

Day after chaos at Waqf panel meet, JPC member slams BJP MP

Day after chaos at Waqf panel meet, JPC member slams BJP MP

Rediff.com23 Oct 2024

A Raja said panel's chairman Jagdambika Pal has been conducting the panel's meetings in haste, raising doubts that it will not be able to serve justice.

1 dead in clashes after Hindu leader's arrest in Bangladesh

1 dead in clashes after Hindu leader's arrest in Bangladesh

Rediff.com26 Nov 2024

A lawyer was killed on Tuesday during clashes between the security personnel and followers of a Hindu community leader, who was denied bail and sent to jail by a court in the port city of Chattogram in Bangladesh, police said.

Financial regulators back ISA 600 for auditors of listed companies

Financial regulators back ISA 600 for auditors of listed companies

Rediff.com3 Sep 2024

The National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) will invite public comments on the revised International Standard on Auditing 600 (ISA 600) proposed to be adopted by publicly listed companies and non-public-sector banks, sources close to the development told Business Standard. The decision to take this "graded approach" for the adoption of the ISA, which is meant to rein in auditors often found hiding behind the audit reports signed off by subsidiary companies, was taken at a meeting of various financial sector regulators at NFRA's board meeting on Monday (August 26). The idea behind upgrading the Standards of Audit 600 currently followed by Indian auditors to ISA 600 is to plug current gaps, which have led to major audit lapses in the recent past.

SC halts bulldozer action by states, lays down guidelines

SC halts bulldozer action by states, lays down guidelines

Rediff.com13 Nov 2024

Equating 'bulldozer justice' with a lawless state of affairs where might is right, the Supreme Court on Wednesday laid down pan-India guidelines and said no property should be demolished without a prior show cause notice and the affected must be given 15 days to respond.

Sonia calls Prez Murmu 'poor thing', Rashtrapati Bhavan hits back

Sonia calls Prez Murmu 'poor thing', Rashtrapati Bhavan hits back

Rediff.com31 Jan 2025

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi's reaction to President Droupadi Murmu's address to the Joint session of the Parliament on Friday stoked a controversy.

Modi, Macron fly together to Marseille, open new Indian consulate

Modi, Macron fly together to Marseille, open new Indian consulate

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron have called for enhancing trade and investment ties between their countries and committed to further deepening their engagement in the Indo-Pacific. They discussed a full spectrum of bilateral relations, including key global and regional issues, and stressed the urgent need for reform in the United Nations Security Council. The leaders also underscored their commitment to ensuring the global AI sector can drive positive social, economic, and environmental outcomes.

PMO asks for project inauguration details for next 2 years from urban affairs ministry

PMO asks for project inauguration details for next 2 years from urban affairs ministry

Rediff.com5 May 2022

The Prime Minister's Office has asked the Union housing and urban affairs ministry to furnish details of projects that will be ready for foundation stone laying and inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the next two years, according to an official document.

Trudeau just admitted Canada has no proof: India

Trudeau just admitted Canada has no proof: India

Rediff.com17 Oct 2024

As Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified before a Commission of Inquiry, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said what it has heard only 'confirms' New Delhi's consistent stand that Canada has 'presented us no evidence' in support of the serious allegations Ottawa chose to level against India and Indian diplomats.

Bangladesh court refuses to ban ISKCON amid violence

Bangladesh court refuses to ban ISKCON amid violence

Rediff.com28 Nov 2024

The lawyer had sought a ban from the high court on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) after placing some newspaper reports related to the organisation on Wednesday.

VHP men disrupt Xmas celebrations in Kerala school; 3 held

VHP men disrupt Xmas celebrations in Kerala school; 3 held

Rediff.com23 Dec 2024

Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, George Kurian, strongly condemned the alleged threatening of teachers at a government school in Kerala by Viswa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists over Christmas celebrations. Kurian urged the state government to take stringent action against the culprits to prevent such incidents from recurring. The incident sparked outrage, with opposition leaders accusing the Sangh Parivar of attempting to create communal tension. Meanwhile, VHP leaders clarified that they were not against any religion and admitted that their district office bearers had questioned the teachers about the organisation of the Christmas celebration.

Bangladeshi Hindu leader held for sedition denied bail

Bangladeshi Hindu leader held for sedition denied bail

Rediff.com26 Nov 2024

A Bangladeshi court on Tuesday denied bail to prominent Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, arrested on alleged 'sedition' charges, and sent him to prison, amid protests by community members in the capital Dhaka and the port city of Chattogram.

AAP + Cong Would Still Have Lost To BJP

AAP + Cong Would Still Have Lost To BJP

Rediff.com10 Feb 2025

Many were so disillusioned with AAP that they left it in droves. A 10% drop in AAP's vote share is a pointer to that. To assume that if AAP had teamed up with the Congress, the Congress' 6.3% vote share would have helped AAP retain control of Delhi is erroneous, argues Sudhir Bisht.

Key Modi ministers retain their previous portfolios

Key Modi ministers retain their previous portfolios

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

While there are some new faces in the cabinet, leaders such as BJP president JP Nadda and Jual Oram have returned as ministers.

HC to treat Swamy's plea over Rahul Gandhi's citizenship as PIL

HC to treat Swamy's plea over Rahul Gandhi's citizenship as PIL

Rediff.com20 Aug 2024

The Delhi high court on Tuesday said BJP leader Subramanian Swamy's plea, seeking directions to the ministry of home affairs (MHA) to decide his representation seeking cancellation of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's Indian citizenship, be treated a public interest litigation.

Why These Kids Can't Get School Admission

Why These Kids Can't Get School Admission

Rediff.com11 Dec 2024

'Our Constitution as well as the Right to Education Act do not make any distinction between Indian or foreigner; it only talks about 'child'.' 'It says that every child has the right to get education.'

'Goodbye my lighthouse': Ratan Tata's aide Shantanu Naidu

'Goodbye my lighthouse': Ratan Tata's aide Shantanu Naidu

Rediff.com10 Oct 2024

Shantanu Naidu, a long-time associate of Ratan Tata, on Thursday bid adieu to the industrialist, comparing his boss to a 'lighthouse'.

HC quashes govt order cancelling US-based professor's OCI card

HC quashes govt order cancelling US-based professor's OCI card

Rediff.com13 Nov 2024

The Delhi High Court has set aside the Centre's order cancelling the Overseas Citizen of India card of a US-based professor, saying the notice lacked specific details or evidence supporting the allegations of "anti-India activities." The court ruled that the professor was deprived of a fair chance to present a defense, violating procedural fairness and principles of natural justice. The court has directed authorities to issue a fresh notice with specific grounds and allow the professor to respond before making a decision on his entry into India.

45 specialists to join Modi govt in major lateral entry push

45 specialists to join Modi govt in major lateral entry push

Rediff.com17 Aug 2024

Forty-five specialists will soon be joining key posts of joint secretaries, directors and deputy secretaries in different central ministries as part of the Modi government's ambitious plan to infuse fresh talent to further improve ease of governance.

How Government Is Making Use Of AI

How Government Is Making Use Of AI

Rediff.com9 Oct 2024

The National Informatics Centre uses AI to automate document analysis and detect fraud in government departments.

Full text: President Murmu's R-Day eve address to the nation

Full text: President Murmu's R-Day eve address to the nation

Rediff.com25 Jan 2025

'Today, let us reaffirm our commitment to strive to realise Gandhiji's dreams. His watchwords, truth and nonviolence, will continue to remain relevant for the whole world. He also taught us that rights and duties are but the two sides of the coin - indeed, the true source of rights is duty. Today we recall his lessons in compassion too - compassion not only for our human neighbours but also for our other neighbours, namely, flora and fauna, rivers and mountains.'

Ex-IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt acquitted in 1997 custodial torture case

Ex-IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt acquitted in 1997 custodial torture case

Rediff.com8 Dec 2024

Bhatt was earlier sentenced to life imprisonment in a 1990 custodial death case in Jamnagar and 20 years in jail in a 1996 case relating to planting drugs to frame a Rajasthan-based lawyer in Palanpur. He is currently lodged in the Rajkot Central Jail.

'MLAs' Homes Are Being Burned, Ransacked'

'MLAs' Homes Are Being Burned, Ransacked'

Rediff.com18 Nov 2024

'One of our MLA's homes has already been attacked by the mob. This legislator was beaten. This MLA belongs to the Meitei community.' 'There is a complete collapse of law and order in Manipur.'

Countries should be mindful of...: Jaishankar on Gaza war

Countries should be mindful of...: Jaishankar on Gaza war

Rediff.com5 Dec 2024

When asked the reason for India's abstention from a resolution in the UN General Assembly on October 27, 2023, regarding the protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations, Jaishankar said there were many resolutions in the UN General Assembly and in some India abstained and in some, it voted in favour.

Diplomatic Expulsions: Games Nations Play

Diplomatic Expulsions: Games Nations Play

Rediff.com18 Oct 2024

India and Canada have mutually beneficial political and economic linkages. The two countries should get together and find a solution. The expulsion war should, in the meantime, be a guarantee against any deterioration of the situation, asserts Ambassador T P Sreenivasan, the first Indian head of mission to be ever expelled by any country.

The Biggest Flops of 2024

The Biggest Flops of 2024

Rediff.com30 Dec 2024

Just when it seemed that Bollywood had recovered with multiple big hits in 2023, it all came down in 2024 with a flurry of flops, disasters and mega disasters.

After UPI and ULI, banks to set up Unified Recovery Interface

After UPI and ULI, banks to set up Unified Recovery Interface

Rediff.com9 Sep 2024

Eying benefits from digital banking, lenders are now looking at building Unified Recovery Interface (URI) for enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and getting good prices for properties of defaulters. This would be managed by PSB Alliance Ltd, a company set up by all public sector banks in the country. M V Rao, chairman, Indian Banks' Association (IBA), said: "Till now we had Unified Payments Interface (UPI), a product developed by National Payments Corporation Ltd (NPCI).