India

New Delhi, October 30: New Minority Affairs Minister K Rahman Khan strongly favours reservation for backward Muslims as well as for Dalits among Christians and Muslims notwithstanding the Supreme Court's observation on the sub- quota issue. The minister also intends to carry forward reforms in the administration of Wakfs across the country and bring a revised bill for this in the Winter Session of

Bhopal, October 30: Social activist Medha Patkar has accused the UPA government of reeling under corporate pressure for its decision to shift Jaipal Reddy from the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry. Ms. Patkar alleged the decision was taken to provide undue benefits to the Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd. “Mr. Reddy has been removed because he questioned the irrational demand by RIL on

New Delhi, October 30: The chief investigating officer of the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, K Ragothaman, has alleged that the then IB chief, M K Narayanan, had "suppressed a vital piece of evidence": a video tape showing "human bomb" Dhanu at the Sriperumbudur venue prior to the former prime minister's arrival. In a book authored by him, Ragothaman said that although a "preliminary enquiry"

New Delhi, October 29: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's new team got down to work Monday with new ministers taking charge and old ones relinquishing responsibilities after a mega revamp of the council of ministers that saw 15 new faces and many key ministries changing hands. The major shake-up of the government Sunday, possibly the last before the 2014 general elections, saw Salman Khurshid taking

Shimla, October 29: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday slammed the Prem Kumar Dhumal-led Bharatiya Janata Party government of Himachal Pradesh for “bad governance and ignoring the interests of the common man.” Central aid Speaking at an election rally in Una town, about 200 km from here, Dr. Singh said whatever development that had taken place in the hill State was because of central aid and

Rohtak, October 29: The notorious khap panchayats of Haryana on Sunday demanded a legal ban on same-gotra and same-village marriages, saying such a measure could solve the problem of rising crime against women. Leaders of 30 khap panchayats who met in Rohtak passed a resolution calling for an amendment in the Hindu Marriage Act to bring the ban on such marriages into effect. The leaders vowed to

Pune, October 29: Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazareon Sunday sought to take credit for the resignation of six Union ministers. "There is no blot on my character, hence I could fight with the goons so far... look, I have taken wickets of six cabinet ministers," he said. Hazare, who has recently undergone a cataract surgery, said here he would launch his one-and-half-year-long nationwide tour

New Delhi, October 28: Battling perceptions of policy paralysis, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday effected a major reshuffle of his council of ministers and expressed confidence that the new team would be able to meet the challenges ahead. "It is a combination of youth, experience and relevance to the portfolios that have been entrusted to the ministers," Singh told reporters soon after the

New Delhi, October 28: Salman Khurshid on Sunday took over as the External Affairs Minister, the only minister to assume the charge immediately after the swearing-in ceremony. “The Prime Minister and Congress President have placed a very important responsibility on my shoulders. It will be my endeavour to ensure that I live up to their very high standards,” Mr. Khurshid, 59-year-old lawyer by

New Delhi, October 28: Resorting to corporal punishment in class or forcing students to purchase books, uniforms and other stationery from a particular shop could land one up to three years in jail, according to a draft Bill on curbing unfair practices in schools. The draft 'Prohibition Of Unfair Practices in Schools Bill', 2012 makes it clear that no school shall directly or indirectly demand or