News for 'Senior State Department Official'

160,000 tents, 150,000 toilets: Prayagraj gears up for grand Maha Kumbh

160,000 tents, 150,000 toilets: Prayagraj gears up for grand Maha Kumbh

Rediff.com30 Dec 2024

Prayagraj is transforming into a massive temporary city to host the Maha Kumbh, the world's largest religious gathering, expected to draw over 40 crore pilgrims. The preparations include extensive infrastructure development, including 160,000 tents, 150,000 toilets, and a 1,250-km pipeline network. The event, starting on January 13, will culminate on February 26, bringing together millions of devotees for the holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.

Fadnavis meets Shinde ahead of crucial BJP meet

Fadnavis meets Shinde ahead of crucial BJP meet

Rediff.com3 Dec 2024

Ahead of the crucial legislature party meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Devendra Fadnavis met with caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday, the first in-person meeting since their discussions in Delhi last week for government formation.

Don't call too many meetings, no using filthy language, Bihar govt tells babus

Don't call too many meetings, no using filthy language, Bihar govt tells babus

Rediff.com19 May 2023

The Bihar government has advised heads of departments, district magistrates and other senior officials not to call too many meetings as it was affecting the work culture in the state. A recent circular issued by the general administration department said that meetings should not be called on verbal orders and subordinates should be respected.

US diplomat resigns over Afghan war

US diplomat resigns over Afghan war

Rediff.com28 Oct 2009

A senior US diplomat involved in Afghanistan has become the first American official to resign in protest over the eight-year war, saying it was fuelling the insurgency in the war-torn country.

CID to probe encounter killing of Badlapur accused

CID to probe encounter killing of Badlapur accused

Rediff.com24 Sep 2024

A team of forensic science experts on Tuesday examined the police vehicle, in which Shinde was allegedly shot by a cop on Monday evening, they said. Shinde, 24, was accused of sexually assaulting two minor girls at a school in Badlapur town of Thane district.

Items stolen from bungalow vacated by Tejashwi, alleges NDA

Items stolen from bungalow vacated by Tejashwi, alleges NDA

Rediff.com7 Oct 2024

The ruling National Democratic Alliance in Bihar on Monday sparred with the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal over items allegedly stolen from a government bungalow recently vacated by Tejashwi Yadav, to whom it was allotted while he was the state's deputy chief minister.

'Don't forget Lashkar, it's as dangerous as Haqqanis'

'Don't forget Lashkar, it's as dangerous as Haqqanis'

Rediff.com28 Sep 2011

As much as the Haqqani network seems to have catapulted to being the flavour of the day in terms of Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence-supported terrorist groups in South Asia, a senior State Department official declared that the other ISI-proxy, the Lashkar-e-Tayiba -- responsible for the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai -- is equally on even more dangerous.

US assures India it will proceed with nuclear deal

US assures India it will proceed with nuclear deal

Rediff.com11 Mar 2009

The new Obama Administration on Wednesday assured India that it will proceed with the landmark Indo-US nuclear deal, signed during George W Bush's tenure, and said the two countries needed to ramp up cooperation in counter-terrorism and global issues such as climate change.

76th Republic Day Parade: Key highlights and what to expect

76th Republic Day Parade: Key highlights and what to expect

Rediff.com26 Jan 2025

India as a sovereign democratic republic completed 75 years of its eventful journey on Sunday, with the stage set at the Kartavya Path in New Delhi for the ceremonial parade during which the country will showcase its military prowess and rich cultural heritage.

Flood submerges 30 Bihar districts, 45 lakh hit in two phases of deluge

Flood submerges 30 Bihar districts, 45 lakh hit in two phases of deluge

Rediff.com4 Oct 2024

More than 45 lakh people in 30 out of the total 38 districts of the state have been affected by the calamity in two phases since last month, according to the Disaster Management Department.

FIR against BJP's Tejasvi Surya for 'false claim'

FIR against BJP's Tejasvi Surya for 'false claim'

Rediff.com8 Nov 2024

Bharatiya Janata Party MP Tejasvi Surya and editors of some Kannada news portals have been booked for allegedly spreading fake news linking a farmer's suicide to land disputes with Waqf Board, police said on Friday.

'Protest will continue till...': Healthcare services crippled in Bengal

'Protest will continue till...': Healthcare services crippled in Bengal

Rediff.com23 Aug 2024

The Supreme Court on Thursday reiterated its appeal to the doctors protesting over the rape and killing of the medic to resume work and directed that no coercive action would be taken against them.

Kashmiri Pandits seek US help to regain homeland

Kashmiri Pandits seek US help to regain homeland

Rediff.com25 Jan 2010

An international body of Kashmiri Pandits has sought the help of US Government and its lawmakers in the rehabilitation of the community by creation of a separate homeland for them in Jammu and Kashmir.

76th Republic-Day Parade: India displays military might, cultural diversity

76th Republic-Day Parade: India displays military might, cultural diversity

Rediff.com26 Jan 2025

India's rich cultural diversity, military prowess, economic progress and the strides it has taken in sectors, such as science and technology, were on full display at the 76th Republic-Day celebrations on Kartavya Path on Sunday, in the presence of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

Cyclone Fengal makes landfall near Puducherry; Chennai airport shutdown

Cyclone Fengal makes landfall near Puducherry; Chennai airport shutdown

Rediff.com30 Nov 2024

Cyclonic storm Fengal has commenced making landfall close to Puducherry and it may approximately take 4 hours for it to cross the coast completely, an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said. The process of the cyclone's landfall commenced at about 5.30 pm on November 30. The IMD said the forward sector of spiral bands associated with the cyclone has entered into the land and is likely to move west-southwestwards and cross north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram close to Puducherry as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph during next 3 to 4 hours.

Porsche case: Probe finds lapses in JJB members' conduct

Porsche case: Probe finds lapses in JJB members' conduct

Rediff.com15 Jun 2024

A committee formed to probe the conduct of two Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) members in connection with the bail given to the minor accused in the Pune Porsche crash case has found 'procedural lapses', 'misconduct' and 'non compliance of norms', a senior official said on Saturday.

Katrina aid: US accepts $1 bn from 95 nations

Katrina aid: US accepts $1 bn from 95 nations

Rediff.com8 Sep 2005

Katrina aid: US accepts nearly $1 billion from some 95 nations

Hathras stampede main accused surrenders in Delhi

Hathras stampede main accused surrenders in Delhi

Rediff.com6 Jul 2024

In a video message, Madhukar's lawyer AP Singh claimed that his client had surrendered in Delhi, where he was undergoing treatment.

India, US diplomats meet; terror, ties on agenda

India, US diplomats meet; terror, ties on agenda

Rediff.com22 Sep 2009

Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao met her US counterpart William Burns and discussed a wide range of bilateral issues, including counter-terrorism and the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's proposed visit to America in November.

PowerMin nudges states, gencos to take up insolvent assets

PowerMin nudges states, gencos to take up insolvent assets

Rediff.com12 Nov 2023

To tackle increasing demand, the Union Ministry of Power has urged central and state public-sector power-generating companies (gencos) and state power and energy departments to pick projects that are undergoing insolvency proceedings. The power ministry is looking at a quicker turnaround of these stressed power plants and enhancing power supply. Increasing demand is pushing states to scout for more power sources. "It is requested that state-owned gencos may be encouraged to participate in the corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP) of stressed power assets, which are of strategic and commercial significance to the capacity addition plans of the states concerned.

40 yrs later, toxic waste shifted from Bhopal's Union Carbide factory

40 yrs later, toxic waste shifted from Bhopal's Union Carbide factory

Rediff.com2 Jan 2025

Forty years after the Bhopal gas tragedy, 377 tons of hazardous waste has been shifted from the defunct Union Carbide factory for its disposal, an official said.

Budget Prepares For Rise In Cancer Cases

Budget Prepares For Rise In Cancer Cases

Rediff.com3 Feb 2025

Do we have enough trained oncologists and medical professionals in India to man these over 4,500 beds in the public sector?

China 'firmly opposes' US recognising Arunachal as Indian territory

China 'firmly opposes' US recognising Arunachal as Indian territory

Rediff.com21 Mar 2024

China on Thursday said it 'firmly opposes' the United States recognition of Arunachal Pradesh as part of Indian territory and affirmed that Washington, DC has nothing to do with the India-China border dispute.

Talks between protesting doctors, Bengal govt fail to break ice

Talks between protesting doctors, Bengal govt fail to break ice

Rediff.com10 Oct 2024

Agitating junior doctors, whose nine representatives are on a fast-unto-death demonstration, termed talks with senior officials of the West Bengal government as 'the most disappointing meeting so far'.

28L diyas to illuminate Ayodhya in first deepotsav after consecration

28L diyas to illuminate Ayodhya in first deepotsav after consecration

Rediff.com30 Oct 2024

The government aims to better its last year's Guinness World Record by lighting 25 lakh diyas on the banks of Saryu river.

Negotiation with Taliban necessary, says US offi

Negotiation with Taliban "necessary", says US offi

Rediff.com22 Nov 2008

Terming reconciliation with Taliban as "necessary", a senior state department official has said that there is nothing "evil" about engaging militants in the political process if they abandon violence. "I think it's necessary, but I wouldn't necessarily call it that evil," US assistant secretary of state for south and central Asia, Richard Boucher said.

US to close embassies on Sunday over security fears

US to close embassies on Sunday over security fears

Rediff.com2 Aug 2013

The United States has announced that it will close certain embassies and consulates -- mostly in Muslim dominated countries on August 4 due to unspecified security reasons.

Maharashtra police books YouTuber Dhruv Rathee over parody account post

Maharashtra police books YouTuber Dhruv Rathee over parody account post

Rediff.com14 Jul 2024

Maharashtra's cyber police have registered a case against popular YouTuber Dhruv Rathee after a parody account allegedly posted a fake message on X about Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's daughter, a senior official said on Saturday.

UP hospital had expired fire extinguishers? Govt says...

UP hospital had expired fire extinguishers? Govt says...

Rediff.com16 Nov 2024

The incident sparked a political blame game in the state where bypolls to nine assembly seats will be held on November 20. Opposition parties blamed the BJP government in the state and said the deaths raise serious questions about the negligence of the administration.

RG Kar: 'My Daughter Was Killed Elsewhere'

RG Kar: 'My Daughter Was Killed Elsewhere'

Rediff.com23 Jan 2025

'A murder has occurred in the room, but there were no signs of struggle.' 'RG Kar says the body was discovered at 9:30 am. But the media was informed at 8:30 am.' 'We realised that crucial evidence was being destroyed.' 'She had several bite marks on her neck, but no swab was collected.' 'My daughter had 28 injuries on her body. But there was no DNA of the assailant under her nails.' 'Are you saying she did not try to defend herself?'

ED raids Hemant Soren's aide in 'illegal mining case'

ED raids Hemant Soren's aide in 'illegal mining case'

Rediff.com3 Jan 2024

About a dozen locations in the state, including in state capital Ranchi and a premise in Rajasthan, are being raided by the central agency under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said.

US: No civil nuke pact with Pak, India's special

US: No civil nuke pact with Pak, India's special

Rediff.com9 Sep 2005

The state department official ruled out negotiating any such pact with Pakistan.

Bhutto assassination: US not to support UN probe

Bhutto assassination: US not to support UN probe

Rediff.com30 Jan 2008

Boucher said the Bush administration was satisfied with investigations carried out by Pakistani authorities along with the Scotland Yard.

Atishi snubbed, Delhi LG picks Gahlot to hoist flag on I-Day

Atishi snubbed, Delhi LG picks Gahlot to hoist flag on I-Day

Rediff.com13 Aug 2024

The choice that bypasses several other senior government leaders is likely to set a stage for another round of tussle between the AAP dispensation and the LG Secretariat.

Delhi Polls: BJP, Congress Take On AAP

Delhi Polls: BJP, Congress Take On AAP

Rediff.com26 Dec 2024

The BJP and Congress have called out the 'Delhi model' as a hoax, built on sustained propaganda when the ground reality is different.

ED arrests ex-IAS officer in Rs 2000-cr Chhattisgarh liquor 'scam' case

ED arrests ex-IAS officer in Rs 2000-cr Chhattisgarh liquor 'scam' case

Rediff.com21 Apr 2024

The IAS officer was later taken into custody under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and is expected to be produced before a magistrate seeking his remand, the sources said.

Lockerbie bomber gets hero's welcome in Libya

Lockerbie bomber gets hero's welcome in Libya

Rediff.com21 Aug 2009

Libyans from all walks of life gave Lockerbie bomber Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi a rapturous welcome on his return to his native Libya late Thursday night, even as the survivors and relatives of those killed condemned his release and clamoured for justice.

Saif Ali Khan stabbed six times, is 'out of danger', say docs

Saif Ali Khan stabbed six times, is 'out of danger', say docs

Rediff.com16 Jan 2025

Khan, 54, was "out of danger" following an emergency surgery, said the doctors at the Lilavati Hospital where he was rushed following the incident that took place around 2.30 am at his apartment in `Satguru Sharan' building.

9 killed as heavy rains lash Telangana; 99 trains cancelled

9 killed as heavy rains lash Telangana; 99 trains cancelled

Rediff.com1 Sep 2024

Due to heavy rains and waterlogging over the tracks at several locations on South Central Railway network, as many as 99 trains were cancelled and four trains were partially cancelled while 54 trains were diverted, an SCR official said.

Will budget for agri research get a big boost this year?

Will budget for agri research get a big boost this year?

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

Several leading scientists, academicians, and agriculturalists have called for raising government support for research and development to make Indian agriculture future-ready.