News for 'election duty'

You will be CM one day, Fadnavis tells Ajit Pawar in Maha assembly

You will be CM one day, Fadnavis tells Ajit Pawar in Maha assembly

Rediff.com19 Dec 2024

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that he, his deputies Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde, will work in shifts to ensure round-the-clock governance. Fadnavis will work from 12 noon to midnight, Ajit Pawar, known for his early rising habits, will be on duty in the morning, and Shinde, known for his late-night work ethic, will handle the night shift. This arrangement comes after Ajit Pawar's controversial return to the BJP-led government following a split from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The NCP, under Sharad Pawar's leadership, is now a part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance with the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT). The recent assembly elections saw the Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's NCP faction, securing a comfortable majority.

UP bureaucrat on Gujarat poll duty shunted for posting pix on Insta

UP bureaucrat on Gujarat poll duty shunted for posting pix on Insta

Rediff.com18 Nov 2022

An Uttar Pradesh Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer has been removed as a general observer for Gujarat assembly polls by the Election Commission for indulging in a 'publicity stunt' by posting pictures of his assignment on Instagram, sources said on Friday.

New beginning: 186 Pak Hindu refugees cast first-ever votes in Delhi polls

New beginning: 186 Pak Hindu refugees cast first-ever votes in Delhi polls

Rediff.com5 Feb 2025

For the first time in their lives, 186 Pakistani Hindu refugees in Delhi cast their votes in the Delhi Assembly polls, marking a significant moment in their journey towards citizenship. Having received Indian citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, they expressed hope for a better future with permanent homes and stable livelihoods. The refugees, who have lived in makeshift shelters and struggled with daily wage work for decades, felt a sense of belonging and empowerment after exercising their voting right.

Who will form next Maha govt? Stage set for counting today

Who will form next Maha govt? Stage set for counting today

Rediff.com23 Nov 2024

Counting of votes in the Maharashtra assembly elections will begin at 8 am on Saturday, with all eyes on the outcome of the battle between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti coalition and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which is seeking to make a comeback.

'India Must Not Support Nepal's Ex-King'

'India Must Not Support Nepal's Ex-King'

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

'Gyanendra back on the throne would be bad news for the Nepali people. He may not have learnt from his experience, but we have.'

SC reinstates woman sarpanch, fines Chhattisgarh govt

SC reinstates woman sarpanch, fines Chhattisgarh govt

Rediff.com14 Nov 2024

Coming down heavily on the Chhattisgarh government for removing an elected woman sarpanch of a remote village for 'unjustified reasons', the Supreme Court on Monday observed the state wanted the village head to go with a 'begging bowl before a babu (bureaucrat)'.

After crash, Mumbai BEST bus drivers caught with liquor

After crash, Mumbai BEST bus drivers caught with liquor

Rediff.com13 Dec 2024

These videos are in circulation after the horrific December 9 accident in which a wet-leased electric bus of the civic-run transporter ploughed into vehicles and people in Kurla West, killing seven and injuring 42.

Centre tries to curtail powers of new J-K govt, CM, alleges Omar; MHA denies

Centre tries to curtail powers of new J-K govt, CM, alleges Omar; MHA denies

Rediff.com5 Oct 2024

The strong statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah's office came after former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah asked bureaucrats in the Union Territory to resist any pressure to "further disempower" the incoming elected government.

Union Budget 2025: Key numbers to be watched

Union Budget 2025: Key numbers to be watched

Rediff.com30 Jan 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her 8th straight Budget and all eyes will be on the much-expected tax relief for the middle class. Sitharaman had in her first Budget in 2019 replaced the leather briefcase -- which had been in use for decades for carrying Budget documents -- with a traditional 'bahi-khata' wrapped in red cloth.

Budget 2025: What realtors want from Nirmala Sitharaman

Budget 2025: What realtors want from Nirmala Sitharaman

Rediff.com13 Jan 2025

As the Union Budget 2025-2026 (FY26) inches closer, the Indian real estate industry is seeking stamp duty cuts, revised home loan limits and updated affordable housing norms through Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (PMAY), single-window clearance and eco-friendly policies, among others. Industry leaders and consultancy firms, including Anarock, Raheja, Gaurs, Kanodia Group, Reach, Urban Space, Justo and Eros Group, have shared their expectations.

Shanmugaratnam elected Singapore president in first contested polls in 12 years

Shanmugaratnam elected Singapore president in first contested polls in 12 years

Rediff.com1 Sep 2023

Tharman Shanmugaratnam, an Indian-origin Singapore-born economist, registered a landslide victory in Singapore's presidential election on Friday, winning over 70 per cent of votes in the country's first contested presidential polls since 2011.

'Trump's Win Won't Affect Skilled Immigrants'

'Trump's Win Won't Affect Skilled Immigrants'

Rediff.com27 Nov 2024

'As far as skilled immigration is concerned, the US needs Indian skills and Indian talent, and there are no two opinions about it even among US companies.'

Trump's high tariff pledge is good news for Indian exporters: Subrahmanyam

Trump's high tariff pledge is good news for Indian exporters: Subrahmanyam

Rediff.com4 Dec 2024

US President-elect Donald Trump's pledge to impose high tariffs on three of its trading partners, including China will provide huge export opportunities for India and the domestic industry should prepare itself to tap into that, Niti Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam said on Wednesday. Trump last week vowed to introduce 25 per cent tariffs (or customs duty) on imports from Mexico and Canada and an additional 10 per cent on China.

'Exhausted In This Long Fight For Justice'

'Exhausted In This Long Fight For Justice'

Rediff.com9 Oct 2024

Two months after a junior doctor was brutally raped and killed, the doctors' protest in Kolkata rages on.

SIT to probe Pak man linked to Cong MP Gogoi's wife

SIT to probe Pak man linked to Cong MP Gogoi's wife

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

The Assam Cabinet on Sunday had decided not to register any case against the Congress MP or his British spouse, who the BJP has accused of having ISI links, but instructed the DGP to file an FIR against Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh.

65% polling in Maha; Maoist-hit Gadchiroli beats Mumbai's voter turnout

65% polling in Maha; Maoist-hit Gadchiroli beats Mumbai's voter turnout

Rediff.com21 Nov 2024

Maharashtra recorded a voter turnout of 58.22 per cent till 5 pm on Wednesday in the elections to the 288-member state legislative assembly, with Gadchiroli district logging more than 69 per cent voting, poll officials said.

No joint rallies by Cong, SP as campaigning for UP bypolls ends

No joint rallies by Cong, SP as campaigning for UP bypolls ends

Rediff.com19 Nov 2024

The Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Congress's alliance in Uttar Pradesh came under scrutiny as both parties did not hold a single joint campaign for the bypolls to nine assembly seats. While both parties maintained that the alliance is strong, BJP ally Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) claimed a crack in the alliance. The Congress opted out of the bypolls and announced coordination committees for all nine seats to support the SP. However, the absence of joint rallies raised questions about the alliance's strength. The SP campaign was spearheaded by its chief Akhilesh Yadav, while the Congress cited its leaders' busy schedules in Maharashtra and Jharkhand for the lack of joint campaigns. The bypoll results will be announced on November 23.

Sitharaman's pre-election budget shuns populism, boosts infra spend

Sitharaman's pre-election budget shuns populism, boosts infra spend

Rediff.com1 Feb 2024

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday announced a Rs 11.11 lakh crore spending on infrastructure and vowed to continue reforms as she resisted resorting to populist measures in Modi government's last Budget before general elections, instead choosing to stay on the path of cutting deficit while bolstering measures for focus groups.

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.

Soros connection? US lawmaker challenges Adani probe

Soros connection? US lawmaker challenges Adani probe

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

Challenging the decision of the Biden Administration to investigate the activities of Indian billionaire Gautam Adani and his companies, an influential Republican lawmaker on Tuesday said such selective actions risk damaging critical alliance partners.

JD-S's lone MP and Deve Gowda grandson's election set aside

JD-S's lone MP and Deve Gowda grandson's election set aside

Rediff.com1 Sep 2023

Prajwal Revanna is the grandson of JD-S patriarch and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, and is the only candidate from the party to have won the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka in 2019.

Time to explore possibility of remote voting, says Election Commission

Time to explore possibility of remote voting, says Election Commission

Rediff.com7 Jun 2022

Days after Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar undertook an hours-long trek to a remote polling station in Uttarakhand, the poll panel on Tuesday decided to double the remuneration of polling officials going to such booths as early as three days before voting day.

Gold set to extend record run; may hit Rs 90,000 in 2025

Gold set to extend record run; may hit Rs 90,000 in 2025

Rediff.com31 Dec 2024

Gold, a safe-haven bet, is likely to continue its record-smashing journey in the New Year, rising to Rs 85,000 per 10 grams and even Rs 90,000 level in domestic markets if geopolitical tensions and global economic uncertainties continue.

Full text: President Murmu's R-Day eve address to the nation

Full text: President Murmu's R-Day eve address to the nation

Rediff.com25 Jan 2025

'Today, let us reaffirm our commitment to strive to realise Gandhiji's dreams. His watchwords, truth and nonviolence, will continue to remain relevant for the whole world. He also taught us that rights and duties are but the two sides of the coin - indeed, the true source of rights is duty. Today we recall his lessons in compassion too - compassion not only for our human neighbours but also for our other neighbours, namely, flora and fauna, rivers and mountains.'

Cash-for-voes: Tawde sends legal notice to Rahul, Kharge

Cash-for-voes: Tawde sends legal notice to Rahul, Kharge

Rediff.com22 Nov 2024

BJP leader Vinod Tawde has demanded an apology from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate for making "false and baseless" allegations against him in the cash-for-votes incident in Maharashtra. Tawde was accused by the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi of distributing Rs 5 crore to woo voters. He has sent a legal notice to the Congress leaders, claiming they were aware the story was fabricated and demanding an unconditional apology within 24 hours. If the apology is not forthcoming, Tawde has threatened to initiate criminal and civil proceedings against the trio.

'Trump Deep Down Admires Modi'

'Trump Deep Down Admires Modi'

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

'When compared to many of America's treaty allies in Asia, Modi 3.0 is on a much stronger footing.'

Ajit Pawar, RSS chief among early voters in Maharashtra

Ajit Pawar, RSS chief among early voters in Maharashtra

Rediff.com20 Nov 2024

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat were among the early voters to exercise their franchise as polling was underway on Wednesday for the state assembly elections.

'Disgusting To See Bangladeshis Turning Backs On India'

'Disgusting To See Bangladeshis Turning Backs On India'

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

'The present generation, either due to historical amnesia or political propaganda, has been fed a narrative that paints India as an adversary rather than an ally.'

Budget: Why exporters are seeking Rs 750 cr from Sitharaman

Budget: Why exporters are seeking Rs 750 cr from Sitharaman

Rediff.com26 Dec 2024

Exporters on Thursday sought a fund of Rs 750 crore for three years to tap USD 25 billion export potential in the US, aiming to seize potential opportunities that may arise as the US President-elect, Donald Trump, has threatened to impose high tariffs on Chinese goods. In its pre-Budget meeting with the finance ministry, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President Ashwani Kumar has also demanded extension of the five per cent Interest Equalisation Scheme (IES).

NC-led alliance stakes claim to form govt in J-K; oath-taking on Oct 16

NC-led alliance stakes claim to form govt in J-K; oath-taking on Oct 16

Rediff.com11 Oct 2024

Chief minister-designate Omar Abdullah met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to present letters of support from coalition partners, shortly after the Congress officially extended its backing to the party.

LG, not Delhi govt, has power to nominate MCD official: SC

LG, not Delhi govt, has power to nominate MCD official: SC

Rediff.com5 Aug 2024

In a major setback to Delhi's Aam Aadmi Party government, the Supreme Court on Monday ruled that the law 'expressly enables' the lieutenant governor to nominate aldermen to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and he is not bound by the advice of the council of ministers in the matter.

Bidhuri sorry for controversial remark on Priyanka, but invokes Lalu

Bidhuri sorry for controversial remark on Priyanka, but invokes Lalu

Rediff.com5 Jan 2025

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and party's candidate from Kalkaji, Ramesh Bidhuri, has yet again courted controversy by allegedly saying that after victory in the Delhi assembly polls next month, he will develop smooth roads in the constituency like Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi's 'cheeks'.

High Court Restores Construction Workers' Rights

High Court Restores Construction Workers' Rights

Rediff.com9 Nov 2024

Justices Arif S Doctor and Somasekhar Sundaresan held there was nothing in the MCC that would interfere with the Board's ongoing activities.

'Dr Singh Didn't Take Orders From Sonia Gandhi'

'Dr Singh Didn't Take Orders From Sonia Gandhi'

Rediff.com30 Dec 2024

'Mrs Gandhi had nothing to do in the day-to-day working of Dr Singh's government.' 'People say Mrs Gandhi's office used to give orders, which is nonsense.'

'30-40% Of H-1B Visas Cornered By Staffing Companies'

'30-40% Of H-1B Visas Cornered By Staffing Companies'

Rediff.com20 Jan 2025

'If the Trump administration decides to put guardrails on H-1B visas, that will surely impact both US and Indian firms.'

Judge, not an agent: Union Minister slams K'taka Covid panel chief

Judge, not an agent: Union Minister slams K'taka Covid panel chief

Rediff.com11 Nov 2024

Joshi said that the D'Cunha Commission released an interim report without issuing a notice to Yediyurappa or Ramulu.

'Trump Doesn't Want To Wait For Benefits Of A Long-Term Partnership'

'Trump Doesn't Want To Wait For Benefits Of A Long-Term Partnership'

Rediff.com15 Feb 2025

'He needs to see results while he is in office.'

Trump picks anti-vaccine activist as health secretary

Trump picks anti-vaccine activist as health secretary

Rediff.com15 Nov 2024

President-elect Donald Trump announced a slate of key Cabinet nominations, including tapping former Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his Secretary of Health and Human Services and former Congressman Doug Collins of Georgia as Secretary for Veterans Affairs. Trump also named Jay Clayton as US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Todd Blanche as Deputy Attorney General, and Dean John Sauer as Solicitor General of the United States.

J'khand to vote in final phase on Wednesday; fate of Soren to be sealed

J'khand to vote in final phase on Wednesday; fate of Soren to be sealed

Rediff.com20 Nov 2024

The final round of voting for the Jharkhand Assembly elections is taking place on Wednesday, with the JMM-Congress-RJD coalition seeking to retain power while the BJP-led NDA aims to take control. The election will decide the fate of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, his wife, and several other candidates. Key issues during the campaign included alleged infiltration from Bangladesh, corruption, and Hindutva.