GOVT
'I will carry national flag across country, even if arrested': CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke at Kochi protest
A rally organized by the CJP commenced at Marine Drive in Kochi, led by actor Prakash Raj. The participants urged the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the withdrawal of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke claimed that over 13 crore voters have been deleted nationwide during the revision process. Police were deployed to manage crowd control and ensure safety during the protest.
Sonia Gandhi says Penguin was 'uneasy' with criticism of govt
Sonia Gandhi expressed disappointment over Penguin Random House India's refusal to publish her memoir due to government criticism. Although inclined to publish, the publisher reportedly faced internal disagreements regarding the manuscript's content. Subsequent concerns were raised regarding potential government pressure affecting the book's publication. HarperCollins India has now confirmed publication of her memoir, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love,' on November 10.
Arunoday Singh-headed O-Health secures strategic funding
O-Health has received strategic funding from several investors to advance its healthcare technology solutions. The company aims to enhance its voice-first AI-enabled clinical pre-assessment platform for better patient information management. The investment will support the expansion into additional healthcare sectors and development of indigenous AI models and clinical hardware. O-Health plans to broaden its focus to include preventive health technologies and intelligent hospital workflows.
Priyank Kharge accuses Centre of misleading public over ethanol blending, alleges violations
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge claimed the Central government is misleading citizens regarding ethanol blending in petrol. He referred to laboratory reports showing blending levels exceeding announced limits, which he stated benefit certain companies. Kharge highlighted discrepancies in government statements regarding ethanol blending being an experiment only. He also addressed rising prices attributed to the government's policies impacting essential services like public transport.
Akhilesh Yadav targets BJP after part of Bismillah Khan's house demolished, Varanasi officials deny role
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav criticised the BJP government for the demolition of Bismillah Khan's home. He expressed concerns about the loss of cultural legacy and the integrity of Bharat Ratna awardees. Municipal officials clarified that the family chose to demolish the structure independently after declining a museum proposal. The Varanasi Municipal Corporation had earlier issued a notice concerning the building's dilapidated condition.
TN CM Vijay orders implementation of ₹2000 cr ‘Vetri Laptop Scheme,’ Government says
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay has directed his government to implement the ‘Vetri Laptop Scheme’ for college students, allocating ₹2000 crores for the scheme. The chief minister will also set up a high-level committe to implement the scheme.
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Agnipath reset puts age, talent & pension goals to test
Agnipath, introduced in 2022, aimed to reform military recruitment by allowing soldiers to serve for four years. Recent changes now allow all Agniveers to retain permanent service after their tenure. This shift could affect the average age of soldiers, previously intended to decrease. The decision may also impact the annual pension bill and the creation of trained ex-soldiers for civilian roles.
Govt working on telecom PLI with focus on higher local value addition
The Ministry of Communications is preparing to propose a second edition of the telecom production-linked incentive scheme. This new scheme will emphasize design-led higher value addition in the telecom sector. The first edition of the telecom PLI scheme attracted significant investments and involved approvals from numerous companies. Additionally, incentives under design-led manufacturing have been applied for by several firms. The proposal will undergo inter-ministerial consultation before seeking Union Cabinet approval.
Supreme Court agrees to hear DMK leader's plea challenging rejection of election petition
The Supreme Court agreed to hear a plea by DMK leader K R Periyakaruppan regarding the election results. Periyakaruppan is contesting TVK candidate R Seenivasa Sethupathi's victory by one vote in Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The Madras High Court had previously rejected Periyakaruppan's election petition challenging the results declared on May 4. The plea argues that a significant number of postal ballots were rejected, affecting the results.
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.
All Agniveers to get permanent jobs after 6 years? Is Agnipath scrapped? Defence officials answer
The revised Agnipath scheme has raised questions about regular jobs, seniority and whether the original recruitment model has been scrapped. The government has clarified that the first 25% of Agniveers will enter regular service after four years, while the remaining 75% will serve an additional two years before enrolment, with their seniority protected.
Rahul Gandhi made creating ruckus in Parliament Congress' culture: Amit Shah at Karnal rally
Amit Shah accused Rahul Gandhi of creating disruptions in Parliament and resorting to boycotts as a Congress culture. He asserted that a responsible discussion should take place within Parliament regarding electoral roll revisions. The 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' march was organised in Karnal with significant participation from BJP leaders and supporters. Shah demanded transparency about Rahul Gandhi's foreign visits due to his position as the opposition leader.
Odisha signs MOU with J-PAL South Asia to strengthen evidence-based policymaking
The Government of Odisha has signed a three-year MoU with Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab. This agreement aims to strengthen evidence-based policymaking through research and collaboration. J-PAL South Asia will support various governmental departments to address their policy priorities effectively. A Steering Committee will oversee the partnership and monitor project development every six months. The collaboration builds on ongoing efforts to improve areas such as education, sanitation, and governance.
MIAL seeks to shift 14 international flights to Navi Mumbai Airport by Nov 3
Mumbai International Airport has proposed shifting flights to 14 international destinations to the new Navi Mumbai International Airport. This move aims to free up capacity for the redevelopment of Terminal 1 at the current airport. If airlines do not voluntarily surrender slots, the airport operator plans to execute the transition. Passengers flying to Gulf and Asian destinations may have to use the new airport instead.
Investors commit nearly $400 billion to India's green energy sector, says Pralhad Joshi
Investors have shown significant interest in committing nearly $400 billion to India's green energy initiatives. Renewable energy minister Pralhad Joshi stated that this investment comes from both domestic and international companies. India needs approximately $220 billion by 2030 to fulfill its renewable energy targets. Discussions included challenges regarding solar cell availability and the ongoing development of energy storage systems.
Scotch whisky in Delhi may get cheaper after Diwali as excise department begins price revision
Scotch whisky prices in Delhi could drop by around 7% due to changes in import duties. The new rates will likely affect popular brands like Johnnie Walker and Glenfiddich. Price revisions will be implemented initially in hotels, clubs, and restaurants, followed by retail outlets. Existing inventories must be cleared before new stocks can be sold under revised rates. The anticipated price changes are expected to occur before the wedding season.
Delhi air turns hazardous; AQI touches 605, GRAP-II vehicle curb enforced at Gurgaon border
Delhi AQI: Among the worst-affected locations, Punjabi Bagh recorded an AQI of 452, followed by Dhaula Kuan at 417, ITO at 418, RK Puram at 423 and Ghazipur at 410. The air quality around India Gate stood at 414, with all these locations falling in the severe category.
Assam Cabinet approves key amendments to Assam Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules including polygamy dismissal
The Assam Cabinet has approved an amendment to dismiss government employees engaging in polygamy and prohibit future employment. An investigation by the CBI will focus on the causes of severe floods in Sivasagar and Charaideo districts. Additionally, the Cabinet has endorsed financial support for farmers, increasing the Minimum Support Price to 2,640 per quintal.
EC clarifies previously enrolled voters can submit Form 6 if names missing from draft rolls during SIR
The Election Commission of India has clarified procedures for voters missing from draft electoral rolls. Voters can submit Form 6 to seek inclusion in final rolls during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision. This submission will not be considered a false declaration if certain conditions are met. The clarification follows a recent Delhi High Court order concerning voter enrollment.
India needs three national carriers to compete globally, says Adani Airports CEO
Adani Airports CEO Arun Bansal emphasized the need for three national carriers to cater to India's aviation demands. He stated that strengthening domestic airlines is crucial before embracing more international competition. Passenger traffic is expected to rise, requiring robust airline ecosystems and regulatory changes. Adani Airports plans to invest significantly in infrastructure to support this growth. The company aims to expand its capacity and participate in upcoming airport privatization initiatives.
OpenAI’s India user base doubles; Rapido GOV quadruples
Happy Tuesday! India has become ChatGPT’s largest market globally, with its user base doubling. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Budget 2027: Customs duty relief on 118 goods under review
The Indian government is currently reviewing customs duty concessions applicable to 118 products set to expire. This review involves input from respective line ministries and industry stakeholders regarding these exemptions. Goods under review include materials for power projects and certain medical devices. A focus is on correcting the inverted duty structure to support local manufacturing initiatives. The outcomes of this review will influence the upcoming budget for 2027-28.
Govt set to tweak MSP norms for periodic price hikes of minor forest products
The Centre is planning to restructure the minimum support price mechanism for minor forest produce. This change aims to provide periodic hikes to benefit tribal communities relying on forest produce. TERI has been tasked to study the current MSP framework and assess potential rationalization. Concerns regarding stagnant MSP rates sparking exploitation among forest-dependent communities have been raised in parliamentary discussions.
Supreme Court ends monitoring of Ram Mandir donation theft probe after UP files charge sheet
The Supreme Court concluded the court-monitored investigation on the Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation theft case. This decision came after the Uttar Pradesh government submitted a charge sheet regarding the allegations. The case involved claims of cash misappropriation by individuals during the donation counting process. The Supreme Court allowed petitioners to assist in the trial court proceedings. The trial court has been directed to proceed according to legal protocols.
Govt employees facing disciplinary action? Know these 7 important rights before accepting charges
Employees in the government sector who find themselves undergoing disciplinary reviews must be informed about their rights before replying to any allegations. They deserve clear charges and at least 15 days to respond. Should they dispute the charges, an oral inquiry, enabling cross-examination of the witnesses, is obligatory. These employees can also present their defense witnesses and seek a personal hearing.
AB InBev sets aside $30 million for unpaid Telangana dues as delayed payments squeeze brewers
Anheuser-Busch InBev has earmarked $30 million for overdue payments from the Telangana government. This situation highlights the challenges in India's controlled alcohol market, characterized by delayed payments. Furthermore, the Telangana government owes nearly $400 million to alcohol companies, prompting industry criticism. United Breweries previously halted supplies due to operating losses and overdue payments in Telangana.
UP govt asks KGMU to take action against doctors, employees over alleged harassment for religious conversion
The Uttar Pradesh government has instructed King George's Medical University to take action against implicated staff members. This follows an investigation report by the Special Task Force on alleged religious conversions and harassment. Specific cases, including that of a resident doctor accused of coercing a colleague, were highlighted in the report. Complaints from women employees about harassment and inadequate responses were also noted.
Commerce ministry sets up committee for better utilisation of RELIEF initiative for exporters
The commerce ministry has established a six-member committee to enhance the RELIEF initiative for exporters. This initiative aims to mitigate challenges posed by rising freight costs and insurance premiums. The committee includes officials from various government departments working to improve fund utilization. It will assess the implementation of the initiative and recommend measures for better uptake. The overall goal is to support exporters during trade disruptions in crucial regions.
Kiren Rijiju challenges Congress with 5 questions on SIR, electoral processes
Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has accused the Congress party of undermining democracy in India. He posed five questions to the party regarding their electoral performance and the Special Intensive Revision exercise. Rijiju questioned Congress's criticism of the exercise while emphasizing the importance of electoral integrity. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi announced a march in Delhi ahead of the INDIA bloc's mega rally at Ramlila Maidan.
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