News for 'Union Environment'

New Income Tax Bill: What YOU Must KNOW

New Income Tax Bill: What YOU Must KNOW

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

Implications for capital gains, wealth taxes, and investment strategies require careful consideration, notes Anil Rego, founder and CEO, RightHorizons.

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar backs cutting of trees at Aarey forest

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar backs cutting of trees at Aarey forest

Rediff.com5 Oct 2019

Prakash Javadekar said the forest cover in the national capital has increased since then and public transport system has also improved.

AI-Enabled Glasses Will Help Visually Impaired

AI-Enabled Glasses Will Help Visually Impaired

Rediff.com4 Dec 2024

'Integrated with sensors, cameras, Nvidia Jetson processors, LiDAR technology and AI model computation, the glasses provide a real-time interpretation of the environment and the individual's surroundings.'

'Depleted' Maoists calls for ceasefire but with conditions

'Depleted' Maoists calls for ceasefire but with conditions

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma has reiterated the state government's willingness to engage in unconditional peace talks with Naxalites, following a statement by the Maoist group outlining preconditions for a ceasefire. Sharma, who holds the home portfolio, stated that the government has already made its stance on unconditional talks clear and has implemented a surrender and rehabilitation policy for Naxal cadres. He criticized the Maoists' demands as unreasonable and emphasized the importance of ending violence and joining the national mainstream. Sharma also called on the Naxalites to send a representative if they are serious about peace talks, but ruled out the formation of a separate committee for negotiations. The Maoist statement, released in Telugu, highlighted the group's concerns regarding intensified counter-insurgency operations and alleged human rights violations. They appealed for a positive atmosphere for peace talks, calling for a halt to anti-Naxal operations and the establishment of new security camps.

Budget proposes social security scheme for gig workers

Budget proposes social security scheme for gig workers

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said the government will arrange identity cards and registration on the e-Shram portal to assist 1 crore gig workers. Presenting the Union Budget 2025-26, the finance minister also said a scheme for the socio-economic upliftment of urban workers will be implemented.

Remember Smart Cities? What Happened?

Remember Smart Cities? What Happened?

Rediff.com8 Apr 2025

Among the cities that have fully implemented their projects are Agra, Varanasi, Madurai, Coimbatore, Udaipur, Pune, Surat, and Vadodara

J-K assembly passes resolution denouncing Pahalgam attack

J-K assembly passes resolution denouncing Pahalgam attack

Rediff.com29 Apr 2025

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on Monday expressing shock and anguish over the Pahalgam terrorist attack and resolved to fight resolutely to defeat the nefarious designs to disturb communal harmony and hinder progress.

A Budget that balances prudence with growth: Birla

A Budget that balances prudence with growth: Birla

Rediff.com2 Feb 2025

Budget 2025-26 delivers a carefully calibrated strategy-stimulating demand and investment while keeping fiscal discipline intact. In an environment marked by global trade disruptions, and a softening in urban consumption, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has taken a measured approach.

'India Can't Be Left Out of Global AI Policy'

'India Can't Be Left Out of Global AI Policy'

Rediff.com5 Feb 2025

The government wants the AI Summit to give it an early start in becoming part of any global body setting policies for the emerging technology.

Govt defends Great Nicobar project amid criticism, cites national interest

Govt defends Great Nicobar project amid criticism, cites national interest

Rediff.com26 Aug 2024

The central government's Great Nicobar development project, proposed around an unprecedented transhipment port, will be executed to keep environmental impact minimal, and is essential as it is of national importance, the government has said amid calls to abort the controversial project due to ecological concerns, the Centre said in an official statement.

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.

Rs 2,541 cr boost for tourism, 50 destinations to be developed

Rs 2,541 cr boost for tourism, 50 destinations to be developed

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced an ambitious plan to develop the country's top 50 tourist destinations in a "challenge mode", with the aim of boosting employment-led growth and attracting international visitors. The Ministry of Tourism has received a significant budget increase for 2025-2026, with a focus on enhancing tourism infrastructure, promoting domestic and international travel, and ensuring the safety of tourists, particularly women. The government plans to promote homestays, improve connectivity to tourist spots, and provide performance-linked incentives to states that demonstrate effective destination management. The budget also includes investments in public enterprises, skill development programs, and initiatives to promote medical tourism and spiritual tourism.

'High Probability Of Lowering Repo Rate'

'High Probability Of Lowering Repo Rate'

Rediff.com5 Feb 2025

'As the Budget has taken some measures to spur growth, similar action from the MPC may be expected.'

MPC minutes: Repo rate was cut as inflation aligned with target, says Guv

MPC minutes: Repo rate was cut as inflation aligned with target, says Guv

Rediff.com22 Feb 2025

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra said the repo rate cut in the February meeting of the monetary policy committee (MPC) was due to inflation aligning with the target and recognising the fact that monetary policy is forward-looking.

MP hides behind national security clause on Project Cheetah

MP hides behind national security clause on Project Cheetah

Rediff.com24 Jul 2024

The Madhya Pradesh forest department has refused to provide information under the Right to Information Act on management of cheetahs brought from Africa and their cubs born in India.

Ahead of Modi-Trump meet, India revamps tariff structure

Ahead of Modi-Trump meet, India revamps tariff structure

Rediff.com11 Feb 2025

Anticipating US action on tariffs, India seems to have made the first move by revamping its tariff structure by reducing the slabs to eight rates, points out Mukesh Butani.

Budget focuses on domestic consumption amid global uncertainties

Budget focuses on domestic consumption amid global uncertainties

Rediff.com4 Feb 2025

The Budget 2025-26 meets the expectations of fiscal consolidation, maintaining capital expenditure, and boosting consumption through tax cuts.

Sensex, Nifty rebound amid easing inflation, buying in bank, energy stocks

Sensex, Nifty rebound amid easing inflation, buying in bank, energy stocks

Rediff.com14 Jan 2025

From the 30-share blue-chip pack, Adani Ports jumped over 5 per cent. NTPC, Tata Steel, Bajaj Finserv, Zomato, Bajaj Finance, Tata Motors, State Bank of India, IndusInd Bank and Maruti were among the other big gainers. From the 30-share pack, Hindustan Unilever, Titan, Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys and UltraTech Cement were the other laggards.

Govt eases environment rules to push investments

Govt eases environment rules to push investments

Rediff.com7 Aug 2014

Rules for mining, roads, power and irrigation projects relaxed.

Budget 2025: What states want from Sitharaman

Budget 2025: What states want from Sitharaman

Rediff.com20 Dec 2024

Finance ministers of states demanded an increase in allocation under 50-year interest-free loan scheme, while fiscally stressed states like Punjab and Kerala pitched for a special package and borrowing flexibility, sources said on Friday. In a pre-budget meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, states have also urged for higher borrowing limits to support fiscal activities, besides additional funds for Jal Jeevan Mission.

Army chief reviews operational preparedness, interacts with troops

Army chief reviews operational preparedness, interacts with troops

Rediff.com30 Dec 2024

Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi visited Dehradun on Monday and reviewed operational preparedness, interacted with troops, and received briefings on security initiatives and infrastructure development in the region. He emphasized the importance of maintaining peak operational efficiency and adaptability in a complex security environment. The visit highlights the Army's proactive approach to ensuring mission readiness and boosting troop morale.

Samsung: Workers paid 1.8x of average industry salary in Sriperumbudur

Samsung: Workers paid 1.8x of average industry salary in Sriperumbudur

Rediff.com25 Sep 2024

As the strike by Samsung Electronics employees in Sriperumbudur on the outskirts of Chennai entered its 16th day, the company on Tuesday claimed that it is paying 1.8 times of the average salary that manufacturing workers in the region are getting. "At Samsung India, the welfare of our workers is our top priority. "The average monthly salary of our full-time manufacturing workers at the Chennai plant is 1.8 times the average salary of similar workers employed at other companies in the region,"a Samsung statement said.

Centre, Jh'khand won't convert Jain site into tourism hub: NCM chief

Centre, Jh'khand won't convert Jain site into tourism hub: NCM chief

Rediff.com18 Jan 2023

The NCM had said earlier that it had received various representations from the Jain community regarding the conversion of Jain pilgrimage site Shri Sammed Shikharji Hill into an eco-tourism hub by the Jharkhand government and the central dispensation.

Ensure separate toilets for transgenders, disabled, orders SC

Ensure separate toilets for transgenders, disabled, orders SC

Rediff.com15 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court of India has directed all high courts, state governments, and union territories to ensure the availability of separate toilet facilities for men, women, persons with disabilities (PwDs), and transgender persons in all court premises and tribunals across the country. The court stressed the importance of public health and the right to privacy, stating that adequate public toilets protect women and transgender persons. The court also expressed concern about the condition of public toilets near toll plazas on national highways and emphasized the need for proper sanitation facilities in court premises for judges, advocates, litigants, and staff members. This decision highlights the importance of access to basic amenities in ensuring a fair and dignified justice system.

Boost biz environment, ensure total coverage of key schemes: Modi to BJP CMs

Boost biz environment, ensure total coverage of key schemes: Modi to BJP CMs

Rediff.com24 Jul 2022

The meeting, which lasted for over four hours, was attended by chief ministers and deputy chief ministers of 18 states.

Budget 2025: More Jobs Via Thriving Farms and MSME Growth

Budget 2025: More Jobs Via Thriving Farms and MSME Growth

Rediff.com4 Feb 2025

The most striking features of this Budget was its focus on simplification and improving the ease of doing business in India, asserts Kaku Nakhate.

'Budget's Main Objective Was To Honour Taxpayers'

'Budget's Main Objective Was To Honour Taxpayers'

Rediff.com5 Feb 2025

'Our attempt to honour the taxpayer has been since 2014 and more actively since 2019-2020 onwards.'

Centre Wants Stalin To End Samsung Strike

Centre Wants Stalin To End Samsung Strike

Rediff.com26 Sep 2024

Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya urges state government 'to intervene for an early and amicable resolution for maintaining a positive manufacturing sector ecosystem'.

What Indian taxpayers want from CBDT

What Indian taxpayers want from CBDT

Rediff.com2 Feb 2025

An Income-Tax Department internal committee reviewing the old direct tax law to pave the way for a new one has "largely" received suggestions for "simplifying" the language, better "structuring" the provisions and enlarging the ambit of schemes like presumptive taxation, CBDT chairman Ravi Agrawal said Sunday. Speaking to PTI during a post-Budget interview at his North Block office, Agrawal said the panel also "studied" the deliberations and processes of countries like the UK, Australia and some others where a similar tax law simplification exercise was undertaken.

'Prime Minister Modi Has Been Fiscally Conscious'

'Prime Minister Modi Has Been Fiscally Conscious'

Rediff.com5 Feb 2025

'Spend, but create assets, spend but make sure that people benefit from it.' 'This has been a beautiful guiding principle. And I think as a finance minister I owe so much to the prime minister for keeping this path clear before us.'

What AAP, BJP, Cong Overlook in Delhi Polls

What AAP, BJP, Cong Overlook in Delhi Polls

Rediff.com5 Feb 2025

Delhi's crime rate against women stood at 144.4 in 2022 -- the highest among all states and Union Territories.

All The Muslim Union Ministers

All The Muslim Union Ministers

Rediff.com19 Jul 2022

It is for the first time in the history of Independent India that not a single Muslim is part of the Union Cabinet.

'There is a slowdown in the economy'

'There is a slowdown in the economy'

Rediff.com7 Feb 2025

'I believe that the overall demand for commercial vehicles will improve, even though there is a slowdown in the GDP.'

BJP Hands 'Tamil Pride' On A Platter To DMK

BJP Hands 'Tamil Pride' On A Platter To DMK

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

If the DMK is able to sustain the momentum until the assembly polls, the AIADMK especially and the PMK and possibly the infant TVK too would find it hard to sign up with the BJP, explains N Sathiya Moorthy.

More To Delimitation Than Meets The Eye

More To Delimitation Than Meets The Eye

Rediff.com1 Apr 2025

There is a proposal from the BJP camp that they would resort to a proportion-based increase in the number of Lok Sabha seats for individual states, based on what they now have. On the face of it, this sounds like a fine argument that those demanding a 'freeze' now cannot oppose without reasons and justification, avers N Sathiya Moorthy.

What's Stalin Doing At A Kalyanam?

What's Stalin Doing At A Kalyanam?

Rediff.com23 Oct 2024

What some of our politicians were up to.

Why 30-Day Samsung Strike Continues

Why 30-Day Samsung Strike Continues

Rediff.com7 Oct 2024

Although the company has shown willingness to talk to its workers and accept their key demands, it is CITU that is causing a roadblock to a solution.

Patriarchy didn't stop Indira from becoming PM: Sitharaman

Patriarchy didn't stop Indira from becoming PM: Sitharaman

Rediff.com9 Nov 2024

Replying to a question about women empowerment, Sitharaman insisted that patriarchy is a concept invented by the Left.

Budget will revitalise agri sector, rural economy

Budget will revitalise agri sector, rural economy

Rediff.com4 Feb 2025

Recent documents by NITI Aayog and periodic labour force surveys on employment show that the importance of agriculture is rising in the Indian economy.

Only 6.7% court infra at district level female-friendly: CJI

Only 6.7% court infra at district level female-friendly: CJI

Rediff.com1 Sep 2024

Chandrachud said it should be ensured that courts provide safe and accommodating environment for all members of the society.