News for 'Public Systems Group'

Naveen Patnaik will be Odisha CM for Life

Naveen Patnaik will be Odisha CM for Life

Rediff.com19 Aug 2021

Because he knows Odisha; and Odisha knows him, observes Aditi Phadnis.

India ends Covid curbs from March 31; face mask, social distancing to continue

India ends Covid curbs from March 31; face mask, social distancing to continue

Rediff.com23 Mar 2022

In view of the continuous dip in coronavirus cases, the home ministry has decided to end its all Covid-19 containment measures from March 31, two years after their implementation following the outbreak of the pandemic.

Cong infighting over prez poll: Spokespersons asked to keep mum

Cong infighting over prez poll: Spokespersons asked to keep mum

Rediff.com23 Sep 2022

A day after Congress leader Gourav Vallabh taunted Shashi Tharoor over his probable All India Congress Committee president poll bid, the party on Friday urged all its spokespersons and communication department office bearers to refrain from commenting on any colleague contesting the elections.

RBI Guv on how the bank plans to manage liquidity

RBI Guv on how the bank plans to manage liquidity

Rediff.com8 Oct 2021

Observing that there is liquidity overhand of Rs 13 lakh crore in the system, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said on Friday that the exceptional measures undertaken during pandemic will be dealt in sync with macroeconomic developments to preserve financial stability. Since the onset of the pandemic, the Reserve Bank has maintained ample surplus liquidity to support a speedy and durable economic recovery, he said while announcing the outcome of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting. The level of surplus liquidity in the banking system increased further during September 2021, with absorption under fixed rate reverse repo, variable rate reverse repo (VRRR) of 14 days and fine-tuning operations under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) averaging Rs 9 lakh crore per day as against Rs 7 lakh crore during June to August 2021, he said.

We need Modi the Thanedar, not Chowkidar

We need Modi the Thanedar, not Chowkidar

Rediff.com8 Apr 2022

I am not sure if Modi can ever act as a chowkidar, even if he wants to. But he can surely act as a thanedar, by ensuring a fast resolution of corruption cases once they come to light. Exemplary action is easier and will burnish his anti-corruption image, argues Debashis Basu.

Police file 2 FIRs against JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh

Police file 2 FIRs against JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh

Rediff.com7 Jan 2020

The FIR in question relates to an incident in which JNU administration alleged students agitating over the hike in hostel fees had "ransacked" the server room and "intimidated" technical staff in an attempt to hamper semester registration process.

Omicron may be dominant strain globally in 2022, claim Singapore experts

Omicron may be dominant strain globally in 2022, claim Singapore experts

Rediff.com24 Dec 2021

The new and highly transmissible Omicron variant of the deadly coronavirus has increased immune escape compared with the Delta variant and appears likely to become the dominant SARS-CoV-2 strain globally in 2022, according to Singapore-based experts.

Covid vaccine possible by 2021 first quarter: Vardhan

Covid vaccine possible by 2021 first quarter: Vardhan

Rediff.com13 Sep 2020

Vardhan stated the government is taking full precautions in human trials of vaccines and the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 under the chairmanship of Dr V K Paul, member-health, NITI Aayog, is drawing up a detailed strategy on how to immunize the majority of the population.

People told to stay in as JK anti-terror ops continue

People told to stay in as JK anti-terror ops continue

Rediff.com19 Oct 2021

As the counter-insurgency operation in the forest belt of Jammu and Kashmir's twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri entered the ninth day on Tuesday, public announcements were made in Mendhar asking local residents to stay indoors for their safety, officials said.

Pranab, Modi, Demonetisation

Pranab, Modi, Demonetisation

Rediff.com8 Nov 2022

'Modi had not discussed demonetization with me prior to his announcement on 8 November 2016. 'I learnt of it along with the rest of the country. 'I was not surprised when he did not discuss the issue with me prior to making the public announcement. 'It fitted in with his style of making dramatic announcements.' A fascinating excerpt from Pranab Mukherjee's The Presidential Years: 2012-2017.

LCH: Lessons For Indian Defence

LCH: Lessons For Indian Defence

Rediff.com15 Dec 2021

It is baffling how the PM chose the LCH as an indigenous product to celebrate on Rashtriya Raksha Samarpan Parv, even while his Cabinet holds up manufacturing clearance for 15 LCHs on the grounds that they are not Indian enough.

The A-W Of Desi Guests At the White House Dinner

The A-W Of Desi Guests At the White House Dinner

Rediff.com24 Jun 2023

The dinner Jill Biden and her husband US President Joe Biden hosted for Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, June 22, at the White House brought together, Indians and Americans from so many firmaments.

Curbs remain in place in Kashmir valley

Curbs remain in place in Kashmir valley

Rediff.com5 Aug 2020

Police and Central Reserve Police Force personnel were deployed in strength across the valley, especially Srinagar city, to ensure that the plans of separatists to disturb peace do not succeed

Xi asks military to recruit new talent to gain edge in future wars

Xi asks military to recruit new talent to gain edge in future wars

Rediff.com29 Nov 2021

Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed the need for the recruitment of new talent to support the rapid modernisation of the armed forces and win future wars amid reports that the military has committed more resources to enrol 3 lakh personnel for frontline positions.

Pegasus maker slams criticism, but concedes 'some mistakes'

Pegasus maker slams criticism, but concedes 'some mistakes'

Rediff.com30 Jan 2022

An undeterred Chief Executive Officer of NSO Group, Shalev Hulio, in an interview to Israeli Channel 12 on Saturday, strongly defended the company's operations, though he also conceded that some 'mistakes' may have happened over the years.

Is BJP Getting It Wrong In Tamil Nadu?

Is BJP Getting It Wrong In Tamil Nadu?

Rediff.com17 Mar 2023

The AIADMK is convinced that the BJP will remain an electoral burden for a long time to come, beginning the Lok Sabha polls next year, reveals N Sathiya Moorthy.

NSE in firefighting mode to minimise reputational harm after Sebi's order

NSE in firefighting mode to minimise reputational harm after Sebi's order

Rediff.com28 Feb 2022

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has got into firefighting mode to control the reputational damage caused by the Securities and Exchange Board of India's (Sebi's) order against its former managing director and chief executive officer Chitra Ramkrishna and others. According to sources, the exchange's management over the past one week has met several key stakeholders, including officials in the finance ministry and Sebi, major shareholders, and trading members, trying to distance itself from the controversy. The exchange plans to hold more meetings in the coming week to ensure that trading volumes and confidence in the bourse don't get impacted, they added.

Atmanirbhar Bharat put off to buy Israeli guns

Atmanirbhar Bharat put off to buy Israeli guns

Rediff.com30 Nov 2020

'We cannot understand why the government is facilitating the import of artillery when our indigenous guns are doing so well.'

Revealed: How PM Planned Demonetisation

Revealed: How PM Planned Demonetisation

Rediff.com8 Nov 2022

November 8 marks 6 years after demonetisation. A K Bhattacharya reveals how the prime minister and the RBI worked together for months before Modi's 8 pm speech. A riveting excerpt from The Rise Of Goliath: Twelve Disruptions That Changed India.

'We underestimated the virus'

'We underestimated the virus'

Rediff.com18 May 2021

'By the time actual action began, it was already too late.' 'The virus was raging.'

Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal to focus more on long-term strategy

Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal to focus more on long-term strategy

Rediff.com13 Apr 2022

Ola founder and chief executive officer (CEO) Bhavish Aggarwal will step back from day-to-day operations to focus more on engineering functions, team building, and products, apart from focusing on long-term strategic projects, such as two-wheelers, cars, and innovations in quick commerce and international expansion. "I'll be spending more time with all engineering functions, team building, and on products," said Aggarwal in an internal note, adding, "I'll also be increasing my focus on our longer-term strategic projects, including new two-wheeler products, our car project, innovations in quick commerce, electrifying ride-hailing, our cell research and development (R&D), international expansion, building our Pune technology (tech) centre, and Futurefoundry UK." To drive scale, speed, and quality, Aggarwal said he is expanding Ola Group's chief financial officer (CFO) G R Arun Kumar's role to help him steer 'day-to-day operations' across the group.

'US didn't tell Pakistan to oust me'

'US didn't tell Pakistan to oust me'

Rediff.com14 Feb 2023

'From what evidence has come up, General Bajwa somehow managed to tell the Americans that I was anti-American.' 'And so, it [the plan to oust me] wasn't imported from there. It was exported from here to there.'

Kumar Birla: Budget invests boldly in India's future

Kumar Birla: Budget invests boldly in India's future

Rediff.com10 Feb 2022

As the FM said, this is a Budget that lays the foundation for the next 25 years, observes Kumar Mangalam Birla.

Should umpire's call in DRS be retained?

Should umpire's call in DRS be retained?

Rediff.com23 Feb 2021

The MCC's World Cricket Committee which includes greats like Shane Warne, Kumar Sangakkara, Sourav Ganguly and Ricky Ponting, recently discussed the controversial umpire's call aspect of the Decision Review System.

How banking outlets in villages can lift lower income groups

How banking outlets in villages can lift lower income groups

Rediff.com15 Dec 2014

Upcoming payment banks will lift lower income groups in distant villages.

'We Want To Develop Dharavi Like Hong Kong'

'We Want To Develop Dharavi Like Hong Kong'

Rediff.com22 Feb 2023

'Dharavi will be completely slum free by 2040'

How Insolvency Process is being Gamed

How Insolvency Process is being Gamed

Rediff.com15 Jul 2021

The brand new bankruptcy process is being brazenly gamed by those with connections and money. The touts and fixers of the previous regime have been replaced by a new set close to this one, observes Debashis Basu.

Ghulam Nabi Azad quits Cong after 50 yrs, blames Rahul

Ghulam Nabi Azad quits Cong after 50 yrs, blames Rahul

Rediff.com26 Aug 2022

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Friday resigned from all party positions, including its primary membership, delivering another blow to the embattled party that has seen a series of leaders leave it.

Alappuzha rocked by 2 back-to-back political murders, 50 held

Alappuzha rocked by 2 back-to-back political murders, 50 held

Rediff.com19 Dec 2021

Following the killing of an SDPI state secretary late Saturday night, a BJP leader was hacked to death less than 12 hours later on Sunday morning and later, prohibitory order under Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) Section 144 was imposed in the entire Alappuzha district, additional police force was deployed there and senior officers camped there to monitor the law and order situation.

Did FB fail to stop hate-filled user content in India?

Did FB fail to stop hate-filled user content in India?

Rediff.com24 Oct 2021

Internal documents at Facebook show "a struggle with misinformation, hate speech and celebrations of violence" in India, the company's biggest market, with researchers at the social media giant pointing out that there are groups and pages "replete with inflammatory and misleading anti-Muslim content" on its platform, US media reports have said.

'We were like ostriches burying their heads in the sand'

'We were like ostriches burying their heads in the sand'

Rediff.com11 Jun 2021

'We behaved as if this disease is not a problem for India.' 'We acted as if it would go away. But it didn't go away; it exploded.'

Tendulkar rejected India captaincy role in 2007: Pawar

Tendulkar rejected India captaincy role in 2007: Pawar

Rediff.com7 Mar 2021

'I told Sachin that if both of you and Dravid do not want to lead the side, how will we go about things? Then Sachin told me that we have one more player in the country who could lead the side and his name is none other than MS Dhoni.'

WADA to ramp up testing to fill anti-doping 'gaps'

WADA to ramp up testing to fill anti-doping 'gaps'

Rediff.com26 May 2020

WADA said doping control samples continued to be stored for future analysis and, with the help of the athlete biological passport, some samples collected post-COVID-19 might reveal doping that occurred during the shutdown period.

IOC reassures anxious Japan Olympics will be safe

IOC reassures anxious Japan Olympics will be safe

Rediff.com19 May 2021

IOC chief said he believed more than 80 per cent of residents of the Olympic Village would be vaccinated or booked for vaccination ahead of the Games

Phones of ministers, scribes, judge hacked using spyware sold only to govts: Report

Phones of ministers, scribes, judge hacked using spyware sold only to govts: Report

Rediff.com19 Jul 2021

The government, however, dismissed allegations of any kind of surveillance on its part on specific people, saying it 'has no concrete basis or truth associated with it whatsoever'.

Nitish Kumar, The King Of Somersaults

Nitish Kumar, The King Of Somersaults

Rediff.com16 Aug 2022

Wait for a while before he does another somersault... But one thing is reasonably certain -- the twice betrayed BJP may not embrace him again, predicts Virendra Kapoor.

Insurance: Rs 100 cr entry cap for new players may be removed

Insurance: Rs 100 cr entry cap for new players may be removed

Rediff.com8 Apr 2022

The insurance regulator wants the removal of the minimum entry capital requirement of Rs 100 crore for setting up an insurance business in a bid to facilitate the entry of multiple players such as standalone micro insurers and niche players. Debasish Panda, chairman, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai), said it should be left to the regulator instead to decide what should be the entry fee for interested players, depending on the size of the business and operations. According to the current norms, insurers are required to have a minimum paid-up capital of Rs 100 crore.

Choksi's firms siphoned off over Rs 6,344.96 cr from PNB

Choksi's firms siphoned off over Rs 6,344.96 cr from PNB

Rediff.com16 Jun 2021

Companies owned by fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi have allegedly siphoned off over Rs 6,344.96 crore from the Punjab National Bank (PNB) using fraudulent letters of undertaking and foreign letters of credit, a CBI investigation into the scam has detected. The findings were submitted by the CBI in a supplementary chargesheet filed before a special court in Mumbai last week, where the agency said the PNB was conned by its employees who were allegedly hand in gloves with Choksi and his company executives and who facilitated the scam as part of a criminal conspiracy. The PNB officials at the bank's Brady House branch in Mumbai issued 165 letters of undertaking (LoUs) and 58 foreign letters of credit (FLCs) during March-April 2017, against which 311 bills were discounted.

US lifts Covid curbs on fully-vaccinated travellers from Nov 8

US lifts Covid curbs on fully-vaccinated travellers from Nov 8

Rediff.com26 Oct 2021

The US will lift all restrictions for fully vaccinated international travellers, including from India, from November 8 but they will have to show proof of a negative coronavirus test before boarding a flight to the country, the White House has announced.

Victim of domestic violence? Contact Invisible Scars

Victim of domestic violence? Contact Invisible Scars

Rediff.com20 Jul 2020

Invisible Scars wants to bring domestic abuse out of the bedroom and into public discourse.