News for 'Telecom Minister'

Govt to give full support for BSNL's revival: Telecom Minister

Govt to give full support for BSNL's revival: Telecom Minister

Rediff.com8 Aug 2014

BSNL, which was formed in 2000, was in the pink of financial health but lost to competition because of inadequate investment in infrastructure expansion that ought to have been provided during past few years, he told Rajya Sabha.

'Government Is The Source Of Our Data Leakages'

'Government Is The Source Of Our Data Leakages'

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

'Instead of the government and telecom operators solving the mess of their own creation, they're telling us we need to give access to our phones perpetually.'

Govt withdraws order on mandatory pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi

Govt withdraws order on mandatory pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

The government on Wednesday withdrew the order mandating pre-installation of cyber security app Sanchar Saathi on smartphones by manufacturers.

'Large Part Of Capital Needs To Be Met Via GIFT City'

'Large Part Of Capital Needs To Be Met Via GIFT City'

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

'Foreign capital will continue to come directly into India, but companies have realised that GIFT City is a more cost-efficient way of channelling funds.'

Bihar Polls: Makhana Turns Into Political Hot Potato

Bihar Polls: Makhana Turns Into Political Hot Potato

Rediff.com10 Nov 2025

As it gains commercial viability, the food will likely become a powerful political currency.

In Bihar, Rahul says Modi will even dance for votes, draws BJP ire

In Bihar, Rahul says Modi will even dance for votes, draws BJP ire

Rediff.com29 Oct 2025

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during rallies in Bihar, accusing him of prioritizing votes over genuine governance and alleging that the BJP is controlling the state government through remote control.

It's the best time to invest, innovate and make in India: Modi

It's the best time to invest, innovate and make in India: Modi

Rediff.com8 Oct 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday renewed his pitch for Make in India across sectors -- from mobiles to semiconductors and electronics, saying the government is accelerating the pace of reforms, offering the best investment opportunities.

'My Job Is To Be A Facilitator'

'My Job Is To Be A Facilitator'

Rediff.com23 Jun 2025

'My job is to provide people with a bouquet of options they can choose from.'

Cyclone Montha: Andhra prepares action plan for relief, essential supplies

Cyclone Montha: Andhra prepares action plan for relief, essential supplies

Rediff.com26 Oct 2025

The Andhra Pradesh government has prepared an action plan for relief and essential supplies in pre-cyclone preparedness for Cyclone Montha, expected to cross the coast on October 28.

Payment apps, DoT help avert Rs 200 cr potential fraud loss: PhonePe co-founder

Payment apps, DoT help avert Rs 200 cr potential fraud loss: PhonePe co-founder

Rediff.com8 Oct 2025

Payment apps PhonePe and Paytm have helped citizens avert potential financial frauds worth Rs 200 crore by using the fraud risk indicator platform developed by the Department of Telecom, a senior Walmart group official said on Wednesday.

'Hidma's Death Is Death Of Maoist Insurgency'

'Hidma's Death Is Death Of Maoist Insurgency'

Rediff.com20 Nov 2025

'The (Maoist) organisation is in visible decline. Their senior leaders are ageing. Forest life is unforgiving -- older leaders simply cannot cope physically.' 'Earlier, they attracted educated youth from cities. That stream has dried up. Today's recruits largely come from poor village backgrounds and lack ideological depth.'

Apple to make all its phones in India: Scindia

Apple to make all its phones in India: Scindia

Rediff.com6 May 2025

Union telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday said investment in India at present makes economic sense for every original equipment manufacturer, as he cited the example of US smart devices major Apple's decision to source majority of the iPhones sold in the US from the country. While speaking at the Bharat Telecom event, Scindia said the investment in India at present is not just an act of goodwill alone but it makes economic sense for every OEM (original equipment manufacturer).

India AI mission to be key priority for telecom ministry

India AI mission to be key priority for telecom ministry

Rediff.com18 Jun 2024

Many who track the ministry and the technology sector closely believe that the space won't see much impact on the policymaking side, but the gestation time for regulations might get long, as now there could be a wider consensus-building exercise on policy matters under a coalition government.

Appeal against 2G acquittals 'ripe for hearing', CBI tells HC

Appeal against 2G acquittals 'ripe for hearing', CBI tells HC

Rediff.com14 Feb 2025

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Friday informed the Delhi high court that its appeal against the acquittal of former telecom minister A Raja and 16 others in the 2G spectrum allocation case was 'ripe for hearing'.

Musk's Starlink Can Only Target 2M Users

Musk's Starlink Can Only Target 2M Users

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

... with a maximum speed of 200 megabits per second (mbps) across the country for Rs 3,000 per month.

J-K: Vaishno Devi landslide toll rises to 34

J-K: Vaishno Devi landslide toll rises to 34

Rediff.com27 Aug 2025

The death toll in the Vaishno Devi landslide has gone up to 32, officials said on Wednesday, a day after disaster struck the route on the hilltop shrine in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district.

9 Vaishno Devi pilgrims among 13 killed in J-K rains, landslides

9 Vaishno Devi pilgrims among 13 killed in J-K rains, landslides

Rediff.com27 Aug 2025

Relentless heavy rain led to a landslide on the route to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop the Trikuta hill on Tuesday afternoon, killing at least five people and injuring 14, officials said.

'As telecom minister he subverted the system'

'As telecom minister he subverted the system'

Rediff.com10 Mar 2005

Sanjay Nirupam speaks out!

Telecom Minister Raja's 1st day at work

Telecom Minister Raja's 1st day at work

Rediff.com16 May 2007

Telecom Minister Raja's 1st day at work.

GST 2.0: India's Answer To Trump's Tariffs

GST 2.0: India's Answer To Trump's Tariffs

Rediff.com4 Sep 2025

Simplifying GST rates, removing exemptions, easing disputes, and speeding up refunds can boost investment in India and offer the best reply to Trump's tariffs, observes V S Krishnan, former member, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.

Baghel's son Chaitanya 'handled' Rs 1,000 cr in liquor scam: ED

Baghel's son Chaitanya 'handled' Rs 1,000 cr in liquor scam: ED

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has alleged that Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, handled over Rs 1,000 crore worth of proceeds from a liquor scam and used Rs 16.7 crore for his real estate project.

Bharti dials up UK telecom play with $4 bn stake in BT

Bharti dials up UK telecom play with $4 bn stake in BT

Rediff.com13 Aug 2024

Bharti Global, the international investment arm of Bharti Enterprises, has decided to buy 24.5 per cent equity in BT Group - a move that will make the Indian conglomerate the biggest shareholder in the UK's second-largest telecom company both in terms of market value and subscriber count. The shares are being purchased from billionaire Patrick Drahi's Altice UK through a combination of cash and debt .

BSNL bags Rs 82,916 cr from Rs 1.28 lakh cr telecom budget

BSNL bags Rs 82,916 cr from Rs 1.28 lakh cr telecom budget

Rediff.com23 Jul 2024

Of the total proposed allocation, over Rs 1 lakh crore is meant for BSNL and MTNL-related expenses, including Rs 82,916 crore infusion in BSNL for technology upgradation and restructuring at BSNL.

Modi to visit UK this month; landmark FTA, defence deal likely

Modi to visit UK this month; landmark FTA, defence deal likely

Rediff.com9 Jul 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit the United Kingdom by the end of this month, with the India-UK free trade deal expected to be formally signed. Discussions on expanding bilateral ties in defence and security are also anticipated.

Lightning: India's Deadliest Hazard

Lightning: India's Deadliest Hazard

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

Lightning claims more lives in India annually than any other extreme weather event. Between April and July this year alone, 1,621 people died due to lightning strikes.

Why Elon Musk is 'thankful' to Jyotiraditya Scindia

Why Elon Musk is 'thankful' to Jyotiraditya Scindia

Rediff.com16 Oct 2024

Tech billionaire Elon Musk thanked Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia for not agreeing with Indian tycoons Mukesh Ambani and Sunil Bharti Mittal on auctioning spectrum for satellite services, saying he is looking forward to serving Indians. Reacting to Scindia's statement that satellite spectrum will not be auctioned, Musk, in a post on X, said, "much appreciated! We will do our best to serve the people of India with Starlink".

Reliance to invest Rs 75,000 cr in North-Eastern states: Mukesh Ambani

Reliance to invest Rs 75,000 cr in North-Eastern states: Mukesh Ambani

Rediff.com23 May 2025

Oil-to-telecom conglomerate Reliance Industries Ltd will invest Rs 75,000 crore in North Eastern states in setting up 350 biogas plants, expanding its telecom services, retail footprint, and clean energy projects, chairman Mukesh Ambani said on Friday. Speaking at the Rising NorthEast Investors Summit here, Reliance Industries Ltd chairman and managing director said his group will invest in factories for high-quality FMCG products in the region and setting up a 150-bed cancer hospital in Manipur.

Be Prepared For Another War!

Be Prepared For Another War!

Rediff.com18 Jul 2025

India needs to be technologically and militarily prepared to defend itself from both Pakistan and China, alerts Ramesh Menon.

Centre changed telecom policy after getting Rs 150 cr: Owaisi

Centre changed telecom policy after getting Rs 150 cr: Owaisi

Rediff.com28 Mar 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance government has changed the telecom policy after receiving electoral bonds worth Rs 150 crore from a company, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi claimed on Thursday.

Tribals Fear New Threats As Naxalism Fades

Tribals Fear New Threats As Naxalism Fades

Rediff.com27 Jun 2025

If the threat from the 'Maovadis' (Maoists) is fading, the danger now lies with the 'MoUvadis' -- those who might exploit the resource-rich Abujhmad region through corporate or State-backed projects.

Lok Sabha approves Telecom Bill; allows govt control of communication

Lok Sabha approves Telecom Bill; allows govt control of communication

Rediff.com20 Dec 2023

The Telecommunications Bill, 2023, which was passed by a voice vote after a short debate, also allows the Centre to take possession of a telecom network in case of any public emergency or in the interest of public safety.

Indo-Pak confrontation not a conflict in Kashmir, but...: Jaishankar

Indo-Pak confrontation not a conflict in Kashmir, but...: Jaishankar

Rediff.com24 May 2025

Jaishankar said such a description would be like putting the perpetrator and the victim of the Pahalgam attack at the same level.

Will never...: Jaishankar on bid to hyphenate India, Pakistan

Will never...: Jaishankar on bid to hyphenate India, Pakistan

Rediff.com7 Jun 2025

India expects partners to understand its policy of 'zero tolerance' against terrorism, and it will never countenance 'perpetrators of evil' being put on par with its victims, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday during extensive talks with his British counterpart David Lammy.

Spectrum is like atma, omnipresent, says draft telecom bill 2022

Spectrum is like atma, omnipresent, says draft telecom bill 2022

Rediff.com23 Sep 2022

Taking cue from holy book Bhagwad Gita, the draft telecom bill has equated spectrum to the soul which remains immortal and has used the analogy to propose its use for continuity of telecom service of entities that face insolvency.

Parl passes bill allowing govt to take control of telecom services

Parl passes bill allowing govt to take control of telecom services

Rediff.com21 Dec 2023

The Bill allows stopping of transmission and intercepting messages in case of public emergency, in the interest of the public, to prevent incitement for committing offence.

Tech, startup groups push back against OTT licensing

Tech, startup groups push back against OTT licensing

Rediff.com20 Aug 2024

Tech and startup industry bodies have again pushed back against calls by telecom operators to bring over-the-top (OTT) services under a licensing regime similar to telcos, and open them up to taxation. Ahead of public consultations on the issue later this week, the Internet & Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), Nasscom and the US India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), among others, have written to the government arguing against such efforts.

FTA talks may figure in Sitharaman's London meetings

FTA talks may figure in Sitharaman's London meetings

Rediff.com31 Mar 2025

Issues related to the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) and bilateral investment treaty between India and the UK are expected to figure during the three-day visit of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to London from April 8-10, official sources said. The minister will attend a host of meetings, including the India-United Kingdom Economic and Financial Dialogue, in London.

Modi-Musk Talk: Will Starlink Get Go Ahead?

Modi-Musk Talk: Will Starlink Get Go Ahead?

Rediff.com19 Apr 2025

Starlink's application for offering satcom services in India had been held up for the company's inability to comply with mandatory ownership disclosure norms.

India imposes its own 'uniquely burdensome' rules: US

India imposes its own 'uniquely burdensome' rules: US

Rediff.com3 Apr 2025

On India, the chart showed that the country charged 52 per cent tariffs on the US "including currency manipulation and trade barriers," and America will now charge India "discounted reciprocal tariffs" of 26 per cent.

8 Union ministers, 2 ex-CMs, in fray in first phase of LS polls

8 Union ministers, 2 ex-CMs, in fray in first phase of LS polls

Rediff.com17 Apr 2024

Eight Union ministers, two former chief ministers and one ex-governor are among those who are set to test their electoral fate in the first phase of elections on April 19 when 102 seats across 21 states and Union territories will go to polls.