News for 'Union Ministry of Environment'

Chennai oil spill: Centre orders probe, 80% clean-up ops over

Chennai oil spill: Centre orders probe, 80% clean-up ops over

Rediff.com3 Feb 2017

Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan said the vessel had more than 32,000 tonne of oil and has been emptied.

India ratifies historic Paris climate deal at UN

India ratifies historic Paris climate deal at UN

Rediff.com2 Oct 2016

India handed over signed documents to the head of UN treaty division at the opening of the special event to mark the International Day of Non-Violence.

What will be India's stance for Paris climate change pact

What will be India's stance for Paris climate change pact

Rediff.com21 Aug 2015

India is likely to announce its targets for the Paris deal by September-end.

'For better growth figures, we need healthier banks'

'For better growth figures, we need healthier banks'

Rediff.com16 May 2016

Arun Jaitley interview.

The Beauties of Sikkim

The Beauties of Sikkim

Rediff.com21 May 2018

'The Himalayan people may not represent a large or politically influential section of the population, but India's security depends on them.' 'Let us hope Sikkim remains a beacon of stability,' says Claude Arpi after a recent visit to the picturesque north eastern state.

Government to build 13 new expressways

Government to build 13 new expressways

Rediff.com26 May 2017

'Our target is to award Rs 25 lakh crore worth of projects that would result in creating 25 million jobs'

India's homoeopathic state of mind

India's homoeopathic state of mind

Rediff.com11 Oct 2017

A homoeopathic state of mind pervades our thinking in governance and infrastructure-building. Do it in small, harmless doses, but nothing bitter, sharp, or bloody, says Shekhar Gupta.

A forward-looking Budget, finally

A forward-looking Budget, finally

Rediff.com4 Mar 2016

If this Budget was not packaged and sold as a Budget for the poor and for farmers, Narendra Modi would have lost the next election.

Why Indian bureaucracy is under virtual lockdown

Why Indian bureaucracy is under virtual lockdown

Rediff.com9 Nov 2013

Recent investigations into the telecom spectrum and coal scams have made bureaucrats very wary of taking decisions.

'Will anyone invite a waste-picker inside their home and give him chai?'

'Will anyone invite a waste-picker inside their home and give him chai?'

Rediff.com12 Jun 2015

Social activist Nalini Sekhar has worked to improve the working conditions of the waste-pickers of Bengaluru for the last four years and describes the her work as being rife with "occupational hazards which energises her to work with more vigour".

Why the PPP model should be taken seriously

Why the PPP model should be taken seriously

Rediff.com22 Feb 2016

One hopes that the government will act on the Kelkar panel recommendations.

We are in denial, but Bangladeshis are still flooding India's northeast

We are in denial, but Bangladeshis are still flooding India's northeast

Rediff.com21 Mar 2014

The local labour force is streaming out of the region, creating a vacuum that makes it easier for the Bangladeshis to fill in, says R N Ravi

Meet the new Cabinet ministers

Meet the new Cabinet ministers

Rediff.com9 Nov 2014

Two technocrats, two hard-boiled politicians are India's new Cabinet ministers...

'Kohinoor, a symbol of British loot'

'Kohinoor, a symbol of British loot'

Rediff.com22 Apr 2016

Though it would be wonderful for Indians to have the Kohinoor and Peacock Throne displayed in all its glory at the Red Fort, it seems unlikely that the British will part with the Kohinoor in a hurry.

Few bold steps that ONGC took to beat private players

Few bold steps that ONGC took to beat private players

Rediff.com9 Dec 2015

ONGC must tackle several issues first only then it can turnaround its fortunes.

Aadhaar may have a lethal impact on the existence of India

Aadhaar may have a lethal impact on the existence of India

Rediff.com5 Oct 2015

'Biometric Aadhaar-based surveillance is not only about violation of privacy, but also about the treasure hunt for unprecedented financial surveillance and economic intelligence in the economic history of mankind,' asks Gopal Krishna.

Rescuing the Ganga and the country

Rescuing the Ganga and the country

Rediff.com20 May 2015

If the Ganga manages a rebirth, so will the country.Roy

'The image of Modi as a tough taskmaster is completely wrong'

'The image of Modi as a tough taskmaster is completely wrong'

Rediff.com28 Apr 2015

'Our intentions are clear. If I keep all the acquired land under the ownership of the government, why do you raise questions about my intentions?' 'One achievement of my ministry would be the gas pricing policy. Two, we made a delivery mechanism (for domestic LPG) which is the largest in the world. We are crediting money to the poor directly. It is the biggest structure of direct subsidy transfer.' 'It is very easy to work with Modi. He gives everyone a chance in decision-making. I have become a minister for the very first time, but if we want to raise any issues in the Cabinet, we have full freedom to do so.' The second and final part of Union Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's exclusive interview with Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com.

RBI and the crisis of central banking

RBI and the crisis of central banking

Rediff.com28 Sep 2015

Voices from the Treasury are clamouring for lowering rates as this would boost demand.

The woman behind the new cattle sale law

The woman behind the new cattle sale law

Rediff.com1 Jun 2017

'The idea behind the new rules is that slaughter markets must buy directly from the farms as is the case in the bloody world.' 'The cattle markets have become centres for the organised beef mafia.'

Nitin Gadkari on how he will transform India

Nitin Gadkari on how he will transform India

Rediff.com16 Oct 2015

'Earlier compensation was less, but we have increased compensation four fold. As a result, farmers want to give up their land.' 'Infrastructure projects will create 50 lakh jobs. If today we are building 14 km of road per day, by next March, we hope to take it up to 30 km. My own hope is we can take it to 100 km per day.' 'The government's ambitious Sagarmala project aims to develop port infrastructure along the country's 7,500 km coastline. The project includes modernisation of our ports and islands, setting up of coastal economic zones, new major ports and fish harbours.'

4 areas that Modi govt should focus on in its '1st real Budget'

4 areas that Modi govt should focus on in its '1st real Budget'

Rediff.com12 Feb 2015

FM should avoid proposals such as to tax financial transactions and fringe benefits

Rural 'beti' as businesswoman? A tough battle

Rural 'beti' as businesswoman? A tough battle

Rediff.com29 Jan 2015

If doing business in India is a problem for even the richest, most educated scion of a business house, it is unlikely to be a breeze for the average rural Indian woman.

Government of the people or for Reliance?

Government of the people or for Reliance?

Rediff.com24 Feb 2014

'If the government starts playing favourites, if the government acts in a manner which is not transparent, then natural resources which belong to not just you and me, but future generations, they fritter away. The anger against corruption, the anger against India's natural resources being looted is a consequence of the fact that within society there is a huge amount of turmoil and discontentment. Why should an Empowered Group Of Ministers or the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs decide the administered price of gas?' asks Paranjoy Guha Thakurta in this exclusive interview with Rediff.com's Sheela Bhatt.

7 reasons why Modi's visit to China was different

7 reasons why Modi's visit to China was different

Rediff.com18 May 2015

Unlike in the past, Modi made candid, frank and direct remarks on his hosts by suggesting that the Chinese side is holding back on further improving relations, says Srikanth Kondapalli.

Why young India is paying for expensive private colleges

Why young India is paying for expensive private colleges

Rediff.com13 Mar 2018

Is it just the glamour?

Pune family holds up Navi Mumbai airport's takeoff

Pune family holds up Navi Mumbai airport's takeoff

Rediff.com27 Nov 2014

CIDCO moves Supreme Court against Rs 1,200 cr compensation order for land parcel

Why India must not tinker with B'desh border deal

Why India must not tinker with B'desh border deal

Rediff.com6 May 2015

By revising the India-Bangladesh land boundary agreement, the NDA is going for short-term gains and losing the long-term perspective, says Gautam Sen.

'The Congress is back -- sort of'

'The Congress is back -- sort of'

Rediff.com5 Jun 2015

Rahul Gandhi has taken the fight to the Modi government, feels Milan Vaishnav. Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com reports from Washington, DC.

Human life is obviously cheaper in India than in the US

Human life is obviously cheaper in India than in the US

Rediff.com26 Sep 2013

How on earth did Dr Manmohan Singh and his ministers conclude that the casualties of a disaster in a nuclear plant would be fewer than the deaths and injuries caused by the Bhopal gas tragedy? And that the compensation could, therefore, be capped at a smaller amount, asks T V R Shenoy.

Exclusive! 'Modi has taken his job seriously in letter and spirit'

Exclusive! 'Modi has taken his job seriously in letter and spirit'

Rediff.com22 Aug 2014

'Modi as the PM of the country has to take everybody on board and deliver on good governance. That is his responsibility. In that talking alone won't help, he's working.' Commerce Minister Dr Nirmala Sitharaman tells Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com how the Modi government plans to change India.

Aadhaar is based on unscientific thinking, fallible biometric data

Aadhaar is based on unscientific thinking, fallible biometric data

Rediff.com21 Nov 2017

Biometric authentication is based on the unscientific and questionable assumption that there are parts of human body that does not age, wither and decay with the passage of time.

Killings in name of cow unacceptable: Centre

Killings in name of cow unacceptable: Centre

Rediff.com21 Jul 2017

Most of the opposition parties blamed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-affiliates for the cow vigilantism.

'For achche din, give us at least a year'

'For achche din, give us at least a year'

Rediff.com4 Jul 2014

'Understand one thing, if you want immediately and magically that things should become cheap, it's not possible. It's a long-term policy.' 'Inflation is linked to the storage system and with the production system. Whenever production rises, prices go lower. So if we store when the prices are low and release them when prices rise, prices can be maintained.' 'The problem is that in our country fruits and vegetables worth Rs 110,000 crore go to waste as they rot. And grains worth Rs 85,000 crore rot. So the storage system is another big reason for inflation.' Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari in an exclusive interaction with Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com

'If anything happens to me, IB and government are responsible'

'If anything happens to me, IB and government are responsible'

Rediff.com19 Jun 2014

Anti-nuclear activist S P Udayakumar, who has been called a threat to the economic security of India by the Intelligence Bureau, speaks to A Ganesh Nadar.

Budget: Here's what the industry leaders have to say

Budget: Here's what the industry leaders have to say

Rediff.com10 Jul 2014

The industry's reactions to the Budget have been mixed.

After 100 days of reform, life gets easier for telcos

After 100 days of reform, life gets easier for telcos

Rediff.com1 Sep 2016

Telecom Secretary J S Deepak has resolved the toughest issues facing the sector, but his real test will be in delivering on the govt's Digital India dream

Bihar's midday lunches: You may find cockroaches, lizards, rats, even snakes!

Bihar's midday lunches: You may find cockroaches, lizards, rats, even snakes!

Rediff.com30 Aug 2016

On Monday, August 29, a court in Saran, Bihar, sentenced the headmistress of the school where 23 children died after eating a mid-day meal to 17 years in prison. Three years after that tragedy, discovers Satyavrat Mishra, the state government has failed to learn its lessons.

Why Finance Minister Jaitley disappointed Defence Minister Jaitley

Why Finance Minister Jaitley disappointed Defence Minister Jaitley

Rediff.com15 Jul 2014

The finance minister hiked the total defence expenditure from Rs 203,672 crore in FY 2013-2014 to Rs 229,000 crore for FY 2014-2015. Though the increase appears substantial, it is insufficient to undertake the military modernisation necessary to meet the emerging threats, feels Brigadier Gurmeet Kanwal (retd).

'Modi@1: It has been a good year for the economy'

'Modi@1: It has been a good year for the economy'

Rediff.com14 May 2015

The Modi government's array of economic policy has been impressive.