News for 'government'

Boos, cheers and fireworks mark Milan Olympics opener

Boos, cheers and fireworks mark Milan Olympics opener

Rediff.com7 Feb 2026

The Milano Cortina Winter Olympics commenced with a vibrant opening ceremony, showcasing Italian culture and athletic spirit, while also highlighting global political tensions through crowd reactions and protests.

Can't compel: SC allows termination of minor's 30-week pregnancy

Can't compel: SC allows termination of minor's 30-week pregnancy

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

The Supreme Court of India has allowed a 17-year-old girl to terminate her 30-week pregnancy, emphasizing that courts cannot force a woman, especially a minor, to continue an unwanted pregnancy.

Ajit Pawar plane crash: Maha local polls rescheduled due to mourning

Ajit Pawar plane crash: Maha local polls rescheduled due to mourning

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

Voting for zilla parishads and panchayat samitis in Maharashtra has been rescheduled to February 7 due to a three-day mourning period declared after the death of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar.

Sitharaman's 85-minute Budget speech skips poetry, not focus

Sitharaman's 85-minute Budget speech skips poetry, not focus

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her ninth consecutive Union Budget, focusing on investments and growth. The speech was marked by its business-like approach and lack of cultural references, while opposition members raised concerns about regional representation.

New baggage rules come into effect; duty-free limit hiked

New baggage rules come into effect; duty-free limit hiked

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

The new baggage rules, 2026, come into effect from midnight on February 2 and replace a decade-old baggage rule.

Bareilly magistrate Alankar Agnihotri resigns over UGC rules, alleges 'anti-Brahmin campaign' in UP

Bareilly magistrate Alankar Agnihotri resigns over UGC rules, alleges 'anti-Brahmin campaign' in UP

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government has suspended Bareilly City Magistrate Alankar Agnihotri on charges of indiscipline after he resigned from service in protest against government policies.

India, US To Issue Joint Statement On Trade Deal

India, US To Issue Joint Statement On Trade Deal

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

'Based on the joint statement, a formal agreement will be drafted, which may take a month or month-and-a-half to finalise. We aim to sign the formal agreement by mid-March.'

Nirmala Sitharaman: 'Prime Minister Modi Does Not Tolerate Gaming Of The System'

Nirmala Sitharaman: 'Prime Minister Modi Does Not Tolerate Gaming Of The System'

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

'Grassroots-level corruption, which disrupts the last-mile work, cannot be ignored in your enthusiasm and drive to get going to complete the project.' 'Like it was in MGNREGA, in some states, it is the case with the Jal Jeevan mission.' 'The last minute levels of corruption can ruin the intent of the project itself.' 'When you see that people can game a particular well-intended and well-crafted project, you need to correct that.'

Wanted to play, but this is govt's decision: BCB

Wanted to play, but this is govt's decision: BCB

Rediff.com25 Jan 2026

Bangladesh Cricket Board maintain they were willing to play the T20 World Cup in India but were overruled by the government, forcing their exit from the tournament.

Unpaid highway tolls to block fitness certificate, NOC for vehicles

Unpaid highway tolls to block fitness certificate, NOC for vehicles

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

As per the amended rules, an NOC for transfer of ownership or transfer of a vehicle from one state to another will not be granted until any unpaid user fee is cleared.

Opposition welcomes SC stay on UGC equity regulations; targets BJP

Opposition welcomes SC stay on UGC equity regulations; targets BJP

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

The Supreme Court's stay on the UGC equity regulations aimed at preventing caste-based discrimination on campuses has been met with mixed reactions. Opposition parties welcomed the decision, while some expressed concern over the implications for marginalized communities.

MHA gets Rs 2.55 lakh cr as Budget sharpens focus on internal security

MHA gets Rs 2.55 lakh cr as Budget sharpens focus on internal security

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The Union Budget 2025-26 had allocated Rs 2,33,210.68 crore (BE) to the ministry helmed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

EFI sends rape-accused EC member as coach to Jordan

EFI sends rape-accused EC member as coach to Jordan

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

The naming of rape-accused Col (Retd) Tarsem Singh Warraich for an overseas assignment has yet again brought the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) under the scanner, even as the Sports Ministry, in an unrelated development, has issued a show-cause notice to the federation over prolonged governance and compliance failures.

'GST rate cuts are beginning to translate into higher consumption'

'GST rate cuts are beginning to translate into higher consumption'

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

'Despite a challenging FMCG environment, ITC Foods has grown at or above the industry rate.'

Kamra, Andhare to face privileges committee over Shinde remarks

Kamra, Andhare to face privileges committee over Shinde remarks

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

Maharashtra legislative council's privileges committee has summoned comedian Kunal Kamra and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare for a hearing over alleged insulting remarks against Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The hearing has been rescheduled to February 17 after both expressed their inability to attend the initial date.

Probe into authenticity of resigned GST official's disability certificate

Probe into authenticity of resigned GST official's disability certificate

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

An investigation has been launched into the authenticity of the disability certificate of Prashant Kumar Singh, who resigned as GST Deputy Commissioner in protest against remarks made against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The probe was initiated following a complaint filed in 2021.

Suspended MPs: 7 Rahul Loyalists, 1 Marxist

Suspended MPs: 7 Rahul Loyalists, 1 Marxist

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

8 Member of Parliaments were suspended from Lok Sabha for tearing & throwing papers at the Chair till April 2. Uproar started when Rahul Gandhi was barred from citing former Army Chief, General M M Naravane's memoir on 2020 India-China clash. Rediff.com brings you the details of these MPs who were suspended.

'Unprecedented': Lok Sabha approves Prez speech without PM's reply

'Unprecedented': Lok Sabha approves Prez speech without PM's reply

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

The Congress recalled that on June 10, 2004, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was prevented by the BJP from speaking on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address.

India-US Deal Shields Farmers

India-US Deal Shields Farmers

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

New Delhi will substantially reduce tariffs on industrial and agricultural goods while continuing to protect sensitive sectors. Tariffs on some agricultural products that are not traditionally considered sensitive will be brought down to zero, while in the case of relatively sensitive items, duties will be reduced in a graded manner and quotas will be imposed.

Australia arrive in Pakistan for 3-match T20I series

Australia arrive in Pakistan for 3-match T20I series

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Australia arrive in Pakistan for three-match T20I series ahead of T20 World Cup

Ambitious, futuristic: PM Modi lauds Sitharaman's 9th Budget

Ambitious, futuristic: PM Modi lauds Sitharaman's 9th Budget

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Reiterating Sitharaman's statement that this is a youth power budget, Modi emphasised that the provisions made in the budget will prepare leaders, innovators and creators across different sectors.

T20 World Cup: SKY Praises Gambhir For...

T20 World Cup: SKY Praises Gambhir For...

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

'The atmosphere he has created in the team -- he has tried to infuse a culture of playing for the team and not focusing on personal milestones.'

Budget 2026: VB-G RAM G gets Rs 95,000 cr; MGNREGA Rs 30,000 cr

Budget 2026: VB-G RAM G gets Rs 95,000 cr; MGNREGA Rs 30,000 cr

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The total expenditure on the MGNREGA programme, as per the revised estimates from 2025-26, was Rs 88,000 crore, while initially, a sum of Rs 86,000 crore was allocated.

Govt-Oppn tussle flares up in Lok Sabha; 8 MPs suspended

Govt-Oppn tussle flares up in Lok Sabha; 8 MPs suspended

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

The House has been witnessing uproar after Rahul Gandhi was disallowed to cite an article based on excerpts from an unpublished 'memoir' of former Army chief General M M Naravane (retd).

Why Saudi Arabia Is Livid With The UAE

Why Saudi Arabia Is Livid With The UAE

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

What began as a mentor-protege relationship between UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has now evolved into a broader contest over influence, strategy, and leadership in the Middle East, points out Asif Ullah Khan.

Realty to get indirect push from Budget proposals

Realty to get indirect push from Budget proposals

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

The government's Budget announcements providing tax holiday for data centres, setting up of city economic regions (CERs) and funding to improve infrastructure in Tier-II and -III cities may give an indirect boost to India's realty sector, said industry executives.

'Have Muslims Faced Problems In Maharashtra?'

'Have Muslims Faced Problems In Maharashtra?'

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

'We have given riot-free Maharashtra in our 18-month rule.'

'No Prime Minister Orders Military Attacks'

'No Prime Minister Orders Military Attacks'

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

'Critics say the political leadership abandoned the army chief or did not back him. I disagree. 'Military leaders are trained to take decisions when given a free hand.' 'This was a clear go-ahead from the prime minister to the army chief.'

Don't Expect Tax Relief In This Budget!

Don't Expect Tax Relief In This Budget!

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

After the last Budget's announcement of a major tax relief for those earning an annual salary of less than Rs 12 lakh, there is not much that individuals can look forward to in the forthcoming Budget, points out A K Bhattacharya.

Bowed our head, lost self-respect: Pakistan PM on loans

Bowed our head, lost self-respect: Pakistan PM on loans

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Seeking foreign loan had forced Pakistan to 'bow' its head and make compromises at the 'cost of self-respect', Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said in a candid admission about the humiliation involved in approaching 'friendly countries' for financial aid.

'T20 is thrilling, but base of game is Test cricket'

'T20 is thrilling, but base of game is Test cricket'

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Kapil backs India in T20s, stresses focus on Test cricket

National churches body moves SC against anti-conversion law in 12 states

National churches body moves SC against anti-conversion law in 12 states

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre and 12 states on a PIL challenging the validity of their anti-conversion laws. The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) filed the PIL, seeking a stay on the operation of these laws.

Sunetra Pawar set to become Maha's first woman deputy CM

Sunetra Pawar set to become Maha's first woman deputy CM

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Sunetra Pawar, widow of late Ajit Pawar, is set to be sworn in as Maharashtra's first woman Deputy Chief Minister, replacing her husband in the state cabinet. Her appointment follows a meeting of the NCP legislature wing where she is expected to be named as its leader.

T20 World Cup: 'Pakistan knows it can't win against India'

T20 World Cup: 'Pakistan knows it can't win against India'

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

Pakistan are avoiding playing against India because they are aware they can't win against them, said 1983 World Cup winning all-rounder Kirti Azad.

What Happens To NCP After Ajit Pawar's Death?

What Happens To NCP After Ajit Pawar's Death?

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

With Ajit Pawar's passing, the 40 MLAs who remain will now have to decide whether they want to continue in Mahayuti in the company of the BJP and Shiv Sena -- or return to the Sharad Pawar fold.

Worker from Bihar, son murdered in Chennai, wife sexually assaulted

Worker from Bihar, son murdered in Chennai, wife sexually assaulted

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

Three people have been arrested in Chennai in connection with the murder of a migrant worker from Bihar, his wife, and their two-year-old son. The investigation revealed a sexual assault and subsequent killings.

'Money Comes Only When Markets Do Well'

'Money Comes Only When Markets Do Well'

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

'Given that India underperformed emerging markets by 28 per cent in 2025, the worst performance in over 30 years, the timing of the sharp STT hike could have been better.'

Outlay on electronics manufacturing hiked to Rs 40,000 crore

Outlay on electronics manufacturing hiked to Rs 40,000 crore

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday proposed to increase the outlay on electronics manufacturing to Rs 40,000 crore in the 2026-27 fiscal year.

Ahead of Modi's reply, Lok Sabha adjourned amid disruption

Ahead of Modi's reply, Lok Sabha adjourned amid disruption

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

Just ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reply to the debate on Motion of Thanks on the President's Address, the Chair adjourned the House for the day soon after it reassembled at 5 pm.

What Budget 2026 Means For Taxpayers

What Budget 2026 Means For Taxpayers

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

The Budget offers a limited-time regularisation window with clear thresholds, defined payments, and immunity from penalty or prosecution.