News for 'Public Distribution System'

Delhi Scraps Thousands of Ration Cards, Eyes AI for Verification

Delhi Scraps Thousands of Ration Cards, Eyes AI for Verification

Rediff.com1 Apr 2026

The Delhi government has cancelled over 45,000 ration cards and is considering using artificial intelligence to identify ineligible beneficiaries in its public distribution system.

Enforcement Directorate Raids West Bengal Over PDS Scam

Enforcement Directorate Raids West Bengal Over PDS Scam

Rediff.com25 Apr 2026

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at multiple locations in West Bengal as part of a money laundering investigation into an alleged Public Distribution System (PDS) scam.

Government To Expand Digital Food Subsidy Programme

Government To Expand Digital Food Subsidy Programme

Rediff.com3 May 2026

The government plans to expand its central bank digital currency (CBDC)-based food subsidy programme to Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu by June, following its implementation on a pilot basis in Gujarat and Puducherry, official sources said.

Here's how to fix the public distribution system

Here's how to fix the public distribution system

Rediff.com11 Mar 2015

Now the PMO needs to take the food sector reforms forward.

India's Wheat And Rice Reserves Exceed Buffer Norms

India's Wheat And Rice Reserves Exceed Buffer Norms

Rediff.com5 days ago

India's wheat and rice reserves in Food Corporation of India (FCI) godowns have surged to 604.02 lakh tonnes as of April 1, nearly three times the mandatory buffer requirement, according to official data.

Nirmala Sitharaman Alleges TMC Government Obstructing Central Welfare Schemes in West Bengal

Nirmala Sitharaman Alleges TMC Government Obstructing Central Welfare Schemes in West Bengal

Rediff.com15 Apr 2026

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has accused the TMC government in West Bengal of preventing the implementation of central welfare schemes, depriving the state's residents of benefits such as Ayushman Bharat and PM Kisan.

BJP Leader Alleges West Bengal Government Depriving Citizens of Central Welfare Benefits

BJP Leader Alleges West Bengal Government Depriving Citizens of Central Welfare Benefits

Rediff.com7 Mar 2026

Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has accused the West Bengal government of deliberately withholding central allocations for social welfare projects, including Ayushman Bharat and PM Awas Yojana, impacting millions of citizens. He also criticised the state's handling of farmer support and public distribution systems.

Patiala Authorities Seize 45 LPG Cylinders in Misuse Crackdown

Patiala Authorities Seize 45 LPG Cylinders in Misuse Crackdown

Rediff.com17 Mar 2026

Authorities in Patiala, India, seized 45 domestic LPG cylinders from eateries, restaurants, and hotels during a special drive to check the misuse of cooking gas cylinders.

Aadhaar Offline Verification: 100 Entities Onboarded By UIDAI

Aadhaar Offline Verification: 100 Entities Onboarded By UIDAI

Rediff.com20 Apr 2026

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has announced that nearly 100 entities have been onboarded as offline verification seeking entities (OVSEs), marking a significant step in enabling secure, consent-based, and paperless verification through the Aadhaar offline mechanism.

Tamil Nadu polls: AIADMK promises free fridge to voters

Tamil Nadu polls: AIADMK promises free fridge to voters

Rediff.com25 Mar 2026

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has announced a series of welfare measures, including free refrigerators for rice ration cardholders, if the party wins the 2026 Assembly election in Tamil Nadu.

What The Opposition Must Learn From Mamata's Defeat

What The Opposition Must Learn From Mamata's Defeat

Rediff.com5 days ago

'If the Opposition associates itself too much with the minorities, then it becomes easy for the BJP to get Hindu consolidation votes.'

RBI's New Rules: BIG Changes From April 1 for OTP, Cards, Online Payments

RBI's New Rules: BIG Changes From April 1 for OTP, Cards, Online Payments

Rediff.com1 Apr 2026

From April 1, 2026, the Reserve Bank of India's new authentication directions modernise how every digital payment you make must be verified -- and place the burden of security squarely on your bank, not on you.

Bernstein Urges India To Accelerate Structural Reforms

Bernstein Urges India To Accelerate Structural Reforms

Rediff.com23 Apr 2026

Brokerage Bernstein has warned Prime Minister Narendra Modi that India risks squandering recent economic gains unless it accelerates structural reforms, particularly in jobs, manufacturing and innovation.

Lessons that opposition party needs to learn after Bengal elections

Lessons that opposition party needs to learn after Bengal elections

Rediff.com6 days ago

What lessons opposition parties need to learn post defeat of Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal elections? The election saw spectacular victor of BJP which rose from 3 seats in 2016 to 206 seats in 2026 assembly elections.

No shortage whatsoever of petrol, diesel, kerosene, assures govt in LS

No shortage whatsoever of petrol, diesel, kerosene, assures govt in LS

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

Responding to concerns raised by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri said it is the foremost priority of the government that the kitchens of over 33 crore families, especially the poor and the underprivileged, do not face any shortage of gas.

The Six Men Who Decide Iran's Fate

The Six Men Who Decide Iran's Fate

Rediff.com9 Apr 2026

As Iran heads into crucial peace talks with the United States of America, here are the six men who decide the Islamic Republic's course.

'We Will Soon Have Another Election In Tamil Nadu'

'We Will Soon Have Another Election In Tamil Nadu'

Rediff.com7 days ago

'Even if they align with the TVK now, I don't think the AIADMK leadership will completely surrender to the dominance of Vijay.'

'Bihar May Follow Gujarat Template'

'Bihar May Follow Gujarat Template'

Rediff.com20 Apr 2026

'Samrat Chaudhury's limited independent standing within the party, his reliance on the central leadership for his elevation, and his lack of a personal mass base all point toward this outcome.'

Nirmala Sitharaman: 'Prime Minister Modi Does Not Tolerate Gaming Of The System'

Nirmala Sitharaman: 'Prime Minister Modi Does Not Tolerate Gaming Of The System'

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

'Grassroots-level corruption, which disrupts the last-mile work, cannot be ignored in your enthusiasm and drive to get going to complete the project.' 'Like it was in MGNREGA, in some states, it is the case with the Jal Jeevan mission.' 'The last minute levels of corruption can ruin the intent of the project itself.' 'When you see that people can game a particular well-intended and well-crafted project, you need to correct that.'

Fake Life-Saving Drugs Racket Busted in Delhi

Fake Life-Saving Drugs Racket Busted in Delhi

Rediff.com5 Apr 2026

Delhi Police have dismantled an organised interstate racket involved in manufacturing and distributing counterfeit life-saving medicines, arresting six individuals and seizing fake drugs worth approximately Rs 2 crore. The investigation also revealed a network of fake GST firms used for generating bogus invoices and laundering money.

India now Maoist-free, declares Amit Shah in Lok Sabha; slams Rahul Gandhi

India now Maoist-free, declares Amit Shah in Lok Sabha; slams Rahul Gandhi

Rediff.com31 Mar 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticised the Congress party for its alleged inaction in addressing Maoist violence during its long rule, while highlighting the Modi government's success in nearly eradicating Maoists from Bastar, Chhattisgarh.

Power network sharing plan will face 3 key challenges

Power network sharing plan will face 3 key challenges

Rediff.com16 Oct 2025

The ambitious proposal by the power ministry to allow network sharing between distribution licensees operating in the same geographical area will face three key challenges, said a former bureaucrat.

Still Haven't Made Your Tax-Saving Investments?

Still Haven't Made Your Tax-Saving Investments?

Rediff.com26 Mar 2026

In the rush to complete tax-saving investments at the end of the financial year, many taxpayers choose instruments that do not match their long-term financial goals.

Gulf War: US, Israel Didn't Expect This To Happen

Gulf War: US, Israel Didn't Expect This To Happen

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

The United States, which entered this war in expectation of a short, sharp win along the Venezuela model, is now preparing for deeper involvement in a conflict it does not fully control, without the allies it typically relies on, against an adversary that is not behaving as expected, in a global environment that is already absorbing economic shock. Prem Panicker continues his must read daily blog on the Gulf War.

Loan growth, profitability seen improving for public sector banks

Loan growth, profitability seen improving for public sector banks

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

The Indian banking sector could be due for a rise in profitability after several quarters of net interest margin (NIM) compression. The Q2FY26 results suggest NIMs have bottomed out.

Cyclone Montha: Andhra prepares action plan for relief, essential supplies

Cyclone Montha: Andhra prepares action plan for relief, essential supplies

Rediff.com26 Oct 2025

The Andhra Pradesh government has prepared an action plan for relief and essential supplies in pre-cyclone preparedness for Cyclone Montha, expected to cross the coast on October 28.

Security forces set up new camp in Chhattisgarh's Maoist stronghold

Security forces set up new camp in Chhattisgarh's Maoist stronghold

Rediff.com23 Nov 2025

Security forces have established a new camp in the Karregutta Hills along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border, a former Naxal stronghold, following a major anti-Naxal operation.

'Let's Stop Treating AI Like COVID'

'Let's Stop Treating AI Like COVID'

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

'It is too early to conclude that there will be a bloodbath, that there will be no jobs, and that there will be civil unrest.' 'Let's calm down.' 'AI is a tool, it is not a weapon, it is not a virus.'

RBI looks to ban sales incentive to bank staffers from third party

RBI looks to ban sales incentive to bank staffers from third party

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

In a move aimed at curbing the mis-selling of financial products, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed banning incentives paid to bank staffers by third parties such as insurance companies and mutual fund houses for selling their products and services. It has also proposed that banks must ensure their user interfaces do not deploy "dark patterns" to lure customers.

Amit Shah launches India's first co-operative ride app Bharat Taxi

Amit Shah launches India's first co-operative ride app Bharat Taxi

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

Addressing an event after launching the service, Shah said the rival ride-hailing platforms have reduced commission and are offering many other incentives, including free rides to customers, seeing the success of Bharat Taxi during the pilot operation.

UP engineer, wife get death penalty for sexually abusing 33 children

UP engineer, wife get death penalty for sexually abusing 33 children

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

During the probe, it was found that Ram Bhawan, a resident of Naraini town in Banda district, had been living in a rented room in Chitrakoot district where the offences were committed, with his wife allegedly assisting him, the agency said.

Three Key Priorities For Government!

Three Key Priorities For Government!

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

While many areas compete for resources, defence, education, and adaptation deserve focus for maximum impact, suggests Laveesh Bhandari.

Assam CM Sarma to sue Congress leaders over land grab claims

Assam CM Sarma to sue Congress leaders over land grab claims

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

Assam Congress alleges CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's family grabbed thousands of acres of land, prompting a defamation case announcement. BJP denies claims as baseless.

Commission structure in life insurance sector may change

Commission structure in life insurance sector may change

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

The committee formed under the Life Insurance Council to review the commission structure in the life insurance sector has recommended capping distributor commissions or deferring them to ease acquisition costs. The recommendations will be sent to the insurance regulator -- Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai).

Bangladesh to hold crucial general elections on Thursday

Bangladesh to hold crucial general elections on Thursday

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

Bangladesh is set to hold parliamentary elections with unprecedented security measures in place, following a period of interim governance and political changes.

'Global Uncertainties Are Of A Magnitude We've Never Seen Before'

'Global Uncertainties Are Of A Magnitude We've Never Seen Before'

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

'Global uncertainty is something which definitely occupies the minds of officials when we are preparing for the Budget.'

India Inc lauds Budget for bold bets on AI, data centres

India Inc lauds Budget for bold bets on AI, data centres

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

India Inc on Sunday hailed the Union Budget 2026-27 as a 'structural shift' in the country's technology landscape, noting that the government is moving beyond fragmented pilots to build foundational layers where AI serves as a 'horizontal enabler' for the entire economy.

Want To Plan Your Tax Savings? Read This

Want To Plan Your Tax Savings? Read This

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

The most common mistake is investing without assessing suitability and long-term implications.

States Have Thrown A Spanner In RBI's Easy-Money Machine

States Have Thrown A Spanner In RBI's Easy-Money Machine

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

State debt is rising because revenues are disappointingly weak. Ten states have debt ratios exceeding 30 per cent. In 2023-2024, states were borrowing simply to meet day-to-day expenses, points out Debashis Basu.