News for 'legislative business'

Why does India fail to attract foreign investments in oil & gas?

Why does India fail to attract foreign investments in oil & gas?

Rediff.com1 Dec 2021

Why does the world's fastest-growing major consumer of energy fail to attract investments in oil and gas? This is a question worth pondering after private sector conglomerate Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) failed to close a $15-billion downstream asset deal with Saudi Arabia's national oil company, Aramco. It's understandable if multi-billion dollar investments in oil and gas projects or deals involving state companies that need to traverse a complex bureaucracy at state and federal levels and the corridors of ministries unravel. However, Mukesh Ambani-run RIL, India's most successful energy company, is not typically known to fumble on closing deals (Ambani closed deals worth around Rs 2 trillion early last year in telecom and retail with blue chip investors).

Can name-changing spree help BJP again in UP 2022?

Can name-changing spree help BJP again in UP 2022?

Rediff.com15 Sep 2021

The BJP's bucket list this time includes districts such as Sultanpur, Aligarh, Firozabad, Deoband, Ghazipur, Basti and Mirzapur -- to rename a few. Virendra Singh Rawat reports.

On farm laws, SC issues notice to Centre

On farm laws, SC issues notice to Centre

Rediff.com12 Oct 2020

The petitions alleged that these laws would dismantle the Agricultural Produce Market Committee system intended to ensure fair prices for farm products

Parliament set to witness stormy budget session

Parliament set to witness stormy budget session

Rediff.com28 Jan 2021

The session will begin with the address of the President to the joint sitting of the two Houses on Friday morning followed by the presentation of the Union Budget on February 1.

Fate of triple talaq uncertain as government and opposition spar in RS

Fate of triple talaq uncertain as government and opposition spar in RS

Rediff.com4 Jan 2018

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017 seeks to criminalise instant divorce, triple talaq. The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha with most of the leading parties in the Opposition, including the Congress, voting in favour, but with caveats.

Cong's Ramesh Kumar sorry after 'enjoy rape' remark triggers criticism

Cong's Ramesh Kumar sorry after 'enjoy rape' remark triggers criticism

Rediff.com17 Dec 2021

The BJP in New Delhi targeted top Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra over their party colleague's controversial remarks, questioning their silence on the matter.

Maharashtra to hold 2-day assembly session, BJP cries foul

Maharashtra to hold 2-day assembly session, BJP cries foul

Rediff.com22 Jun 2021

A two-day monsoon session of the Maharashtra legislature will begin from July 5 amid the coronavirus outbreak, the state government said on Tuesday.

With 104 rallies, Gadkari was a busy man during Maharashtra polls

With 104 rallies, Gadkari was a busy man during Maharashtra polls

Rediff.com14 Oct 2014

However, it was Narendra Modi's 27 rallies that attracted maximum attention.

India in process of filing appeal against Cairn arbitration award

India in process of filing appeal against Cairn arbitration award

Rediff.com10 Mar 2021

India is in the process of filing an appeal against an arbitration panel asking it to return $1.2 billion to British oil firm Cairn Energy Plc, sources said on Wednesday. If enforcement proceedings are initiated, India is confident to address them and will strongly defend its interests, the sources said, adding it is open to a constructive settlement of tax disputes within the existing legal framework. India is in the process of filing an appeal in the Cairn's arbitration award case, they said, adding in this case, it was well within India's sovereign powers to redress the situation of Double Non-Taxation and tax abuse. Cairn chief executive Simon Thomson had last month met the then finance secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey to discuss the arbitration award.

Pepper spraying incident in Lok Sabha designed by Cong: BJP

Pepper spraying incident in Lok Sabha designed by Cong: BJP

Rediff.com13 Feb 2014

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday blamed the Congress for the "disgraceful" pepper spraying incident in Lok Sabha, saying it was a "drama" enacted by the ruling party and vowed not to engage with the government on any issue again.

Modiji, A Sure Shot Way To Win 2024

Modiji, A Sure Shot Way To Win 2024

Rediff.com12 May 2022

Ramesh Menon, the veteran journalist suggests Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi what he should do if he wants to win 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Owner of SUV which caused explosives scare near Ambani's house found dead

Owner of SUV which caused explosives scare near Ambani's house found dead

Rediff.com5 Mar 2021

Mansukh, around 45 years old, had gone missing on Thursday night. The body was found on the banks of the creek along the Mumbra Reti Bunder road, a senior official of Thane Police said.

Real Estate could be Bedrock of Economy

Real Estate could be Bedrock of Economy

Rediff.com17 Jun 2021

If the real estate sector is properly managed, it could drive not just finance but demand for a range of products and services, observes T N Ninan.

What's keeping govt from appealing against Vodafone verdict?

What's keeping govt from appealing against Vodafone verdict?

Rediff.com23 Nov 2020

The government may be waiting for the outcome of an arbitration initiated against its levy of Rs 10,247 crore retrospective tax on UK's Cairn Energy Plc before deciding on appealing against losing a tax case against Vodafone Group, sources said. An international arbitral tribunal is expected to give a decree within next few days on Cairn Energy Plc's challenge to the Indian government seeking Rs 10,247 crore in retrospective taxes. If the arbitration award in the Cairn cases goes against India, the government has to pay the British firm over Rs 7,600 crore to reverse the dividend and tax refund it had ceased and shares it sold to recover part of the tax demand.

Why Jagan is hell-bent on creating 3 state capitals

Why Jagan is hell-bent on creating 3 state capitals

Rediff.com21 Jan 2020

Defending its three-capital decision, the government said since inception in 1956 the state had failed to integrate people from all regions, reports B Dasarath Reddy.

Parliament faces repeated adjournments over Pegasus

Parliament faces repeated adjournments over Pegasus

Rediff.com2 Aug 2021

Both Houses of Parliament witnessed multiple adjournments on Monday as opposition MPs continued their protest over the Pegasus snooping row and other matters. Amid ruckus by the Opposition, the Rajya Sabha passed the Inland Vessels Bill-2021 while the Lok Sabha passed the General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Amendment Bill with voice-vote.

GST prospects get ambiguous again

GST prospects get ambiguous again

Rediff.com25 Jul 2016

Last week, a Rajya Sabha committee had allocated five hours for discussion on GST.

China says it will not accept US lawsuit on COVID-19

China says it will not accept US lawsuit on COVID-19

Rediff.com22 May 2020

Zhang Yesui, spokesperson for China's Parliament -- the National People's Congress -- in his media briefing ahead of Friday's annual session also sought to deflect allegations that the virus emerged in Wuhan, saying that the recent reports indicated coronavirus occurred earlier in different parts of the world.

Hong Kong media tycoon arrested under national security law

Hong Kong media tycoon arrested under national security law

Rediff.com10 Aug 2020

The New York Times reported that Lai's company Next Digital publishes Apple Daily, a fiercely pro-democracy newspaper that regularly takes on the Hong Kong government and the Chinese leadership.

How BJP Won UP

How BJP Won UP

Rediff.com12 Mar 2022

The BJP campaign highlighted Yogi's persona as a tough-as-nails leader and an incorruptible man with no nest to feather; Modi's charisma which was turned on full blast in the penultimate phases; Amit Shah's ground work; a well-oiled party organisation, and the RSS's back-up.

BJP, Cong seek new allies as exit polls predict hung assembly in Goa

BJP, Cong seek new allies as exit polls predict hung assembly in Goa

Rediff.com9 Mar 2022

Both the BJP and the Congress said they will seek support of the MGP in case they fall short of the majority mark of 21.

Attorney General not in favour of appealing against Voda arbitration award

Attorney General not in favour of appealing against Voda arbitration award

Rediff.com22 Oct 2020

AG is of the view that there is no point in dragging the matter further when it has already been "struck down" by one international forum, and also by the top Indian court.

Modi's 'Pakistan conspiracy' remark washes out Parliament

Modi's 'Pakistan conspiracy' remark washes out Parliament

Rediff.com18 Dec 2017

Parliament proceedings were adjourned for a second day on Monday over the insinuations by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against his predecessor Manmohan Singh.

Oppn members throw papers, torn placards in LS; 3 bills passed amid din

Oppn members throw papers, torn placards in LS; 3 bills passed amid din

Rediff.com29 Jul 2021

The Opposition intensified its noisy protests in Lok Sabha on Wednesday over Pegasus snooping, farm laws and other issues with some unruly members even hurling papers and torn placards in the House, but the government went ahead with its legislative agenda and three bills were passed amid the din.

Water-sharing woes keep GoM on Telangana busy

Water-sharing woes keep GoM on Telangana busy

Rediff.com14 Nov 2013

The Group of Ministers constituted for the creation of a separate state of Telangana on Wednesday discussed the sharing of river water and irrigation resources in Andhra Pradesh after the state's bifurcation, but failed to arrive at a resolution.

'Governor is right in calling for a vote'

'Governor is right in calling for a vote'

Rediff.com29 Jun 2022

'Maharashtra governor did not do anything that was contrary to the Supreme Court's decision.'

Tomar says ready for talks; farmer unions unmoved

Tomar says ready for talks; farmer unions unmoved

Rediff.com10 Jun 2021

With the talks between the Centre and the agitating farmer unions stalled since January, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Wednesday expressed readiness to resume the dialogue to resolve their objections to the three new agri laws, but the unions remained adamant on their demands for a repeal of the legislations and a legal guarantee on the minimum support price.

SC upholds validity of amendment to FCRA provisions, says strict rule must

SC upholds validity of amendment to FCRA provisions, says strict rule must

Rediff.com8 Apr 2022

The top court noted many recipients of foreign contributions had not utilised the same for the purposes for which they were registered or granted prior permission under the Act.

ED raids on Channi's nephew: Sidhu says no clean chit to anyone

ED raids on Channi's nephew: Sidhu says no clean chit to anyone

Rediff.com24 Jan 2022

Replying to a question on the Enforcement Directorate raids at many places including at the premises of Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's nephew, Sidhu slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre over the raids and said the ED took action after nearly four years of the registration of the case.

All 4 labour codes likely to be implemented from Apr 1

All 4 labour codes likely to be implemented from Apr 1

Rediff.com14 Oct 2020

All four labour codes are likely to be implemented in one go from April 1, the beginning of the next fiscal year, labour secretary Apurva Chandra said on Wednesday. The parliament in its just concluded session passed three labour code bills: the Industrial Relations (IR) Code, the Social Security Code, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (OSH). The Wage Code Bill, 2019 was passed by the parliament last year.

Why more women are needed in Parliament

Why more women are needed in Parliament

Rediff.com2 Sep 2018

India will benefit hugely if the representation of women in Parliament is increased to a just level.

Farmers block highway as protest completes 100 days

Farmers block highway as protest completes 100 days

Rediff.com6 Mar 2021

Farmers protesting the Centre's three farm laws on Saturday blocked the six-lane Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway at some places in Haryana to mark the completion of 100 days of their agitation at the Delhi borders.

Kumaraswamy seeks trust vote, asks Speaker to fix time

Kumaraswamy seeks trust vote, asks Speaker to fix time

Rediff.com12 Jul 2019

The embattled Janata Dal-Secular leader also said he was ready for everything and that he was not here to cling to power.

What India Inc says about Budget 2022

What India Inc says about Budget 2022

Rediff.com2 Feb 2022

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday unveiled a Rs 39.45 lakh crore Budget with a view to fire up the key engines of the economy to sustain a world-beating recovery from the pandemic. This was Sitharaman's fourth Budget. While the taxpayers were left in the lurch, once again, was she able to cheer Corporate India?

BJP Will Perform A Hat-Trick In 2024

BJP Will Perform A Hat-Trick In 2024

Rediff.com11 Mar 2022

'Modi looks to be an effective, result-oriented, purposeful leader, focused on bringing greatness and glory to the nation.'
'

So it is best for his critics to give up their sniping and supplement his efforts,' asserts B S Raghavan, the distinguished civil servant who served three prime ministers.

Why are govts out to de-fang FAANG?

Why are govts out to de-fang FAANG?

Rediff.com8 Jan 2021

So far, there seems to be limited debate about their activities in India, where virtually all FAANG companies have teamed up in different ways with India's most powerful businessman, observes T N Ninan.

Revealed: Why Urjit Patel quit as RBI governor

Revealed: Why Urjit Patel quit as RBI governor

Rediff.com25 Jul 2020

Patel, who headed the RBI from September 2016 till his sudden resignation in December 2018, says in his book thta the government seemed to lose enthusiasm for the new bankruptcy law in the middle of the year he left the central bank. Though Patel does not name anybody in the book, the mid-2018 period he refers to is the time when Piyush Goyal held temporary charge of the finance ministry between May and August.

Empty liquor bottles inside Bihar House causes uproar

Empty liquor bottles inside Bihar House causes uproar

Rediff.com1 Dec 2021

Empty bottles of liquor were discovered inside the premises of the legislature in dry Bihar, in a fresh embarrassment to the Nitish Kumar government in the state, which has been drawing flak over recent hooch tragedies that have claimed more than 40 lives.

Will Modi's second push on economy succeed?

Will Modi's second push on economy succeed?

Rediff.com19 Oct 2020

There will be uncertainty about outcomes,but one must hope for the best, observes T N Ninan.

Samyukta Kisan Morcha to observe May 26 as 'black day'

Samyukta Kisan Morcha to observe May 26 as 'black day'

Rediff.com15 May 2021

Farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal appealed to people to raise black flags at their houses, vehicles and shops on May 26 to protest against the contentious farm legislations.