News for 'public services'

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.

'I Want The South Asian Community To Feel They Have A Voice At City Hall'

'I Want The South Asian Community To Feel They Have A Voice At City Hall'

Rediff.com27 Oct 2025

'As Mayor, I will use my platform to reject any efforts by the Trump administration to curtail immigration.'

Delhi pollution worsens: HC questions 18% GST on air purifiers

Delhi pollution worsens: HC questions 18% GST on air purifiers

Rediff.com26 Dec 2025

The Delhi High Court has asked the central government why it cannot reduce the GST on air purifiers, considering the poor air quality in Delhi. The court's concern is that the current 18% GST makes air purifiers unaffordable for the common man.

How RBI Governor Fared In The First Year

How RBI Governor Fared In The First Year

Rediff.com29 Dec 2025

Sanjay Malhotra has made structural changes to banking regulation to bring down costs and increase efficiency. Plus, he kicked off a benign interest regime. But there are challenges ahead.

Bus services hit as transport workers begin strike in K'taka

Bus services hit as transport workers begin strike in K'taka

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

A strike by Karnataka's state-owned transport corporation employees has severely disrupted bus services across the state, leaving passengers stranded and impacting school, college, and office attendance. The strike persists despite a court stay, as unions demand wage revision and payment of salary arrears.

Proposed Nuclear Bill Caps Liability At 3,000 Cr

Proposed Nuclear Bill Caps Liability At 3,000 Cr

Rediff.com16 Dec 2025

The operator's liability in the case of an incident is limited to 3,000 crore for reactors with thermal power above 3,600 Megawatt; 1,500 crore for reactors with thermal power between 1,500 Mw and 3,600 Mw; 750 crore for reactors with thermal power between 750 Mw and 1,500 Mw; 300 crore for reactors with thermal power between 150 Mw and 750 Mw; and 100 crore for reactors having thermal power up to 150 Mw, fuel cycle facilities other than spent fuel reprocessing plants and transportation of nuclear materials.

Delhi choked by worst AQI of the year, strict curbs kick in

Delhi choked by worst AQI of the year, strict curbs kick in

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

A thick layer of toxic smog enveloped the national capital on Saturday as air quality deteriorated sharply, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to invoke the strictest curbs under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR.

'Labour Codes Will Reduce Take-Home Salary Is Wrong'

'Labour Codes Will Reduce Take-Home Salary Is Wrong'

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

'It will increase the contribution to gratuity, which is something the employer has to give.'

Indians Stranded As H-1B Visa Renewals Stall

Indians Stranded As H-1B Visa Renewals Stall

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

The US has expanded its review of social media and online presence to cover all H-1B speciality occupation workers and their H-4 dependents, the US embassy in India said on December 10.

31,000 RTI Appeals Await New CIC

31,000 RTI Appeals Await New CIC

Rediff.com16 Dec 2025

The Central Information Commission, which is functioning at full strength for the first time after December 2016, will need to consider 31,000 appeals and complaints. It takes more than a year for a matter to be heard by the Commission.

The Greatest Thing Sreenivasan Did For Malayalam Cinema

The Greatest Thing Sreenivasan Did For Malayalam Cinema

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

Sreenivasan could so willingly be 'our little man' because in his heart of hearts he never felt trivial or inconsequential. And to the very end he stayed that way, the shrimp who knew he was a giant. Sreehari Nair doffs his hat to the late legend.

8 Foods Rich In The Healing Vitamin K

8 Foods Rich In The Healing Vitamin K

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

Vitamin K has a key role in the human body... Where to find it and why you need it.

Rigged, biased, distasteful: Hasina reacts to death penalty

Rigged, biased, distasteful: Hasina reacts to death penalty

Rediff.com17 Nov 2025

Sheikh Hasina, sentenced to death in absentia in Bangladesh, denounces the tribunal as biased and rigged, claiming the verdict reveals the murderous intent of extremist figures within the interim government.

Trump's Language Of Fascism

Trump's Language Of Fascism

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

'Non-compatible with Western Civilization' is about as vague and jingoistic as it gets and Trump saying this gives full license to his acolytes to go full throttle on making life as difficult and scary as possible for as many non-white people as possible,' notes Sree Sreenivasan.

UP plans 'surgical strike' against infiltrators to boost security

UP plans 'surgical strike' against infiltrators to boost security

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

The Uttar Pradesh government, under Yogi Adityanath, is preparing a comprehensive plan to identify and act against infiltrators to strengthen internal security and ensure government schemes reach eligible beneficiaries.

A Life In The Service Of Maa Bharti

A Life In The Service Of Maa Bharti

Rediff.com11 Sep 2025

'Mohanji is a living example of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, showing that when we rise above boundaries and consider everyone as our own, it strengthens trust, brotherhood and equality in society.'

Messi event fiasco: Mamata accepts sports minister's resignation

Messi event fiasco: Mamata accepts sports minister's resignation

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday accepted Aroop Biswas's resignation as the sports minister in the wake of the controversy over the mismanagement of football icon Lionel Messi's event last week, a senior leader of the ruling Trinamool Congress said.

LS clears Insurance Amendment Bill to allow 100% FDI in insurance sector

LS clears Insurance Amendment Bill to allow 100% FDI in insurance sector

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said that raising the FDI limit to 100 per cent in the insurance sector will help attract more capital, improve competition and increase insurance penetration by making policies more affordable.

GST 2.0 bolstered momentum, economy on stable footing

GST 2.0 bolstered momentum, economy on stable footing

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

The reduction in the goods and services tax (GST) rates has increased the momentum in India's economic activity both on the supply and demand sides, while robust agricultural activity - reflected in the strong onset of rabi sowing and adequate reservoir levels - has reinforced the outlook for food supply and rural incomes, the finance ministry said on Thursday.

India rejects IMF view that US tariffs will stay indefinitely, hit growth

India rejects IMF view that US tariffs will stay indefinitely, hit growth

Rediff.com27 Nov 2025

The Indian government has expressed its disagreement with the IMF staff's 'baseline' assumption that the 50 per cent US tariffs on its goods exports 'would remain in place indefinitely', based on which the staff pegged the country's GDP growth at 6.6 per cent this year, and pared its 2026-27 projection by 20 basis points to 6.2 per cent.

Train ferrying oil catches fire in Tamil Nadu, services disrupted

Train ferrying oil catches fire in Tamil Nadu, services disrupted

Rediff.com13 Jul 2025

A moving goods train carrying diesel caught fire on Sunday at Tiruvallur in northern Tamil Nadu severely affecting train services on the arterial Chennai-Arakkonam rail route, which also links Chennai with Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, officials said.

'Large Part Of Capital Needs To Be Met Via GIFT City'

'Large Part Of Capital Needs To Be Met Via GIFT City'

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

'Foreign capital will continue to come directly into India, but companies have realised that GIFT City is a more cost-efficient way of channelling funds.'

ISRO Clears 200 Milestones, Gaganyaan Next

ISRO Clears 200 Milestones, Gaganyaan Next

Rediff.com24 Dec 2025

From a surge in startups to crewed mission preparations, 2025 marks a transformative year as India eyes $44 billion space economy by 2033.

'Future India captain': Ganguly's big praise for Richa

'Future India captain': Ganguly's big praise for Richa

Rediff.com8 Nov 2025

It was an evening soaked with pride, nostalgia and emotion at Eden Gardens on Saturday as Bengal's first-ever World Cup-winning cricketer Richa Ghosh was felicitated in a grand ceremony that brought together Sourav Ganguly, Jhulan Goswami and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on one stage.

Insurance sector premium growth crossed 20% in Nov

Insurance sector premium growth crossed 20% in Nov

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

Both the life and non-life insurance segment posted over 20 per cent premium growth in November for the first time in this financial year (FY26), supported by the reduction in goods and services tax (GST) on premiums from 18 per cent to zero and a favourable base effect.

Security forces set up new camp in Chhattisgarh's Maoist stronghold

Security forces set up new camp in Chhattisgarh's Maoist stronghold

Rediff.com23 Nov 2025

Security forces have established a new camp in the Karregutta Hills along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border, a former Naxal stronghold, following a major anti-Naxal operation.

Improve Customer Service, Banks Told, Or Else!

Improve Customer Service, Banks Told, Or Else!

Rediff.com28 May 2025

In 2023-2024, 95 scheduled commercial banks received over 10 million complaints from their customers. The process of KYC at many banks has become 'HYC' -- harass your customer, points out Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

'India, Pak, they were going at it': Trump again

'India, Pak, they were going at it': Trump again

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

Meanwhile, Trump said Cambodia and Thailand have started fighting again and "tomorrow", he will make a phone call to those countries.

K'taka council passes hate speech bill amid BJP-JD-S protests

K'taka council passes hate speech bill amid BJP-JD-S protests

Rediff.com19 Dec 2025

The Karnataka Legislative Council passed a bill to curb hate speech, facing strong opposition from BJP and JD(S), who criticized it as 'draconian' and a threat to free speech. The bill proposes jail terms and fines for hate crimes and repeated offenses.

IndiGo Crisis: 'Well-Orchestrated To Pressure Government, DGCA'

IndiGo Crisis: 'Well-Orchestrated To Pressure Government, DGCA'

Rediff.com6 Dec 2025

'Where rostering systems are automated and duty time software interfaces directly with DGCA, the assertion that they suddenly discovered crew shortages is simply implausible.' 'If adequate crew planning hasn't materialised within 12 to 24 months from inception, how will 45 days -- from December 5 to February 12 -- suddenly resolve matters?'

Haryana IPS officer's suicide note alleges anti-Dalit bias, names DGP

Haryana IPS officer's suicide note alleges anti-Dalit bias, names DGP

Rediff.com9 Oct 2025

A senior Haryana Police officer's suspected suicide has sparked controversy after a note he left behind accused senior officers of harassment and caste-based discrimination. His wife has demanded an FIR against the state police chief.

Maharashtra, 1st state to ink pact with Musk's Starlink

Maharashtra, 1st state to ink pact with Musk's Starlink

Rediff.com5 Nov 2025

The Maharashtra government on Wednesday announced partnership with billionaire Elon Musk's satellite communications venture in India to deploy a host of satellite-based internet services, becoming the first Indian state to formally tie-up with the US firm. The government signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Starlink Satellite Communications Pvt Ltd.

Shakti Dubey tops 2024 civil services exam; women dominate top 5

Shakti Dubey tops 2024 civil services exam; women dominate top 5

Rediff.com22 Apr 2025

Shakti Dubey has topped the civil services examination 2024, with Harshita Goyal and Dongre Archit Parag getting the second and third ranks, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) announced on Tuesday. The top five successful candidates comprise three women and two men. The civil services examination is conducted annually in three stages -- preliminary, main and interview -- by the UPSC to select officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) among others. A total of 1,009 candidates -- 725 men and 284 women -- have been recommended by the UPSC for appointment to various services.

How insurers stand to gain from GST rate cut

How insurers stand to gain from GST rate cut

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

The exemption of individual life and health insurance premiums from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) enables the insurance industry to make products affordable and attractive, said Ajay Seth, chairman of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) at the Business Standard BFSI Insight Summit 2025.

The Man Challenging 18% GST On Air Purifiers

The Man Challenging 18% GST On Air Purifiers

Rediff.com27 Dec 2025

'If a common man wants to buy an air purifier for Rs 10,000, then he will have to shell out Rs 11,800 with 18 percent GST.' 'If he is charged GST at 5 percent the same air purifier will cost Rs 10,500.' 'This saves a one time amount of Rs 1,300 -- and that too just to breathe clean air.'

Fraud Bleeds Insurers Of Rs 10,000 Crore A Year

Fraud Bleeds Insurers Of Rs 10,000 Crore A Year

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

These losses increase insurance premiums for customers and reduce insurer margins on the other.

Exports up in first 3 weeks of Nov: Goyal

Exports up in first 3 weeks of Nov: Goyal

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

India's merchandise exports grew in the first three weeks of November compared with the same period last year, according to preliminary government data, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Tuesday. The uptick comes despite globa

Siemens Energy India net profit rises 31% to Rs 360 cr in Q2

Siemens Energy India net profit rises 31% to Rs 360 cr in Q2

Rediff.com25 Nov 2025

Siemens Energy India on Tuesday posted an over 31 per cent year-on-year increase in its net profit to Rs 360 crore during July-September quarter, mainly on the back of higher revenues. Its net profit stood at Rs 274 crore in the quarter ended September 2024, a company statement said.

Board nod must for bank entities to do same biz: RBI

Board nod must for bank entities to do same biz: RBI

Rediff.com6 Dec 2025

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday allowed multiple entities in a bank group to undertake the same business as long as they cater to different client segments, while mandating board approval to ensure that any overlap in business has proper rationale and justification.

UK train attack leaves 10 hurt, 9 critical; two suspects captured

UK train attack leaves 10 hurt, 9 critical; two suspects captured

Rediff.com2 Nov 2025

According to a statement by the BTP, the incident that occurred on Saturday evening prompted a major incident declaration, with two suspects being arrested, and Counter Terrorism Policing units supporting the investigation.