News for 'Union council of ministers'

'I Can't Say On September 22, I Will Be With A Stick'

'I Can't Say On September 22, I Will Be With A Stick'

Rediff.com22 Sep 2025

'I am doing the drive in making sure that people pass this on. So the drive is not with distrust. The drive is just in case.' 'Just in case it doesn't get passed on, I am here.'

Tension on disputed Assam-Meghalaya border after plantation drive

Tension on disputed Assam-Meghalaya border after plantation drive

Rediff.com25 Jun 2025

Around 400 people of Lapangap and other villages, backed by members of several social organisations of Meghalaya, went to the plantation area, uprooted the saplings and burnt the wooden structure around 11 am, claiming that Assam was trying to encroach into their state by carrying out the plantation.

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.

'My God, The Number Of Meetings We Had On GST!'

'My God, The Number Of Meetings We Had On GST!'

Rediff.com22 Sep 2025

'It was like rigorously preparing for a solid, good exam...' 'I don't know what marks I will get, but I felt the rigorous preparation of an exam.' 'You may sweat, but I feel rejuvenated.'

Modi, Shah thank Union ministers for 'service to nation'

Modi, Shah thank Union ministers for 'service to nation'

Rediff.com22 May 2019

Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Arun Jaitley, J P Nadda and Prakash Javadekar were among the key leaders from the BJP at the meeting.

Number of women ministers in Modi govt down from 10 to 7

Number of women ministers in Modi govt down from 10 to 7

Rediff.com9 Jun 2024

Seven women, including two in the Cabinet role, have been inducted into the new council of ministers in the 18th Lok Sabha.

Modi, NDA ministers to be sworn-in at 7.15 pm on Sunday

Modi, NDA ministers to be sworn-in at 7.15 pm on Sunday

Rediff.com7 Jun 2024

Narendra Modi will take oath as the prime minister for a third consecutive term on Sunday evening as President Droupadi Murmu has invited him to form the government.

43 ministers to take oath in mega expansion

43 ministers to take oath in mega expansion

Rediff.com7 Jul 2021

Meet Modi's new ministers.

US Needs India As Much As India Needs The US

US Needs India As Much As India Needs The US

Rediff.com6 Sep 2025

India-US relations, like Rome, were not built in a day, nor can they be demolished in a day.
All said and done, when the new global order emerges, India can only remain with the democracies, asserts Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

Pahalgam attack didn't stall talks of J-K statehood: Abdullah

Pahalgam attack didn't stall talks of J-K statehood: Abdullah

Rediff.com28 May 2025

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has stated that the conversation regarding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir has not been stalled. He claims the issue was raised at the recent NITI Aayog governing council meeting, and the formal speech distributed at the meeting includes a mention of the return of statehood. Abdullah also addressed concerns about the impact of the Pahalgam terror attack on tourism, emphasizing the importance of local Kashmiris visiting tourist spots first to revive the industry and ensure a sense of security.

SC to examine President's 14 questions on governor's powers

SC to examine President's 14 questions on governor's powers

Rediff.com22 Jul 2025

A Constitution bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, P S Narasimha and A S Chandurkar, would fix the timelines on July 29 and commence hearing on the presidential reference in mid-August.

India, Pakistan NSAs likely to meet in Moscow?

India, Pakistan NSAs likely to meet in Moscow?

Rediff.com25 May 2025

India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is expected to attend a major security meeting in Moscow next week, organized by Russia's Security Council. Doval is invited for the 13th international meeting of high representatives for security issues, taking place from May 27-29. The meeting, chaired by Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, will see participation from over 150 countries and international organizations. Pakistan's NSA, Lt Gen Asim Malik, is also expected to attend the meeting, leading to speculation of a possible face-to-face meeting between the two NSAs amidst heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack and subsequent retaliatory actions.

Delhi Or Goa: Where Will Chess World Cup Be Held?

Delhi Or Goa: Where Will Chess World Cup Be Held?

Rediff.com16 Jun 2025

FIDE, which has listed the venue for all its global events, has not yet announced the venue for the World Cup.

Develop resources for better governance: PM to council of ministers

Develop resources for better governance: PM to council of ministers

Rediff.com14 Nov 2021

The 77 ministers have been divided into eight groups to develop technology-based resources, create a pool of professionals for recruiting in their teams and other similar initiatives to be adopted in the offices of all ministers' offices to bring more transparency and further improve and efficiency of the Modi government, the sources said.

Liverpool Univ to Open Bengaluru Campus

Liverpool Univ to Open Bengaluru Campus

Rediff.com27 May 2025

Initially, we will look to take a small batch of a few hundred students, with a plan to increase this to 5,000 students in the next five years, and eventually 10,000 by 2036.'

'As prime minister, I cannot let any Indian go without food'

'As prime minister, I cannot let any Indian go without food'

Rediff.com27 Dec 2024

T Nanda Kumar, former food and agriculture secretary, shared his memories of working with former prime minister Manmohan Singh during some of India's most challenging times, highlighting Singh's compassionate leadership and commitment to ensuring food security for all Indians. Kumar recalled Singh's steadfast support during the 2008 global food crisis, where he championed a ban on non-basmati rice exports to secure domestic supplies. Singh's leadership, characterized by intellect and humility, left a lasting impression on Kumar, who considered him a mentor and guiding light.

President Nominates Nikam, Shringla To Rajya Sabha

President Nominates Nikam, Shringla To Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com13 Jul 2025

Former foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, Kerala BJP leader C Sadanandan Master and Delhi-based historian Meenakshi Jain have been nominated to the Rajya Sabha.

Punjab CM Mann takes jibe at BJP over Operation Sindoor

Punjab CM Mann takes jibe at BJP over Operation Sindoor

Rediff.com5 Jun 2025

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann took a jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party over Operation Sindoor on Wednesday, saying this is the first time that Indian representatives have been sent abroad to convey about the country's victory in an armed conflict.

How can you question probe report now: SC grills Justice Varma

How can you question probe report now: SC grills Justice Varma

Rediff.com28 Jul 2025

The Supreme Court questioned Justice Yashwant Varma regarding his plea to invalidate an in-house inquiry panel report that indicted him after a large amount of burnt cash was discovered at his official residence during his time as a Delhi High Court judge.

Covid vaccine causing heart attacks? What Centre says

Covid vaccine causing heart attacks? What Centre says

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

The Union Health Ministry refutes claims linking heart-related deaths to Covid vaccines, citing extensive studies by ICMR and AIIMS.

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.

'Keeladi Could Be Older Than Indus Valley'

'Keeladi Could Be Older Than Indus Valley'

Rediff.com3 Jul 2025

'There is no doubt about the antiquity of Tamil Nadu.'

Operation Sindoor outreach: Congress names 4, no Tharoor

Operation Sindoor outreach: Congress names 4, no Tharoor

Rediff.com17 May 2025

A statement issued by the parliamentary affairs ministry earlier on Saturday said the all-party delegations will project India's national consensus and resolute approach to combating terrorism in all forms and manifestations.

Union minister blames live-in relationships for rising crime, draws flak

Union minister blames live-in relationships for rising crime, draws flak

Rediff.com17 Nov 2022

Kishore, while referring to the Shradha Walkar murder case, said educated girls are responsible for leaving parents for live-in relationships that lead to crime, and suggested that they should instead go for court marriage.

Karnataka gets 5 ministers in new NDA govt

Karnataka gets 5 ministers in new NDA govt

Rediff.com9 Jun 2024

Five Parliamentarians from Karnataka including Janata Dal-Secular leader and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy, Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Nirmala Sitharaman and Pralhad Joshi, who were part of the previous Cabinet, on Sunday took oath in the new National Democratic Alliance Council of Ministers headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Ruling party should not be blamed for stampede: BCCI VP Shukla

Ruling party should not be blamed for stampede: BCCI VP Shukla

Rediff.com4 Jun 2025

'It should not be politicised. If this happens in a BJP-ruled state, we should not blame them.'

Ambassador Akbaruddin Shepherds African Outreach

Ambassador Akbaruddin Shepherds African Outreach

Rediff.com29 May 2025

Led by Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar MP Supriya Sule, Group 7 will engage with key countries in Africa -- Egypt, South Africa, Ethiopia -- and Qatar to present India's position on Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

TMC's Sudip Bandyopadhyay opts out of diplomatic outreach

TMC's Sudip Bandyopadhyay opts out of diplomatic outreach

Rediff.com17 May 2025

Bandyopadhyay told PTI that he received a call from Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and the external affairs ministry, and was asked to go to the US but he informed them that he would not be able to go due to health reasons.

President's high tea with Modi and his ministers

President's high tea with Modi and his ministers

Rediff.com7 Aug 2021

President Ram Nath Kovind invited the Union council of ministers for a high tea at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday. The Rashtrapati Bhavan described it as a courtesy meeting. On July 7, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inducted 36 new faces into the council and promoted seven junior ministers to independent or Cabinet roles. Modi dropped 12 ministers, including the ministers of health, education, information technology, law, environment and information, and broadcasting in the biggest rejig in the council since 2014 when he first took over as the prime minister.

Never said JD-U won't join Union Cabinet: Nitish

Never said JD-U won't join Union Cabinet: Nitish

Rediff.com6 Jul 2021

Kumar said expansion of the Union council of ministers was a prerogative of the prime minister and that he "did not have much information" about what was being offered to his party.

Yunus to stay on as Bangladesh interim chief, says adviser

Yunus to stay on as Bangladesh interim chief, says adviser

Rediff.com24 May 2025

The chief adviser's decision to stay in office came two days after he told student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) leaders that he was mulling resignation as he felt "the situation is such that he cannot work", citing difficulties in working amid the failure of political parties to find common ground for change.

Firebrand Telangana MLA Raja Singh resigns from BJP

Firebrand Telangana MLA Raja Singh resigns from BJP

Rediff.com30 Jun 2025

Upset over the possible appointment of Ramchander Rao as Bharatiya Janata Party's Telangana President, the party's firebrand MLA Raja Singh on Monday wrote to Union Minister G Kishan Reddy saying that he is resigning from the primary membership of the saffron party.

Reshuffle buzz: Praful Patel likely to be made central minister

Reshuffle buzz: Praful Patel likely to be made central minister

Rediff.com3 Jul 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a meeting of the Union Council of Ministers on Monday amid a heightened buzz about the likelihood of a Cabinet reshuffle following a series of meetings of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's top brass.

Modi starts 3rd term, signs first file related to...

Modi starts 3rd term, signs first file related to...

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

The decision signifies the government's commitment to farmers' welfare following the ruling National Democratic Alliance's poll win, albeit with some setback, especially in parts of rural India.

Exclusive! What happened at rejigged Council's 1st meet

Exclusive! What happened at rejigged Council's 1st meet

Rediff.com1 Nov 2012

Rediff.com's Delhi correspondent, who was present at the venue of Thursday's Union Cabinet meeting at PM's residence, reports how Kamal Nath and Sharad Pawar stole the thunder at the crucial meeting.

No intent to escalate, but...: India tells key global powers

No intent to escalate, but...: India tells key global powers

Rediff.com7 May 2025

India has reached out to key global powers, including members of the UN Security Council, and apprised them about the reasons behind its military strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack. New Delhi also conveyed to the countries that it will retaliate if Islamabad escalates the already tense situation.

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.

Who will be next Manipur CM? BJP delegation meets Guv

Who will be next Manipur CM? BJP delegation meets Guv

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

A Bharatiya Janata Party delegation on Tuesday called on Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan in Imphal amid a leadership crisis following the resignation of N Biren Singh as the chief minister of the ethnic violence-hit state two days ago.

Bharat Mata row sparks protests, war of words in Kerala

Bharat Mata row sparks protests, war of words in Kerala

Rediff.com21 Jun 2025

The editorial came amidst the ongoing tussle between Arlekar and the Marxist party-led Left Democratic Front government over the usage of 'Bharat Mata portrait' during official functions being held in Raj Bhavan.

GST Council cedes right to levy tax on distilled alcohol

GST Council cedes right to levy tax on distilled alcohol

Rediff.com7 Oct 2023

The GST Council on Saturday clarified that guarantees provided by corporate to their subsidiaries will attract an 18 per cent GST, while no tax will be levied if a personal guarantee is given by a director to the company. The council, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and comprising state ministers, also cut the GST rate on molasses to 5 per cent from 28 per cent. It also ceded the right to tax Extra Neutral Alcohol (raw product for making alcohol for human consumption) to the states.