News for 'Senior State Department Official'

When Pakistan Bombed Jail That Sonam Wangchuk Is Housed In

When Pakistan Bombed Jail That Sonam Wangchuk Is Housed In

Rediff.com3 Oct 2025

Sonam Wangchuk is under tight surveillance within the three-tiered prison, with CCTV cameras monitored around the clock.

Prehistoric traces unearthed near Mauryan-era site in Haryana

Prehistoric traces unearthed near Mauryan-era site in Haryana

Rediff.com8 Aug 2025

Archaeological explorations in Topra Kalan village, Yamunanagar district, Haryana, have revealed ancient remains and cultural artifacts, suggesting human habitation dating back approximately 3,500 years. The findings include Painted Grey Ware (PGW) and other ancient materials, with further investigations planned to determine the exact age and significance of the site.

'We Carried BJP to Power, Now They Crush Us'

'We Carried BJP to Power, Now They Crush Us'

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

'If all of us (all the 57 Shiv Sena MLAs) stand together we can change the dynamic. We are not afraid of anyone.'

Zubeen Garg's DSP cousin arrested, suspended

Zubeen Garg's DSP cousin arrested, suspended

Rediff.com9 Oct 2025

Zubeen Garg's cousin and Assam Police DSP Sandipan Garg was apprehended on Wednesday in connection with the singer's death in Singapore last month, taking the total number of arrests in the case to five, a senior officer said.

Rs 1,000 Crore Tax Refunds Expected Before New I-T Law

Rs 1,000 Crore Tax Refunds Expected Before New I-T Law

Rediff.com21 Aug 2025

'We want to clear these pending refunds so that no issues arise once the new I-T Act takes effect.'

Heavy rains pummel Maha, 4 killed; IAF, Army rescue stranded people

Heavy rains pummel Maha, 4 killed; IAF, Army rescue stranded people

Rediff.com16 Sep 2025

The Army unit deployed in Ashti successfully evacuated 40 people with the help of an NDRF team and other agencies.

Cough syrup deaths: IMA slams doctor's arrest

Cough syrup deaths: IMA slams doctor's arrest

Rediff.com7 Oct 2025

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has defended a doctor arrested in connection with cough syrup deaths in Madhya Pradesh, attributing the incident to failures in the drugs regulatory system.

Zubeen death: Singer, musician present on yacht arrested

Zubeen death: Singer, musician present on yacht arrested

Rediff.com3 Oct 2025

Musician Shakharjyoti Goswami and singer Amritprabha Mahanta were arrested in connection with the death of singer Zubeen Garg. The arrests follow an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding Garg's death in Singapore.

Out for dinner, medical student gang-raped in Bengal

Out for dinner, medical student gang-raped in Bengal

Rediff.com11 Oct 2025

"The friend left her alone when three unidentified men arrived there. The men snatched her phone and took her to a jungle outside the campus, where they raped her. She was threatened with dire consequences if she told anyone about the incident," the officer said.

Zubeen death: Singapore police to provide 'crucial evidence'

Zubeen death: Singapore police to provide 'crucial evidence'

Rediff.com24 Oct 2025

Singapore Police Force (SPF) is likely to provide crucial evidence, including CCTV footage and statements of eye witnesses, related to the death of Zubeen Garg within the next 10 days, a senior official said on Friday.

7 killed in wall collapse in Delhi amid heavy rains

7 killed in wall collapse in Delhi amid heavy rains

Rediff.com9 Aug 2025

Seven people died after a wall collapsed near Mohan Baba Mandir in Jaitpur, Delhi, following heavy rainfall. Rescue operations were conducted by police, fire services, and NDRF teams. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the collapse.

Jarange calls off Maratha agitation after Maha issues GR

Jarange calls off Maratha agitation after Maha issues GR

Rediff.com2 Sep 2025

Jarange Patil on Tuesday called off his five-day old agitation after the Maharashtra government issued a resolution on the Hyderabad gazetteer and announced the formation of a committees to facilitate the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas who are able to produce documentary evidence recognising them as Kunbis in the past.

8 kids among 17 killed as fire engulfs Hyderabad building

8 kids among 17 killed as fire engulfs Hyderabad building

Rediff.com18 May 2025

A blaze triggered by a suspected short circuit in a building near the iconic Charminar here on Sunday left 17 people dead, with a majority of them being children.

Downpour slows down Mumbai traffic, IMD issues alert

Downpour slows down Mumbai traffic, IMD issues alert

Rediff.com15 Sep 2025

Incessant rains and water-logging slowed down traffic in Mumbai, with the IMD issuing a 'red alert', predicting very heavy showers in the city and neighbouring areas. Commuters faced water accumulation on tracks and delays in local train services.

'Next 48 hours crucial': 10 dead, hundreds displaced as rain lash Maha

'Next 48 hours crucial': 10 dead, hundreds displaced as rain lash Maha

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

Heavy rains in Maharashtra have caused floods, road blockages, and widespread damage, resulting in casualties and displacement. The state government is monitoring the situation and coordinating rescue efforts.

Sam Pitroda reacts over BJP's land-grabbing allegations

Sam Pitroda reacts over BJP's land-grabbing allegations

Rediff.com27 Feb 2025

Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda has denied owning any land, home, or stocks in India, responding to allegations by a BJP leader that he illegally acquired 12.35 acres of government land in Bengaluru. The BJP leader, N R Ramesh, has filed a complaint with the Enforcement Directorate and the Karnataka Lokayukta, alleging that Pitroda, with the help of government officials, acquired the land for his organization, FRLHT. Pitroda, in a statement on X, categorically denied the allegations, stating he has never taken any salary during his time working with the Indian government and has never paid or accepted any bribe. He further clarified that FRLHT received a five-year lease on the land for conservation purposes, which expired in 2001 and was extended for another 10 years. Ramesh claims the lease expired in 2011 and the land, now worth over Rs 150 crore, was not reclaimed by the forest department. He has urged the ED to file a criminal case against those involved in the alleged land grab, including the officials responsible.

'New Delhi Can Hobnob With Moscow And Beijing, But...'

'New Delhi Can Hobnob With Moscow And Beijing, But...'

Rediff.com1 Sep 2025

'...it should not delude itself into thinking that India's security or its great-power ambitions will be advanced by those partnerships.'
'Instead, what India should focus on is on riding out the next three-and-a-half years of Trump's presidency with minimal damage to itself.'

Electronics to chemicals: Govt identifies critical sectors to boost FDI

Electronics to chemicals: Govt identifies critical sectors to boost FDI

Rediff.com4 Aug 2025

The government has identified critical sectors, including electronics, chemicals, leather and footwear, and toys, where value chains can be strengthened to facilitate and drive foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country. Invest India, the investment promotion and facilitating agency under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), has been actively identifying key value chains to focus on.

UP: Outsiders banned from camps set up for kanwariyas

UP: Outsiders banned from camps set up for kanwariyas

Rediff.com9 Jul 2025

A senior Uttar Pradesh government official has issued directives to ensure the safe and smooth completion of the Kanwar Yatra, including banning outsiders from entering camps, enforcing a ban on single-use plastic, and providing basic facilities to kanwariyas.

Zubeen Garg's manager, festival organiser booked for murder

Zubeen Garg's manager, festival organiser booked for murder

Rediff.com2 Oct 2025

Assam Police have filed a murder charge against Zubeen Garg's manager and a festival organizer in connection with the singer's death in Singapore. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities seeking cooperation from Singaporean officials.

BMW crash: Accused tests -ve for alcohol, faces culpable homicide

BMW crash: Accused tests -ve for alcohol, faces culpable homicide

Rediff.com17 Sep 2025

Senior finance ministry official Navjot Singh, killed in a BMW crash, was cremated. The driver's alcohol test was negative, and an investigation is underway.

Delhi BMW crash: Accused woman gets bail

Delhi BMW crash: Accused woman gets bail

Rediff.com27 Sep 2025

A court in New Delhi on Saturday granted bail to Gaganpreet Kaur, the key accused in the BMW incident, saying the accident's CCTV footage showed the allegation of culpable homicide was on a 'fragile foundation'.

New Kolkata CP appointed, 2 health officials removed

New Kolkata CP appointed, 2 health officials removed

Rediff.com17 Sep 2024

Senior Indian Police Service officer Manoj Kumar Verma was appointed the new Kolkata Police commissioner, replacing Vineet Goyal, on Tuesday, a day after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held a meeting with agitating junior doctors and agreed to their demands in a bid to resolve the more than a month-long impasse over the RG Kar hospital incident.

Blinken postpones China trip amid spy balloon row

Blinken postpones China trip amid spy balloon row

Rediff.com3 Feb 2023

Blinken was expected to meet with his Chinese counterpart, and potentially with President Xi Jinping.

Server glitch delays revenue officials' exam in Maha; govt orders probe

Server glitch delays revenue officials' exam in Maha; govt orders probe

Rediff.com22 Aug 2023

Anand Rayate, senior IAS officer and state coordinator for the Talathi Recruitment Exam-2023, said the statewide test conducted with the help of IT major TCS started at 11 am, instead of 9 am scheduled originally, after the fault was rectified.

Heavy rain paralyses Mumbai; train services suspended

Heavy rain paralyses Mumbai; train services suspended

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

Heavy rains caused severe waterlogging, traffic jams, and disruptions to local train services in Mumbai. Schools and colleges were closed due to a 'red alert' issued by the IMD.

US speaks again on Kejriwal, mentions frozen Cong accounts

US speaks again on Kejriwal, mentions frozen Cong accounts

Rediff.com28 Mar 2024

Ministry of External Affairs officials summoned the Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Gloria Berbena at its office in South Block in Delhi and lodged a strong protest against a US State Department official's remarks on Kejriwal's arrest.

'Have Modi And Trump Fallen Out?'

'Have Modi And Trump Fallen Out?'

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

'We should watch -- in the near term -- for signs that the two have totally fallen out at a personal, political level.' 'Trump and Modi know how to be dealmakers, but they also know how to hold a grudge.'

'India's Confidence In The US Is Shattered'

'India's Confidence In The US Is Shattered'

Rediff.com1 Sep 2025

'The current strain in the relationship is serious and likely to be long lasting.' 'Even if Trump suddenly changes his attitude toward India -- which he is entirely capable of doing -- it is unlikely that New Delhi will be able to pick up the pieces and respond as if nothing has happened.'

Puri temple stampede: Collector, SP shifted, 2 cops suspended

Puri temple stampede: Collector, SP shifted, 2 cops suspended

Rediff.com29 Jun 2025

The CM appointed Khurda district collector Chanchal Rana as the new collector of Puri.

Anti-CAA protests prompt US officials to meet Indian envoy

Anti-CAA protests prompt US officials to meet Indian envoy

Rediff.com6 Feb 2020

A senior State Department official, on condition of anonymity, said that he has met with officials in India about what is taking place in the nation and expressed concern. The US has also 'expressed desire first to try to help and work through some of these issues', the official said.

Why J&K Border Villages Are Safe Haven For Terrorists

Why J&K Border Villages Are Safe Haven For Terrorists

Rediff.com5 Sep 2025

'Why have we failed to address the issue of ensuring a requisite buffer zone in J&K, given that cross-border links of some J&K politicians are known?', asks Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).

Hope Rises As China Processes Rare-Earths Requests

Hope Rises As China Processes Rare-Earths Requests

Rediff.com28 Jul 2025

China accounts for about 70 per cent of global rare earth mining and nearly 90 per cent of rare earth magnet production, making it a dominant player and giving it significant leverage in global supply chains.

K'taka to conduct fresh caste census in Sep-Oct; to map wealth, land data

K'taka to conduct fresh caste census in Sep-Oct; to map wealth, land data

Rediff.com23 Jul 2025

The Karnataka government will conduct a new 'Social and Educational survey', popularly known as 'caste census', in the state for 15 days, from September 22 to October 7. The survey aims to eliminate caste discrimination and gather data on financial status and land ownership.

US tariff shock to hit Bengal's labour-intensive industries

US tariff shock to hit Bengal's labour-intensive industries

Rediff.com27 Aug 2025

The additional 25 per cent tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump on India is set to deliver a major blow to West Bengal's export-driven economy, with the state's labour-intensive leather, engineering and marine sectors expecting losses ahead of the festive season, stakeholders said. The increased levies on Indian products for the country's purchases of Russian oil came into effect on Wednesday, bringing the total amount of tariff imposed on New Delhi to 50 per cent.

Puri: 3 killed in stampede during Rath Yatra ceremony

Puri: 3 killed in stampede during Rath Yatra ceremony

Rediff.com29 Jun 2025

The incident took place around 4 am when hundreds of devotees gathered near the temple to witness Rath Yatra festivities, Puri district collector Siddharth S Swain said.

After Delhi's sign-in, Bengal only state to hold out on Ayushman Bharat

After Delhi's sign-in, Bengal only state to hold out on Ayushman Bharat

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

According to a parliamentary response by the Union health ministry in 2023, around 654,000 families in Delhi are eligible to enrol under the scheme.

India's Startup Dreams, Ready to Bloom

India's Startup Dreams, Ready to Bloom

Rediff.com17 Sep 2025

Let's work flat out and create a policy framework that fosters the growth of Indian non-family business VC and private equity firms. This will allow our Indian startups' dreams to flourish, explains Ajit Balakrishnan.

162 students trapped in flooded Jharkhand school rescued

162 students trapped in flooded Jharkhand school rescued

Rediff.com29 Jun 2025

The students were trapped in the school located at Pandarsoli on the Haldipokhar-Kowali Road in Kowali police station area since Saturday night after the premises got flooded due to heavy rain.

Braving trauma, Kolkata rape survivor student appears for exams

Braving trauma, Kolkata rape survivor student appears for exams

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

A senior official from the state's higher education department said all necessary arrangements had been made to ensure that she could "write her papers feeling safe and secure".