News for 'State for Rural Development'

'No Anti-Nitish Or Pro-Tejashwi Wave'

'No Anti-Nitish Or Pro-Tejashwi Wave'

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

'This will be a close election. At least now, it appears that the NDA has an edge.'

Over 45? You Might Have Diabetes And Not Know It

Over 45? You Might Have Diabetes And Not Know It

Rediff.com8 Aug 2025

Nearly one in five older Indians are affected by diabetes with many remaining unaware that they have the disease.

'Lalu Family's Has Had Problems For Long'

'Lalu Family's Has Had Problems For Long'

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

'In times of adversity, families unite, but the reverse is happening in the Lalu family.'

'Bharat Is Blessed To Have Bhupen Hazarika'

'Bharat Is Blessed To Have Bhupen Hazarika'

Rediff.com8 Sep 2025

'That a song can carry the weight of a people's dreams and move hearts across the world.' On Bhupen Hazarika's 99th birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays rich tribute to the legendary singer and composer.

Want To Buy Farm Land?

Want To Buy Farm Land?

Rediff.com25 Sep 2025

'Legally clean farmland is difficult to find. It requires time, money, and legal effort to verify the title.'

Hemant Soren distributes portfolios; keeps home, gives finance to Cong

Hemant Soren distributes portfolios; keeps home, gives finance to Cong

Rediff.com6 Dec 2024

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has distributed portfolios among the new ministers, keeping key departments such as Home, Personnel, and several others to himself. The Congress' Radhakrishna Kishore was given Finance, Commercial Tax, Planning and Development Department, and Parliamentary Affairs departments. JMM's Deepak Biruwa was allotted the departments of Revenue, Registration and Land Reforms (non-registration), and Transport. Chamra Linda, another JMM leader, was allotted the departments of Schedule Tribes, Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes (except Minority Welfare). RJD's Sanjay Prasad Yadav was given the departments of Industries, and Labour, Planning, Training and Skill Development. The Congress' Irfan Ansari got Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, besides Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, and Disaster Management departments. The chief minister also kept to himself the departments of Cabinet Secretariat, Personnel, Administrative Reforms and Official Language, Road Construction, Building Construction, and those departments yet to be distributed to anyone. Among the other ministers, JMM's Ramdas Soren was given the School Education and Literacy, and Registration departments. Party colleague Hafizul Hasan was allotted the departments of Water Resources, and Minority Welfare Department. Panchayati Raj, Rural Works, and Rural Development departments were given to Congress MLA Deepika Pandey Singh. The CM gave Drinking Water and Sanitation, and Excise and Prohibition departments to JMM's Yogendra Prasad. JMM legislator Sudhivya Kumar became the minister for Urban Development and Housing, Higher and Technical Education, and Tourism, Art Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs departments. Shilpi Neha Tirkey of the Congress was allotted Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperative Department. A total of 11 MLAs took oath as ministers in the Hemant Soren government in Jharkhand on Thursday.

2 IAS officers suspended after Punjab U-turn on panchayat dissolution

2 IAS officers suspended after Punjab U-turn on panchayat dissolution

Rediff.com31 Aug 2023

Hours after taking a 'U-turn' by informing the high court that it is withdrawing its notification dissolving all gram panchayats in the state, the Punjab government suspended two senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers on Thursday for a 'technically-flawed' decision.

M&M, Manulife to form life insurance JV with 7,200 crore investment

M&M, Manulife to form life insurance JV with 7,200 crore investment

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

Canadian firm Manulife and Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), an Indian automaker with interests in financial services, have signed an agreement to form a 50:50 life insurance joint venture (JV) with a total capital commitment of up to Rs 3,600 crore each totalling Rs 7,200 crore.

'So Many Doctors Converging In A Single Conspiracy Is Unusual'

'So Many Doctors Converging In A Single Conspiracy Is Unusual'

Rediff.com13 Nov 2025

'India has experienced any number of doctors, engineers, and individuals from professional backgrounds being implicated in terrorism. This is not a novel development.' 'These are mobilisations of opportunity. One does not exclusively associate with one's own kind. A comprehensive conspiracy requires diverse skill sets.' 'One needs individuals with local community contacts, those possessing physical capabilities, technical expertise -- an entire spectrum of capacities.'

Officers with Ardh Kumbh experience to handle Maha Kumbh post stampede

Officers with Ardh Kumbh experience to handle Maha Kumbh post stampede

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

The Uttar Pradesh government has deployed two senior IAS officers, who were part of the team that successfully conducted the 2019 Ardh Kumbh, to oversee the smooth conduct of the Maha Kumbh Mela in the wake of the recent stampede that left at least 30 pilgrims dead. The officers, Ashish Goyal and Bhanu Chandra Goswami, have extensive experience in administration in Prayagraj, including crowd management and inter-agency coordination. They will join Mela Adhikari Vijay Kiran Anand, forming a trio that was part of the mega fair six years ago. The government has also deployed additional senior police officers to strengthen security and crowd management ahead of Basant Panchami, one of the key bathing days of the festival, on February 3.

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.

'Will never compromise...': Modi's big remark amid Trump tariffs

'Will never compromise...': Modi's big remark amid Trump tariffs

Rediff.com7 Aug 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India will never compromise the interests of its farmers, fishermen and dairy farmers, asserting that he would be ready to pay any price.

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.

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.

Maha to scrap land fragmentation law; 50 lakh families to benefit

Maha to scrap land fragmentation law; 50 lakh families to benefit

Rediff.com9 Jul 2025

The Maharashtra government will grant legal status to subdivided land parcels up to January 1, 2025, by relaxing and gradually scrapping the land fragmentation law. This decision aims to resolve legal hurdles related to property registration, construction permissions, and ownership for over 50 lakh families.

PSBs' share in household deposits falls to 63%; private banks gain ground

PSBs' share in household deposits falls to 63%; private banks gain ground

Rediff.com9 Sep 2025

Public sector banks (PSBs) have seen a sharp drop in household deposits from 70.6 per cent to 63 per cent in contrast with private banks, which witnessed a surge from 27.1 per cent to 34.1 per cent.

Sitharaman Orders Banks to Return Unclaimed Citizens' Money

Sitharaman Orders Banks to Return Unclaimed Citizens' Money

Rediff.com23 Sep 2025

Given that a sizeable part of this money is part of the coveted current accounts and savings accounts, it is surprising that banks are not in a hurry to revive these accounts, notes Tamal Bandyopdhyay.

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.

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.

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.

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

'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.'

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.

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.

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.

'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.'

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

'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.'

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.