News for 'parliamentary affairs department'

Parliamentary panel recommends sending envoys to North, South Poles

Parliamentary panel recommends sending envoys to North, South Poles

Rediff.com31 Jul 2026

A parliamentary panel has strongly recommended that the Indian government appoint a dedicated 'polar ambassador' to enhance its strategic engagement and diplomatic influence in the critical Arctic and Antarctic regions, aligning with global trends and India's growing focus on polar affairs.

'Why link it to delimitation?': Rahul, Rijiju spar over women's quota

'Why link it to delimitation?': Rahul, Rijiju spar over women's quota

Rediff.com5 days ago

The Congress and BJP are engaged in a political spat over the implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill and its proposed link to delimitation, with Rahul Gandhi urging unconditional implementation of the 2023 law and Kiren Rijiju highlighting the constitutional requirement for delimitation based on post-2026 census figures.

Suvendu keeps home, power portfolios, Swapan is finance minister

Suvendu keeps home, power portfolios, Swapan is finance minister

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

Ten days after the expansion of the BJP government's cabinet in West Bengal, key portfolios have been allocated, with senior leader Tapas Roy taking charge of industries and journalist-turned-politician Swapan Dasgupta appointed finance minister.

Bengal govt revokes BJP MP's award for remarks on Netaji

Bengal govt revokes BJP MP's award for remarks on Netaji

Rediff.com1 hour ago

The West Bengal government has revoked the Banga Bibhushan award from Rajya Sabha MP Ananta Maharaj following his controversial remarks describing Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as a 'war criminal' and questioning the Azad Hind Fauj's role in India's freedom struggle.

Lok Sabha to take up anti-paper leak bill today

Lok Sabha to take up anti-paper leak bill today

Rediff.com28 Jul 2026

The Indian Parliament is scheduled for a significant legislative day, with the Lok Sabha set to consider and pass the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026. Concurrently, the Rajya Sabha will introduce the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and pass the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, highlighting a busy agenda for both houses.

Modi video removal: IT panel wants Zuckerberg to apologise

Modi video removal: IT panel wants Zuckerberg to apologise

Rediff.com3 Aug 2026

A parliamentary standing committee on Information Technology has demanded a personal apology from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg for the temporary removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's video from Facebook. The committee also discussed potential legal action and the withdrawal of safe harbour protection, while questioning Meta officials on algorithmic bias and accountability.

After NEET backlash, BJP turns to Instagram to win back young voters

After NEET backlash, BJP turns to Instagram to win back young voters

Rediff.com28 Jul 2026

The BJP is significantly increasing its digital engagement with young people on Instagram, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several Union ministers, in response to the NEET-UG paper leak controversy and subsequent student protests. This strategic shift aims to counter the narrative and communicate government actions on examination reforms.

Cong Shifts Strategy, Challenges PM's Authority

Cong Shifts Strategy, Challenges PM's Authority

Rediff.com21 Jul 2026

The Congress escalated its campaign against alleged examination irregularities by marching to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence, transforming the issue into a direct challenge to his political authority and demanding the resignations of top government officials.

Centre turns down Karnataka's hate speech bill, says existing laws adequate

Centre turns down Karnataka's hate speech bill, says existing laws adequate

Rediff.com26 May 2026

The bill was passed by both houses of the state legislature during the winter session in Belagavi that concluded on December 19 last year, despite strong opposition from the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Janata Dal-Secular.

Governor dissolves Bengal assembly amid Mamata's refusal to resign

Governor dissolves Bengal assembly amid Mamata's refusal to resign

Rediff.com8 May 2026

The West Bengal State Legislative Assembly has been dissolved by Governor R N Ravi, marking the end of its term after the recent elections where the Trinamool Congress was defeated by the BJP.

Kharge, Pawan Khera among Cong's Rajya Sabha picks

Kharge, Pawan Khera among Cong's Rajya Sabha picks

Rediff.com5 Jun 2026

The Congress party has announced its seven candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Pawan Khera, Meenakshi Natarajan, Praveen Chakravarty, Neeraj Dangi, Mansoor Ali Khan, and Pranav Jha, representing various states like Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand. The elections are set for June 18.

Meet The New CBSE Chief

Meet The New CBSE Chief

Rediff.com3 Jun 2026

Sarthak Sidhant, a 17-year-old student from Jharkhand affected by CBSE's online marking system, made a presentation before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Tuesday on alleged irregularities in the tendering process for the selection of vendors for online marking of Class 12 answer scripts.

Gujarat cabinet rejig: A look at new ministerial portfolios

Gujarat cabinet rejig: A look at new ministerial portfolios

Rediff.com18 Oct 2025

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel allocated portfolios following a major cabinet reshuffle, with Harsh Sanghavi becoming Deputy CM and receiving Home and Industries. New ministers, including Rivaba Jadeja, were also assigned responsibilities.

What Jawaharlal Nehru Did for India

What Jawaharlal Nehru Did for India

Rediff.com16 Jun 2026

Through his commitment to democratic norms, debate, dissent and constitutionalism, Jawaharlal Nehru helped ensure that parliamentary democracy took deep root in independent India. Utkarsh Mishra evaluates Nehru's 17 years as India's first prime minister, examining his role in nation-building, democratic institution-building, economic planning, scientific advancement and foreign policy.

Bihar gets first BJP-led govt; Samrat Choudhary takes oath as CM

Bihar gets first BJP-led govt; Samrat Choudhary takes oath as CM

Rediff.com15 Apr 2026

Samrat Choudhary's appointment as Bihar's Chief Minister marks a significant milestone for the BJP, ushering in a new era of leadership in the state's political landscape.

Samrat Choudhary's govt wins trust vote in Bihar assembly

Samrat Choudhary's govt wins trust vote in Bihar assembly

Rediff.com24 Apr 2026

The BJP-led government in Bihar secured a vote of confidence in the state assembly, with Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary pledging economic development and significant investments. The motion was passed amidst heated debates and accusations between the ruling NDA and the opposition, highlighting political tensions and differing views on issues like women's reservation.

Tata Sons to build, operate Ayodhya temple museum

Tata Sons to build, operate Ayodhya temple museum

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has approved the expansion of the proposed temple museum in Ayodhya, contracting Tata Sons to develop and operate the project on a 52-acre site.

Revealed: CM Nitish poorer than ministers, assets put at Rs 1.65 cr

Revealed: CM Nitish poorer than ministers, assets put at Rs 1.65 cr

Rediff.com31 Dec 2025

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's assets have increased slightly to Rs 1.65 crore, while several ministers are wealthier, according to the latest asset disclosure.

UP cracks down on illegal cough syrup trade, 75 arrested

UP cracks down on illegal cough syrup trade, 75 arrested

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

Uttar Pradesh authorities have registered 74 cases and arrested 75 people in connection with the illegal storage and sale of codeine-based cough syrup. A minister alleges links to the Samajwadi Party and an SIT is investigating.

Nitish Kumar gives up home portfolio after 20 years

Nitish Kumar gives up home portfolio after 20 years

Rediff.com21 Nov 2025

The home portfolio of Bihar, which Chief Minister Nitish Kumar kept with himself all through his nearly 20-year-long tenure, has been given to his deputy, BJP leader Samrat Chowdhury, this time, according to an official notification issued on Friday.

Over 20 Indian workers died abroad daily, most in Gulf: Govt

Over 20 Indian workers died abroad daily, most in Gulf: Govt

Rediff.com2 Apr 2026

Data reveals a disturbing trend of Indian worker deaths abroad, particularly in Gulf nations, alongside numerous complaints of exploitation and labour rights violations.

Justice Varma withdraws from inquiry for his impeachment

Justice Varma withdraws from inquiry for his impeachment

Rediff.com10 Apr 2026

Allahabad High Court judge Yashwant Varma has resigned, effectively halting impeachment proceedings initiated against him by the Lok Sabha following corruption allegations.

No full stop in politics, says Modi as 59 Rajya Sabha MPs retire

No full stop in politics, says Modi as 59 Rajya Sabha MPs retire

Rediff.com19 Mar 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Rajya Sabha to honour 59 retiring members, emphasising their contributions to national life and urging them to continue their service.

Will Budget 2026 Break Sunday Rule?

Will Budget 2026 Break Sunday Rule?

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

Officials said the government is keen to conform to the convention of the Union Budget for 2026-2027 being presented on February 1 despite it falling on a Sunday in 2026.

Karnataka cabinet approves bills on hate speech, cattle slaughter

Karnataka cabinet approves bills on hate speech, cattle slaughter

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

The Karnataka cabinet has approved eight draft bills, including those addressing hate speech, cattle slaughter, and social boycott, to be tabled in the upcoming legislative session.

UP lawmakers miffed over 'chairs without towels'

UP lawmakers miffed over 'chairs without towels'

Rediff.com22 Nov 2024

Lawmakers in Uttar Pradesh have always been touch-sensitive about protocol during official meetings and irrespective of the party in power, complaints of breach of guidelines have often cropped up.

Hemant Soren distributes portfolios; keeps home, gives finance to Cong

Hemant Soren distributes portfolios; keeps home, gives finance to Cong

Rediff.com6 Dec 2024

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has distributed portfolios among the new ministers, keeping key departments such as Home, Personnel, and several others to himself. The Congress' Radhakrishna Kishore was given Finance, Commercial Tax, Planning and Development Department, and Parliamentary Affairs departments. JMM's Deepak Biruwa was allotted the departments of Revenue, Registration and Land Reforms (non-registration), and Transport. Chamra Linda, another JMM leader, was allotted the departments of Schedule Tribes, Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes (except Minority Welfare). RJD's Sanjay Prasad Yadav was given the departments of Industries, and Labour, Planning, Training and Skill Development. The Congress' Irfan Ansari got Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, besides Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, and Disaster Management departments. The chief minister also kept to himself the departments of Cabinet Secretariat, Personnel, Administrative Reforms and Official Language, Road Construction, Building Construction, and those departments yet to be distributed to anyone. Among the other ministers, JMM's Ramdas Soren was given the School Education and Literacy, and Registration departments. Party colleague Hafizul Hasan was allotted the departments of Water Resources, and Minority Welfare Department. Panchayati Raj, Rural Works, and Rural Development departments were given to Congress MLA Deepika Pandey Singh. The CM gave Drinking Water and Sanitation, and Excise and Prohibition departments to JMM's Yogendra Prasad. JMM legislator Sudhivya Kumar became the minister for Urban Development and Housing, Higher and Technical Education, and Tourism, Art Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs departments. Shilpi Neha Tirkey of the Congress was allotted Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperative Department. A total of 11 MLAs took oath as ministers in the Hemant Soren government in Jharkhand on Thursday.

Iran War Exposes Washington's Strategic Chaos

Iran War Exposes Washington's Strategic Chaos

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

What we are watching is something different: A fog manufactured and maintained by the people who started the war, so that the question of why it was started never has to be answered, observes Prem Panicker in his must read blog on the war in the Middle East.

Congress fumes as Tharoor alone gets Putin dinner invite

Congress fumes as Tharoor alone gets Putin dinner invite

Rediff.com5 Dec 2025

The Congress party has criticized the government for not inviting Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi to the banquet for Russian President Vladimir Putin, while also questioning Shashi Tharoor's decision to accept the invitation.

Karnataka moves to rein in RSS events in public, govt spaces

Karnataka moves to rein in RSS events in public, govt spaces

Rediff.com16 Oct 2025

The Karnataka Cabinet has decided to bring in rules to regulate RSS activities, including marches and events in public places and government premises, requiring prior government permission.

'This is the greatest day in the history of Indian women's cricket'

'This is the greatest day in the history of Indian women's cricket'

Rediff.com31 Oct 2025

Jemimah Rodrigues produced a sensational knock that included 14 fours as India pulled off the biggest successful chase in women's ODI history with nine balls to spare.

How Your Grievances Can Be Fixed!

How Your Grievances Can Be Fixed!

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

CPGRAMS -- an online platform available to citizens 24x7 to lodge their grievances to public authorities on service delivery -- has existed for close to two decades. But it has never been this active, points out Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

6 ICU patients killed in fire at Jaipur hospital

6 ICU patients killed in fire at Jaipur hospital

Rediff.com6 Oct 2025

Six critical patients were killed in a fire at the trauma centre of the state-run Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur late Sunday night, officials stated.

K'taka Guv forwards 4% Muslim quota bill to President's assent

K'taka Guv forwards 4% Muslim quota bill to President's assent

Rediff.com16 Apr 2025

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has reserved the Bill pertaining to four percent reservation for Muslims in government contracts for the President's assent, citing constitutional concerns. The Bill, which has been a subject of controversy in Karnataka, was passed by both houses of the state legislature amid protests from the opposition BJP. The Governor's decision to reserve the Bill highlights the ongoing debate over the constitutionality of religious-based reservations in India.

Maha Guv CP Radhakrishnan named NDA's Vice-Presidential candidate

Maha Guv CP Radhakrishnan named NDA's Vice-Presidential candidate

Rediff.com17 Aug 2025

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has nominated Maharashta Governor Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan as their candidate for Vice-President of India. The announcement was made by BJP President J P Nadda, highlighting Radhakrishnan's extensive public service and cross-party respect.

Jaipur fire: 'Hospital staff ignored warning, fled'

Jaipur fire: 'Hospital staff ignored warning, fled'

Rediff.com6 Oct 2025

Relatives of patients admitted to the ICU recounted harrowing experiences as smoke engulfed the ward, exposing critical lapses in safety measures.

Nagaland: CM Rio distributes portfolios, keeps finance with him

Nagaland: CM Rio distributes portfolios, keeps finance with him

Rediff.com10 Mar 2023

Rio also appointed 24 MLAs as 'advisors' to various departments in his opposition less government.

Chidambaram on parliamentary panel reviewing new criminal laws

Chidambaram on parliamentary panel reviewing new criminal laws

Rediff.com29 Aug 2023

Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday nominated former home minister and Congress member P Chidambaram to the department-related parliamentary standing committee on home affairs.

India, Canada unveil roadmap to revive ties

India, Canada unveil roadmap to revive ties

Rediff.com13 Oct 2025

India and Canada have unveiled a roadmap to boost cooperation in trade, critical minerals, and energy, signaling efforts to rebuild strained relations following the killing of a Sikh separatist in 2023. Discussions include addressing concerns over pro-Khalistan elements and pursuing a balanced partnership.

Did Pak assure US it would act against terrorists?

Did Pak assure US it would act against terrorists?

Rediff.com11 Jun 2025

In response to a question on President Donald Trump offering to "mediate" on the issue of Kashmir, Bruce said, "Well, I - obviously, I can't speak to what's on the mind or the plans of the President. What I do know is that I think we all recognise that President Trump in each step that he takes, it's made to solve generational differences between countries, generational war."