GIG WORKERS WELFARE SCHEME
Andhra Pradesh inks 9 MoUs for Rs 4,100 crore space-defence push
At the 31st CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam on 12-13 November 2026, the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board signed nine MoUs covering rocket engines and test beds, satellites, missiles, explosives, aerospace manufacturing, flight training and heliports. Eight of them propose investments totalling Rs 4,100 crore and 6,865 direct jobs on about 1,472 acres in Sri Sathya Sai, Tirupati, Nellore and Visakhapatnam. The ninth is a five-year strategic partnership with Pawan Hans to develop and operate heliports across the State.
Telangana implements gig worker rules, mandates minimum pay, social security benefits
The Telangana government has launched the Telangana Platform-Based Gig Workers Rules, which establish rights for gig workers. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy introduced the legislation during a ceremony with Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad. The new rules include provisions for social security benefits, minimum remuneration, and protection against arbitrary account deactivation. Shaik Salauddin from the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union emphasized the need for effective implementation of these rights.
Rahul Gandhi calls out ‘fascists’ at Bharat Summit, launches Telangana gig workers’ welfare scheme
Addressing the Bharat Summit 2026 in Hyderabad, Gandhi hit out at what he termed "fascists" in business, academia, and politics, asserting that they tend to scream and refuse to listen while the humble majority remains quieter.
Telangana to provide gig workers Rs 5 lakh accident cover, Rs 10 lakh health insurance: Rahul Gandhi
Telangana has announced a new welfare scheme aimed at supporting gig workers in the state. The initiative includes accident insurance amounting to Rs 5 lakh and health insurance of Rs 10 lakh. Workers will receive 1% of each transaction for their deliveries directly into their bank accounts. This payment will be facilitated through a dedicated gig workers' board.
Congress believes in making workers partners, will stand by gig workers: Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad
Congress and Telangana government have launched the Gig Workers’ Social Security and Welfare Scheme in Hyderabad. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi emphasized the importance of data rights for gig workers during the event. He noted that workers currently lack access to their work-related information from digital platforms. Additionally, he addressed the challenging working conditions faced by gig workers while promising improvements.
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Rent-a-Cab rules eased, fleet can have just five cars
The government believes lowering the threshold will encourage small entrepreneurs, startups and local operators to enter the market. Existing operators will also be able to expand into new locations using a smaller fleet of just five cars. The proposals are part of the draft Rent-a-Cab Scheme 2026, which is set to replace the country's 37-year-old regulatory framework from 1989.
MeitY examines data collection by home services platforms for physical AI training
The consultation comes amid growing interest among AI and robotics developers in first-person video and sensor data, which can help train machines to understand and replicate human actions in real-world environments. Such recordings capture how people perform routine activities, providing training inputs for robots designed to undertake physical tasks.
Noah Kahan Last of the Bugs World Tour 2027: Who is Noah Kahan? Here's complete schedule with 31 shows
Noah Kahan has announced his Last of the Bugs World Tour 2027 a few days back. The shows will be held in North America, Europe and the UK. Around 31 shows will be organized in total. The tour comes after his fourth album The Great Divide charted at number one on the Billboard 200.
MeitY probes physical AI data use; Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang resigns
MeitY is reviewing the practice of collecting first-person video and sensor data from gig workers to train physical AI models. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
Road ministry proposes a simplified Rent-a-Cab scheme 2026; to replace the 1989 scheme
The proposed draft Rent-a-Cab Scheme 2026, which comes into force from January 2027, reduces the minimum fleet requirement to 5 compared to 50 mandated earlier, extends its coverage to even rental cars with or without drivers and provides for online licensing, time-bound approvals, stringent safety, insurance and operational requirements and formal grievance redressal mechanism.
Gold worth 9 million euros found inside cellar wall: 18-year-old student digging sewage pipes stumbles upon 49 gold bars & thousands of coins in Belgium
Construction workers in Belgium, including an 18-year-old student, discovered around 50 gold bars and thousands of gold coins worth an estimated 9 million euros (nearly Rs 99 crore) hidden behind a cellar wall. Found during a sewer installation project in Sint-Gillis-Dendermonde, the treasure has triggered an investigation into its origins and ownership.
From free internet upgrades to sneakers: The brands cashing in on GTA 6 before it even launches
Grand Theft Auto VI is set for release on November 19, 2026, and pre-loading begins on November 10. Internet providers like Spectrum and Xfinity are offering free speed upgrades to facilitate quicker downloads. Nike is reportedly collaborating with Travis Scott and Rockstar Games to launch a special sneaker collection for the game. The collection may feature three Air Force 1 Low sneakers priced at $130 each.
US flags visa fraud involving sham staffing firms and fake student records, warns applicants
The US State Department has exposed multiple visa fraud schemes involving sham staffing companies, forged employment documents and fake academic records across several international jurisdictions. The cases include fraudulent recruitment of foreign workers, fabricated student exchange applications and falsified criminal records submitted by immigrant visa applicants.
Ireland citizenship applications surge 236% as proposed tougher rules trigger rush
Applications for Irish citizenship surged by 236 per cent in September after the government announced plans to tighten naturalisation requirements. The country received 8,765 applications during the month, compared with 2,611 in August, as migrants rushed to apply before proposed changes take effect.
Rahul Gandhi calls SIR a ‘conspiracy’, alleges voter deletions could deny people welfare benefits
Rahul Gandhi has accused the BJP-led Centre of using the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to deprive people opposed to the ruling party of voting rights and access to welfare schemes. His criticism followed Union minister Lalan Singh's remarks on identifying scheme beneficiaries through voter ID details.
Aadhaar App: 300 organisations adopt offline verification system; users can verify identity without photocopies
In a significant move, UIDAI has rolled out its offline verification service to incorporate 300 organizations spanning diverse sectors like hospitality, healthcare, education, and consumer services. This initiative enables users to validate their identities through the Aadhaar App, which boasts upgraded security features. Consequently, the requirement for physical Aadhaar cards during transactions is eliminated, showcasing the increasing importance of Aadhaar in routine transactions, extending well beyond governmental functionality.
Welfare pay can't be voter ID-linked
Union panchayati raj minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh announced plans to replace Aadhaar with voter ID numbers for welfare programs. This change would shift the basis for beneficiary identification and payment processing. Critics argue that voter ID is not a universal form of identification and is tied to electoral registration. The proposed switch raises concerns about access for those not on electoral rolls.
Jairam Ramesh questions Centre over reported proposal to replace Aadhaar with Voter ID for welfare schemes
Jairam Ramesh has voiced serious concerns about the government's initiative to utilize Voter ID for welfare programmes, suggesting that this could undermine the intended functions of Aadhaar. He highlighted that several beneficiaries have already encountered hardship under Aadhaar's system. Ramesh cautioned that adopting Voter ID instead might worsen the challenges surrounding access to essential benefits and amplify debates on electoral integrity and citizens' rights in India.
Oman tightens expat worker recruitment rules from January 2027; agencies must provide insurance, refunds
Effective January 1, 2027, Oman is set to enforce new, tougher rules for hiring expatriate workers, which will necessitate insurance coverage and adherence to recruitment timelines. Recruitment agencies will shoulder increased financial duties, including the possibility of refunds for employers.
Voter ID to replace Aadhaar for welfare schemes and benefits? BJP government's plan sparks row
The Centre plans to require voter ID numbers and biometric authentication for welfare benefits. This proposal has sparked criticism from the CPI(M), which claims it could exclude vulnerable individuals from essential government schemes. Critics argue that many rural residents lack access to necessary technology, thereby hindering their ability to receive benefits.
Lenskart, Nykaa, PhysicsWallah see Q2 profits surge
New-age companies Nykaa, Lenskart, and PhysicsWallah reported strong numbers for the September quarter. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
Gig workers may get social security benefits through 2% transaction levy on businesses
The government is considering implementing a 2% transaction-based levy on aggregators to support social security for gig workers. This levy will fund benefits such as insurance, health, and maternity support for over 12 million workers. There is a consensus that this approach ensures fairness among different types of aggregators. The new scheme is expected to be launched in 2027, requiring gig workers to meet specific work criteria.
ETtech Explainer: Food delivery, ride-hailing firms differ on gig worker welfare levy calculation
Food delivery and quick-commerce companies such as Zomato and Swiggy are seeking a levy based on the value of transactions facilitated through their platforms, while cab and bike-taxi aggregators such as Uber and Rapido want it to be calculated on their own turnover rather than the total value of rides facilitated.
Premji's deeptech bets; Razorpay gets IPO nod
Happy Thursday! Premji Invest is stepping up its bets on defence and aerospace manufacturing.This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Around 50 crore people came out of extreme poverty in India in last 10-12 years: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proudly announced that approximately 50 crore individuals have recently risen above extreme poverty levels in India. He highlighted the government's strategy of prioritizing empowerment over mere financial support. Modi underscored the connection between economic advancement and poverty alleviation, attributed to strategic investments in infrastructure and welfare programs, like the Garib Kalyan Mela initiative, enhancing direct benefits to the needy.
National Conference MLAs suggest 10 corrective measures to CM Omar Abdullah for accountability within the party
Eighteen ruling National Conference MLAs have submitted a 10-point memorandum to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, seeking corrective measures, a review of ministerial performance and the removal of his advisor Nasir Aslam Wani. The memorandum, prepared after a meeting of disgruntled MLAs on October 30, also seeks the removal of Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary from the Public Works portfolio.
Centre sets up social security board to frame welfare schemes for gig workers
In a significant move, the Ministry of Labour and Employment has initiated the National Social Security Board, designed to improve welfare for unorganised and gig economy workers. This board will advise on the rollout and supervision of important social security programs. Scheduled to meet three times annually, it will also manage policy discussions and oversee the financial aspects of the Social Security Code.
Amit Shah lays out UP poll agenda: UCC and Hindutva
Amit Shah praised CM Yogi Adityanath's law-and-order record and implementation of central welfare schemes, amid speculation over differences between the state leadership and the BJP's central leadership. Addressing BJP's state executive meeting in Lucknow, Shah asked party workers to put aside all doubts and distractions and focus single-mindedly on the party's victory.
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