News for 'State for Public Affairs'

Waqf land row: Karnataka withdraws notices to farmers

Waqf land row: Karnataka withdraws notices to farmers

Rediff.com2 Nov 2024

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah directed officials on Saturday to immediately retract all notices sent to farmers regarding Waqf land.

Hindu temple in Canada cancels event over 'extremely high threat'

Hindu temple in Canada cancels event over 'extremely high threat'

Rediff.com12 Nov 2024

The Brampton Triveni temple in Canada has cancelled a consular event after the Canadian police warned them of an "extremely high and imminent" threat level of violent protests. The Life Certificate event, organised by the Consulate General of India, Toronto, was scheduled for November 17 at the temple premises. The cancellation comes almost a week after protestors carrying Khalistani flags clashed with devotees at a Hindu Sabha temple and disrupted an event co-organised by the temple authorities and the Indian Consulate at Brampton. India condemned the attack and called for the prosecution of those involved. Relations between India and Canada have been strained since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations in September last year of a potential involvement of Indian agents in Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing.

Wake-Up Call For India-US Ties

Wake-Up Call For India-US Ties

Rediff.com14 Feb 2025

The real intention of the 'Tariff Man' (as Trump calls himself) may not even be to put the 'Tariff King' (as he describes India) on the mat with a knockout punch but to arm-twist the Indian leadership to agree to some multi-billion dollar mega arms deal, argues Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

VHP men disrupt Xmas celebrations in Kerala school; 3 held

VHP men disrupt Xmas celebrations in Kerala school; 3 held

Rediff.com23 Dec 2024

Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, George Kurian, strongly condemned the alleged threatening of teachers at a government school in Kerala by Viswa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists over Christmas celebrations. Kurian urged the state government to take stringent action against the culprits to prevent such incidents from recurring. The incident sparked outrage, with opposition leaders accusing the Sangh Parivar of attempting to create communal tension. Meanwhile, VHP leaders clarified that they were not against any religion and admitted that their district office bearers had questioned the teachers about the organisation of the Christmas celebration.

Canada leaked Nijjar info to Washington Post, didn't tell citizens

Canada leaked Nijjar info to Washington Post, didn't tell citizens

Rediff.com30 Oct 2024

Top Canadian officials have reportedly admitted to leaking details about India's interference to The Washington Post, but these specifics were not shared with Canadians, The Globe and Mail newspaper reported.

Sonia Gandhi linked to Soros-funded group backing Kashmir freedom: BJP

Sonia Gandhi linked to Soros-funded group backing Kashmir freedom: BJP

Rediff.com8 Dec 2024

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has alleged that former Congress president Sonia Gandhi has links to an organisation financed by the George Soros Foundation, which has reportedly supported the idea of an independent Kashmir. The party claims this connection demonstrates foreign influence in Indian internal affairs. This comes after BJP's claims of US involvement in destabilizing India, which the US has denied. The BJP also accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of collaborating with the Soros-funded OCCRP to damage India's economy and reputation. The allegations have drawn criticism from the US embassy and the opposition Congress.

Kumbh stampede to rock Parliament's Budget session

Kumbh stampede to rock Parliament's Budget session

Rediff.com30 Jan 2025

India's Parliament is set to begin its Budget session on Friday, with opposition parties poised to demand a discussion on the alleged mismanagement of the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, where 30 pilgrims died in a stampede. The opposition also accused the government of politicising parliamentary committees and pushing its agenda through its majority. The session will start with President Droupadi Murmu addressing both houses of Parliament. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget on Saturday for the eighth consecutive time.

Govt closely watching Bangladesh developments: Union minister

Govt closely watching Bangladesh developments: Union minister

Rediff.com23 Dec 2024

Union Minister of State BL Verma expressed concern over the situation in Bangladesh and said the government is closely monitoring it. Addressing a Rozgar Mela in Jammu, he lauded the BSF for its role in safeguarding India's borders with Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Pakistan. He also responded to questions on the Samajwadi Party's controversial statement labelling the BJP government as a "Hindu terrorist organisation", the Congress's allegations of EVM fraud, and Rahul Gandhi's call for a caste census.

Security beefed up at major railway stations after Delhi stampede

Security beefed up at major railway stations after Delhi stampede

Rediff.com16 Feb 2025

Following a stampede at New Delhi railway station and large crowds arriving for the Maha Kumbh, authorities in Uttar Pradesh have implemented stringent security protocols at key railway stations including Prayagraj, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Kanpur, Lucknow and Mirzapur. Measures include restricted entry, holding areas for passengers, increased security personnel, and improved facilities to prevent overcrowding.

East Bengal Football Club appeals for protection of minorities in Bangladesh

East Bengal Football Club appeals for protection of minorities in Bangladesh

Rediff.com4 Dec 2024

The iconic East Bengal Football Club called on the Bangladesh government to take immediate and effective measures to safeguard vulnerable communities.

NEUFC's new home Shillong set to host Chhetri, others

NEUFC's new home Shillong set to host Chhetri, others

Rediff.com4 Feb 2025

I-League 2 team Sudeva FC launches collaboration with VfB Stuttgart for grassroots development

Ranveer Allahbadia's Rise, Journalism's Demise

Ranveer Allahbadia's Rise, Journalism's Demise

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

Ranveer Allahbadia found an easy way of asking questions which made sense to him and his team. No counter-questions or finding out the 'Why?' from the celebrity he was speaking to. The 'Why?' was buried and forgotten in Ranveer's shows, observes Syed Firdaus Ashraf.

'MLAs' Homes Are Being Burned, Ransacked'

'MLAs' Homes Are Being Burned, Ransacked'

Rediff.com18 Nov 2024

'One of our MLA's homes has already been attacked by the mob. This legislator was beaten. This MLA belongs to the Meitei community.' 'There is a complete collapse of law and order in Manipur.'

How Dr Singh Changed Finance Minister's Role

How Dr Singh Changed Finance Minister's Role

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

'Suddenly we had a new comprehension of affairs, which reminded that the luxury of politics floated atop a foundation by economics.' 'Along with this, finance ministers became crucial in molding the perception and reputation of Union Cabinets.' 'Governments couldn't afford a wrong person in that portfolio,' asserts Shyam G Menon.

Defence Is Key To India US Relationship

Defence Is Key To India US Relationship

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

The China threat continues to resonate in the strategic partnership between India and the USA, points out Rup Narayan Das.

Karnataka seeing new kind of 'jihad' through waqf: Union minister

Karnataka seeing new kind of 'jihad' through waqf: Union minister

Rediff.com8 Nov 2024

Hitting out at the Congress government headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, he said the ruling party has reached "height of appeasement politics," and alleged that it has in a way made appeasement of minorities its "goal."

India saw remarkable transformation in 10 yrs: UNGA chief

India saw remarkable transformation in 10 yrs: UNGA chief

Rediff.com2 Feb 2025

UN General Assembly President Philemon Yang will visit India from February 4 to 8, his first official trip as President of the 79th session. Yang highlighted India's "remarkable transformation" over the past decade, particularly in digital and technological innovation, and plans to see how these advancements have reached the grassroots level during his visit. He also praised India's contributions to peacekeeping, humanitarian efforts, and its voice for the Global South.

Bangladeshi Hindu leader held for sedition denied bail

Bangladeshi Hindu leader held for sedition denied bail

Rediff.com26 Nov 2024

A Bangladeshi court on Tuesday denied bail to prominent Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, arrested on alleged 'sedition' charges, and sent him to prison, amid protests by community members in the capital Dhaka and the port city of Chattogram.

Budget curtails carry-forward losses for mergers and acquisitions

Budget curtails carry-forward losses for mergers and acquisitions

Rediff.com4 Feb 2025

The Union Budget 2025-26, while promising a new framework for smoother mergers and acquisitions (M&As), has plugged a major loophole on carry-forward losses for a total of eight assessment years between amalgamating company and amalgamated company from the date of loss instead of date of the merger. For all mergers effected on or after April 1, 2025, the losses can be carried forward only for the residuary period (counting from the date of loss).

PSBs clocked 11% growth in H1FY25

PSBs clocked 11% growth in H1FY25

Rediff.com13 Nov 2024

The Union Finance Ministry on Tuesday said that aggregate business of public sector banks (PSBs) has shown strong growth of 11 per cent in the first half of the financial year 2024-25 (H1FY25) to touch Rs 236 trillion. The operating and net profit were also robust. At Rs 1.5 trillion, operating profit grew by 14.4 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) while the net profit saw an impressive 25.6 per cent jump at Rs 85,520 crore in the first half of FY25.

Modi's Media Triumph With Uncertain Returns

Modi's Media Triumph With Uncertain Returns

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

'Unsurprisingly, Trump shared Modi's podcast with Fridman on his Truth account.' 'The intentions of Trump, a transactional president, are never easy to tell.' 'We will know in the next fortnight if and when he unfolds reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods, whether Modi's flattering words made any significant difference to Trump's compass,' notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Countries should be mindful of...: Jaishankar on Gaza war

Countries should be mindful of...: Jaishankar on Gaza war

Rediff.com5 Dec 2024

When asked the reason for India's abstention from a resolution in the UN General Assembly on October 27, 2023, regarding the protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations, Jaishankar said there were many resolutions in the UN General Assembly and in some India abstained and in some, it voted in favour.

Jailed MP Engineer seeks custody parole to attend Parl; HC reserves order

Jailed MP Engineer seeks custody parole to attend Parl; HC reserves order

Rediff.com7 Feb 2025

The Delhi High Court has reserved its order on a plea by jailed MP Rashid Engineer, facing trial in a terror funding case, seeking custody parole to attend the ongoing Parliament session. Engineer, a Baramulla MP, was opposed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) who argued that he has no vested right to attend Parliament and there were security concerns. The court said though there might not be a vested right to attend the session, it could exercise its discretion. The NIA also argued that Rashid misused the telephone facility in Tihar jail and that allowing him to attend the session would be a security risk.

Canada lists India as cyberthreat, MEA reacts strongly

Canada lists India as cyberthreat, MEA reacts strongly

Rediff.com2 Nov 2024

While there was no mention of India in the National Cyber Threat Assessment reports of 2018, 2020 and 2023-24, the 2025-26 assessment mentions India -- along with China, Russia, Iran and North Korea -- in the 'Cyber threat from state adversaries' section that introduces the state cyber threat ecosystem and discusses the cyber threats to Canada.

Overcrowded mkts: Frightening affairs, says Delhi HC

Overcrowded mkts: Frightening affairs, says Delhi HC

Rediff.com24 Dec 2021

"These pictures show that at night time all goods are lying there and covered with blue sheets. The state of affairs is such that, Covid or non-Covid, we see is frightening. There could be a stampede; there could be hundreds of deaths," the Delhi HC said.

'One nation, one poll': Kovind panel suggests 18 amendments to Constitution

'One nation, one poll': Kovind panel suggests 18 amendments to Constitution

Rediff.com18 Sep 2024

Eighteen distinct amendments to the Constitution and other statutes would be required for the implementation of the Kovind committee's recommendations on simultaneous elections, according to the panel's report accepted by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday.

Govt gets 5.59 lakh public grievances so far this yr

Govt gets 5.59 lakh public grievances so far this yr

Rediff.com12 Jul 2022

The Centre received 5.59 lakh public grievances against various government departments in the first half of this year, with the Department of Financial Services (DFS) getting most of such complaints, according to an official report.

Cyberfraud Thrives On Fear!

Cyberfraud Thrives On Fear!

Rediff.com29 Jan 2025

The number of cyberfraud cases has skyrocketed from 2,677 in 1999-2000 to 29,082 in FY24 -- more than a 10-fold increase. The RBI pegs digital payment frauds at Rs 1,457 crore in FY24, up more than five times in a year. It's not just the number of frauds. What's alarming is the growing sophistication of the fraudsters, exposing the vulnerabilities within the financial system, observes Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Exclusive Interview/Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor

Exclusive Interview/Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor

Rediff.com10 Sep 2009

'It's a rare privilege, within a matter of months, I have changed my residence, my profession, my daily thrust of work, and it's in some ways quite invigorating,' Shashi Tharoor, minister of state for external affairs, tells Aziz Haniffa in an exclusive interview.

South Korea puts travel ban on Prez amid martial law probe

South Korea puts travel ban on Prez amid martial law probe

Rediff.com9 Dec 2024

On Saturday, Yoon apologised to the nation in his first public statement since his attempt to declare martial law, acknowledging that he "caused anxiety and inconvenience" to people of South Korea.

PMO asks for project inauguration details for next 2 years from urban affairs ministry

PMO asks for project inauguration details for next 2 years from urban affairs ministry

Rediff.com5 May 2022

The Prime Minister's Office has asked the Union housing and urban affairs ministry to furnish details of projects that will be ready for foundation stone laying and inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the next two years, according to an official document.

History in Minutes: Who Betrayed Chandra Shekhar Azad?

History in Minutes: Who Betrayed Chandra Shekhar Azad?

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

On the 94th anniversary of the revolutionary giant's martyrdom, Utkarsh Mishra revisits the events of February 27, 1931.

Diplomatic Expulsions: Games Nations Play

Diplomatic Expulsions: Games Nations Play

Rediff.com18 Oct 2024

India and Canada have mutually beneficial political and economic linkages. The two countries should get together and find a solution. The expulsion war should, in the meantime, be a guarantee against any deterioration of the situation, asserts Ambassador T P Sreenivasan, the first Indian head of mission to be ever expelled by any country.

Quad leaders' summit at Biden home, followed by dinner

Quad leaders' summit at Biden home, followed by dinner

Rediff.com21 Sep 2024

The announcement for the QUAD Caucus came from Congressman Ami Bera, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Indo-Pacific Subcommittee, Congressman Rob Wittman, and Senators Tammy Duckworth and Pete Ricketts, both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Relief for madrasas in UP as SC reverses HC verdict

Relief for madrasas in UP as SC reverses HC verdict

Rediff.com5 Nov 2024

The high court erred in holding that the law was violative of the principle of secularism, said a bench comprising Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.

Sonia calls Prez Murmu 'poor thing', Rashtrapati Bhavan hits back

Sonia calls Prez Murmu 'poor thing', Rashtrapati Bhavan hits back

Rediff.com31 Jan 2025

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi's reaction to President Droupadi Murmu's address to the Joint session of the Parliament on Friday stoked a controversy.

HC quashes govt order cancelling US-based professor's OCI card

HC quashes govt order cancelling US-based professor's OCI card

Rediff.com13 Nov 2024

The Delhi High Court has set aside the Centre's order cancelling the Overseas Citizen of India card of a US-based professor, saying the notice lacked specific details or evidence supporting the allegations of "anti-India activities." The court ruled that the professor was deprived of a fair chance to present a defense, violating procedural fairness and principles of natural justice. The court has directed authorities to issue a fresh notice with specific grounds and allow the professor to respond before making a decision on his entry into India.

'Goodbye my lighthouse': Ratan Tata's aide Shantanu Naidu

'Goodbye my lighthouse': Ratan Tata's aide Shantanu Naidu

Rediff.com10 Oct 2024

Shantanu Naidu, a long-time associate of Ratan Tata, on Thursday bid adieu to the industrialist, comparing his boss to a 'lighthouse'.

Modi 3.0 mantris off to quick start, priority for 100-day action plan

Modi 3.0 mantris off to quick start, priority for 100-day action plan

Rediff.com11 Jun 2024

Signalling both change and continuity, India's new government, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a third consecutive term, got into work gear on Tuesday with cabinet ministers and ministers of state filing into their respective offices to assume charge.

AAP + Cong Would Still Have Lost To BJP

AAP + Cong Would Still Have Lost To BJP

Rediff.com10 Feb 2025

Many were so disillusioned with AAP that they left it in droves. A 10% drop in AAP's vote share is a pointer to that. To assume that if AAP had teamed up with the Congress, the Congress' 6.3% vote share would have helped AAP retain control of Delhi is erroneous, argues Sudhir Bisht.