News for 'Standing Committee on Science and Technology'

Several parliamentary standing committees reconstituted

Several parliamentary standing committees reconstituted

Rediff.com9 Oct 2021

Shashi Tharoor has also been retained as the chairman of the panel on Information Technology.

'The Key Is Talent, Technology, Trust'

'The Key Is Talent, Technology, Trust'

Rediff.com30 Dec 2025

'Our problem is not a budget deficit but a trust deficit. We need to trust our institutions and industries to innovate and lead. That is the way forward for India.'

Air, Water Purifiers: GST Council May Weigh 5% Levy

Air, Water Purifiers: GST Council May Weigh 5% Levy

Rediff.com30 Dec 2025

The GST Council at its next meeting may consider a reduction in taxes on air and water purifiers as air quality across the country worsens and access to safe drinking water remains uneven.

Rajiv Gandhi: 'I Can't Sack People'

Rajiv Gandhi: 'I Can't Sack People'

Rediff.com18 Feb 2026

'When I met the prime minister, he asked me, "Dr Ganguly, what do you do with people in your company who lie to you?"' 'I said, "Prime Minister, we counsel them and give them a gentle warning. If they lie again, they are sacked".' '"This is my problem,'" Rajiv responded. "I can't sack people in government".' A revealing excerpt from former Hindustan Lever Chairman Dr Ashok S Ganguly's We Are Our Future: Reflections On Life.

My Mentor, Nobel Laureate Susumu Kitagawa

My Mentor, Nobel Laureate Susumu Kitagawa

Rediff.com13 Oct 2025

'Professor Kitagawa is an exceptional researcher, a good teacher and above all a great person.'

T'gana plant blast: 9 still missing; cause yet to be known

T'gana plant blast: 9 still missing; cause yet to be known

Rediff.com3 Jul 2025

Nine people remain missing following the explosion at the Sigachi Industries' pharma plant in Pashamylaram, Telangana, which claimed 38 lives. An expert committee is investigating the cause of the blast.

Jairam lodges protest with Dhankar over sending Forest Bill to joint committee

Jairam lodges protest with Dhankar over sending Forest Bill to joint committee

Rediff.com29 Mar 2023

In a letter to Dhankhar, Ramesh said sending the Bill to the joint committee of both Houses means "devaluation and denigration" of the status and functions of the standing committee.

Jayant Narlikar: A Voice That Lit The Cosmos

Jayant Narlikar: A Voice That Lit The Cosmos

Rediff.com22 May 2025

'When Dr Murli Manohar Joshi wanted to start a course on astrology, Jayant was the first one to have the courage to stand up and say astrology is not science.' 'That's a very rare quality -- to stand up to authority.'

More To Delimitation Than Meets The Eye

More To Delimitation Than Meets The Eye

Rediff.com1 Apr 2025

There is a proposal from the BJP camp that they would resort to a proportion-based increase in the number of Lok Sabha seats for individual states, based on what they now have. On the face of it, this sounds like a fine argument that those demanding a 'freeze' now cannot oppose without reasons and justification, avers N Sathiya Moorthy.

MIT expels Indian-origin student for pro-Palestine essay

MIT expels Indian-origin student for pro-Palestine essay

Rediff.com11 Dec 2024

An Indian-origin PhD student at MIT, Prahlad Iyengar, has been suspended until January 2026 for his pro-Palestinian activism. The suspension effectively ends his NSF fellowship and disrupts his academic career. Iyengar is appealing the decision, arguing that it is a violation of free speech and a result of MIT's ties to the war industry. The suspension comes after MIT banned the distribution of a pro-Palestinian student-run magazine, "Written Revolution", which featured Iyengar's article "On Pacifism." The article included imagery and language that MIT deemed could be interpreted as a call for violent protest. Iyengar has been barred from campus and is facing a series of sanctions for his activism.

Full text: President Murmu's R-Day eve address to the nation

Full text: President Murmu's R-Day eve address to the nation

Rediff.com25 Jan 2025

'Today, let us reaffirm our commitment to strive to realise Gandhiji's dreams. His watchwords, truth and nonviolence, will continue to remain relevant for the whole world. He also taught us that rights and duties are but the two sides of the coin - indeed, the true source of rights is duty. Today we recall his lessons in compassion too - compassion not only for our human neighbours but also for our other neighbours, namely, flora and fauna, rivers and mountains.'

Jairam contradicts Dhankhar, says wasn't consulted on appointments

Jairam contradicts Dhankhar, says wasn't consulted on appointments

Rediff.com9 Mar 2023

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Thursday said as chairperson of a parliamentary committee, he was not consulted at all over the recent appointments of personnel attached with committees under the ambit of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat.

COVID-19 vaccine by early next year, Parl panel told

COVID-19 vaccine by early next year, Parl panel told

Rediff.com10 Jul 2020

Presentations were given by the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the principal scientific adviser to the government before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Climate on the Centre's COVID-19 preparedness.

After foreign minister, China sacks missing defence minister

After foreign minister, China sacks missing defence minister

Rediff.com24 Oct 2023

China also removed Finance Minister Liu Kun and appointed Lan Fo'an in his place. Liu is the third senior Cabinet minister to be replaced without any explanation.

COVID-19: Protocol issued for MPs ahead of Parl panel meet

COVID-19: Protocol issued for MPs ahead of Parl panel meet

Rediff.com7 Jul 2020

The members of Parliament attending Parliamentary Standing Committee meetings will have to sit six feet apart, and not more than two witnesses from the ministry concerned can appear before the panel at a time. As per the protocol for meetings of Rajya Sabha Committees, members have to ensure conformity with physical distancing norms.

Economy to grow 13-fold to $40 trillion by 2047: Mukesh Ambani

Economy to grow 13-fold to $40 trillion by 2047: Mukesh Ambani

Rediff.com22 Nov 2022

India is likely to become a $40 trillion economy by 2047 -- a 13-fold jump from its current size -- driven primarily by a clean energy revolution and digitalisation, billionaire Mukesh Ambani said on Tuesday. Ambani's estimate for the Indian economy, currently the fifth largest in the world behind only the US, China, Japan and Germany, is more optimistic than Asia's richest man Gautam Adani, who last week stated that India will become a $30 trillion economy by 2050 on back of rising consumption and socio-economic reforms. "From a 3 trillion-dollar economy, India will grow to become a 40 trillion-dollar economy by 2047, ranking among the top three economies of the world," Ambani said at the 10th convocation of Pandit Deendayal Energy University in Gandhinagar.

Why Modi Needs To Make Peace With The Opposition

Why Modi Needs To Make Peace With The Opposition

Rediff.com10 Jul 2024

Modi's inability to make peace with a renewed Opposition will only embolden his coalition partners and it is just a matter of time before they begin asking probing questions besides politely disagreeing with his tactics, predicts Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

India Needs A National Security Strategy

India Needs A National Security Strategy

Rediff.com4 Oct 2024

The National Security Strategy document should flag all major issues concerning security strategy and provide guidelines to concerned departments to work out suitable action plans. Since the global and regional geopolitical canvas is dynamic, the NSS document should be deliberated at length before formulation and should be reviewed periodically, recommends Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).

Wayanad rescue will take a few more days: Kerala CM

Wayanad rescue will take a few more days: Kerala CM

Rediff.com1 Aug 2024

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said the rescue mission in the landslide-hit Mundakkai region of Wayanad could take a few more days, and appointed a cabinet sub-committee of four ministers to coordinate the rescue efforts.

How India Can Rival China As Production Platform

How India Can Rival China As Production Platform

Rediff.com28 Jul 2023

We have the workforce, now we need to ensure that we take full advantage of game-changing technologies and geopolitical openings, suggests Jayant Sinha, chairman, Parliament's Standing Committee on Finance.

'Report on N-liability bill to be tabled on Wed'

'Report on N-liability bill to be tabled on Wed'

Rediff.com13 Aug 2010

Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology T Subbirami Reddy on Friday voiced confidence that the report on the nuclear liability bill will be tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, despite differences among members.

High drama during parliamentary panel meet on vaccines

High drama during parliamentary panel meet on vaccines

Rediff.com23 Jun 2021

When several opposition MPs expressed their desire to ask questions about the Centre's vaccination policy such as increasing the gap between two doses, the BJP MPs strongly opposed it and few of them even demanded postponement of the meeting and walked out, the sources said.

'What Bigger Award One Can Hope For?'

'What Bigger Award One Can Hope For?'

Rediff.com4 Jul 2024

I did not take up research for any award.' 'What is more important is the medicine that I have developed.' 'This helps the patient recover and the family is happy that their relative has survived and they go back to their lives.

Solid order book, indigenisation to keep defence stocks in demand: Analysts

Solid order book, indigenisation to keep defence stocks in demand: Analysts

Rediff.com3 Jun 2023

India's total value of defence production breached Rs 1 trillion-mark in the fiscal year 2022-23 (FY23), up 12 per cent year-on-year (YoY). At the bourses, this has been well reflected in related-stocks from the sector as they gained considerable ground during this period. Shares of Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, MTAR Technologies, Bharat Electronics (BEL), and Bharat Dynamics (BDL) have skyrocketed up to 160 per cent in a year, as against a 14 per cent jump in the S&P BSE Sensex.

Nuclear liability may be doubled to Rs 1000 cr

Nuclear liability may be doubled to Rs 1000 cr

Rediff.com3 Aug 2010

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, which has held marathon deliberations on the controversial Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill 2010, is expected to present its report to Parliament on August 9.

N-liability bill report during Monsoon Session

N-liability bill report during Monsoon Session

Rediff.com18 Jul 2010

The Parliamentary committee examining the controversial nuclear liability bill is expediting work to enable submission of its report to the Rajya Sabha during the monsoon session that begins on July 26.

Panel on Nuke bill expected to submit report

Panel on Nuke bill expected to submit report

Rediff.com15 Jul 2010

The Parliamentary panel examining the controversial nuclear liability bill is expected to finalise its report in time for introduction of the draft legislation during the monsoon session beginning July 26. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment on Forests is examining the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill, 2010 that was introduced in the Lok Sabha on May 7 amid stiff resistance from a united Opposition.

Decks cleared for passage of nuke-liability bill

Decks cleared for passage of nuke-liability bill

Rediff.com18 Aug 2010

Paving the way for early enactment of nuclear liability law, a Parliamentary Committee on Wednesday presented its report that addresses major concerns of the Bharatiya Janata Party as it recommended provision for "clear-cut" accountability of suppliers for any mishap involving an atomic plant.

Govt drops key amendment to N-Liability Bill

Govt drops key amendment to N-Liability Bill

Rediff.com15 Jun 2010

The clause 17 (b) proposes that the operator would have legal recourse if a nuclear accident results from the "willful act or gross negligence on the part of the supplier of the material, equipment or services, or of his employee."

Know where your college stands in terms of performance

Know where your college stands in terms of performance

Rediff.com7 Jun 2017

Find out the ranking of various institutions based on MHRD's national institutional ranking framework.

DU to drop Pak poet Mohammed Iqbal who penned 'saare jahan se achha'

DU to drop Pak poet Mohammed Iqbal who penned 'saare jahan se achha'

Rediff.com27 May 2023

The university's academic council in a meeting on Friday had passed a motion for the removal of the chapter titled Modern Indian Political Thought.

Scandal-hit Keith Vaz quits as Home Affairs Committee chairman

Scandal-hit Keith Vaz quits as Home Affairs Committee chairman

Rediff.com6 Sep 2016

Britain's longest serving Indian-origin Labour MP Keith Vaz on Tuesday resigned from his post as chair of the influential House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee in the wake of being embroiled in a sex scandal.

BJP presses for govt clarification on N-bill

BJP presses for govt clarification on N-bill

Rediff.com9 Aug 2010

As a Parliamentary panel races to submit its report on the nuclear liability bill, Bharatiya Janata Party appears to have dug its heels asking the government to clarify whether the draft legislation was India-specific or being enacted to fulfil requirements of international treaties.

500 cr cap in nuke liability bill could be raised

500 cr cap in nuke liability bill could be raised

Rediff.com10 Jun 2010

The Rs 500 crore cap in the event of an accident, proposed in the controversial nuclear liability bill, could be raised as part of government's efforts to address concerns of the opposition over the issue. Indications to this effect were given by government officials at a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology and Environment on Tuesady.

B Tech to be four-year course for students admitted in 2013-14: UGC

B Tech to be four-year course for students admitted in 2013-14: UGC

Rediff.com29 Jun 2014

The University Grants Commission on Sunday asked Delhi University to continue with the four-year B Tech programme only for the students admitted during the academic year 2013-14, putting an end to uncertainty following rollback of the controversial FYUP.

Nuke liability bill to be tabled in LS on Wed

Nuke liability bill to be tabled in LS on Wed

Rediff.com21 Aug 2010

The Nuclear Liability Bill will be taken up in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, the day Parliament will resume after a three-day recess. Government sources said that the bill, to which the Union Cabinet had on Friday approved 18 changes as per the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Science and Technology, would be brought in the Lower House. The changes included a three-fold hike in the liability from Rs 500 crore to Rs 1,500 crore.

'GM Mustard Must Be Uprooted And Burnt'

'GM Mustard Must Be Uprooted And Burnt'

Rediff.com9 Dec 2022

'Why should our government opt for unproven technology that has been rejected by most countries across the globe?' 'Being dependent on any other nation to supply you seed for your good crops is another form of slavery.'

SC defers scientific survey of 'Shivling' at Gyanvapi till next hearing

SC defers scientific survey of 'Shivling' at Gyanvapi till next hearing

Rediff.com19 May 2023

The Allahabad high court on May 12 ordered determination of the age of the structure claimed to be 'Shivling' using modern technology.

Meet the 3 experts appointed by SC in Pegasus probe

Meet the 3 experts appointed by SC in Pegasus probe

Rediff.com27 Oct 2021

Three experts on cyber security, digital forensics, networks and hardware were roped in by the Supreme Court on Wednesday to "enquire, investigate and determine" whether Pegasus spyware was used for snooping on citizens and their probe would be monitored by former apex court judge R V Raveendran.

The Power of China's 'Princelings'

The Power of China's 'Princelings'

Rediff.com27 Jul 2021

Two elderly Chinese aerospace experts are hospitalised after a violent attack by a 'Princeling', states Jayadeva Ranade, the distinguished China expert and retired RA&W officer, highlighting the power the 'Princelings' ironically hold in the Communist People's Republic.