News for 'rural development'

Sunetra Pawar gets 3 ministries, Fadnavis keeps finance

Sunetra Pawar gets 3 ministries, Fadnavis keeps finance

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Newly-appointed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar has been allocated the portfolios of State Excise Duty, Sports and Youth Affairs and Minorities Development and Aukaf.

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.

Electric buses to drive UP's public transport revolution

Electric buses to drive UP's public transport revolution

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

From EV bus expansion to airport-like terminals and rural connectivity, Uttar Pradesh is overhauling public transport to cut pollution and ensure every village has modern, affordable travel, reports Siddharth Kalhans.

Karnataka Bets Big On Space

Karnataka Bets Big On Space

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

'This policy is a vision to position Karnataka as the epicentre of India's space ambitions'

'Insult to Bapu': Oppn MPs protest against G RAM G bill

'Insult to Bapu': Oppn MPs protest against G RAM G bill

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticizes the government's proposed bill to replace MGNREGA, arguing it weakens the guaranteed 100 days of employment for the poor and centralizes control over the scheme.

Ajit 'dada' Pawar: Always the bridesmaid, never the bride

Ajit 'dada' Pawar: Always the bridesmaid, never the bride

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Ajit Pawar, who was the finance and planning minister, would have tabled his budget for 2026-27 next month when the state legislature's budget session begins in Mumbai on February 23.

Rate Cut effect: PFC, Sidbi plan to raise Rs 11,000 crore from bond market

Rate Cut effect: PFC, Sidbi plan to raise Rs 11,000 crore from bond market

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

Activity in the corporate bond market is set to gain momentum following a 25-bp policy repo rate cut by the rate-setting panel of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). State-owned public cebPower Finance Corporation (PFC) and Small Industries Development Bank of India (Sidbi) are planning to raise up to Rs 11,500 crore through bonds on Tuesday as issuers expect borrowing costs to ease.

Local body polls soon? Maha cabinet takes 21 decisions in single day

Local body polls soon? Maha cabinet takes 21 decisions in single day

Rediff.com4 Nov 2025

A series of decisions were taken under the Public Health Department, including an approval to increase honoraria for field-level workers engaged under the Ayushman BharatPradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana.

Kerala Cong MLA booked over corruption in bank appointments

Kerala Cong MLA booked over corruption in bank appointments

Rediff.com18 Oct 2025

The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has registered a case against Congress MLA I C Balakrishnan over alleged corruption in appointments at a local cooperative bank in Sultan Bathery. The allegation involves accepting bribes for facilitating appointments at the bank.

Why Budget 2026 Deserves 8.5/10

Why Budget 2026 Deserves 8.5/10

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

This is the first Budget in my memory of Budgets over the last half a century which has embraced upfront, enthusiastically and emphatically, technology, modernity and fiscal sobriety, notes Shreekant Sambrani.

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.

74% rural households expect income growth in 1 yr: Survey

74% rural households expect income growth in 1 yr: Survey

Rediff.com18 Jun 2025

Around 74 per cent rural households expect their incomes to increase in the next one year, according to a bimonthly survey conducted by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) in May 2025. The percentage recorded was 72 in March.

Buzz over CM change resurfaces as Shivakumar meets Kharge

Buzz over CM change resurfaces as Shivakumar meets Kharge

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar met Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, leading to speculation about a change in chief minister. Shivakumar denies discussing political matters, focusing on the MGNREGA replacement.

Big Labour Budget: 61% Unspent

Big Labour Budget: 61% Unspent

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

Of the Rs 31,820.80 crore allocated to central sector schemes and projects, only Rs 11,868.05 crore was utilised, according to the revised estimates.

Karnataka govt cook sacked for joining RSS march

Karnataka govt cook sacked for joining RSS march

Rediff.com22 Oct 2025

The Karnataka government has relieved an assistant cook at a hostel run by the Backward Classes Welfare department in Basavakalyana after he allegedly participated in a route march organised by the RSS. This follows a complaint and is in line with rules barring government employees from participating in politically affiliated organizations.

'We have been building AI before it became mainstream'

'We have been building AI before it became mainstream'

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

'Today, we are at a stage where we have launched a voice-to-voice model that supports 14 Indian languages.'

Aware of people's pain due to violence: Prez in Manipur

Aware of people's pain due to violence: Prez in Manipur

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

President Droupadi Murmu addressed the people of Manipur, assuring them of the government's commitment to strengthening harmony and ensuring security in the wake of ethnic violence. She highlighted the state's resilience, contributions to the nation, and the government's initiatives for development and inclusivity.

2025 Marks India's Arrival As A Great Power

2025 Marks India's Arrival As A Great Power

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

In a world fractured by uncertainty, India stands out for its policy consistency, paired with sustained ambition, points out Pritam Banerjee.

Not aware of, nor accepted: Tharoor says NO to Veer Savarkar Award

Not aware of, nor accepted: Tharoor says NO to Veer Savarkar Award

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

Tharoor later told reporters in the national capital that he heard about the award on Tuesday and that he was not going for the ceremony.

Won't accept Savarkar award or attend event: Tharoor

Won't accept Savarkar award or attend event: Tharoor

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

Shashi Tharoor categorically stated that he would not accept an award named after VD Savarkar, nor attend a related event, even as a senior party colleague wanted the Congress MP to not accept any honour named after the ideologue whom he claimed "bowed before the British."

India a messenger of peace: President Murmu in R-Day eve address

India a messenger of peace: President Murmu in R-Day eve address

Rediff.com25 Jan 2026

President Droupadi Murmu addressed the nation on the eve of Republic Day, emphasising India's role in promoting peace, the empowerment of women, and the country's economic growth.

Land bill deadlock impacting rural development: PM at NITI Aayog meet

Land bill deadlock impacting rural development: PM at NITI Aayog meet

Rediff.com15 Jul 2015

Ahead of the Parliament session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday reached out to parties appealing them not to come in the way of prosperity of farmers, saying the deadlock over the land acquisition bill is seriously impacting rural development.

Mumbai-Pune Expressway gridlocked for 30 hours; relief likely on Thursday

Mumbai-Pune Expressway gridlocked for 30 hours; relief likely on Thursday

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

The Maharashtra Highway Traffic Police have advised motorists to avoid the Mumbai-Pune Expressway until regular traffic movement is restored.

Tariffs cut, $30tn market: India, US unveil interim trade pact

Tariffs cut, $30tn market: India, US unveil interim trade pact

Rediff.com8 Feb 2026

The agreement addresses non-tariff barriers and promotes increased trade in technology products and cooperation between the two countries.

High drama as TN Governor walks out of assembly again

High drama as TN Governor walks out of assembly again

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

In the fourth such instance, Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi on Tuesday walked out of the state assembly without reading his customary address after alleging that the national anthem was insulted, evoking a sharp response from Chief Minister M K Stalin, who dubbed his action as an 'insult' to the House and the people of the state.

Ex-bus conductor, paediatrician among 45 Padma Shri 'unsung heroes'

Ex-bus conductor, paediatrician among 45 Padma Shri 'unsung heroes'

Rediff.com25 Jan 2026

India announces Padma Shri awards for 45 individuals, recognizing 'unsung heroes' like a former bus conductor who created the world's largest free library and a pediatrician who established Asia's first human milk bank.

High drama in Karnataka assembly as guv walks out over speech row

High drama in Karnataka assembly as guv walks out over speech row

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

Gehlot had on Wednesday refused to deliver the address to the Karnataka legislature, leading to a stalemate over the fate of the customary speech that outlines the government's policies.

Public NBFCs eye Rs 24K cr via bonds

Public NBFCs eye Rs 24K cr via bonds

Rediff.com22 Nov 2025

Ahead of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) monetary policy review in the first week of December, major public sector non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) - the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard), Small Industries Development Bank of India (Sidbi), Power Finance Corporation (PFC), and Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) - plan to raise up to Rs 24,000 crore together through bond issuancesk.

AAP axes Goa unit president after debacle in ZP polls

AAP axes Goa unit president after debacle in ZP polls

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has removed Amit Palekar from the post of Goa unit president following the party's poor performance in the recent Zilla Panchayat elections. Shrikrishna Parab will hold the additional charge until further orders.

'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.'

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.

Govt gets serious about rural development; readies roadmap

Govt gets serious about rural development; readies roadmap

Rediff.com21 Dec 2017

A fresh scheme is likely to be released in the upcoming Budget

'If You Can Make a Difference, Just Do It'

'If You Can Make a Difference, Just Do It'

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

'There'll be extended periods where things aren't working in your favour. But if you believe in the cause profoundly, then you simply persevere.'

India's Housing Finance Sector Hits Home Run

India's Housing Finance Sector Hits Home Run

Rediff.com29 Oct 2025

India's housing finance sector is riding a wave of post-pandemic revival, driven by policy support, digital innovation, and growing demand from younger homebuyers in emerging cities.

'G RAM G Isn't A National Employment Guarantee Law'

'G RAM G Isn't A National Employment Guarantee Law'

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

'MGNREGA was about a guaranteed right to work.' 'The new law does not guarantee employment at all.' 'It removes everything that made MGNREGA a legal guarantee.'

Don't Expect Tax Relief In This Budget!

Don't Expect Tax Relief In This Budget!

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

After the last Budget's announcement of a major tax relief for those earning an annual salary of less than Rs 12 lakh, there is not much that individuals can look forward to in the forthcoming Budget, points out A K Bhattacharya.

Nitin Nabin Was 7 Weeks Old When BJP Was Formed In 1980

Nitin Nabin Was 7 Weeks Old When BJP Was Formed In 1980

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

BJP sources said the formal process to elect current party President J P Nadda's successor will begin in mid-January, following Makar Sankranti, with Nitin Nabin expected to be the frontrunner to file his nomination.

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.

'Fadnavis Encouraged Thackerays To Unite'

'Fadnavis Encouraged Thackerays To Unite'

Rediff.com24 Dec 2025

'This will split the Marathi and Shiv Sena vote.' 'The BJP has conducted 3 surveys indicating they shall secure 109 seats in the BMC.' 'They do not wish for the Shinde Sena to demonstrate excessive strength in the BMC.' 'If the Thackerays secure 60-70 seats, that will affect Shinde's seats.'

India's GDP estimated to grow at 7.4% in FY26; fastest in the world

India's GDP estimated to grow at 7.4% in FY26; fastest in the world

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

The Indian economy is likely to grow at 7.4 per cent in 2025-26, up from 6.5 per cent in the previous fiscal, mainly on account of better performance of manufacturing and services sectors, as per the government data released on Wednesday.