News for 'essential services'

10 Changes Your Body Goes Through During Menopause

10 Changes Your Body Goes Through During Menopause

Rediff.com9 Sep 2025

Here's how you can prepare yourself and your family to deal with menopause.

Malegaon trial ends 17 yrs after blast, verdict on May 8

Malegaon trial ends 17 yrs after blast, verdict on May 8

Rediff.com19 Apr 2025

A special court in India has reserved its verdict in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, which killed six people and injured over 100. The trial began nearly 17 years after the bombing in the town of Malegaon, located in Maharashtra. The prosecution concluded its final arguments on Saturday, marking the end of the hearings. Seven individuals, including Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit and BJP leader Pragya Thakur, are facing charges under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The verdict is expected to be delivered on May 8th.

Day 5 of Assam gas leak: ONGC ropes in expert team, 1,500 people affected

Day 5 of Assam gas leak: ONGC ropes in expert team, 1,500 people affected

Rediff.com16 Jun 2025

The district administration said that air pollution is still within the acceptable limit and the local office of Pollution Control Board, Assam is closely monitoring the situation.

Govt issues ordinance prohibiting strikes by essential defence services

Govt issues ordinance prohibiting strikes by essential defence services

Rediff.com1 Jul 2021

A gazette notification said employees involved in the production of defence equipment, services and operation or maintenance of any industrial establishment connected with the military as well as those employed in repair and maintenance of defence products will come under the purview of the ordinance.

Only essential govt staff will be allowed on Mumbai locals

Only essential govt staff will be allowed on Mumbai locals

Rediff.com22 Mar 2020

In a bid to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, only government personnel engaged in providing essential services would be allowed to travel by local trains in Mumbai from Sunday night, a release by the Konkan divisional commissioner said on Saturday night. The restriction, which will effectively shut down the train services, Mumbai's lifeline, will come into effect from the midnight of Sunday, March 22, the release said.

SC to hear plea against current practice to appoint CAG

SC to hear plea against current practice to appoint CAG

Rediff.com15 Mar 2025

The Supreme Court will hear a plea seeking an independent selection process for the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on March 17. The PIL, filed by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation, argues that the current system of appointment solely by the executive and the prime minister violates the Constitution and undermines the CAG's independence. The petition calls for a transparent process involving the prime minister, Leader of the Opposition, and Chief Justice of India. The PIL contends that the CAG's role as a watchdog over government finances requires a fair and non-arbitrary appointment procedure.

Parliament passes bill to ban strikes by essential defence services

Parliament passes bill to ban strikes by essential defence services

Rediff.com5 Aug 2021

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and some other members sought that the bill be referred to a standing committee for scrutiny.

AI-driven, deepfake-enabled cyberattacks to rise in 2025

AI-driven, deepfake-enabled cyberattacks to rise in 2025

Rediff.com4 Dec 2024

AI-driven and deepfake-enabled cyberattacks are anticipated to become increasingly prevalent in 2025 with sectors like healthcare and finance most prone targets, according to a recent report. The India Cyber Threat Report 2025 by the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) and Seqrite, spotlighted the evolving tactics of cybercriminals and the rise of AI-driven attacks as a major concern. "Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be used to develop highly sophisticated phishing campaigns utilising deepfake technology and personalised attack vectors, making them harder to detect.

Tim Cook Drops AI Truth Bomb: Adapt Or...

Tim Cook Drops AI Truth Bomb: Adapt Or...

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

As the Apple CEO put it to his staff, the choice is stark: Adopt AI or risk being left behind. The same applies to everyone preparing for the future of work.

43 killed, 37 missing as rains ravage Himachal Pradesh

43 killed, 37 missing as rains ravage Himachal Pradesh

Rediff.com4 Jul 2025

Monsoon hit the state on June 20 and has since then cost it Rs 5,000 crore in damages.

Govt moves bill in LS to ban strikes by essential defence services

Govt moves bill in LS to ban strikes by essential defence services

Rediff.com22 Jul 2021

The Essential Defence Services Bill, 2021, introduced by Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt amid din created by the Opposition over three new agri laws and the alleged Pegasus snooping controversy, seeks to replace an ordinance issued in June.

Is Telangana Headed For Bankruptcy?

Is Telangana Headed For Bankruptcy?

Rediff.com11 Jul 2025

Experts say the state's economy is grappling with hidden debt, rising welfare costs, and lack of transparency.

Check rumours on shortage of essentials: MHA to states

Check rumours on shortage of essentials: MHA to states

Rediff.com25 Mar 2020

In a communication to chief secretaries and director generals of police of all states, the ministry asked them to take action to allay apprehensions and maintain peace and tranquillity, and inform people about the availability of food, medicine and other essential commodities.

Hospitals Boost IT Spend to Fight Cyber Threats

Hospitals Boost IT Spend to Fight Cyber Threats

Rediff.com20 Jun 2025

The growing caution among hospitals is being driven by a rise in double-extortion ransomware attacks, AI-enabled phishing, deepfake fraud, and vulnerabilities in connected medical devices.

Covid surge: States told to ensure availability of oxygen, beds

Covid surge: States told to ensure availability of oxygen, beds

Rediff.com4 Jun 2025

All states have been instructed to ensure availability of oxygen, isolation beds, ventilators and essential medicines in view of rising cases of Covid, official sources said on Wednesday.

Public life likely to be hit as over 25 crore workers call 'Bharat Bandh' on Wednesday

Public life likely to be hit as over 25 crore workers call 'Bharat Bandh' on Wednesday

Rediff.com8 Jul 2025

More than 25 crore workers engaged in sectors ranging from banking, insurance, postal to coal mining, highway and construction are expected to go on a nationwide general strike on Wednesday, potentially disrupting services across the country. A forum of 10 central trade unions and their associates has called for a general strike or 'Bharat Bandh' to "oppose the anti-worker, anti-farmer and anti-national pro-corporate policies of the government".

Gaganyaan To Head To Space In Early 2027

Gaganyaan To Head To Space In Early 2027

Rediff.com25 Aug 2025

The Human-rated LVM3 vehicle, the Crew Escape System and the Crew Module and Service Module are all in final stages of testing and integration.

How To Pick Best Senior Citizen Policy

How To Pick Best Senior Citizen Policy

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

'As we get older, our health risks increase, and this makes health insurance significantly more expensive for seniors.'

'India-China Won't Go Back To What It Was'

'India-China Won't Go Back To What It Was'

Rediff.com4 Sep 2025

'What's currently underway is not a 'reset'.' 'What needs to be arrived at is a new balance.'

Nationwide strike over labour reforms, MSP may hit key sectors

Nationwide strike over labour reforms, MSP may hit key sectors

Rediff.com8 Jul 2025

Over 25 crore workers across India are set to strike against new labour codes and privatisation, potentially disrupting banking, postal, and other essential services.

A New Way To Retire Gracefully

A New Way To Retire Gracefully

Rediff.com3 Sep 2025

This isn't just a home for the elderly. It's a place where life stories, generations, and cultures weave themselves into something quietly extraordinary, discovers Nitin Sathe.

Doctor's murder: Protest enters Day 3, hospital services remain affected

Doctor's murder: Protest enters Day 3, hospital services remain affected

Rediff.com14 Aug 2024

Long queues were seen at outpatient department ticket counters in government hospitals, where senior doctors joined their junior colleagues in the protest.

Rajya Sabha sets record with second-longest sitting in history

Rajya Sabha sets record with second-longest sitting in history

Rediff.com4 Apr 2025

The Rajya Sabha, India's upper house of parliament, witnessed its second-longest sitting in history on Thursday, lasting until 4:02 am the next day. The House convened to clear the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and approve the statutory resolution on the imposition of President's Rule in Manipur. The longest sitting in Rajya Sabha history occurred on September 17, 1981, when the House sat until 4:43 am to pass the Essential Services Maintenance Bill.

50% of Delhi govt staffers to work from home amid rising air pollution

50% of Delhi govt staffers to work from home amid rising air pollution

Rediff.com20 Nov 2024

The Delhi government has ordered half of its staff to work from home, urging private organizations to follow suit as the national capital faces an alarmingly high level of air pollution. The move comes as Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 426 in the "severe" category, with residents reporting health issues. Essential services will continue to operate at full capacity. The government has also advised companies to provide shuttle bus services for employees and suggested that private entities consider shifting office hours to reduce traffic congestion.

India's active Covid cases cross 6,000-mark; Kerala worst hit

India's active Covid cases cross 6,000-mark; Kerala worst hit

Rediff.com8 Jun 2025

Due to the rising COVID cases, the Centre is conducting mock drills to check facility-level preparedness and has instructed all states to ensure availability of oxygen, isolation beds, ventilators, and essential medicines, official sources had said.

Need to shift from fortnightly to real-time credit reporting: RBI DG

Need to shift from fortnightly to real-time credit reporting: RBI DG

Rediff.com3 Jul 2025

There is a need for real-time or near real-time credit reporting, instead of the current fortnightly system, to improve underwriting precision, enable timely reflection of borrower actions such as loan closures or repayments, and deliver a superior consumer experience, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), M Rajeshwar Rao said on Wednesday.

Top 10 Careers in Arts and Humanities After Class 12

Top 10 Careers in Arts and Humanities After Class 12

Rediff.com9 Jun 2025

From event planning to digital arts, career coach Nayagam PP offers a list of exciting courses you can pursue after Class 12.

Over 5,000 Covid cases in India, most affected state is...

Over 5,000 Covid cases in India, most affected state is...

Rediff.com6 Jun 2025

India's active Covid case tally crossed the 5,000 mark with Kerala remaining the most affected state followed by Gujarat, West Bengal and Delhi, according to the Union health ministry data released on Friday.

Kolhapur: Thousands march to bring back Mahadevi from Vantara

Kolhapur: Thousands march to bring back Mahadevi from Vantara

Rediff.com3 Aug 2025

Thousands of people participated in a 'silent march' in Kolhapur on Sunday, demanding that 36-year-old female elephant Mahadevi (also called Madhuri), be brought back from Vantara wildlife rescue, treatment, and rehabilitation centre in Gujarat's Jamnagar district.

'Competition in India is Absolutely Fierce': Uber GM

'Competition in India is Absolutely Fierce': Uber GM

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

'Unless we consistently show up with the right cars, at the right time, priced fairly, we risk becoming irrelevant very quickly.'

No other fixes or solutions...: India on war in Gaza

No other fixes or solutions...: India on war in Gaza

Rediff.com24 Jul 2025

"Intermittent pauses in hostilities are not enough to address the scale of humanitarian challenges confronting the people, who grapple daily with acute shortages of food and fuel, inadequate medical services and lack of access to education," Harish said at the open debate on the 'Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question'.

The 'Turram Khan' Who Could Be India's Next VP

The 'Turram Khan' Who Could Be India's Next VP

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

'His willingness to take the initiative to fight for truth and justice and his willingness to cross swords with anyone for a just cause.'

Israel ready to launch operation in Iran, US withdraws personnel

Israel ready to launch operation in Iran, US withdraws personnel

Rediff.com12 Jun 2025

This is part of the reason the US advised some Americans to leave the region earlier Wednesday, with the State Department ordering non-emergency government officials to exit Iraq due to 'heightened regional tensions', CBS News reported.

'Pakistan Can't Afford To Annoy America'

'Pakistan Can't Afford To Annoy America'

Rediff.com11 Aug 2025

'America holds about 16% of IMF voting rights, giving it crucial influence over Pakistan's desperately needed bailout loans.'

MeitY Probes Indian Data Leak In Global Breach

MeitY Probes Indian Data Leak In Global Breach

Rediff.com30 Jun 2025

'Given the proportion of the global leak, it is very likely that the data of Indian citizens might be on the dataset.'

Smog engulfs Delhi as air quality drops to 'very poor'

Smog engulfs Delhi as air quality drops to 'very poor'

Rediff.com22 Oct 2024

This deterioration in air quality led to prompting enforcement of Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the national capital.

Govt empowers COAS to call Territorial Army for help

Govt empowers COAS to call Territorial Army for help

Rediff.com9 May 2025

The central government has empowered the Army Chief to call out 'every officer and every enrolled person' of the Territorial Army (TA) to provide for essential guard or to be embodied to support or supplement the regular Army.

AI Hiring Remains a Challenge in India

AI Hiring Remains a Challenge in India

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

Companies typically face challenges in recruiting candidates who are skilled in AI, machine learning and generative artificial intelligence though they have hundreds of vacancies.

'Short-Term Panic Influences Investor Behaviour'

'Short-Term Panic Influences Investor Behaviour'

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

'Investors who remain calm, consistent, and disciplined through short-term volatility are usually the ones who benefit most in the long run.'

Beyond 9 to 5: The Bike Taxi Hustle

Beyond 9 to 5: The Bike Taxi Hustle

Rediff.com9 Jul 2025

Rising inflation and stagnant wages are forcing a number of salaried professionals to venture into the bike taxi service as part-time riders.