News for 'government initiative'

Crude falls back to Feb levels: What is stopping a fuel price cut?

Crude falls back to Feb levels: What is stopping a fuel price cut?

Rediff.com25 Jun 2026

Global oil prices fell on Thursday to their lowest levels since before the outbreak of the Iran conflict, offering a significant economic tailwind for India, the world's third-largest crude importer, by easing inflation risks, reducing the import bill and improving the government's fiscal position.

Kerala To End Political Parole, Focus On Inmate Rights And Reforms

Kerala To End Political Parole, Focus On Inmate Rights And Reforms

Rediff.com9 Jun 2026

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala announced that parole would not be granted or extended on political grounds, assuring that eligible prisoners' legitimate rights would be protected. He highlighted ongoing prison reforms aimed at improving rehabilitation, welfare measures, and administration, including plans to amend the prison manual and strengthen security.

Scolded by Mamata, Bengal TMC chief quits, may join rebels

Scolded by Mamata, Bengal TMC chief quits, may join rebels

Rediff.com4 Jul 2026

Senior Trinamool Congress leader Chandrima Bhattacharya has resigned as the party's West Bengal president and from all other posts, citing a loss of trust after an admonishment from Mamata Banerjee. She has since been seen meeting with the Ritabrata Banerjee-led rebel faction, further deepening the organisational crisis within the TMC following its recent Assembly election defeat.

Muslim woman performs last rites of Hindu man in Kerala

Muslim woman performs last rites of Hindu man in Kerala

Rediff.com27 Jun 2026

In a heartwarming act of compassion, Irfana Iqbal, a Muslim panchayat member in Kasaragod, Kerala, performed the last rites of an abandoned Hindu man, Narayanan, according to his customs after his family refused to claim his body. Her selfless act, driven by the belief that humanity transcends religion, has garnered widespread appreciation.

Hezbollah rejects Israel-Lebanon truce, vows to fight

Hezbollah rejects Israel-Lebanon truce, vows to fight

Rediff.com28 Jun 2026

In a statement issued following the announcement of the US-mediated deal, Qassem characterised the agreement as a 'humiliating' and 'shameful' surrender of Lebanese sovereignty that prioritises Israeli and American dictates over the nation's independence.

Want To Study At Melbourne University?

Want To Study At Melbourne University?

Rediff.com22 Jun 2026

'We're doing a lot of work around work-integrated learning, providing students with every opportunity to take at least part of their education as a practical work-based experience.'

Adani Group And Embraer Choose Dholera For Regional Jet Assembly

Adani Group And Embraer Choose Dholera For Regional Jet Assembly

Rediff.com16 Jun 2026

Adani Group and Brazilian aerospace firm Embraer have selected Dholera, Gujarat, as the location for a final assembly line for Embraer's regional jets. This strategic collaboration, formalised by an MoU in January, aims to boost India's Regional Transport Aircraft programme and align with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and UDAN scheme. Embraer sees immense potential in the Indian market across various aviation segments.

Tender Scam Blows Lid Off Bihar Corruption

Tender Scam Blows Lid Off Bihar Corruption

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

'As the Bihar government's focus is on development and infrastructure projects worth thousands of crores, Rishu Sinha created a network to pay a decent commission to government officials for securing tenders.'

FIR against Mamata Banerjee for 'provocative remarks'

FIR against Mamata Banerjee for 'provocative remarks'

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

An FIR has been registered against former West Bengal chief minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee for allegedly making provocative remarks during the last assembly poll campaign, with a complaint stating her comments were 'capable of promoting enmity between communities'.

Want To Make India's Heaviest Rocket, LVM3?

Want To Make India's Heaviest Rocket, LVM3?

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

The EoI comes at a time when ISRO is working to enhance LVM3's payload capacity to five tonnes in GTO and is also evaluating the procurement of a Russian semi-cryogenic engine for the vehicle's second stage.

Indian Firms Gain Access To Anthropic's Mythos AI For Cybersecurity

Indian Firms Gain Access To Anthropic's Mythos AI For Cybersecurity

Rediff.com6 Jun 2026

Indian government agencies and private sector firms have secured access to Anthropic's advanced AI model, Mythos, through Project Glasswing. This initiative aims to enhance cybersecurity by identifying software vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. Anthropic has also urged a moderated pace of AI development due to potential societal risks.

Mukesh Ambani Calls On Engineers To Build AI For India

Mukesh Ambani Calls On Engineers To Build AI For India

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, has called upon India's engineering talent to spearhead Jio's ambitious artificial intelligence initiative. He emphasized India's role as a creator and global leader in AI, not just a consumer, outlining the execution phase of Reliance Intelligence with partnerships and a focus on developing affordable, language-fluent AI for all Indians.

India's fertiliser subsidy bill set to double to Rs 3.4 trillion in FY27

India's fertiliser subsidy bill set to double to Rs 3.4 trillion in FY27

Rediff.com17 Jun 2026

India's Central government is likely to see its fertiliser subsidy bill double to a record 3.4 trillion in FY27, up from the Budget estimate of 1.7 trillion, due to surging global fertiliser prices exacerbated by the West Asia war. This significant increase, coupled with revenue losses from excise duty cuts for oil-marketing companies, is straining the government's fiscal space, though capital expenditure plans remain unchanged.

Maharashtra TET 2026 exam postponed day before test over paper leak

Maharashtra TET 2026 exam postponed day before test over paper leak

Rediff.com27 Jun 2026

The Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) 2026 in Maharashtra has been postponed following a raid in Bhiwandi, Thane, where individuals were found with questions matching the actual exam paper. The Maharashtra State Council of Examination (MSCE) confirmed the breach and initiated a thorough investigation, registering a criminal case. The postponement aims to ensure transparency and allow law enforcement to probe the malpractice racket.

Keir Starmer resigns as British PM, Andy Burnham likely successor

Keir Starmer resigns as British PM, Andy Burnham likely successor

Rediff.com22 Jun 2026

British Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer has announced his resignation, stating he will remain in post until a successor is elected by mid-July. The decision follows questions from his parliamentary party regarding his leadership for the next general election, with Andy Burnham widely tipped as a potential successor.

How UP Boosted Sugarcane Farmers' Income

How UP Boosted Sugarcane Farmers' Income

Rediff.com14 May 2026

The Uttar Pradesh government announced it has paid a record Rs 3,21,963 crore to sugarcane growers since 2017, emphasising on-time payments and direct transfers to farmers' accounts. The government highlighted initiatives like farm loan waivers and the 'Smart Ganna Kisan' system for online sugarcane management.

Mumbai Cricket Association Seeks Government Support for Mega-Stadium Project

Mumbai Cricket Association Seeks Government Support for Mega-Stadium Project

Rediff.com2 Apr 2026

The Mumbai Cricket Association is working with the Maharashtra state government to accelerate the development of a new 100,000-capacity cricket stadium in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Kerala MLA Identifies Ex-CM's Security In Assault Case

Kerala MLA Identifies Ex-CM's Security In Assault Case

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

Alappuzha MLA A D Thomas and five others have identified former security personnel of then Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as alleged assailants of Youth Congress workers during the 2023 Nava Kerala Sadas programme. The identification occurred at the Crime Branch office, with Thomas expressing concerns about the investigation being derailed despite a new SIT being formed under the Congress-led UDF government, which has invoked a more serious charge of attempt to commit culpable homicide.

Why Indian Politicians Fear Youth Dissent

Why Indian Politicians Fear Youth Dissent

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

CBSE exams and unemployment are divergent concerns for the middle class and the poor, and the idioms of protest don't speak to all of India's young people, points out Kanika Datta.

10 Black Comedies You Must Watch

10 Black Comedies You Must Watch

Rediff.com7 Jul 2026

From Mollywood Times to Mohiniyattam, these black comedies from South Cinema prove that the darkest humour can also deliver the sharpest entertainment.

FIFA World Cup: Seattle's LGBTQ community to turn Egypt-Iran tie into pride statement

FIFA World Cup: Seattle's LGBTQ community to turn Egypt-Iran tie into pride statement

Rediff.com24 Jun 2026

Seattle's LGBTQ community members say they hope that this Friday's World Cup "Pride Match" between Egypt and Iran, two countries where homosexuality is criminalised, can be an opportunity to change minds.

Modi Has Transformed The Vocabulary Of Indian Politics

Modi Has Transformed The Vocabulary Of Indian Politics

Rediff.com10 Jun 2026

Few leaders since Independence have been able to establish such a direct connection with the electorate or shape the national conversation to the extent that Narendra Modi has done over the past decade, points out former Union minister Dr Karan Singh.

Dowry Death Case: Police Seek Cancellation Of Ex-Judge's Bail

Dowry Death Case: Police Seek Cancellation Of Ex-Judge's Bail

Rediff.com22 May 2026

Madhya Pradesh police have issued a final notice to ex-judge Giribala Singh in connection with her daughter-in-law's death, allegedly due to dowry harassment. The government has also initiated a probe into whether Singh can continue as chairperson of the consumer court.

Queen Maxima Praises India's Digital Infrastructure For Financial Health

Queen Maxima Praises India's Digital Infrastructure For Financial Health

Rediff.com23 Jun 2026

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, the UN Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Financial Health, visited Mumbai to understand India's digital public infrastructure, including UPI and AI, in improving financial health for salaried individuals. She interacted with healthcare professionals and SalarySe leaders, praising India's advancements in financial inclusion and technology's role in empowering individuals.

How Garuda Aerospace Is Expanding Its Global Drone Footprint

How Garuda Aerospace Is Expanding Its Global Drone Footprint

Rediff.com16 Jun 2026

Indian drone startup Garuda Aerospace has partnered with Extensee SAS to deploy Airbus' Flexrotor unmanned aerial vehicles internationally. This collaboration aims to leverage Extensee's operational expertise for various long-range autonomous missions, expanding Garuda Aerospace's Drone-as-a-Service offerings globally.

Lucknow fire: Building got demolition order in 2016, revoked within 2 months

Lucknow fire: Building got demolition order in 2016, revoked within 2 months

Rediff.com23 Jun 2026

A tragic fire in Lucknow that claimed 15 lives occurred in a commercial building that had a demolition order issued in 2016 due to unauthorised construction. The order was controversially revoked less than two months later, raising serious questions about the circumstances surrounding the decision. The building, originally allotted for residential use, was later found to have unauthorised commercial construction.

Gold Imports Fall After Duty Hike

Gold Imports Fall After Duty Hike

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

Monthly gold imports have declined to 25-30 tonnes from 70-80 tonnes while recycling of old jewellery has increased following the recent hike in import duties.

How Gujarat Police Cracked Down On Cyber Fraud

How Gujarat Police Cracked Down On Cyber Fraud

Rediff.com1 Jun 2026

Gujarat police have uncovered cyber frauds worth Rs 2,289 crore and arrested 638 individuals as part of 'Operation Mule Account 1.0', a state-wide crackdown on online criminals launched in 2025.

Winning Bengal Was The Hard Part For The BJP... Governing It May Prove Even Harder

Winning Bengal Was The Hard Part For The BJP... Governing It May Prove Even Harder

Rediff.com5 May 2026

A BJP government in Bengal inherits more problems than it might care to admit at its moment of triumph, points out Ramesh Menon

Government Penalises Companies for CSR Violations

Government Penalises Companies for CSR Violations

Rediff.com17 Mar 2026

The Indian government has imposed penalties totalling nearly 20 crore on various companies for non-compliance with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) norms over the past three financial years, as revealed in the Rajya Sabha.

Sarvam AI becomes unicorn with $234 million Series B funding, HCLTech acquires 10.46% stake

Sarvam AI becomes unicorn with $234 million Series B funding, HCLTech acquires 10.46% stake

Rediff.com16 Jun 2026

Sarvam AI, an Indian full-stack sovereign artificial intelligence company, has achieved unicorn status after raising $234 million in a Series B funding round led by HCLTech and Bessemer Venture Partners, with HCLTech acquiring a 10.46 per cent stake.

Militant Drone Attack Injures Seven Policemen In Pakistan

Militant Drone Attack Injures Seven Policemen In Pakistan

Rediff.com10 Jun 2026

Seven policemen were injured in a drone strike by unidentified militants on their convoy in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The attack occurred during an anti-militant operation, and security forces have launched a search. The government often blames the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan for such incidents.

Militant Drone Attack Injures Seven Policemen In Pakistan

Militant Drone Attack Injures Seven Policemen In Pakistan

Rediff.com10 Jun 2026

Seven policemen were injured in a drone strike by unidentified militants on their convoy in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The attack occurred during an anti-militant operation, and security forces have launched a search. The government often blames the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan for such incidents.

How Haryana's Auto-Mutation System Is Revolutionising Land Records

How Haryana's Auto-Mutation System Is Revolutionising Land Records

Rediff.com9 Jun 2026

Haryana has significantly reformed its land records administration, reducing pending mutation cases by over 90% and implementing an auto-mutation system. This digitisation effort aims to make land management faster, more transparent, and technology-driven, improving efficiency and public trust.

3 missing Indian seafarers killed in US strike on ship off Oman coast

3 missing Indian seafarers killed in US strike on ship off Oman coast

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the deaths of three Indian seafarers who were initially reported missing from the Palau-flagged MT Settebello. India has protested to the US over the attack on the commercial vessel, which the US Central Command stated was due to the vessel attempting to transport oil from Iran, violating a blockade.

Direct Tax Collection Jumps 15% to Rs 5.21 Trillion in First 2.5 Months of FY27

Direct Tax Collection Jumps 15% to Rs 5.21 Trillion in First 2.5 Months of FY27

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

India's net direct tax collection has seen a robust 15 per cent increase, reaching approximately 5.21 trillion in the first two and a half months of FY27, as on June 17, driven by strong growth in both corporate and non-corporate tax segments.

TMC leader Jahangir Khan's wife arrested over police station attack

TMC leader Jahangir Khan's wife arrested over police station attack

Rediff.com20 Jun 2026

Regina Bibi, wife of TMC leader Jahangir Khan, has been arrested for allegedly masterminding a violent attempt to free him from police custody and leading an attack on the Falta police station earlier this month.

Cricket Australia allows 'Free Imran Khan' T-shirt after initial ban at Sheffield Shield final

Cricket Australia allows 'Free Imran Khan' T-shirt after initial ban at Sheffield Shield final

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

A cricket fan was initially denied entry to the Sheffield Shield final for wearing a 'Free Imran Khan' T-shirt, but Cricket Australia later reversed its decision, classifying it as a humanitarian issue.

NSE IPO: Draft Papers Likely Next Week After Decade-Long Delay

NSE IPO: Draft Papers Likely Next Week After Decade-Long Delay

Rediff.com14 Jun 2026

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) is expected to file its preliminary IPO papers with Sebi next week, marking a significant step forward for the long-awaited public offering which has been delayed for nearly a decade due to regulatory issues.

NSE IPO Set To Mint Fortunes

NSE IPO Set To Mint Fortunes

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

With momentum building around the IPO, the NSE saw a surge in retail investors in the last two years, making it one of the widely traded stocks in the unlisted market.