Category: India

  • Supreme Court Grants Bail to Rajasthan Jal Jeevan Mission Accused

    Supreme Court Grants Bail to Rajasthan Jal Jeevan Mission Accused

    On Tuesday, the Supreme Court granted bail to Sanjay Badaya, who is accused of being involved in a money laundering case related to the Rajasthan Jal Jeevan Mission. He allegedly accepted bribes to help contractors win tenders from state departments, like the Public Health and Engineering department.

    A judge, Justice Bhushan R. Gavai, decided to give Badaya bail because he had been in jail for five months and no charges have been filed against him yet. The judge said that the trial would not start soon. “All important evidence has already been taken by the Enforcement Directorate,” the judge noted. “There are 50 witnesses to hear from, and with over 8,000 pages of evidence, it’s unlikely the trial will be quick.”

    Badaya is accused of taking a bribe of ₹3.30 crore, which allegedly went into his father’s bank account. The case first started when the anti-corruption bureau in Rajasthan filed a complaint in August 2023. Later that month, the Enforcement Directorate began investigating.

    Advocate Zoheb Hossain, who represented the Enforcement Directorate, claimed that Badaya used the bribe money to buy property. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who defended Badaya, mentioned that the Supreme Court had previously granted bail to another accused, Peeyush Jain, who was involved in a bigger bribe case worth ₹8.80 crore.

    When the judge asked about the difference between Badaya and Jain, the Enforcement Directorate responded that Badaya’s case involved additional money that was deposited into his father’s account from a contractor-related company. The Delhi High Court had rejected Badaya’s earlier bail request on November 11, based on the serious accusations against him.

    Badaya claimed that the ₹1.05 crore in his father’s account was returned before the first legal complaint was filed. He was arrested on July 16, and he received temporary bail once to attend his mother’s funeral. Badaya also stated that the property in question was bought by his father, not him, and that the property deal was made in October 2022, which was before the alleged bribes were sent in late 2022 and early 2023.

  • NCERT Textbooks Set to Drop Prices and Boost Production for Students!

    NCERT Textbooks Set to Drop Prices and Boost Production for Students!

    New Delhi: The Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, announced on Tuesday that school textbooks from the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) will be cheaper next year. Right now, NCERT prints 5 crore (50 million) textbooks each year, but they plan to increase that number to 15 crore (150 million) from next year.

    The new textbooks, following an updated curriculum, will be ready for students in classes 9 to 12 by the 2026-27 school year. Next year, NCERT will publish 15 crore affordable and quality books.

    There have been some worries about not having enough textbooks in the past, but this will be fixed with the larger printing numbers, Pradhan said. He promised that since more textbooks will be printed, prices for some classes will go down. Importantly, there will be no price increases for any class, so parents will not feel any extra financial pressure.

    The minister also shared that the updates to textbooks are based on the new National Curriculum Framework (NCF), and this work is currently ongoing. The new books for classes 9-12 will be ready by 2026-27, making learning easier and more affordable.

  • Nadda Slams Congress: Article 370, Emergency & India’s Constitution Explained

    Nadda Slams Congress: Article 370, Emergency & India’s Constitution Explained

    Union Health Minister JP Nadda criticized the opposition, especially the Congress party, during a discussion marking the 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution. He used the now-abolished Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir to show how past Congress governments tried to change the Constitution. Nadda praised the current Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for fully integrating Jammu and Kashmir with India.

    He explained that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru allowed Article 370 despite concerns from law minister B.R. Ambedkar. Nehru also imposed Article 35(A) through a presidential order without following proper parliamentary procedures. Nadda highlighted that Sardar Patel united most princely states into India, while Nehru was responsible for Jammu and Kashmir. He stated that Ambedkar believed Article 370 was harmful to India, but Nehru pushed it through.

    Nadda pointed out that the Jana Sangh party, which is the precursor to the BJP, opposed having two separate laws and governments in India when Article 370 was in place. He mentioned the sacrifices made by leaders like Syama Prasad Mookerjee for this cause, emphasizing the BJP as the “good lot” in contrast to the “bad lot” of previous governments.

    He accused Congress of keeping central laws out of Jammu and Kashmir, denying benefits like reservations and voting rights for refugees from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Nadda also criticized Congress for the Emergency declared in 1975, saying it was meant to protect Indira Gandhi’s position rather than the country.

    Nadda urged Congress to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Emergency in 2025 by joining the “Anti-Democracy Day” to reflect on past wrongs. He discussed how the Congress added terms like “secular” and “socialist” to the Constitution for political gain, arguing that they were not needed. He emphasized that many governments were unfairly removed using Article 356 under Congress rule.

    He questioned why practices like triple talaq were not banned when many Islamic nations had done so. Nadda spoke about the original Constitution’s symbols, including the lotus, representing resilience and strength in democracy.

    Nadda also highlighted Nehru’s failures in managing national security and international relations, especially during the 1962 India-China war. He recalled how India lost significant territory due to diplomatic mistakes.

    In conclusion, Nadda remarked that the Constitution creators understood India wasn’t just becoming a nation; it was already established, rooted in its rich culture and history.

  • Vijay Diwas Controversy: India and Bangladesh Clash Over History

    Vijay Diwas Controversy: India and Bangladesh Clash Over History

    On December 16, which is known as Vijay Diwas in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a social media post that upset some people in Bangladesh. This day celebrates the contributions of Indian soldiers in helping Bangladesh gain independence in 1971.

    Bangladesh’s law advisor, Asif Nazrul, disagreed with Modi’s post. He pointed out that December 16 is actually Bangladesh’s Victory Day. Nazrul stated on Facebook that while India supported Bangladesh during the war, it was ultimately Bangladesh’s victory. He said, “I strongly protest. December 16, 1971, was the Victory Day of Bangladesh. India was an ally of this victory, nothing more.”

    In his post, Modi honored the bravery of the soldiers, saying, “Today, on Vijay Diwas, we honor the courage and sacrifices of the brave soldiers who contributed to India’s historic victory in 1971.” He praised their dedication, saying their actions brought honor to India and will inspire future generations.

  • Bengaluru Techie Suicide: Uncle Granted Bail Amid Ongoing Investigations

    Bengaluru Techie Suicide: Uncle Granted Bail Amid Ongoing Investigations

    The Allahabad High Court has granted anticipatory bail to Sushil Singhania, the uncle of a woman involved in the suicide case of a tech worker from Bengaluru. Justice Ashutosh Srivastava listened to the arguments from Singhania’s lawyer, Manish Tiwary, who said that Singhania is facing unfair media attention.

    The tech worker, Subhash, was found dead in his apartment in Bengaluru on December 9. He had left behind a long 24-page suicide note and a 90-minute video explaining his struggles. In these, he accused his estranged wife and her family of harassing him, especially regarding money. He mentioned that his wife asked for ₹2 lakh every month for their child, which had increased from an initial demand of ₹1 crore.

    So far, the police have arrested Subhash’s wife, mother-in-law, and brother-in-law for allegedly contributing to his suicide. They were taken into custody from different locations and have been sent to jail for 14 days.

    While discussing the bail, the court decided that Singhania, who is elderly and not in good health, should be allowed to avoid arrest for now. He has to follow some rules, like cooperating with the police when needed and not leaving India without court permission.

  • Delhi’s Air Pollution Crisis: Stage-IV Measures Imposed

    Delhi’s Air Pollution Crisis: Stage-IV Measures Imposed

    Delhi is facing a serious air pollution problem. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has decided to bring back strict rules, called Stage-IV measures, because the city’s air quality has dropped to a dangerous level.

    On Monday night, the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached over 400, which means the air is very unhealthy. The CAQM quickly held an emergency meeting to discuss this issue. They announced that the new rules will start right away.

    To protect students, the Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) has told all schools to switch to a hybrid learning model, which means students up to Class V will learn partly online and partly in school. This rule applies to all government and private schools.

    What does Stage-IV mean for Delhi?
    Stage-IV is the highest alert level for air quality. Here’s what it means:

    1. Vehicle Rules: Non-essential trucks can’t enter Delhi unless they are carrying important goods. Trucks that run on cleaner fuels, like LNG, CNG, or are electric, are allowed.

    2. School Changes: Most schools will have online classes except for students in Classes 10 and 12. The Chief Minister confirmed that this will last for as long as needed.

    3. Work-from-Home: Government and private offices may allow employees to work from home to limit their exposure to bad air.

    4. Construction Ban: No construction work is allowed, even on roads and power projects, to prevent adding more dust into the air.

    5. Health Warnings: People, especially kids and seniors, should stay inside and avoid going out if possible. The CAQM is asking everyone to help reduce pollution.

    Wider Impact on the NCR Region
    These measures are also being applied in nearby areas including parts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The air quality in these regions has also been very poor, especially in winter when there’s little wind.

    Medical experts warn that bad air can lead to health problems like breathing issues and heart disease. So, the government is asking everyone to be careful and stay indoors when possible.

    What’s Next?
    The goal of these Stage-IV measures is to quickly lower pollution levels and improve air quality. However, weather conditions may not improve soon, possibly lengthening the pollution problem.

    The CAQM is trying to manage the air quality as best as they can, but they admit that growing vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, and burning crops in nearby states make it hard.

    As the pollution crisis unfolds, the government is ready to take more actions if needed, like more limits on businesses or vehicle restrictions. Delhi residents should keep an eye on any new rules and follow health advice during this urgent time.

  • Mizoram Launches Rubber Mission: A Boost for Local Farmers!

    Mizoram Launches Rubber Mission: A Boost for Local Farmers!

    In a big move to change farming in Mizoram, Chief Minister Lalduhoma recently started the Mizoram Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission in Aizawl. He talked about how farmers in Mizoram have struggled with different crops in the past, which made them lose trust in government help. He believes rubber is a great crop that many people want, and it can help farmers earn steady money while also being good for the environment.

    The Chief Minister promised that this mission is well thought out and will use Mizoram’s land in smart ways. The goal is to make the state a center for rubber production. Before launching the mission, important officials studied rubber farming in other states like Tripura and Kerala and learned from the Rubber Board of India to make sure the project goes smoothly.

    Lalthansanga, the Minister for Land Resources, praised the Chief Minister’s vision. He shared that the idea for this mission came after talking to Dr. Sawar Dhanania, the head of the Rubber Board of India. He also confirmed that the team is ready to make this mission work and help farmers.

    The Rubber Mission will begin in the financial year 2025-26, with plans to farm on 1,000 hectares of land each year, helping 1,000 farmers annually. Over the next four years, the mission aims to develop 4,000 hectares of land. At the launch event, Pankaja Borah, the General Manager of NABARD’s Mizoram office, provided a check of Rs 27.98 crore for the mission’s first phase, which will involve seven districts in Mizoram

  • 12 Indian Nationals Found Dead in Georgia: Investigation Underway

    12 Indian Nationals Found Dead in Georgia: Investigation Underway

    In a sad event in Gudauri, Georgia, twelve Indian employees of an Indian restaurant were found dead in their bedrooms. Authorities believe they may have died from carbon monoxide poisoning. At first, there were no signs of hurt or violence on their bodies, as stated by Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs.

    Officials from the Indian embassy in Tbilisi confirmed that all twelve victims were Indian nationals. However, there was some confusion, as Georgia’s report said 11 victims were foreigners and one was a local citizen.

    The Indian embassy expressed deep sorrow over the loss and stated they are working with local authorities to support the families of the deceased. They also promised to offer all possible help.

    Early investigations suggest the poisoning might have happened due to a power generator that was turned on in a closed space near their rooms on Friday night. A forensic team is working to determine the exact cause of death.

    The Georgian police have started an investigation into the incident, focusing on negligent manslaughter as they look into this tragedy further.

  • Indian Cities See 31% Rise in Property Tax Collections for 2022-23

    Indian Cities See 31% Rise in Property Tax Collections for 2022-23

    On Monday, the Union government shared exciting news in the Rajya Sabha: nearly 3,700 local cities and towns (called urban local bodies or ULBs) in India saw their property tax collections grow by 31% in the financial year 2022-23 compared to the year before.

    Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Tokanu Sahu, responded to a question from TMC MP Nadimul Haque about how the government is helping local finances. He explained that the 15th Finance Commission (15th FC) has started new rules to make sure local bodies are collecting property taxes better. For example, they’ve tied funding to how well cities collect these taxes and have required them to share financial reports with the public to improve transparency.

    Between 2020 and 2025, cities that performed well received a total of ₹76,580.90 crores in grants. Moreover, 18 states earned extra rewards for their efforts under a special capital investment scheme for 2022-23.

    Sahu mentioned that the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0 now requires cities to reform their property tax systems. This means they must clearly define how property taxes are calculated, have set guidelines for property values, and plan regular increases.

    He also highlighted that cities gained ₹315.83 crores in incentives for using bonds to raise money between 2018 and 2024, which helps local financial management. Another key point is that to receive funds for the Swachh Bharat Mission Urban (SBM-U) 2.0, states must align property tax rates with market values and revise them in line with Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) recommendations.

    Lastly, Sahu talked about the Smart Cities Mission (SCM), which has encouraged new ways to finance projects. Through this program, 195 projects worth ₹9,193 crores have been completed using public-private partnership models in 51 cities.

    When asked about slow spending of central funds, Sahu assured that money is released only after cities get good reviews from independent monitoring agencies. He added that usage of funds for AMRUT and Smart Cities Mission is impressive, standing at 92% and 94%, respectively, since these programs started in 2015.

  • Modi and Dissanayake Avoid Adani Talk During Key Meeting”

    Modi and Dissanayake Avoid Adani Talk During Key Meeting”

    During a recent meeting between India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lanka’s President Dissanayake, there was no talk about the Adani Group’s role in the Colombo Port project in Sri Lanka. India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, confirmed this in a press conference on Monday. He stated that the topic of Adani was not mentioned at all during their discussions. This highlights that the focus of their talks was on other important issues in their relationship.