GOVERNMENT
Government appoints former Union minister Dinesh Trivedi as Bangladesh envoy
Former Union minister Dinesh Trivedi has been appointed India's high commissioner to Bangladesh, a first for the Modi government appointing a politician to head a diplomatic mission. He faces the challenge of repairing strained ties with Dhaka, which have deteriorated following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ouster and an adversarial stance by the new government.
When AI runs the firm, who pays tax?
The rise of artificial intelligence is reshaping our governance and taxation landscape. With AI systems becoming increasingly self-sufficient, there's a pressing need to reevaluate existing legal frameworks. While the current productivity spike from AI is advantageous for many workers, the next generation of intelligent AI might necessitate a complete overhaul of our tax policies.
Karnataka: State policy & planning panel member moots performance driven governance policy
Karnataka is set to embrace a new era of governance. The State Policy and Planning Commission has presented a draft bill for performance-driven governance to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. This initiative aims to boost service delivery and accountability. Key reforms include performance contracts, an independent authority, and citizen feedback integration.
'Factually Abused Quackery': Congress' dig at government FAQs on women's quota bill
The Congress party has criticized the government's release of Frequently Asked Questions on women's reservation. They called the FAQs 'Factually Abused Quackery' and a 'damage control exercise'. This follows the defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha. The bill aimed to implement 33 percent reservation for women in legislatures starting in 2029.
Cong demands implementation of women's quota law on current LS strength, marches to BJP office
Congress staged a protest in New Delhi demanding immediate implementation of women's reservation. Party leaders accused the Modi government of deliberately delaying the quota for political reasons. They called for reservation on the current 543 Lok Sabha seats. The Congress highlighted that the bill was passed in 2023 but linked to census and delimitation, causing postponement.
Himachal govt defers 30% salary of top officials for six months
Himachal Pradesh government has deferred a portion of salaries for officers and employees for six months, starting May 2026, to manage financial resources efficiently. The deferment percentages vary by rank, with higher officials seeing a 30% reduction and others 20%. This temporary measure aims for efficient financial management and will be released later based on the state's financial health.
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Multiple states to borrow Rs 16,900 crore through RBI SGS auction on April 21
Multiple state governments are set to raise a combined Rs 16,900 crore through a revised auction of State Government Securities on April 21. The Reserve Bank of India will conduct the auction on its E-Kuber platform, featuring fresh issuances and re-issues with varying tenors. Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Telangana are among the participating states.

Samrat Choudhary signals continuity after taking over as Bihar CM; holds Janata Darbar, meets Nitish Kumar, orders anti-corruption push
Bihar's new Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary is emphasizing continuity in governance. He has directed officials towards zero tolerance for corruption and efficient service delivery. Choudhary is also engaging in public outreach through a Janata Darbar. He is reaching out to senior leaders and plans cabinet expansion soon. Departmental reviews are also on the agenda.

Govt sets up committee for expert advisory support to India's AI governance architecture
India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has formed a new expert committee. This Technology and Policy Expert Committee will guide the AI Governance and Economic Group. The committee brings together academics and industry leaders. Their role is to offer technical and policy advice. This ensures informed decisions on AI regulations and global engagements.

Yogi government to supply 34,000 MW power to consumers across UP
Under the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Energy Department has prepared a strategy to make approximately 34,000 megawatt (MW) of electricity available this year, keeping peak demand in mind.

With a handshake, Spain and Mexico put diplomatic tussle over their colonial past behind them
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez have struck a reconciliatory note, bringing closure to a diplomatic spat rooted in Spain's colonial legacy. The breakthrough came with King Felipe VI's admission of historical injustices, vital for mending relations.

Cabinet clears 2% DA hike as pay demands build ahead of 8th Pay Commission
Central government employees will see a 2% Dearness Allowance increase. This modest salary boost comes as employee unions push for significant pay restructuring. The National Council–Joint Consultative Machinery has proposed a higher fitment factor. This could substantially increase the minimum basic pay, impacting the overall salary structure.

Cabinet meeting key decisions: Maritime insurance pool, DA hike for 1.18 crore government staff, new rail corridor among others
The Union Cabinet has approved significant decisions impacting infrastructure and social security. A new Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool will boost domestic capacity. Central government employees and pensioners will see a Dearness Allowance and Relief hike. The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III receives an extension. A new rail corridor in Uttar Pradesh is also cleared, enhancing connectivity.

Udhayanidhi Stalin alleges BJP fund squeeze on Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin criticized the central government for withholding funds and infringing on state rights. He outlined the DMK's future welfare plans, including doubling financial assistance for women and extending the breakfast scheme. Free laptops for college students and appliance coupons for women were also mentioned. Elections are scheduled for April 23.

15 banks get government nod to import gold & silver for 3 years
India has authorized 17 banks to import gold and silver. This authorization is effective for three years from April 1, 2026. The move resolves a customs clearance delay that had stalled shipments. This decision brings relief to importers and ensures smooth trade of precious metals. The new authorization is valid until March 31, 2029.

Trump govt is hiring again, remember Doge?
The Trump administration is now actively recruiting federal employees after earlier efforts to reduce government jobs. Job postings have increased significantly, with new drives targeting tech, legal, and project management roles. While some departments may see reduced staff, others are slated for growth.

Exporters seek removal of cap on interest subvention
Indian exporters are calling on the government to lift the cap on interest subvention. They state current support is insufficient to counter rising global trade uncertainties. The Federation of Indian Export Organisations believes the subsidy scheme needs revision. This aims to provide more substantial relief to businesses facing higher borrowing costs and fluctuating export demand.

Andhra Government clears Rs 2,500 crore NSPSL cathode plant in Chittoor
Andhra Pradesh is set to boost its electronics and battery sector. The state government has approved a significant Rs 2,550 crore investment by NSPSL Speciality Chemicals. This will establish a cathode material manufacturing facility in Chittoor district. This project is crucial for localizing key battery components. It will support the growth of electric vehicles and consumer electronics.

No cause for concern at HDFC Bank: InGovern
HDFC Bank's financial health and leadership remain robust even after the resignation of its part-time chairman. Investors can be assured of the bank's financial strength and earning capacity. The bank's balance sheet is low risk and its dividend policy is clear. The board structure aligns with global standards for large banks.

8th Pay Commission: Government staff seek Rs 69,000 minimum pay, DA merger proposal
Government employees are pushing for major changes in pay and pensions with the Eighth Central Pay Commission. They want a higher basic salary and better benefits. Proposals include a new fitment factor and merging dearness allowance with basic pay. The plan also covers cadre restructuring and family-friendly policies.

Centre forms nodal body to coordinate, develop AI governance norms
The Centre on Thursday announced the formation of the AI Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG) to lead the country's national AI governance strategy. Set to serve as a high-level inter-ministerial body, it will coordinate the development of AI policy across central ministries and institutions.

Central government workers seek wages based on five-member families
Central government employees are demanding a significant overhaul of their pay structure. They want the government to consider a family of five for pay calculations, moving away from the current three-member system. This includes support for dependent parents, aligning with legal mandates.

Narendra Modi government wants to 'shelve' caste census: Congress
The Congress party accuses the Modi government of planning to delay a caste census. They claim this is to avoid pressure for OBC women's reservation in Parliament. The government is expected to bring amendments for women's reservation implementation. This move, according to the Congress, aims to prevent representation for a large section of OBC women.

DA hike delay: Central government employee body to hold protest over dearness allowance delay
In a letter to the Cabinet Secretary of India, the Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers (CCGEW) writes that its affiliated organisations will hold a lunch hour protest at all work places on April 16, 2026. The government last announced the DA hike in October 2025, which was for July 2025. While central government employees and pensioners have got their arrears for that hike, their wait for the January 2026 DA hike is still not over.

Central government yet to notify selection panels for data protection board
Five months after establishing the Data Protection Board of India (DPBI), the government has yet to set up search-cum-selection committees to appoint its chairperson and four members. While the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) rules are in force, the quasi-judicial body remains unstaffed, even as its framework and portal are being prepared.

Uttar Pradesh government hikes interim minimum wages by up to 21% from April 1, 2026 after Noida worker protests; check list for all districts
The Uttar Pradesh government has announced an interim pay hike for unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled workers, effective April 1, 2026. Workers in Noida and Ghaziabad will receive the highest increase of 21%, while other districts see hikes of nearly 15% and 9.21% respectively. The government also debunked rumors of a Rs 20,000 statewide minimum wage.

Inside the investment strategy of the government’s new Fund of Funds
The government has launched Fund of Funds 2.0 with a Rs 10,000 crore corpus. This new scheme aims to boost startup investments by supporting SEBI-registered alternative investment funds. It focuses on deeptech, micro VCs, manufacturing, and sector-agnostic funds. The initiative will deploy capital over upcoming Finance Commission cycles. SIDBI will lead implementation.

Mark Carney clinches majority government in Canadian special elections
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal government has secured a parliamentary majority. This win grants him the power to advance his legislative agenda in a world facing geopolitical uncertainty. The Liberal party gained the University-Rosedale riding in a special election. This victory strengthens Carney's position to address trade disputes and govern Canada until the next national elections.

Nitish Kumar to quit as Bihar CM; New Bihar Govt a day later
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will resign on Tuesday after a cabinet meeting. A new government will be sworn in on Wednesday. Shivraj Singh Chouhan will oversee the election of the new legislative party leader who will become the next Chief Minister. The new government will follow Kumar's policies and operate under his guidance.
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