News for 'Special Service Group'

Race for new Pak PM: Shehbaz files nomination; PTI to withdraw lawmakers

Race for new Pak PM: Shehbaz files nomination; PTI to withdraw lawmakers

Rediff.com10 Apr 2022

The move came hours after Khan was removed from office through a no-confidence vote held early Sunday morning, becoming the first premier in the country's history to be sent home after losing the trust of the House.

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.

OBC quota in medical education is Modi's masterstroke

OBC quota in medical education is Modi's masterstroke

Rediff.com14 Aug 2021

This step by the Modi government is in the right direction and will go a long way in safeguarding the interests of socially and economically backward communities, asserts Professor T V Kattimani, Vice-Chancellor, Central Tribal University, Andhra Pradesh, Vizianagaram.

Grandest flypast highlight of 73rd Republic Day parade

Grandest flypast highlight of 73rd Republic Day parade

Rediff.com26 Jan 2022

India displayed its military might and vibrant cultural heritage on Rajpath on Wednesday with the grandest flypast with 75 aircraft to mark the 'Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav' celebrations being the highlight of the 73rd Republic Day Parade, which was drastically scaled down in view of the Covid pandemic.

'Hamid Ansari Defeated Pakistan's Intent In UN And Today You Are Questioning Him?'

'Hamid Ansari Defeated Pakistan's Intent In UN And Today You Are Questioning Him?'

Rediff.com14 Jul 2022

'Every Indian knows why the BJP is targeting Hamid Ansari.'

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.

CIA director held secret meeting with Taliban leader in Kabul: Report

CIA director held secret meeting with Taliban leader in Kabul: Report

Rediff.com24 Aug 2021

CIA Director William J. Burns held a secret meeting in Kabul on Monday with Baradar in the highest-level face-to-face encounter between the Taliban and the Biden administration since the militants seized the Afghan capital, the Washington Post reported, citing unnamed US officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity,

Farmers say no to govt food, bring own lunch during talks

Farmers say no to govt food, bring own lunch during talks

Rediff.com3 Dec 2020

'How can we have lunch offered by the government when our fellow farmers are sitting on roads'

Why Bihar's Jobless Youth Are Angry

Why Bihar's Jobless Youth Are Angry

Rediff.com28 Jan 2022

'It is our right to protest and draw the attention of this government, which is sleeping and appears blind, as it has failed to see the pain and struggle of the jobless youth.'

Plea in Delhi HC seeks suspension of Central Vista project

Plea in Delhi HC seeks suspension of Central Vista project

Rediff.com4 May 2021

The plea also states that the petitioners are also questioning why or how the project constitutes an "essential service", merely because some executive mandated contractual deadline has to be met.

'Amazon In India For Next 100 Years'

'Amazon In India For Next 100 Years'

Rediff.com4 Jul 2022

'For all of us at Amazon, it is 'Bharat first'.' 'We are keeping the Indian customer at the centre of what we are doing.'

Confusion In The Crypto Universe

Confusion In The Crypto Universe

Rediff.com23 Feb 2022

While the tax treatment does legitimise past crypto transactions, there is a possibility that any, or all, private cryptocurrencies will be banned in future.

Pak cabinet rejects proposal to import cotton, sugar from India

Pak cabinet rejects proposal to import cotton, sugar from India

Rediff.com1 Apr 2021

In a volte-face, Pakistan's cabinet on Thursday rejected the proposal of a high-powered committee to import cotton and sugar from India, with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi asserting that there can be no normalisation of ties until New Delhi reverses its decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

Centre counsels 5 states showing surge in COVID-19 cases

Centre counsels 5 states showing surge in COVID-19 cases

Rediff.com26 May 2020

Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan held a high-level review meeting through video conference with the chief secretaries, health secretaries and National Health Mission (NHM) directors of these states, the health ministry said. 'These states are witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases since the last three weeks as lockdown rules have been eased and inter-state migration has been allowed,' the ministry said in a statement.

NHRC chief lauds Amit Shah for bringing 'new era of peace' to J-K

NHRC chief lauds Amit Shah for bringing 'new era of peace' to J-K

Rediff.com12 Oct 2021

In his address at the 28th foundation day of the NHRC in New Delhi, the former judge also underlined that 'external forces' levelling 'false' allegations of human rights violations against India has become very common, 'which should be opposed'.

Vikrant: A Giant Leap For Indian Navy

Vikrant: A Giant Leap For Indian Navy

Rediff.com2 Sep 2022

The Indian Navy has a big role to play in support of our strategic objectives in the Indian Ocean. The increasing Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean is a matter of concern and need to be factored. Hence, the requirement of an Aircraft Carrier is a foregone conclusion, asserts Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).

How Tatas plan to grab the $100 billion-plus global 5G market

How Tatas plan to grab the $100 billion-plus global 5G market

Rediff.com10 Aug 2021

The Tata group's tryst with mobile services, with either CDMA or GSM technology, did not really fly, forcing it to close operations and write off losses. Now the group is back in the big game, this time straddling the telecom equipment, network and technology space in India as well as the global market. To this end, it is leveraging the opportunities that flow from 5G technology through open radio access network, or O-RAN. Recently, the Tata Sons' subsidiary Panatone Finvest acquired 43.3 per cent in Bengaluru-based telecom equipment manufacturer Tejas Network for Rs 1,850 crore and announced it would buy another 26 per cent of the voting capital through an open offer.

How RBI's tough rules impact audit companies

How RBI's tough rules impact audit companies

Rediff.com2 Jun 2021

The central bank's tough new rules spell major changes in the competitive landscape for financial services audits.

A 1971 War Hero You Must Know

A 1971 War Hero You Must Know

Rediff.com14 Dec 2021

'I realised what a great leader he was by the way he took decisions to undertake the most-risky of missions.'

India must use airpower to eliminate terrorists

India must use airpower to eliminate terrorists

Rediff.com7 Mar 2019

'It is time India thought big not only about its global clout politically and diplomatically, but also act its size against pin-pricking by anti national elements,' says Group Captain Murli Menon (retd).

Kia Carens: Made by an Asian company for Indian roads

Kia Carens: Made by an Asian company for Indian roads

Rediff.com9 Mar 2022

High ground clearance, a wide cabin and tall stance all mean that the Carens glides over bad roads with ease and comfort and an engine performance that is adequate in terms of the power of this vehicle, says Pavan Lall.

Pravasi Special: Build and they will come

Pravasi Special: Build and they will come

Rediff.com9 Jan 2015

The euphoria of Ab Ki Baar Modi Sarkar will fade quickly if the Modi government does not raise its game, and focus significant monetary resources and managerial skills on making India's infrastructure truly world-class, says Ram Kelkar.

Business Families and their UGLY succession battles

Business Families and their UGLY succession battles

Rediff.com31 Dec 2021

The world is full of family businesses that withered away with the passing of generations, creating much bitterness and ill will. Entire clans that used to be household names have become pale shadows of their once-mighty empires.

SIT to probe 'religious conversion' complaint against UP IAS officer

SIT to probe 'religious conversion' complaint against UP IAS officer

Rediff.com28 Sep 2021

The Uttar Pradesh government ordered a probe by a special investigation team after an IAS officer was seen in some video clips at a gathering at his home where religious conversion was being allegedly discussed.

Will Jet Manage To Fly This Year?

Will Jet Manage To Fly This Year?

Rediff.com22 Apr 2022

If that happens, Jet Airways will be the first bankrupt airline which will be revived under the Insolvency process.

What does 5G spectrum auction delay mean for India?

What does 5G spectrum auction delay mean for India?

Rediff.com29 Nov 2021

Discussing the prospect of more reform earlier this month, telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a delay in the 5G spectrum auction. India's telecom sector regulation has to be benchmarked with the global best, he said. It's another matter that many countries have either introduced or are about to roll out 5G services that will enable cutting-edge tech in diverse areas. For India, too, it will mean a lot for healthcare, robotics and unleashing a new chapter in Digital India perhaps.

Farmers bring their own food, tea at govt meeting, again

Farmers bring their own food, tea at govt meeting, again

Rediff.com5 Dec 2020

During their last meeting on Thursday also, the farmer leaders had their own lunch, tea and even water.

SC grants bail to 17 convicts in 2002 Sardarpura post-Godhra riots case

SC grants bail to 17 convicts in 2002 Sardarpura post-Godhra riots case

Rediff.com28 Jan 2020

The court said that all the convicts will have to undertake community services for six hours a week besides reporting to the local police station on a weekly basis as bail conditions.

Govt agrees to Air India employees' main demands

Govt agrees to Air India employees' main demands

Rediff.com25 Aug 2021

The central government has agreed in-principle to Air India employees' main demands. It fears an industrial dissension now could impede the process of privatisation. It has agreed to bear the cost of liquidation loss on account of transfer to the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) from company-owned trusts, inclusion of employees in the central government health scheme (CGHS), and encashment of leaves. The template of the Air India process will be followed for other public sector undertakings up for privatisation at a later date.

Thallumaala Won't Let You Breathe Or Blink

Thallumaala Won't Let You Breathe Or Blink

Rediff.com19 Aug 2022

Friendships are not merely severed, but built over scuffles. And just about anything can stir things up -- a long-standing feud, a pointless stare, a disrupted moral stance, a fist that ricochets off a face and smacks another face in the near vicinity, observes Sreehari Nair.

Will the entry of PEs into banks lead to better governance?

Will the entry of PEs into banks lead to better governance?

Rediff.com24 Mar 2022

Private equity (PE) is set to play a bigger role in banks. Of 21 recommendations accepted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) out of 31 made by its Internal Working Group (IWG), its stance on non-promoter holdings in private banks is seen with excitement, though it doesn't refer to PEs explicitly. On non-promoter holdings in these banks, the RBI said this will be capped at 10 per cent of the paid-up voting equity share capital in the case "of natural persons and non-financial institutions and entities"; and "at 15 per cent for all categories of financial institutions, entities, supranational institutions, public sector undertaking, or the government." While this is a modification of the IWG's stance for the non-promoter holding in banks at up to 15 per cent, it does open up a huge window for PEs, all the same. This is because, while the RBI has remained silent on the eligibility of industrial houses for bank licences, fresh high-quality capital in large amounts can only come from PEs.

Zomato IPO oversubscribed 38x

Zomato IPO oversubscribed 38x

Rediff.com16 Jul 2021

Zomato's mega initial public offering (IPO) ended with a bumper 38 times oversubscription on Friday as institutional investors poured money to get a pie of the hottest online food delivery platform. Zomato got bids for 2,751.25 crore shares against 71.92 crore shares on offer, stock exchange data showed. The IPO is India's biggest since March 2020. Institutional investors, who shied away in the first two days of the IPO, bid several times over the number of shares reserved for them.

Foundation stone for Ayodhya mosque to be laid on R-Day

Foundation stone for Ayodhya mosque to be laid on R-Day

Rediff.com17 Dec 2020

"The Trust chose January 26, 2021 for laying the foundation stone of the Ayodhya mosque as on this day our Constitution came into effect over seven decades ago. Our Constitution is based on pluralism, which is the leitmotif of our mosque project," said Athar Hussain, secretary of the Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation (IICF).

Yasin Malik gets life term for crimes 'striking at the heart of idea of India'

Yasin Malik gets life term for crimes 'striking at the heart of idea of India'

Rediff.com25 May 2022

Malik had earlier pleaded guilty to all the charges including those under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act in a terror funding case.

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.

Oaktree emerges highest bidder for debt-ridden DHFL

Oaktree emerges highest bidder for debt-ridden DHFL

Rediff.com14 Dec 2020

US-based Oaktree on Monday pipped Piramal Enterprises and Adani Group to emerge as the highest bidder for DHFL after fresh bids were invited under the insolvency process, according to sources. The committee of creditors had fixed December 14 as the last for submission of revised bids. According to the sources, Oaktree raised the bid to Rs 36,646 crore, including Rs 1,000 crore for insurance and Rs 3,000 crore of interest earned, while Piramal Enterprises offered Rs 35,550 crore, including Rs 300 for insurance and Rs 3,000 of interest earned.

CAB: Guwahati top cop shunted out; Internet suspended

CAB: Guwahati top cop shunted out; Internet suspended

Rediff.com12 Dec 2019

Suspension of Internet services in ten districts of Assam was extended for 48 hours on Thursday

Day 14 of Poonch op: 3 security personnel injured, Pak terrorist killed

Day 14 of Poonch op: 3 security personnel injured, Pak terrorist killed

Rediff.com24 Oct 2021

An arrested Pakistani terrorist was killed, while three security personnel were injured on Sunday when militants opened fire on a joint search party of the Army and police inside a forest in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

Operation Bluestar: A Governor Reveals All

Operation Bluestar: A Governor Reveals All

Rediff.com23 Nov 2021

B D Pande was Punjab's governor during Operation Bluestar. In this excerpt from his memoir, In the Service of Free India: Memoir of a Civil Servant, Pande reveals what really went on behind the scenes during those dark days in India's history.

World's most wanted woman terrorist is dead

World's most wanted woman terrorist is dead

Rediff.com13 Nov 2014

Samantha Lewthwaite or the White Widow and the world's most wanted woman terrorist, has reportedly been gunned down in war-torn Ukraine by a Russian marksman.