WELFARE FUND FOR GIG WORKERS
Social Security cuts: 15 states could lose up to $556 a month by 2032 – Is your state on the list? Can Bernie Sanders' $2,400 proposal prevent the cuts?
Retirees in 15 states could lose more than $500 monthly if Social Security funding runs short. Connecticut faces the highest projected reduction at $556, followed by New Jersey and New Hampshire at $554. The CRFB estimates a possible 24% benefit cut by 2032, while Trustees project 22%.
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.
Social Security could have lasted until 2059, so where did $10.8 trillion go? AARP reveals the income shift behind its 2034 funding crisis
Social Security's funding crisis may have arrived decades earlier because a smaller share of American income is subject to payroll taxes. AARP estimates the programme could have paid full benefits until 2059 if taxable wages had maintained their 1980s share of the economy. The actual trust fund depletion projections remain 2032 and 2034.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Peppermint Robotics raises Rs 100 crore led by pi Ventures, Crane Venture Partners
The company was founded in 2019 by Runal Dahiwade, and has raised Rs 150 crore to date. It also develops autonomous robots for material transportation and operates in nine countries. The US is its largest market, followed by India and western Europe, Dahiwade, who’s also the CEO, told ET.

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.

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.
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