News for 'legislative business'

Govt to introduce 16 bills, but election results likely to cast shadow on winter session

Govt to introduce 16 bills, but election results likely to cast shadow on winter session

Rediff.com6 Dec 2022

The results of the assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh are likely to play out during the winter session of Parliament beginning Wednesday.

Sharad Pawar not in Presidential race: NCP

Sharad Pawar not in Presidential race: NCP

Rediff.com14 Jun 2022

Pawar will not restrict himself to the Rashtrapati Bhavan," the minister from the NCP said.

Parliament's busy Winter Session: 23 days,81 Bills

Parliament's busy Winter Session: 23 days,81 Bills

Rediff.com18 Nov 2009

As many as 81 legislations have been lined up by the United Progressive Alliance government for the Winter Session of Parliament beginning on Thursday. However, with only 23 working days till the Lok Sabha winds up on December 21, the fate of several such legislations remains doubtful.The government will also push for the passage of six of the ten Bills pending in the Lok Sabha and 13 of the 36 Bills pending in the Rajya Sabha.

Yogi tells police to activate anti-Romeo squads for Navratras

Yogi tells police to activate anti-Romeo squads for Navratras

Rediff.com1 Apr 2022

Additional chief secretary (information) Navneet Sehgal on Friday said the Mission Shakti will also start on April 10.

Retro Tax: Cairn drops lawsuits in US, UK

Retro Tax: Cairn drops lawsuits in US, UK

Rediff.com26 Dec 2021

Britain's Cairn Energy Plc has dropped lawsuits against the Indian government and its entities in the US and other places and is in the final stages of withdrawing cases in Paris and the Netherlands to get back about Rs 7,900 crore that were collected from it to enforce a retrospective tax demand. As part of the settlement reached with the government to the seven-year old dispute over levy of back taxes, the company - which is now known as Capricorn Energy PLC - has initiated proceedings to withdraw lawsuits it had filed in several jurisdictions to enforce an international arbitration award which had overturned levy of Rs 10,247 crore retrospective taxes and ordered India to refund the money already collected. Two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said Cairn on November 26 withdrew the lawsuit it had brought in Mauritius for recognition of the arbitration award and took similar measures in courts in Singapore, the UK and Canada.

Celebrity endorsement becomes a risky business

Celebrity endorsement becomes a risky business

Rediff.com9 Jun 2016

The call to make brand ambassadors accountable has rattled filmstars and sports stars.

Kapil Sibal's new platform 'Insaaf' to fight 'injustice' in India

Kapil Sibal's new platform 'Insaaf' to fight 'injustice' in India

Rediff.com4 Mar 2023

Alleging that a government working against the citizens is at the helm, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Saturday announced a new platform 'Insaaf' to fight 'injustice' prevailing in the country and called on everyone, including Opposition parties' chief ministers and leaders, to support him in his endeavour.

Fadnavis Missing As BJP Celebrates

Fadnavis Missing As BJP Celebrates

Rediff.com1 Jul 2022

A close aide of the former chief minister said he was busy holding meetings at his residence ahead of the two-day special session of the Maharashtra legislature from July 3.

Rubber Prices, The Church, BJP's Kerala Ambitions

Rubber Prices, The Church, BJP's Kerala Ambitions

Rediff.com10 Apr 2023

With elections elsewhere in India showing that multi-pronged contests usually work to the BJP's favour, the party can gain if it hangs on stubbornly. In the meantime, any additional support helps. That is why the archbishop's comment attracted political traction in Kerala, observes Shyam G Menon.

Call for ban on non-Hindu traders near K'taka temples spreads

Call for ban on non-Hindu traders near K'taka temples spreads

Rediff.com26 Mar 2022

Initially, banners were placed during the annual Kaup Marigudi festival in Udupi district, stating that non-Hindu vendors and traders should not be allowed entry.

21 die in Bihar hooch tragedy; triggers political slugfest

21 die in Bihar hooch tragedy; triggers political slugfest

Rediff.com14 Dec 2022

Sale and consumption of alcohol was completely banned in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government in April, 2016.

Parliament completes Budgetary exercise amid ruckus

Parliament completes Budgetary exercise amid ruckus

Rediff.com27 Mar 2023

First Rajya Sabha approved the Rs 45 lakh-crore spending proposed in the Budget, followed by the nod to the Finance Bill that contains tax proposals.

Fuel price rise issue washes out Parliament proceedings

Fuel price rise issue washes out Parliament proceedings

Rediff.com8 Mar 2021

Both Houses met for the first time in the second part of Budget Session and saw repeated adjournments as the Opposition continued protests.

'India is a great place to do business, come back. Jai Hind'

'India is a great place to do business, come back. Jai Hind'

Rediff.com13 Apr 2018

Businessman P C Mustafa wants Indian Americans to return home, Cognizant CEO Francisco D'Souza outlines how Indian tech companies could grow, Gaurav Dalmia has some investment recommendations while Subramanian Swamy warns that India is flirting with a debt trap.

Is Stalin Slipping Up In A Poll Year?

Is Stalin Slipping Up In A Poll Year?

Rediff.com28 Apr 2023

ndependent of the political fallout, which Stalin has sought to arrest through the withdrawal of the measures as fast as they were introduced, there are concerns about the way those decisions came to be taken, without adequate application of mind, not in official terms but in political and electoral contexts, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

Data protection bill: Govt hopes to pass new law by next Budget session

Data protection bill: Govt hopes to pass new law by next Budget session

Rediff.com4 Aug 2022

After withdrawing the personal data protection bill, the government is hopeful of getting a new legislation passed by the next Budget session of Parliament, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said. The government on Wednesday withdrew the Personal Data Protection Bill from the Lok Sabha. The Joint Committee on Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019, headed by BJP member P P Chaudhary, had tabled its report in Lok Sabha on December 16, 2021.

Govt hopes to pass new data protection law by Budget session

Govt hopes to pass new data protection law by Budget session

Rediff.com4 Aug 2022

After withdrawing the personal data protection bill, the government is hopeful of getting a new legislation passed by the next Budget session of Parliament, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said.

Soon you may not go to jail for bouncing a cheque

Soon you may not go to jail for bouncing a cheque

Rediff.com10 Jun 2020

The finance ministry has proposed to decriminalise a host of minor offences, including those relating to cheque bounce and repayment of loans, in as many as 19 legislations to help businesses tide over the crisis caused by the coronavirus outbreak. The 19 legislations include Negotiable Instruments Act (cheque bounce), SARFAESI Act (repayment of bank loans), LIC Act, PFRDA Act, RBI Act, NHB Act, Banking Regulation Act and Chit Funds Act.

AMU's Governance Structure Is Democratic, Not Divine

AMU's Governance Structure Is Democratic, Not Divine

Rediff.com18 Mar 2023

These self-appointed well-wishers of AMU are basically for the control or police model of university governance. They have no faith whatsoever in the democratic functioning of the universities, observes Faizan Mustafa, former dean, Faculty of Law, and Registrar, Aligarh Muslim University.

Govt to settle almost all retro-tax cases this month

Govt to settle almost all retro-tax cases this month

Rediff.com4 Feb 2022

The government will settle almost all the retrospective tax cases this month, closing a chapter that plagued India's reputation as an investment-friendly destination, a top official said on Friday. A 2012 amendment that gave taxmen powers to go back 50 years and slap capital gains levies wherever ownership had changed hands overseas but business assets were in India, was used to raise Rs 1.1 lakh crore demand against multi-nationals such as telecom group Vodafone, pharmaceuticals company Sanofi and brewer SABMiller, now owned by AB InBev, and Cairn Energy Plc. Such demands brought uncertainty in the minds of investors.

Amid border row, Karnataka resolution says 'won't cede an inch'

Amid border row, Karnataka resolution says 'won't cede an inch'

Rediff.com22 Dec 2022

The resolution which also condemned the border dispute 'created' by Maharashtra and moved by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, was adopted by a voice vote.

How CCI's Google orders impact innovation for apps

How CCI's Google orders impact innovation for apps

Rediff.com1 Nov 2022

As Google evaluates its response to two recent penalties slapped by the Competition Commission of India (CCI), here is a look at the app economy. Apps are bread and butter for mobile operating systems. India ranks second in the number of mobile downloads, with nearly 27 billion downloads in 2021, according to Deloitte. Accounting for 11.6 per cent of global app downloads, the Indian smartphone user spends over 4 hours a day on apps.

'We may lose a rupee now, but we will gain more later'

'We may lose a rupee now, but we will gain more later'

Rediff.com8 Sep 2021

'The kind of tax which will be generated from the second pillar may far outweigh what we may be losing in the first pillar.'

'Marathi manoos are not solidly with Shinde'

'Marathi manoos are not solidly with Shinde'

Rediff.com17 Nov 2022

The recent migration of marquee investments from Maharashtra to Gujarat seems to have rekindled the Marathi manoos sentiment.

Getting Laid Off? Know Your Rights

Getting Laid Off? Know Your Rights

Rediff.com1 Dec 2022

Companies today are taking a very fashionable way to reduce their workforce. Instead of the outright firing of employees, an alternative approach that some companies are using is the passive-aggressive method which is both deliberate and accidental, points out corporate lawyer Ishanee Sharma.

Cabinet rejig: Bommai fails to meet Shah during Delhi visit

Cabinet rejig: Bommai fails to meet Shah during Delhi visit

Rediff.com21 May 2022

The consultations during his visit revolved around the upcoming polls for Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council.

Kerala assembly adjourned sine die amid Oppn boycott over SilverLine stir

Kerala assembly adjourned sine die amid Oppn boycott over SilverLine stir

Rediff.com18 Mar 2022

The opposition also made it clear that they have taken over the state-wide protest against SilverLine and would continue the agitation till the government withdraws from the initiative which they termed as "destructive" for the southern state.

Republican Kevin McCarthy elected as House Speaker

Republican Kevin McCarthy elected as House Speaker

Rediff.com7 Jan 2023

Republican Kevin McCarthy was elected as the new speaker of the United States House of Representatives in a dramatic post-midnight ballot on Saturday, after days of intense negotiations and a series of humiliating defeats to finally capture the gavel on a historic 15th attempt.

Govt to amend 114-year-old the Indian Ports Act, bring in reforms

Govt to amend 114-year-old the Indian Ports Act, bring in reforms

Rediff.com19 Aug 2022

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has released a draft to amend the Indian Ports Act, 1908, which aims to bring in sweeping reforms in the sector by bringing non-major ports into the national fold, creating a new mechanism for resolution of disputes, and empowering maritime state development council (MSDC). The draft bill will see comments from stakeholders before being tabled in Parliament. "The Indian Ports Act, 1908 is more than 110 years old. It has become imperative that the Act is revamped to reflect the present-day frameworks, incorporate India's international obligations, address emerging environmental concerns, and aid the consultative development of the ports sector in the national interest," the shipping ministry said.

India pays Cairn Rs 7,900 cr to settle retro tax dispute

India pays Cairn Rs 7,900 cr to settle retro tax dispute

Rediff.com24 Feb 2022

The Indian government has paid Cairn Energy Plc Rs 7,900 crore to refund taxes it had collected to enforce a retrospective tax demand, ending a seven-year-old dispute that had tarred the country's image as an investment destination. The company, which is now known as Capricorn Energy PLC, in a statement said it has received "net proceeds of $1.06 billion", of which nearly 70 per cent will be returned to the shareholders. The tax department had used a 2012 legislation, which gave it powers to go back 50 years and slap capital gains levies wherever ownership had changed hands overseas but business assets were in India, to seek Rs 10,247 crore in taxes from Cairn.

Parliament set for stormy Monsoon 'muqabla'

Parliament set for stormy Monsoon 'muqabla'

Rediff.com19 Jul 2015

The monsoon session of Parliament beginning Tuesday is set to be stormy as Congress and several other Opposition parties appeared to be closing ranks to corner the government on a range of issues including Vyapam scam and Lalit Modi controversy.

Cairn officially withdraws cases to get Rs 7,900 cr tax refund

Cairn officially withdraws cases to get Rs 7,900 cr tax refund

Rediff.com3 Nov 2021

UK-based Cairn Energy PLC on Wednesday said it has agreed to drop litigations to seize Indian properties in countries ranging from France to the UK as it has accepted the Indian government's offer to settle tax dispute relating to the levy of taxes retrospectively. Meeting the requirements of new legislation that scraps levy of retrospective taxation, the company has given required undertakings indemnifying the Indian government against future claims as well as agreeing to drop any legal proceedings anywhere in the world. The government now has to accept this and issue Cairn a so-called Form-II, that will commit it to refund the tax collected to enforce the retrospective tax demand.

Manmohan Singh, Chief Architect Of Modi's Schemes

Manmohan Singh, Chief Architect Of Modi's Schemes

Rediff.com3 Mar 2023

Both prime ministers believed in crafting schemes to help the common man. Modi used quite effectively the instruments Dr Singh introduced. In assessing Modi's success with many schemes, Dr Singh's fundamental work should not be ignored, points out A K Bhattacharya.

UK to hit Russia with 'first barrage' of sanctions, says Johnson

UK to hit Russia with 'first barrage' of sanctions, says Johnson

Rediff.com22 Feb 2022

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK will hit Russia with a "first barrage' of economic sanctions, warning that President Vladimir Putin is fixed on a "full-scale invasion of Ukraine".

Maha legislature not to respond to SC notice on BJP MLAs' suspension

Maha legislature not to respond to SC notice on BJP MLAs' suspension

Rediff.com24 Dec 2021

Deputy Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly Narhari Zirwal on Friday asked the legislature secretary not to respond to the Supreme Court's notice on a plea filed by 12 Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs challenging their one-year suspension.

'BJP is beatable in Gujarat'

'BJP is beatable in Gujarat'

Rediff.com10 Nov 2022

'Modi is imposing himself as the face of Gujarat to send a message that people should not forget that a Gujarati is prime minister.'

Will data protection Bill finally see daylight?

Will data protection Bill finally see daylight?

Rediff.com15 Jun 2020

After the first draft of the Bill was submitted under a committee chaired by Justice B N Srikrishna in 2018, there were objections raised by businesses, especially on the broad restrictions on cross-border data flow.

NDA MPs won't take salary for disrupted part of budget session

NDA MPs won't take salary for disrupted part of budget session

Rediff.com4 Apr 2018

Union minister Ananth Kumar alleged that the Congress was increasingly becoming intolerant of people's mandate for the Modi government.

BJP fields highest number of 'crorepatis' in phase 1 of Gujarat polls

BJP fields highest number of 'crorepatis' in phase 1 of Gujarat polls

Rediff.com25 Nov 2022

Of the 788 candidates contesting 89 seats in the first phase of Gujarat Assembly polls, 211 are 'crorepatis', with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party accounting for 79 such nominees, the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) said in a report on Thursday.

H-4 visa holders may get an automatic right to work in America

H-4 visa holders may get an automatic right to work in America

Rediff.com8 Apr 2022

Two US lawmakers have introduced a bill in the House of Representatives that aims at granting an automatic right to H-4 visa holders to work in the country, a move which will benefit the spouses of thousands of foreigners, including Indians, and also address the labour shortage affecting American businesses. H-4 visas are issued to dependent spouses and children who accompany H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, and H-3 visa holders to the United States. Many H-4 visa holders are highly skilled people in their own right and previously had careers of their own or worked to support their families.