News for 'Union Cabinet on Wednesday'

Liberation of Balochistan and Sindh must top the agenda

Liberation of Balochistan and Sindh must top the agenda

Rediff.com25 Apr 2025

Terrorism and insurgency in J&K had subsided when India demolished East Pakistan -- for the simple reason that Pakistan understands power. We need to follow Chanakya's dictum of Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed for strategising against Pakistan, asserts Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (Retd). The ground truth is that unless we are prepared to acknowledge our shortcomings, including massive intelligence failures, punish those responsible and take corrective actions, we will continue in the same vein, asserts Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (Retd).

Cabinet okays inclusion of communities from 5 states in ST list

Cabinet okays inclusion of communities from 5 states in ST list

Rediff.com14 Sep 2022

The government on Wednesday approved the inclusion of certain communities in the lists of Scheduled Tribes in Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, fulfilling long-pending demands from these states.

Trump slaps 26% reciprocal tariffs on India, 34% on China

Trump slaps 26% reciprocal tariffs on India, 34% on China

Rediff.com3 Apr 2025

US President Donald Trump announced a 26 per cent "discounted reciprocal tariff" on India, half of the 52 per cent levies imposed by India on American goods, as he described India as "very, very tough."

Punjab: Grenade attack on BJP leader's home, 2 held; ISI link suspected

Punjab: Grenade attack on BJP leader's home, 2 held; ISI link suspected

Rediff.com8 Apr 2025

A loud sound was heard at around 1 am outside Kalia's residence near Shastri Market in Jalandhar, police said, adding that no one was hurt in the incident.

Rekha Gupta takes charge of Delhi after grand swearing-in

Rekha Gupta takes charge of Delhi after grand swearing-in

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

Debutant legislator Rekha Gupta was sworn in as Delhi chief minister along with six ministers on Thursday in a grand show of strength full of colour and spectacle to mark the Bharatiya Janata Party's return to power in the city after more than 26 years.

Trump signs executive order to 'eliminate' Education Dept

Trump signs executive order to 'eliminate' Education Dept

Rediff.com21 Mar 2025

Trump said that the funds used to support students with disabilities and scholarships will be preserved and these duties will be provided to other institutions.

Suresh Gopi to quit Modi 3.0 Cabinet? Kerala MP reacts

Suresh Gopi to quit Modi 3.0 Cabinet? Kerala MP reacts

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

Gopi said that it is a matter of pride for him to be in the Council of Ministers of the Modi government and to represent the people of Kerala.

'Nitish Kumar may switch sides after Bihar elections'

'Nitish Kumar may switch sides after Bihar elections'

Rediff.com5 Mar 2025

Election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor has predicted that JD(U) president Nitish Kumar will contest the upcoming assembly polls in Bihar in alliance with the BJP but may switch sides later, with hopes for another term as the chief minister. Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraaj Party, also asserted that Kumar's popularity has declined and he is unlikely to win a fifth consecutive term. He challenged the BJP to declare Kumar as the chief ministerial candidate, arguing that they would struggle to win seats if they did so. Kishor also criticized Kumar's leadership, accusing him of being "physically tired and mentally retired" and of "bringing disrepute to Bihar" by touching Prime Minister Narendra Modi's feet. He said his new party will enter the fray to pull Bihar "out of the political rut" and that the state's much-touted prohibition policy is an example of the BJP's duplicity.

CM Stalin opts out of Governor Ravi's 'At Home' reception

CM Stalin opts out of Governor Ravi's 'At Home' reception

Rediff.com26 Jan 2025

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin did not attend the traditional 'At Home' reception hosted by Governor R N Ravi on Republic Day. Stalin instead visited Madurai to participate in events celebrating the cancellation of the Centre's tungsten mining initiative. The Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues boycotted the event, following suit with the ruling DMK's allies, including the Congress party. Governor Ravi, who has been critical of the DMK regime, had targeted the Stalin-led government in his Republic Day Eve address, alleging that many state-run universities in Tamil Nadu were in a dire financial crisis. In Madurai, CM Stalin, recalling his assurance that tungsten mining would not be allowed while he remained in office, said the village elders visited him in Chennai and invited him for the felicitation function. He said rather than praising him, it is the people who should be greeted, thanked and felicitated. The union government recently announced its decision to annul the auctioning of the mining rights.

May seek Interpol help in probing 'Pak links' of Gogoi's wife: Sarma

May seek Interpol help in probing 'Pak links' of Gogoi's wife: Sarma

Rediff.com4 Mar 2025

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said his government may seek the help of agencies like the Interpol in investigating the alleged interference of Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, who allegedly has links with Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi's British wife, in India's internal affairs. Sarma said the probe is at an initial stage and he has informed Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the developments in the case.

Omar meets PM: What is Centre's plan on restoring J-K statehood?

Omar meets PM: What is Centre's plan on restoring J-K statehood?

Rediff.com24 Oct 2024

This restoration, according to the officials, is seen as a crucial step towards initiating a healing process, reinstating constitutional rights and safeguarding the unique identity of the region's residents.

Cabinet likely to approve bill to repeal 3 farm laws today

Cabinet likely to approve bill to repeal 3 farm laws today

Rediff.com24 Nov 2021

"The Union cabinet is likely to take up on Wednesday, November 24 the withdrawal of the three farm laws for approval. The bills for withdrawal of the laws shall then be introduced in the forthcoming Parliament session," sources in the government told ANI.

'Maritime Development Fund to generate Rs 1.5 trillion investment by 2030'

'Maritime Development Fund to generate Rs 1.5 trillion investment by 2030'

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

'Additionally, the significant employment multiplier will boost direct and indirect jobs of up to 1.1 million.'

Young Indian Leaders Shine at WEF 2025

Young Indian Leaders Shine at WEF 2025

Rediff.com23 Jan 2025

Barring a few, such as Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu (74), Union Minister C R Patil (69) and Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Khanna (71), most other ministers attending the WEF represent the next generation of India's politicians.

This close aide of Nitish becomes Union minister

This close aide of Nitish becomes Union minister

Rediff.com9 Jun 2024

This Bhumihar leader has always been party supremo Kumar's strength, as this caste in Bihar is known to have wide political influence despite its small size.

BJP picks first-time MLA Rekha Gupta as new Delhi CM

BJP picks first-time MLA Rekha Gupta as new Delhi CM

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

First-time MLA Rekha Gupta will be the new chief minister of Delhi, capping 11 days of suspense over who will get the top post after the Bharatiya Janata Party returned to power after over 26 years ending the 10-year rule of the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party.

Modi, Prez, VP Pay Respects To Dr Singh

Modi, Prez, VP Pay Respects To Dr Singh

Rediff.com27 Dec 2024

President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra D Modi, senior Cabinet ministers, Congress and Opposition leaders paid their respects to former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh, who passed into the ages on Thursday night, at his residence in New Delhi on Friday.

UPS no burden on future govts, says Somanathan

UPS no burden on future govts, says Somanathan

Rediff.com26 Aug 2024

The Unified Pension System (UPS), approved by the Union Cabinet on Saturday, is "fiscally prudent" as it will be funded within the Centre's fiscal projections, according to T V Somanathan, the Cabinet Secretary-designate. Speaking to Business Standard immediately after the Cabinet nod, former finance secretary Somanathan, who headed the committee set up in March 2023 to review the National Pension System (NPS), said the UPS will not postpone pension expenditure as it will be contributory and financed each year.

Suspense over cabinet as Chhattisgarh CM set to take oath

Suspense over cabinet as Chhattisgarh CM set to take oath

Rediff.com12 Dec 2023

The Bharatiya Janata Party will ensure the swearing-in ceremony of the new Chhattisgarh cabinet under Vishnu Deo Sai on Wednesday will be a 'historic' event which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP leaders and chief ministers, state chief Arun Sao said.

Telangana's saffron firebrand makes it as Union minister

Telangana's saffron firebrand makes it as Union minister

Rediff.com9 Jun 2024

Bandi Sanjay Kumar, who took oath as minister in the Narendra Modi cabinet on Sunday, weathered political storms and intra-party bickering before he could successfully establish himself as a firebrand BJP leader in Telangana.

Remember what we do when...: Fadnavis on 'cold war' with Shinde buzz

Remember what we do when...: Fadnavis on 'cold war' with Shinde buzz

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

"It is just that Fadnavis and I have swapped our chairs. Only Ajit Pawar's chair is fixed," said Shinde, who was the CM before the assembly elections with Fadnavis and Pawar as his deputies then.

Why Modi Chose To Speak In Parliament On Maha Kumbh

Why Modi Chose To Speak In Parliament On Maha Kumbh

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

Besides the not-so-hidden unease between Modi and Adityanath, Modi chose to address the Lok Sabha to ensure that he could personally claim all the kudos, observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

Amid row, govt to allocate space for Manmohan Singh memorial in Delhi

Amid row, govt to allocate space for Manmohan Singh memorial in Delhi

Rediff.com28 Dec 2024

The Indian government has announced it will allocate space for a memorial to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, following a request from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. The announcement comes after the Congress party criticized the government for not finding a location for Singh's cremation and memorial, calling it a deliberate insult. Singh, who served as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, passed away on Thursday at the age of 92.

Shaktikanta Das appointed principal secretary to PM

Shaktikanta Das appointed principal secretary to PM

Rediff.com22 Feb 2025

P K Mishra, a retired IAS officer of the Gujarat cadre, is currently serving as the principal secretary to the prime minister.

After 3 years, a bureaucrat to head Sebi

After 3 years, a bureaucrat to head Sebi

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

Seasoned bureaucrat and a stickler for rules Finance Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey will be at the helm of capital market regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), for three years. The 1987-batch Odisha-cadre Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, Pandey, would replace Madhabi Puri Buch, whose three-year term ends on Friday.

Annapurna Devi succeeds Smriti Irani as women and child development minister

Annapurna Devi succeeds Smriti Irani as women and child development minister

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

With challenges such as raising the legal age of marriage for women, combating malnutrition among women and children, and addressing women's safety issues, the new ministers face a formidable agenda.

Modi tenders resignation to Prez, likely to take oath on June 8

Modi tenders resignation to Prez, likely to take oath on June 8

Rediff.com5 Jun 2024

The term of the current 17th Lok Sabha ends on June 16.

Modi inaugurates Z-Morh tunnel in J-K

Modi inaugurates Z-Morh tunnel in J-K

Rediff.com13 Jan 2025

Modi also met the construction workers who worked meticulously amid harsh conditions to complete the tunnel.

SC to hear review pleas on same-sex marriage verdict on Jan 9

SC to hear review pleas on same-sex marriage verdict on Jan 9

Rediff.com7 Jan 2025

A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court will consider review pleas challenging the October 2023 verdict that declined legal sanction to same-sex marriage. The review pleas will be heard in chambers on January 9, with Justice P S Narasimha being the only member of the original bench that delivered the verdict.

One nation, one election: 32 parties back proposal, Cong among 15 to oppose

One nation, one election: 32 parties back proposal, Cong among 15 to oppose

Rediff.com18 Sep 2024

Among the national parties, the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Communist Party of India-Marxist opposed the proposal, while the Bharatiya Janata Party and the National People's Party supported it.

'Without US, Saudis, UAE in loop, there will be no retaliation'

'Without US, Saudis, UAE in loop, there will be no retaliation'

Rediff.com24 Apr 2025

'If Pakistan's army wants to escalate violence in Kashmir, they have an unlimited supply of jihadis they can train and send. That's not an issue for them.'

Will Nirmalaji Be Generous To Bihar?

Will Nirmalaji Be Generous To Bihar?

Rediff.com30 Jan 2025

If it was Andhra Pradesh last Budget, it's poll-bound Bihar that has now turned to Centre with a list of demands. How the NDA government is delivering on promises.

'Kalia Kumaraswamy': K'taka minister's racial slur against HDK

'Kalia Kumaraswamy': K'taka minister's racial slur against HDK

Rediff.com11 Nov 2024

The Janata Dal-Secular demanded that the Congress government should sack Khan from the Cabinet for his racist slur.

SC rejects review pleas on same-sex marriage verdict

SC rejects review pleas on same-sex marriage verdict

Rediff.com10 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a batch of pleas seeking to review its October 2023 verdict declining legal sanction to same-sex marriage.

Rajbhar, Jayant's MLA inducted into Yogi cabinet ahead of LS polls

Rajbhar, Jayant's MLA inducted into Yogi cabinet ahead of LS polls

Rediff.com5 Mar 2024

Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party chief Om Prakash Rajbhar, Rashtriya Lok Dal's Anil Kumar and two Bharatiya Janata Party leaders were sworn in on Tuesday as Yogi Adityanath expanded his council of ministers, weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

Cabinet rejig on cards? Modi meets Shah, Nadda

Cabinet rejig on cards? Modi meets Shah, Nadda

Rediff.com12 Jun 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held deliberations with Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president J P Nadda amid speculation about a reshuffle in the Union cabinet, an exercise Modi has not undertaken since forming the government for a second time in May 2019.

'One nation, one poll': What Kovind panel recommended

'One nation, one poll': What Kovind panel recommended

Rediff.com18 Sep 2024

The Union cabinet on Wednesday accepted the recommendations of the high-level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind on simultaneous elections.

CM Sai to expand Cabinet; Brijmohan, Netam among 9 ministers to be inducted

CM Sai to expand Cabinet; Brijmohan, Netam among 9 ministers to be inducted

Rediff.com22 Dec 2023

Nine MLAs will be sworn in as ministers at the Raj Bhavan at 11:45am, Sai told reporters on Thursday.

Google's Willow milestone may revolutionise AI, quantum computing

Google's Willow milestone may revolutionise AI, quantum computing

Rediff.com12 Dec 2024

With Google announcing the milestone of Willow - a state-of-the-art quantum computing chip that can solve complex problems in under five minutes, a computation so complex it would have taken a supercomputer around 10 septillion (10^25) years to complete - tech experts believe this breakthrough could impact artificial intelligence (AI), particularly by making it more accessible to the masses. However, industry players caution that it may take several years for this innovation to become commercially viable.

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.