News for 'legislative productivity'

India's personal data protection bill may threaten innovation, growth: USTR

India's personal data protection bill may threaten innovation, growth: USTR

Rediff.com29 Apr 2022

The US on Thursday raised concerns over India's Personal Data Protection (PDP) Bill and draft non-personal data governance framework, claiming these could potentially threaten innovation and economic growth. In its latest 'Special 301' Report, the US Trade Representative (USTR) kept India on the priority watch list, maintaining the country remains one of the world's most challenging major economies with respect to protection and enforcement of intellectual property (IP). In December 2021, a joint parliamentary committee released a report recommending changes to the PDP Bill, 2019, that could undermine important IP protections in India.

GST Council's recommendations not binding on Centre and states, rules SC

GST Council's recommendations not binding on Centre and states, rules SC

Rediff.com19 May 2022

The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the Goods and Service Tax (GST) Council's recommendations are not binding on Union and State but have a persuasive value as the country has a cooperative federal structure.

Atiq back in Sabarmati jail from UP after sentence in Umesh kidnapping case

Atiq back in Sabarmati jail from UP after sentence in Umesh kidnapping case

Rediff.com30 Mar 2023

Ahmad, a former Uttar Pradesh MLA and Lok Sabha MP, was brought back to the high-security jail in Gujarat in a UP police van after a nearly 24-hour-long road journey from Prayagraj.

Rajya Sabha loses 40 of 50 working hours during first 2 weeks

Rajya Sabha loses 40 of 50 working hours during first 2 weeks

Rediff.com31 Jul 2021

With disruptions continuing, the productivity of Rajya Sabha fell to 13.70 per cent during the second week of the ongoing monsoon session from 32.20 per cent during the first week, resulting in an overall productivity of 21.60 per cent for the first two weeks.

Designer arrested following Amruta Fadnavis's complaint, father at large

Designer arrested following Amruta Fadnavis's complaint, father at large

Rediff.com16 Mar 2023

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's wife Amruta Fadnavis has filed a police case against a "designer" for allegedly trying to offer her money to intervene in a criminal case as well as threatening her, a police official said in Mumbai on Thursday.

Reinventing Capitalism For The Digital Age

Reinventing Capitalism For The Digital Age

Rediff.com16 Jun 2023

US Congressman Ro Khanna's message is that instead of depending on the 'hidden hand' of capitalism -- that is to say, the power of markets -- it is time for policymakers to play a more active role in making sure that a wide range of towns become locations for digital economy enterprises and jobs, points out Ajit Balakrishnan.

Mining an opportunity: Firm, transparent laws key to attract investments

Mining an opportunity: Firm, transparent laws key to attract investments

Rediff.com8 Aug 2023

Parliament has cleared the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023, recently. The objective of the Act is to invite investments from the private sector, including foreign companies, for mining minerals such as lithium and other critical minerals. Other than lithium, some of these minerals were classified as atomic minerals, including beryl and beryllium, niobium, titanium, tantalum and zirconium.

Govt likely to extend Parliament session by 2-3 days: Source

Govt likely to extend Parliament session by 2-3 days: Source

Rediff.com19 Jul 2019

The first session of the 17th Lok Sabha began on June 17 and is scheduled to conclude on July 26.

Logjam persists in Parliament amid ruckus over Manipur

Logjam persists in Parliament amid ruckus over Manipur

Rediff.com31 Jul 2023

Parliament proceedings were adjourned for the day on Monday following protests by the opposition which has been demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the House on the Manipur issue. In the Rajya Sabha, the opposition kept insisting on a discussion under Rule 267 of the House.

'A governor should not be indulging in politics'

'A governor should not be indulging in politics'

Rediff.com10 Apr 2023

'The ministry of home affairs has all records of money coming in from abroad.' 'Are they saying money is coming in without their knowledge?' 'Does the governor doubt the MHA?'

'Vishkanya' Sonia: BJP MLA's response to Kharge's snake slur

'Vishkanya' Sonia: BJP MLA's response to Kharge's snake slur

Rediff.com28 Apr 2023

Congress President Kharge likened Modi to a venomous snake on Thursday at a public meeting, which had triggered a row, prompting the BJP to seek an apology from Kharge. Kharge later sought to clarify his remarks were not aimed at the PM but instead at his party, the BJP.

Tax dept unearths Rs 100 cr of investments from 2 Jharkhand Congress MLAs

Tax dept unearths Rs 100 cr of investments from 2 Jharkhand Congress MLAs

Rediff.com8 Nov 2022

The income-tax department has detected "unaccounted" transactions and investments worth more than Rs 100 crore after it raided two Jharkhand Congress MLAs, their alleged associates and linked coal and iron ore businesses across the state last week.

Anyone who kills cows is deemed to rot in hell: Allahabad HC

Anyone who kills cows is deemed to rot in hell: Allahabad HC

Rediff.com5 Mar 2023

The Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court has expressed hope that the Centre will take an appropriate decision to ban cow slaughter and declare it as a 'protected national animal'.

India, A Miracle And A Wonder

India, A Miracle And A Wonder

Rediff.com16 Aug 2023

'There are many things we need to work on.' 'At the heart of it is, one, the extent of inequality, which is not good for democracy and nation; two, a structural decline on how a country ought to function, how people should be held accountable, whose role is what.'

Who is Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, Himachal Pradesh's new CM

Who is Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, Himachal Pradesh's new CM

Rediff.com10 Dec 2022

With the party bagging its first victory in the hill state without the charismatic presence of Virbhadra Singh, Sukhu's elevation makes it clear that the party is ready to move on.

New tobacco law may hurt livelihood of millions of women

New tobacco law may hurt livelihood of millions of women

Rediff.com13 Dec 2021

The proposed amendment to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act puts the livelihooNewd of millions of women in jeopardy, according to a study. The new insertion (Section 10A(3)) makes it mandatory for persons to obtain licences, permissions and registrations for manufacturing, selling and distributing any tobacco product, it said. "This insertion if implemented will be an extremely harsh measure for small vendors who do not have the competency or financial means to obtain such licence," said the study by human rights lawyer Vibha Vasuki and senior professor of anthropology Siva Prasad Rambhatla.

'It's incredibly important Big Tech is at the table'

'It's incredibly important Big Tech is at the table'

Rediff.com27 Dec 2022

'...helping the government, citizens, and companies get the balance right.' 'As great as technology is, these are societal questions, not just technical ones.'

Raipur Declaration: Cong calls for victory, open for alliance

Raipur Declaration: Cong calls for victory, open for alliance

Rediff.com26 Feb 2023

The Congress on Sunday gave a call to party leaders in poll-bound states to work with unity to ensure victory that will 'set the tone' for 2024 Lok Sabha polls even as it showed willingness to forge an alliance of 'like-minded' parties.

Profiteering Charges In GST Leave Companies Perplexed

Profiteering Charges In GST Leave Companies Perplexed

Rediff.com13 Jul 2022

Provisions in the Central GST Act say reduction in GST rates or the benefit of ITC must be passed on to consumers.

SC-appointed panel on farm laws was against their repeal

SC-appointed panel on farm laws was against their repeal

Rediff.com21 Mar 2022

The report, which was submitted to the apex court on March 19, 2021, was made public on Monday. The three-member committee had also suggested many changes in the laws, including giving freedom to states to make Minimum Support Price (MSP) system legal.

'GM Mustard Must Be Uprooted And Burnt'

'GM Mustard Must Be Uprooted And Burnt'

Rediff.com9 Dec 2022

'Why should our government opt for unproven technology that has been rejected by most countries across the globe?' 'Being dependent on any other nation to supply you seed for your good crops is another form of slavery.'

Varun Gandhi submits private members' bill for MSP guarantee

Varun Gandhi submits private members' bill for MSP guarantee

Rediff.com12 Dec 2021

Gandhi has submitted the bill in Parliament but it is yet to be introduced.

Kerala doctor killing: HC warns police as medicos intensify stir

Kerala doctor killing: HC warns police as medicos intensify stir

Rediff.com11 May 2023

A special bench of Justices Devan Ramachandran and Kauser Edappagath directed the State Police Chief to come out with a new set of protocols for ensuring security of the doctors and other healthcare professionals in all government hospitals in the state.

CPM member introduces bill to regulate appointment of judges, AAP opposes

CPM member introduces bill to regulate appointment of judges, AAP opposes

Rediff.com9 Dec 2022

The National Judicial Commission Bill, 2022, was introduced after the majority of voice votes were in its favour.

'Women in Pakistan feel like they are being watched'

'Women in Pakistan feel like they are being watched'

Rediff.com26 Jun 2023

'There's this presence, a sense of patrolling and surveillance. And it's not coming from a place of safety.' 'It's coming from a place of 'You don't belong here'.' 'It's a malevolent force, the society at large is observing them.'

Encroaching on others' rights, HC tells Jains seeking ban on meat ads

Encroaching on others' rights, HC tells Jains seeking ban on meat ads

Rediff.com26 Sep 2022

The Bombay high court on Monday asked three Jain religious charitable trusts and a city resident practising Jainism why they were seeking to encroach on the rights of others by appealing for restrictions or ban on advertisements for meat and meat products in print and electronic media.

7 key Bills listed on RS agenda for final week of Budget session

7 key Bills listed on RS agenda for final week of Budget session

Rediff.com2 Apr 2022

Six of the seven Bills listed on the agenda of the Rajya Sabha have already been passed by the Lok Sabha.

Rs 1 Trillion Freebies By State Govts

Rs 1 Trillion Freebies By State Govts

Rediff.com27 Aug 2022

'The power sector accounts for much of the financial burden of state governments in India.'

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.

Opposition against extending Parliament session: Sources

Opposition against extending Parliament session: Sources

Rediff.com22 Jul 2019

The ongoing session is scheduled to conclude on July 26, but the sources said the government was mulling to extend it till August 2 to ensure passage of all the bills listed for business.

No place for Gyanvapi-like debates in modern India: RLD chief

No place for Gyanvapi-like debates in modern India: RLD chief

Rediff.com29 May 2022

RLD sources said that the party chief was "taken aback" by the SP's delay in announcing his name as the candidate for the Rajya Sabha elections.

Govt to promote Kisan Drones, chemical-free farming

Govt to promote Kisan Drones, chemical-free farming

Rediff.com1 Feb 2022

The Centre will promote Kisan Drones, chemical-free natural farming, public-private partnerships for the delivery of digital and high-tech services to farmers across the country during the financial year 2022-23, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Tuesday. Presenting the Budget 2022-23 in Parliament, Sitharaman said the inclusive development is one of the four priorities of the government moving forward. As part of the inclusive development, the government will promote the use of 'Kisan Drones' for crop assessment, digitisation of land records and spraying of insecticides. The government will also facilitate a fund with blended capital raised under the co-investment model through Nabard to finance agri start-ups and rural enterprises, she said.

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.

Modi flags delay in justice, favours laws in local languages

Modi flags delay in justice, favours laws in local languages

Rediff.com15 Oct 2022

He said the speciality of Indian society is that for thousands of years, while walking on the path of development it also carried out internal reforms.

Why Should Crude Oil Prices Go Up?

Why Should Crude Oil Prices Go Up?

Rediff.com17 Feb 2022

If international crude oil prices zoom past the current level of about $90 per barrel and move towards $100 and beyond, middle-class consumers are not going to keep quiet about their discomfort, points out Arun Balakrishnan, former chairman and managing director, Hindustan Petroleum.

Parliament adjourned sine die a day before schedule

Parliament adjourned sine die a day before schedule

Rediff.com22 Dec 2021

The tumultuous Winter session of Parliament ended on Wednesday a day before schedule with proceedings in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha marred by repeated disruptions by the opposition over which the government and the Congress traded charges and the presiding officers expressed their anguish at the conduct of some MPs.

Notice to ayurvedic drugs firm for misleading Covid claims

Notice to ayurvedic drugs firm for misleading Covid claims

Rediff.com20 Apr 2021

The company claimed that its product is "three times better than remdesivir and that 'AAYUDH Advance starts where vaccines stop'."

Broken mementos sour the experience for some PM auction bidders

Broken mementos sour the experience for some PM auction bidders

Rediff.com18 Jan 2022

Recipients of these damaged mementos have been given the option to either seek a refund of their bid amount or get a replacement for these broken items.

Govt must deal strictly with addictive algorithms

Govt must deal strictly with addictive algorithms

Rediff.com7 Jun 2021

India has to put in place legislation and rules which seek more clarity and transparency from technology companies. Domestic and global companies that use consumer behaviour data to enhance addictive behaviour must be scrutinised and controlled. Currently the intermediary guidelines focus mostly on content management and grievance redressal. However, the underlying software engines that influence online consumer behaviour need oversight, too.