News for 'public procurement'

No shortage whatsoever of petrol, diesel, kerosene, assures govt in LS

No shortage whatsoever of petrol, diesel, kerosene, assures govt in LS

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

Responding to concerns raised by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri said it is the foremost priority of the government that the kitchens of over 33 crore families, especially the poor and the underprivileged, do not face any shortage of gas.

New truncated gas allocation regime still faces a large LNG shortfall

New truncated gas allocation regime still faces a large LNG shortfall

Rediff.com20 Mar 2026

India's plans to ration the consumption of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) - in response to reduction in their import owing to war in West Asia - may fall short of what is needed to meet domestic needs.

Explained: How FTA with EU will help boost India's exports

Explained: How FTA with EU will help boost India's exports

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

India and the European Union (EU) on Tuesday announced the conclusion and finalisation of negotiations for the proposed free trade agreement (FTA).

2 Pak nationals, gangster flee J-K juvenile home after firing shots

2 Pak nationals, gangster flee J-K juvenile home after firing shots

Rediff.com17 Feb 2026

Three inmates, including two Pakistani nationals, escaped from a juvenile home in Jammu after allegedly attacking and injuring two police personnel. An investigation is underway to apprehend the escapees.

Karnataka assembly clears 4% Muslim quota in contracts

Karnataka assembly clears 4% Muslim quota in contracts

Rediff.com21 Mar 2025

The Karnataka Legislative Assembly passed a Bill providing 4% reservation for Muslims in public contracts, sparking protests from the opposition BJP. The Bill, which amends the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Act, aims to increase Muslim participation in government contracts valued up to Rs 2 crore for civil works and Rs 1 crore for goods and services. The BJP criticized the move as unconstitutional and vowed to challenge it in court.

Operation Sindoor Inspires Rise In Defence Budget

Operation Sindoor Inspires Rise In Defence Budget

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

'If you go by the capital expenditure, this is a good defence budget. But we will have to see if the government can keep defence spending at 2 per cent or higher in 2027-2028.'

Iran Crisis: 'No Nation More Exposed Than India'

Iran Crisis: 'No Nation More Exposed Than India'

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

'We are profoundly energy-dependent on the Gulf. That dependency must now be redirected towards the United States, because we require American permission to procure oil.' 'We additionally require Iranian permission to acquire oil from that source. So India now has to seek two separate permissions merely to secure its energy supply.' 'Should we be compelled to source from America, or from Venezuela -- which is, in effect, American-controlled supply -- that will inevitably carry a price premium, an elevated shipping cost, and a considerably extended delivery timeline, given the distances involved.'

Women Constitute 30% Of Trafficking Arrests in India

Women Constitute 30% Of Trafficking Arrests in India

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

Coastal states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra recorded the highest number of immoral trafficking cases in India.

Farmers, tribals march to Mumbai to press for land rights

Farmers, tribals march to Mumbai to press for land rights

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

Thousands of farmers and tribal residents are marching towards Mumbai from Nashik to demand land rights and other concessions from the Maharashtra government. A delegation has been invited for talks.

PFI was sending cadres to Syria for training from ISIS: NIA

PFI was sending cadres to Syria for training from ISIS: NIA

Rediff.com21 Dec 2025

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has told a Delhi court that the Popular Front of India (PFI) was attempting to acquire arms from neighboring countries and provide weapons training to its members. The NIA also alleges links to ISIS and plans to target BJP, RSS, and VHP leaders.

India 'well stocked' with crude oil to meet supply disruptions: Puri

India 'well stocked' with crude oil to meet supply disruptions: Puri

Rediff.com4 Mar 2026

India is well-stocked with inventories of crude oil and key petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, and aviation turbine fuel (ATF), to deal with short-term disruptions as the war intensifies in West Asia, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said on Tuesday.

Iran Has Not Allowed Any Indian Ship To Pass Through Strait Of Hormuz

Iran Has Not Allowed Any Indian Ship To Pass Through Strait Of Hormuz

Rediff.com13 Mar 2026

24 Indian-flagged vessels with 677 Indian seafarers were currently located west of the Strait of Hormuz, and four vessels with 101 Indian seafarers were stationed east of the strategic waterway.

Bangladesh wants to buy JF-17 fighter jets from Pakistan

Bangladesh wants to buy JF-17 fighter jets from Pakistan

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

Bangladesh has expressed a potential interest in procuring JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft from Pakistan, according to a statement from the Pakistan military. The development came during a meeting between the air chiefs of both countries, focusing on strengthening operational cooperation and institutional synergy.

BJP Seeks Probe into Himachal Police 'Abduction' Case, Alleges CMO Role

BJP Seeks Probe into Himachal Police 'Abduction' Case, Alleges CMO Role

Rediff.com26 Feb 2026

The BJP in Himachal Pradesh has demanded a thorough probe into the detention of a Delhi Police team and alleged misuse of the chief minister's office after a standoff between the two police forces.

India awaits Bangladesh election outcome before addressing issues

India awaits Bangladesh election outcome before addressing issues

Rediff.com13 Feb 2026

India has stated it will wait for the outcome of the elections in Bangladesh and the resulting mandate before addressing any existing issues. The country also affirmed its support for free, fair, inclusive, and credible elections in Bangladesh.

Relief for Delhi students as 10K classrooms to get air purifiers

Relief for Delhi students as 10K classrooms to get air purifiers

Rediff.com19 Dec 2025

Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood announced the installation of air purifiers in 10,000 classrooms to combat pollution and ensure clean air for students, criticizing the previous government's approach.

Agricultural shift from subsidies to sustainability may be the way ahead

Agricultural shift from subsidies to sustainability may be the way ahead

Rediff.com26 Feb 2026

India is already a heavyweight in global farm trade in pockets such as rice exports, but experts are urging a pivot from a subsidy- and procurement-driven mindset to a productivity and nutrition strategy that still shields farmers from volatility.

No toll plaza queues anywhere in India by yearend, says Gadkari

No toll plaza queues anywhere in India by yearend, says Gadkari

Rediff.com25 Feb 2026

'Within six months I expect petrol, diesel, and electric vehicles (EVs) to reach cost parity,' says Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.

Pvt-funded highway construction model highest priority: Gadkari

Pvt-funded highway construction model highest priority: Gadkari

Rediff.com25 Feb 2026

On the back of an aggressive asset monetisation push, the government will press the throttle on the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model - under which private developers fund highway construction - for future highway development, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said.

'Bangladesh Remains Quiet On China's Influence'

'Bangladesh Remains Quiet On China's Influence'

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

'The BNP's election manifesto lists grievances against India, mirroring the attitude of past BNP governments.' 'Political parties have been careful not to say bad things about China.'

Five Shots By A Girl That Shook An Empire

Five Shots By A Girl That Shook An Empire

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

Bina Das, 21, got up at her graduating ceremony to assassinate the governor of Bengal. He escaped and she was imprisoned for 9 years.

Budget 2026's tax proposals weave a strategic vision

Budget 2026's tax proposals weave a strategic vision

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

The proposals outlined in Budget 2026-27 represent a carefully crafted, multi-year strategy designed to strengthen India's big bets on the path to Viksit Bharat 2047, says Sameer Gupta.

Commission structure in life insurance sector may change

Commission structure in life insurance sector may change

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

The committee formed under the Life Insurance Council to review the commission structure in the life insurance sector has recommended capping distributor commissions or deferring them to ease acquisition costs. The recommendations will be sent to the insurance regulator -- Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai).

How Gadchiroli Broke The Maoist Backbone

How Gadchiroli Broke The Maoist Backbone

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

'The watershed moment was June 22, 2024, when the divisional in-charge of Gadchiroli, Giridhar Tumreti, who was their senior-most commander, along with his wife, came forward to surrender before the then deputy chief minister and home minister Devendra Fadnavis.'

Internet services restored in violence-hit Karbi Anglong in Assam

Internet services restored in violence-hit Karbi Anglong in Assam

Rediff.com28 Dec 2025

Mobile internet services have been restored in Assam's Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts following an improvement in the law and order situation after recent violence between the Karbi and Bihari communities.

A long-game Budget

A long-game Budget

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

The Union Budget for 2026-27, presented by Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday, which was a first, had an excellent domestic macro backdrop. According to the first advance estimates, gross domestic product (GDP) in constant prices is projected to grow 7.4 per cent in the current financial year, against 6.5 per cent in 2024-25.

A Big, Big Push for Defence Self-Reliance

A Big, Big Push for Defence Self-Reliance

Rediff.com15 Sep 2025

Defence Procurement Manual 2025 lays down the guiding principles for revenue procurements in the defence ministry worth around 1 trillion in a financial year.

Govt may hike local content requirement

Govt may hike local content requirement

Rediff.com20 May 2024

The government is planning to tweak its procurement policy to give a fillip to domestic manufacturing. The industry department has floated a proposal to raise the minimum local content requirement for public procurement for Class-I and -II suppliers from 50 per cent currently to 70 per cent, and 20 per cent as of now to 50 per cent, respectively.

Procurement: World Bank offers help

Procurement: World Bank offers help

Rediff.com10 Nov 2006

World Bank on Friday offered to help India to improve its public procurement system and said even a marginal improvement in efficiency can yield huge savings.

'Air pollution not a one-day issue': Delhi minister slams AAP

'Air pollution not a one-day issue': Delhi minister slams AAP

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

Delhi cabinet minister Parvesh Verma launched a sharp attack on the previous AAP government, alleging failure to carry out basic civic works over the past decade, leading to issues like garbage mountains, broken roads, pollution, and Yamuna cleaning.

Xi Vs The Generals: Why It Matters To India

Xi Vs The Generals: Why It Matters To India

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

If Xi Jinping can establish control over the PLA Ground Force, relations between India and China will settle down to an even keel. The next few weeks will show whether Xi has finally succeeded in gaining control over the PLA Ground Force. That could bring about the substantive shift in India-China relations that both our leaders have been working for, observes Ambassador Prabhat Shukla.

Cyclone Montha: Andhra prepares action plan for relief, essential supplies

Cyclone Montha: Andhra prepares action plan for relief, essential supplies

Rediff.com26 Oct 2025

The Andhra Pradesh government has prepared an action plan for relief and essential supplies in pre-cyclone preparedness for Cyclone Montha, expected to cross the coast on October 28.

Byju's Alpha alleges $533 million was routed back to founder in new court filing

Byju's Alpha alleges $533 million was routed back to founder in new court filing

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

Debtor alleges evidence from OCI Ltd shows funds were "round-tripped" to Byju Raveendran despite his earlier sworn statements -- claims Byju's founders strongly reject.

Why Does Modi Pass Bills In Such Haste?

Why Does Modi Pass Bills In Such Haste?

Rediff.com27 Dec 2025

The passing of bills without Parliament, including the treasury benches, having any real understanding of what they contained through any rigorous process has accelerated through the Modi era, points out Aakar Patel.

India lists theatre commands, simpler defence procurement for 2025

India lists theatre commands, simpler defence procurement for 2025

Rediff.com1 Jan 2025

India has declared 2025 as the year of defence reforms, aiming to establish integrated theatre commands to enhance synergy among the three armed forces and transform the military into a technologically-advanced combat-ready force. The reforms will also focus on streamlining acquisition procedures, promoting collaboration, and leveraging emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and robotics.

SC seeks CBI response on RAW ex-official's plea in Official Secrets Act case

SC seeks CBI response on RAW ex-official's plea in Official Secrets Act case

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

The Supreme Court has sought a response from the CBI on a former RAW official's plea seeking documents related to his trial under the Official Secrets Act. The case involves allegations of revealing secret information in a book written by the official.

How India Can Beat Global Tech Giants

How India Can Beat Global Tech Giants

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

With a confident new generation of innovators, India now has the scale and self-belief to shape its own digital destiny marked by creation, observes Ajay Kumar chairman, UPSC.

'Terrorism Is A Cat And Mouse Game'

'Terrorism Is A Cat And Mouse Game'

Rediff.com17 Nov 2025

'There are active terror modules across the country who will find new ways and new targets. From intelligence agencies to an alert citizenry, we all have to play our part.'

'Pronouncements On Paper Don't Feed Babies'

'Pronouncements On Paper Don't Feed Babies'

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

'These children possess catastrophically low birth weights -- often 1.4 kgs or less. Such extremely low birth weight results in profoundly compromised neo-natal immunity.' 'The escalation to 97 deaths in three months precipitated contemporary attention precisely because this magnitude concentrates the humanitarian emergency, rendering it impossible for the administrative machinery to ignore.'

18 BJP MLAs suspended in Karnataka assembly amid protest

18 BJP MLAs suspended in Karnataka assembly amid protest

Rediff.com22 Mar 2025

Eighteen BJP MLAs were suspended for six months from the Karnataka Legislative Assembly for disrupting the budget session and disrespecting the Speaker. The incident occurred on the last day of the budget session, when the opposition BJP MLAs staged a massive protest over the allocation of a four percent reservation to Muslims in public contracts. The MLAs climbed onto the podium where the Speaker's chair is situated and threw papers at him.