News for 'State for Rural Development'

Newly constructed bridge collapses in Bihar, none hurt

Newly constructed bridge collapses in Bihar, none hurt

Rediff.com19 Jun 2024

The bridge, constructed by the rural works department at a cost of Rs 10 crore, was not opened to the public as approach roads were yet to be constructed.

'Money Alone Does Not Buy Trust Or Votes'

'Money Alone Does Not Buy Trust Or Votes'

Rediff.com9 Oct 2025

'Bihar's voters' electoral memory is long, and their evaluations are relational; who came to the village, who followed up, who resolved a problem.'

JD-U's polling agent murdered while on morning walk

JD-U's polling agent murdered while on morning walk

Rediff.com3 Jun 2024

A Janata Dal-United leader was allegedly murdered in Bihar's Nalanda district in the early hours of Monday, the police said.

Khelo Bharat Niti aims at reshaping sporting landscape

Khelo Bharat Niti aims at reshaping sporting landscape

Rediff.com1 Jul 2025

Cabinet approves Khelo Bharat Niti, says it will bring India into top-5 of world sports

Odisha Cong leaders detained ahead of Modi's visit

Odisha Cong leaders detained ahead of Modi's visit

Rediff.com20 Jun 2025

Odisha Police detained several Congress workers ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state on Friday.

8 cheetahs to be brought to India from Africa's Botswana

8 cheetahs to be brought to India from Africa's Botswana

Rediff.com18 Apr 2025

India is set to bring eight cheetahs from Botswana in two phases, with four arriving by May 2025. This follows the successful reintroduction of cheetahs to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, with the population now at 26, including 14 cubs born in India. The initiative aims to boost cheetah conservation efforts and create inter-state collaboration for their protection. The project has already seen significant investment, with over Rs 112 crore spent on cheetah rehabilitation.

Eknath Shinde 13th Maha minister to test Covid positive

Eknath Shinde 13th Maha minister to test Covid positive

Rediff.com24 Sep 2020

Shinde attended the state cabinet meeting earlier this week. He is the 13th state minister to be infected by the disease.

Irrigation, rural job schemes to be linked

Irrigation, rural job schemes to be linked

Rediff.com13 Jan 2016

MNREGS labourers are usually engaged in irrigation projects.

Why Jarange Patil Wants OBC Status For Marathas

Why Jarange Patil Wants OBC Status For Marathas

Rediff.com3 Sep 2025

'These Marathas are farmers and they only do farming. They have no other business other than farming. Now, they want reservations because farming is no longer a profitable business.'In this interview, veteran farmers' rights advocate and founding member of the Shetkari Sanghatna, Vijay Jawandhia, with Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff unpacks the historical and structural roots of the agitation.

'Declaring End Of Maoist Insurgency By March 2026 Is Foolish'

'Declaring End Of Maoist Insurgency By March 2026 Is Foolish'

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

'Handling or mitigating a rebellion is not a corporate plan with quarterly, half-yearly and annual goals and results but an aggregation of the effort of several years.'

Ratan Tata left an indelible mark on our society: Sitharaman

Ratan Tata left an indelible mark on our society: Sitharaman

Rediff.com10 Oct 2024

Expressing condolences on the demise of the doyen of Indian industry and Chairman Emeritus of Tata Group, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said he has left an indelible mark on society. "Saddened by the passing away of Shri Ratan Tata, a leader par excellence, visionary industrialist, and philanthropist whose contributions have left an indelible mark on our society," Sitharaman said in a post on X.

Govt urges banks to close inoperative Jan Dhan accounts

Govt urges banks to close inoperative Jan Dhan accounts

Rediff.com7 Jul 2025

State-owned banks have received guidance from the government to close Jan Dhan accounts whose beneficiaries are unwilling to keep them active, amid rising instances of such accounts being misused by fraudsters as mule accounts to defraud people, people aware of the development said.

'Money Is Not A Problem For Me'

'Money Is Not A Problem For Me'

Rediff.com10 Sep 2025

'I can sanction projects worth Rs 20 trillion annually as of today.' 'But my system is only capable of executing projects worth Rs 3 trillion to Rs 4 trillion.'

The price of building India: Why cement remains in the 28% GST slab

The price of building India: Why cement remains in the 28% GST slab

Rediff.com7 May 2025

The 31st meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, held in December 2018, deferred a decision to reduce the GST rate for cement from 28 per cent to 18 per cent. This was despite recognising that cement - along with automobile parts - remained among the few mass-consumption items still taxed at the highest slab, which was originally meant for luxury and sin goods.

BJP issues three-line whip to MPs to be present in Parl on Friday

BJP issues three-line whip to MPs to be present in Parl on Friday

Rediff.com21 Mar 2025

Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday issued a three-line whip to all of its Lok Sabha MPs asking them to be present in the House for the passing of the Union Budget 2025-26.

Chhattisgarh Turns Maoist Hotspots Into Tourist Hubs

Chhattisgarh Turns Maoist Hotspots Into Tourist Hubs

Rediff.com16 Jun 2025

The two priority regions for the Chhattisgarh government to promote its homestay policy are Surguja and Bastar.

Haryana IPS officer's suicide: Rohtak SP shunted out

Haryana IPS officer's suicide: Rohtak SP shunted out

Rediff.com11 Oct 2025

The Haryana government transferred Rohtak Superintendent of Police Narendra Bijarniya after an IPS officer's suicide and allegations of caste-based discrimination.

Budget 2024: FM exhorts states to take up next-gen reforms agenda

Budget 2024: FM exhorts states to take up next-gen reforms agenda

Rediff.com24 Jul 2024

In her Budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday underlined the need for collaboration between the Centre and states to take up the next-generation reforms covering land, labour, capital and entrepreneurship. As far as revenue share goes, the government has projected to give about 32.5 per cent of central taxes to states during FY25, against the 15th Finance Commission's recommendation of 41 per cent, according to the Union Budget estimate.

Tariffs: India Inc Cautions Against Knee-jerk Reaction

Tariffs: India Inc Cautions Against Knee-jerk Reaction

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

Industry leaders urge India to pursue diplomatic talks with the US, strengthen manufacturing, and consider China ties to gain leverage against tariff pressures.

Psephologist Sanjay Kumar booked for social media posts on Maha polls

Psephologist Sanjay Kumar booked for social media posts on Maha polls

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

On Tuesday, Kumar issued a public apology on X, acknowledging the error in his original post.

2 crore more houses to be constructed under PM Awas Yojana

2 crore more houses to be constructed under PM Awas Yojana

Rediff.com10 Aug 2024

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday approved the proposal of the Department of Rural Development for construction of two crore more houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Gramin (PMAY-G). The Cabinet approved the 'Implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin during FY 2024-25 to 2028-29,"which prescribes for the construction of two crore more houses at existing unit assistance of Rs 1.20 lakh in plain areas and Rs 1.30 lakh in North Eastern Region States and Hill States of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, according to an official statement.

How Women Voters Cemented Nitish Kumar's Political Fortress

How Women Voters Cemented Nitish Kumar's Political Fortress

Rediff.com6 Sep 2025

For nearly two decades, Nitish Kumar has cultivated women as a distinct constituency. 'To create a broader vote base, he thought it would be better to bring women to electoral politics.'

iPhone Affordability Index Reveals: Most Indians Can't...

iPhone Affordability Index Reveals: Most Indians Can't...

Rediff.com16 Sep 2025

The average Indian worker must labour for an extraordinary 160 full working days to afford Apple's latest iPhone 17 Pro.

Only 18 Muslim women made it to Lok Sabha since Independence

Only 18 Muslim women made it to Lok Sabha since Independence

Rediff.com20 Jul 2025

From royalty to a tea vendor-turned-politician's wife and from a first lady to a Bengali actress, the 18 Muslim women who treaded the hallowed corridors of power in the Lok Sabha are an eclectic mix, with each of them having an interesting backstory, but one common thread -- their path to power was always strewn with struggle and hurdles.

Some people trying to disturb peace by spreading venom of caste politics: Modi

Some people trying to disturb peace by spreading venom of caste politics: Modi

Rediff.com4 Jan 2025

Inaugurating the Grameen Bharat Mahotsav, the Prime Minister exuded confidence that villages will play a key role in pushing forward the dream of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

'Ethanol-blended petrol could reduce mileage by 2-4%'

'Ethanol-blended petrol could reduce mileage by 2-4%'

Rediff.com31 Aug 2025

'The E20 usage accrues the huge benefit to the nation, to the society, to the farmer, to the environment, to the exchequer and all of us'

'Stray Dogs In Ghettos Is A Health Nightmare'

'Stray Dogs In Ghettos Is A Health Nightmare'

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

'It will be an explosion of zoonotic diseases from these places.' 'People will not be able to live or work for kilometres around these places where thousands of street dogs are kept.'

Union Budget 2025-26: Economists stress need for manufacturing policy

Union Budget 2025-26: Economists stress need for manufacturing policy

Rediff.com9 Dec 2024

The need for a manufacturing policy, reining in food inflation and raising investment in the country were among key suggestions given by economists who met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and senior ministry officials in the first round of pre-Budget consultations on Friday.

Siddaramaiah re-allocates portfolios to Kharge, Patil

Siddaramaiah re-allocates portfolios to Kharge, Patil

Rediff.com31 May 2023

Kharge will take care of IT & BT along with existing portfolio, while Large & Medium Industries Minister M B Patil has been given the additional charge of Infrastructure Development.

NCP-SP leaders behind minister Gore's extortion case: Fadnavis

NCP-SP leaders behind minister Gore's extortion case: Fadnavis

Rediff.com25 Mar 2025

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has alleged that leaders of the opposition Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) were involved in a "conspiracy" against his cabinet colleague Jaykumar Gore in a case involving a woman. Fadnavis said there was proof of communication between NCP leaders Supriya Sule and Rohit Pawar, and one of the accused in the case where three persons, including the woman, have been arrested for trying to extort money from Gore. He also pointed to Gore's acquittal more than five years ago in a case involving the woman's allegations of harassment. Fadnavis emphasized that opposition and ruling parties are political opponents and not enemies. The CM also criticized the behavior of some opposition members in the state assembly, accusing them of insulting the House and pressuring ministers.

Phailin aftermath: Jairam Ramesh seeks proposals for rebuilding rural roads

Phailin aftermath: Jairam Ramesh seeks proposals for rebuilding rural roads

Rediff.com16 Oct 2013

Official death toll due to the cyclonic storm has been pegged at 21, nearly 12 million people affected.

'Rural spread poses significant danger'

'Rural spread poses significant danger'

Rediff.com18 May 2021

'There is a deep stigma or taboo attached to COVID-19 in rural areas.' 'People don't want to test because they fear social exclusion.' 'Even those who test positive may not reveal and not follow the quarantine protocol.'

Congress Infighting Blocks Shivakumar's Rise

Congress Infighting Blocks Shivakumar's Rise

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

Going by political tradition, another formation will likely come to power in Karnataka in the next assembly election, due 2028. And if that happens, Mr Shivakumar will have to sit it out till 2033, points out Aditi Phadnis.

Why This Banker Didn't Get Promoted!

Why This Banker Didn't Get Promoted!

Rediff.com2 May 2025

The bank made a Rs 67 crore net profit, up 21% from the previous year. Its deposits grew 8%, the loan book 10%. Net bad loans dropped from 7.53% to 6.07%. So why was the banker, who headed the bank, not promoted?

Odisha cabinet nod to Rs 4124 cr project for sports facilities!

Odisha cabinet nod to Rs 4124 cr project for sports facilities!

Rediff.com8 Feb 2025

The project also aims to address critical gaps in rural sports infrastructure, particularly at the block level, where facilities remain underdeveloped.

FM unveils six new schemes, raises KCC limit to Rs 7 lakh

FM unveils six new schemes, raises KCC limit to Rs 7 lakh

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced six new schemes and increased the subsidised Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loan limit to Rs 7 lakh from Rs 5 lakh, targeting everything from unemployment to crop productivity enhancement across the country. Presenting her eighth budget speech in Parliament, Sitharaman positioned agriculture as "the first engine of growth" and unveiled the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, a flagship program targeting 100 agri-districts grappling with low productivity, moderate crop intensity, and below-average credit parameters.

The Teen Who Built A Tax Education Game

The Teen Who Built A Tax Education Game

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

Manas Sood, a Class 12 student from the Delhi Public School, has distributed 2,650 boxes of Tax City Education and empowered over 12,000 students from 52 schools across India. His aim? To help young Indians understand taxes and become financially literate.

Travails Of A Hindu School in Meghalaya

Travails Of A Hindu School in Meghalaya

Rediff.com29 Jan 2025

A state government that came to power after swearing to protect all people without discrimination refused to help a non-Christian organisation till the high court rapped it on its knuckles, observes former BJP MP Tarun Vijay, former Chief Editor, Panchjanya, the RSS weekly.

Govt to set up 300 rural clusters by 2020

Govt to set up 300 rural clusters by 2020

Rediff.com16 Sep 2015

Modi government has earlier faced criticism from the Opposition on a number of occasions for renaming the schemes including PURA launched by the UPA in past.

Waqf Bill brazen assault on Constitution: Sonia Gandhi

Waqf Bill brazen assault on Constitution: Sonia Gandhi

Rediff.com3 Apr 2025

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi has criticized the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, calling it a 'brazen assault' on the Constitution and part of the BJP's strategy to keep society in a 'permanent state of polarization.' She also spoke out against the One Nation, One Election Bill, calling it a 'subversion of the Constitution.' Gandhi further accused the Modi government of ignoring the women's reservation bill and other demands for reservation, and of 'dragging the country into an abyss' where the Constitution will only exist on paper. She also criticized the government for limiting the speaking time of the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and for not allowing discussions on important issues like the working of the defense and external affairs ministries and the challenges posed by China on the border.