News for '-social-justice-and-empowerment'

Social justice and empowerment budget expanded by 35%

Social justice and empowerment budget expanded by 35%

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has received Rs 13,611 crore in the Union Budget announced on Saturday, while the allocation for disability welfare now stands at Rs 1,275 crore.

NCP (SP) Leader Calls for Withdrawal of 'Misguided' Transgender Bill

NCP (SP) Leader Calls for Withdrawal of 'Misguided' Transgender Bill

Rediff.com4 days ago

NCP (SP) leader Anish Gawande has urged the government to withdraw the Transgender Persons Amendment Bill, 2026, arguing that it undermines the right to self-determination of gender identity and was drafted without adequate consultation.

UPSC exams to allow change of scribe, screen-readers for visually impaired

UPSC exams to allow change of scribe, screen-readers for visually impaired

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

The Supreme Court has directed the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to incorporate provisions for scribe changes and implement screen-reader software for visually-impaired candidates in its examinations. The court emphasized the constitutional rights of differently-abled people and the need for inclusive governance.

The Loneliness Of Tejashwi Yadav

The Loneliness Of Tejashwi Yadav

Rediff.com15 Nov 2025

His inheritance was a double-edged sword because the NDA was understandably interested only in highlighting that part of the RJD's tenure in government that evokes kidnapping, extortion, and lawlessness.

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.

Rivaba Jadeja becomes Gujarat minister after reshuffle

Rivaba Jadeja becomes Gujarat minister after reshuffle

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel reshuffled his cabinet, inducting 19 new ministers and elevating Harsh Sanghavi to Deputy Chief Minister. The swearing-in ceremony took place on Friday, with several existing ministers continuing in their roles.

Why The Congress Has Rediscovered Sitaram Kesri

Why The Congress Has Rediscovered Sitaram Kesri

Rediff.com30 Oct 2025

It was significant that the ceremony took place at 24, Akbar Road, the party's former national headquarters, and not at its new office in Kotla Road.

SC flags discrimination against disabled in jobs, seeks Centre's reply

SC flags discrimination against disabled in jobs, seeks Centre's reply

Rediff.com12 Sep 2025

The Supreme Court has raised concerns about discrimination against persons with disabilities in employment, questioning the Centre on the lack of 'upward movement' for meritorious candidates. The court also ordered nationwide monitoring of care institutions for persons with cognitive disabilities.

70% of India's elderly financially dependent: Report

70% of India's elderly financially dependent: Report

Rediff.com1 Aug 2025

A new report highlights the financial dependence, health challenges, and social isolation faced by India's elderly population, calling for greater support and inclusion.

New York City declares April 14 as Dr BR Ambedkar Day

New York City declares April 14 as Dr BR Ambedkar Day

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

Deputy Commissioner for the New York City Mayor's Office for International Affairs Dilip Chauhan made the announcement in the presence of Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr Ramdas Athawale, who delivered the keynote address at a special event organised at the UN headquarters on Monday to commemorate Dr Ambedkar's 134th birth anniversary.

Investor Sushil Kedia apologises after office attack; 5 MNS men held

Investor Sushil Kedia apologises after office attack; 5 MNS men held

Rediff.com5 Jul 2025

Unidentified persons vandalised the office of investor Sushil Kedia in Mumbai after he challenged MNS chief Raj Thackeray to make him learn Marathi.

Instead of removing Aurangzeb's tomb...: BJP ally

Instead of removing Aurangzeb's tomb...: BJP ally

Rediff.com24 Mar 2025

The Republican Party of India-Athawale leader said that removing Aurangzeb's tomb would not solve anything.

Removal of Aurangzeb's grave won't serve any purpose: Athawale

Removal of Aurangzeb's grave won't serve any purpose: Athawale

Rediff.com16 Mar 2025

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has voiced his opposition to the demand for demolition of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's grave in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, saying its removal will not serve any purpose. Athawale said that since Aurangzeb was buried there, his tomb should remain undisturbed. The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar administration has barred Hindutva leader Milind Ekbote from entering the district from March 16 to April 5 amid calls from some outfits to remove Aurangzeb's grave. Security has been heightened around the site and visitors are being checked thoroughly.

Protesting Cong MLAs to spend another night in Rajasthan assembly

Protesting Cong MLAs to spend another night in Rajasthan assembly

Rediff.com22 Feb 2025

Congress legislators continued their sit-in protest inside the assembly while the party held protests at all district headquarters on Saturday against the suspension of six party MLAs.

SC constitutes task force to address student suicides

SC constitutes task force to address student suicides

Rediff.com24 Mar 2025

The Supreme Court of India has formed a National Task Force (NTF) to address the growing concern of student suicides in higher educational institutions. The court took note of the recurring cases and directed Delhi Police to register FIRs on the complaints of families of two students who died by suicide at IIT Delhi in 2023. The NTF, chaired by former apex court judge Justice S Ravindra Bhat, will prepare a comprehensive report, including the identification of causes leading to suicides, analysis of existing regulations, and recommendations for strengthening protections. The NTF will also have the authority to conduct surprise inspections of higher educational institutions and make further recommendations to ensure a holistic approach to addressing mental health concerns and eliminating suicides.

Ambedkar's legacy sparks fierce political clash on his birth anniversary

Ambedkar's legacy sparks fierce political clash on his birth anniversary

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

The birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, whose political influence has surged with the passage of time, on Monday was marked by bitter trading of charges between the ruling BJP and opposition parties as they fought for his legacy.

Rs 1.2 Lakh Scholarship For Entrance Exam Coaching

Rs 1.2 Lakh Scholarship For Entrance Exam Coaching

Rediff.com28 Nov 2024

Students from de-notified tribes, nomadic tribes and semi-nomadic tribes will receive coaching fees of up to 1,20,000 and additional benefits for preparing for entrance examinations such as JEE, NEET, CLAT and the NDA.

Raj assembly impasse continues over minister's remark

Raj assembly impasse continues over minister's remark

Rediff.com24 Feb 2025

Amid slogan shouting by Congress members, the House witnessed three adjournments.

SC directs Centre to safeguard domestic workers' rights

SC directs Centre to safeguard domestic workers' rights

Rediff.com29 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court of India directed the government to establish a legal framework to protect domestic workers and address their exploitation.

IYCU: Scholarship for OBC Students, Delhi

IYCU: Scholarship for OBC Students, Delhi

Rediff.com2 Feb 2024

Selected students from Delhi will receive up to Rs 10,000 to cover tuition fees along with an annual academic allowance of up to Rs 10,000.

Drug victims need rehabilitation, not demonisation: SC

Drug victims need rehabilitation, not demonisation: SC

Rediff.com17 Dec 2024

The Supreme Court of India expressed deep concern over the rising drug abuse problem in the country, highlighting the impact on youth and the need for urgent intervention. The court emphasized the need for rehabilitation rather than demonization of drug users and called for open discussions to address the issue. The judgment came while granting bail to a man accused in a heroin smuggling case. The court cited a 2019 report that indicated a significant number of people in India use opioids, cannabis, and other substances, with alarming trends in opioid dependence.

Sena-UBT trolls Shinde over non-inclusion in NITI Aayog

Sena-UBT trolls Shinde over non-inclusion in NITI Aayog

Rediff.com17 Jul 2024

Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray leader Priyanka Chaturvedi on Wednesday took potshots at the rival Shiv Sena over its minister not finding a place in the reconstituted NITI Aayog.

No creamy layer provision in SC/ST quota in Constitution: Union Cabinet

No creamy layer provision in SC/ST quota in Constitution: Union Cabinet

Rediff.com9 Aug 2024

The Union Cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, held a detailed discussion on the Supreme Court judgement on the sub-categorisation of reservation for SCs and STs as granted in the Constitution.

'For marginalised communities': Govt cancels lateral entry for babus

'For marginalised communities': Govt cancels lateral entry for babus

Rediff.com20 Aug 2024

The Centre on Tuesday asked the UPSC to withdraw the latest advertisement for lateral entry in bureaucracy, amid a row over reservation in the advertised posts.

Tendulkar, Pant pay tribute on 'Kargil Vijay Diiwas'

Tendulkar, Pant pay tribute on 'Kargil Vijay Diiwas'

Rediff.com26 Jul 2024

Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant on Friday paid their tributes to the brave hearts who sacrificed their lives for the country during the Kargil War back in 1999.

Full list: Modi's New Ministers And Their Portfolios

Full list: Modi's New Ministers And Their Portfolios

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

Here is the complete list of ministers in Modi 3.0 and their portfolios:

Key Modi ministers retain their previous portfolios

Key Modi ministers retain their previous portfolios

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

While there are some new faces in the cabinet, leaders such as BJP president JP Nadda and Jual Oram have returned as ministers.

Modi's top 4 retain portfolios; Nadda gets health, Shivraj agri

Modi's top 4 retain portfolios; Nadda gets health, Shivraj agri

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

Among the new entrants to the Union cabinet, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been given the agriculture and rural development portfolios, Bharatiya Janata Party president J P Nadda the health portfolio and former Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar the power portfolio.

SC seeks details from Centre on steps taken to stop manual scavenging

SC seeks details from Centre on steps taken to stop manual scavenging

Rediff.com25 Feb 2023

The apex court has also sought state-wise details about the steps taken towards abolition of dry latrines, the status of dry latrines, and 'safai karamcharis' in cantonment boards and the railways.

CWC okays to appoint Rahul Gandhi as Leader of Oppn in LS

CWC okays to appoint Rahul Gandhi as Leader of Oppn in LS

Rediff.com8 Jun 2024

This will be the first time that the Congress, since its ouster from power in 2014, will get the post of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. It failed to get the position in the past 10 years as its tally was below the requisite 10 per cent of total seats in the House, both in 2014 and 2019.

Guj polls: BJP denies ticket to 5 ministers including Morbi MLA

Guj polls: BJP denies ticket to 5 ministers including Morbi MLA

Rediff.com10 Nov 2022

Gujarat assembly Speaker Nimaben Acharya, who won from Bhuj seat of Kutch district in 2012 and 2017, has also been denied ticket this time by the party.

Kharge's son-in-law to contest LS poll from K'taka?

Kharge's son-in-law to contest LS poll from K'taka?

Rediff.com7 Mar 2024

Doddamani has maintained a low profile; he has always worked actively behind the scenes in managing and strategising for Kharge's successive electoral campaign.

SC notice to Centre over caste-based census for OBCs

SC notice to Centre over caste-based census for OBCs

Rediff.com24 Dec 2022

The top court was hearing a plea filed by advocate Krishan Kanhaya Pal who said that the governments are unable to share the benefits of the welfare schemes with all sections among backward classes due to a lack of caste-based survey and a caste-based census of the OBCs is of 'vital necessity'.

Govt posts Manipur cadre officer as aviation secretary, rejigs bureaucracy

Govt posts Manipur cadre officer as aviation secretary, rejigs bureaucracy

Rediff.com1 Sep 2023

The Centre has appointed senior IAS officers Vumlunmang Vualnam and Neeraj Mittal as new secretaries in the ministry of civil aviation and the department of telecommunications respectively in a major secretary-level bureaucratic reshuffle, a government order stated.

BJP, Cong leaders stopped from going to Sandeshkhali

BJP, Cong leaders stopped from going to Sandeshkhali

Rediff.com16 Feb 2024

Senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress were stopped by police on Friday from visiting the trouble-torn Sandeshkhali, escalating the political tensions in the state as the leaders accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of fostering a 'lawless situation' and attempting to 'communalise' the issue.

Thaawarchand Gehlot made Karnataka Guv ahead of cabinet rejig

Thaawarchand Gehlot made Karnataka Guv ahead of cabinet rejig

Rediff.com6 Jul 2021

President Ram Nath Kovind has approved the appointment of a few Governors and changes in portfolios of some others.

Athawale seeks cabinet berth for party in Maharashtra expansion

Athawale seeks cabinet berth for party in Maharashtra expansion

Rediff.com6 Jun 2023

He said the RPI-A will also demand tickets to contest at least two Lok Sabha seats (out of the total 48 in Maharashtra) and 10 to 15 assembly segments in the 2024 elections from the NDA quota.

DMK's dy general secretary Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan quits party, politics

DMK's dy general secretary Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan quits party, politics

Rediff.com20 Sep 2022

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam deputy general secretary Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan on Tuesday announced her decision to quit her post and the party.

Thawarchand Gehlot replaces Jaitley as Leader of Rajya Sabha

Thawarchand Gehlot replaces Jaitley as Leader of Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com11 Jun 2019

The 71-year-old leader from Madhya Pradesh has almost four decades of legislative experience.

Centre justifies no SC tag for Dalit Muslims, Christians in SC

Centre justifies no SC tag for Dalit Muslims, Christians in SC

Rediff.com10 Nov 2022

The ministry also submitted that the identification of scheduled castes is centred around a specific social stigma that is limited to the communities identified in the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950.