India's political landscape is ablaze with activity! From the ongoing debates surrounding the new farm bills and their impact on rural India, to the upcoming state elections shaping the national narrative, the stakes couldn't be higher. Key political figures are maneuvering strategically, with alliances shifting and power dynamics constantly in flux. The opposition's challenge to the ruling party is intensifying, sparking vigorous debates on crucial policy matters including economic reforms and social justice initiatives. Parliamentary proceedings are filled with heated exchanges, reflecting the deep divisions within the nation. This evolving political climate directly impacts the lives of every Indian citizen, influencing everything from economic opportunities to social welfare programs. Stay informed about the latest developments in Indian politics, from crucial legislative decisions to grassroots movements, by exploring Abtak.com for in-depth analysis and breaking news updates. Understanding the intricacies of our political system is crucial; stay engaged, stay informed, and stay ahead.
New Delhi, Jul 3 (PTI) The Delhi government on Thursday urged the Centre's air quality panel to immediately suspend the fuel ban on overage vehicles and said it will also make "all out efforts" to resolve issues related to restrictions on the movement of end-of-life vehicles on the city's roads. In his letter to Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) chairman Rajesh Verma, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the fuel ban is not feasible and that it cannot be implemented due to technological challenges. The move three days after the ban came into effect in the national capital. No overage vehicle was impounded by teams of traffic police and transport department on Thursday. Addressing a press conference, Sirsa said that there was discontent among people due to the move and the BJP government stood with them. The minister also said the Delhi government is trying to find out a solution to the ban on end of life vehicles (EOL), including 10-year and older diesel vehicles and 15-year-old petrol vehicles. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that her government will make "all out efforts" for the resolution of problems related to the ban on end-of-life vehicles. A 2018 Supreme Court judgment banned diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years in Delhi. A 2014 National Green Tribunal (NGT) order also prohibits the parking of vehicles aged over 15 years in public places. The chief minister said that some people are emotionally attached to vehicles if they are gifted by a close person, like a father. Such vehicles are just keepsakes and often they have not been driven many kilometres, she at a Van Mahotsav programme organised by the Delhi government. Talking about the CAQM fuel ban on overage vehicles, the environment minister said that the government was receiving complaints from people due to which it has urged the CAQM to reconsider its direction in view of the widespread difficulties being faced by residents of the capital. The daily lives and livelihoods of lakhs of citizens are dependent on these vehicles. The sudden denial of fuel supply has disrupted transportation, trade and personal mobility, causing significant inconvenience, he added. "We are trying to ensure the vehicles are not banned according to their age rather on the basis of pollution caused by them," Sirsa said. Citing various challenges and problems faced in implementing the ban on refuelling of overage vehicles since July 1, the minister said, "We have told CAQM that we are not able to implement this." In his letter to the CAQM chairperson, Sirsa also suggested that fuel ban on overage vehicles should be implemented across the National Capital Region (NCR). The transport department and traffic police since July 1 have been impounding end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) stopping at fuel pumps. As far as the implementation of fuel ban, there are several critical operational and infrastructural challenges, and it will not be "feasible to implement this order at this juncture", Sirsa said in his letter. The move could even be potentially counterproductive, he added. "Because of the technological inconsistencies of this extremely complex system and lack of integration with neighbouring states, there is public discontent and outcry and in the said circumstances, it is not feasible to implement this system to end of life vehicles identified through ANPR cameras installed at Petrol pumps in Delhi," said the minister. He said that automated number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras have been installed at most of the fuel stations, but the system is facing problems like technological glitches, camera placement, sensor and speaker malfunction, which prevent identification of the overage vehicles without high security registration plates. The minister said the ban in Delhi will not serve its purpose as owners of overage vehicles may get fuel from NCR cities like Gurugram, Faridabad and Ghaziabad, where there's no such imposition. The ANPR camera system is also not implemented in the neighbouring states which will again be an issue when the fuel ban is implemented there. The minister in his letter listed several steps taken by the Delhi government to combat air pollution, including implementation of a new pollution under control (PUC) certificate regime to ensure stricter compliance, particularly for out of state vehicles. The government is also trying to create a system which sends an SMS to the owners of overage vehicles 2-3 months ahead to plan a phase-out. "We strongly urge the Commission to put the implementation of its direction on hold with immediate effect till the ANPR system is seamlessly integrated across the entire NCR," he said. Sirsa also blamed the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi for enforcing the overage vehicle ban instead of challenging it before the court and the National Green Tribunal. The Opposition AAP said that public pressure forced the BJP government to withdraw the "controversial" ban, calling it a "victory of people" and an example of the government's double standards on the court's orders. In a video message posted on X, Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj said, "Congratulations to the people of Delhi. The draconian order to seize old vehicles had to be withdrawn by Delhi's BJP government. PTI VIT MHS BUN AS AS
IMPHAL, Nov 17: The NPP on Sunday withdrew support from the BJP-led Government in Manipur, even as violence continued to rock the state as offices of the Congress and the saffron party were ransacked in the hill district of Jiribam where an unidentified body was found earlier in the day, officials said. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp A BJP MLA's ancestral house was vandalised in Imphal Valley while a building owned by Ashab Uddin, the Independent legislator of Jiribam, was ransacked, officials said. The incidents occurred a day after irate mobs set fire to the residences of ...Read More >
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday instructed officials to formulate proposals for constructing an iconic Deep-Technology building in the capital city of Amaravati. "I had built Hi-Tech City structure in Hyderabad to promote information technology. Now, it is time to embrace Deep-Tech and Artificial Intelligence to take advantage of the opportunities arising out of the latest technology," he underlined while reviewing the New IT Policy at the state secretariat. The Chief Minister announced that the state government will provide Rs 25 lakh as seed fundin ...Read More >
Story so far: India celebrated its 75th year of adoption of its Constitution on Tuesday (November 26, 2024) with President Droupadi Murmu addressing a joint session of parliament. While the Constitution of India hits its diamond jubilee this year, event commemorating is as 'Constitution Day' was started only in 2015. Prior to this, it was called 'National Law Day' -- first initiated by former Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Laxmi Mall Singhvi in 1979. "The Indian Constitution is a live, progressive document," said Ms. Murmu adding, "I urge all citizens to imbibe the constitutio ...Read More >
Srinagar, Nov 27 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir's Road Transport Corporation (RTC), a crucial backbone of public transportation, has raised serious concerns over the barring of its buses from entering Srinagar city limits. The move has triggered alarm within the Corporation, with officials cautioning about significant disruptions to public transport services and daily commutes, alongside substantial financial losses for the RTC. The restriction, in effect since November 4 when the maiden session of the Assembly commenced, is causing a daily revenue loss of Rs. 4 lakh to the Corporation. In a lette ...Read More >
Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan has called for the replacement of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with ballot papers, citing concerns over the legitimacy of election results. Ranjan raised doubts about the EVM's accuracy, suggesting that the results may be influenced and advocating for a ballot paper system like many other countries. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also echoed similar sentiments, accusing EVMs of wasting votes from marginalized communities. This comes after the Congress' defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly election. The Supreme Court, however, dismissed a petition seeking th ...Read More >
Delhi's air pollution continues to worsen, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) hitting a hazardous 490, despite the government's 21-point plan to tackle the issue. The city’s residents are struggling to breathe, even indoors, and hospitals are overwhelmed with patients facing respiratory problems. The pollution crisis is exacerbated by the lack of cooperation among Delhi and neighboring states, and the central government, with each blaming the other. This pollution not only threatens public health but also jeopardizes Delhi's economic future, as it could drive away professionals and harm business ...Read More >
In this edition of Frontline Conversations, former Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare discusses how the Ladki Bahin scheme, which provided direct cash transfers to 2.35 crore women, transformed both the economic landscape and political dynamics of the State. The programme, which distributed Rs.7,500 across five instalments to women earning less than Rs. 2.5 lakh annually, not only empowered women with financial independence but also proved to be a decisive factor in Mahayuti's electoral victory, marking a shift in Maharashtra's traditionally male-dominated political ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], November 18 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party leader and in-charge of the party's National IT Department, Amit Malviya, on Monday, criticised the Congress party's 'hypocrisy' over their stance on the Adani Group, pointing to past investments and agreements made with the corporate conglomerate by Congress-ruled states. Taking to social media platform X, Malviya referenced Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's recent "public admission of accepting money" from the Adani Group on November 10, 2024, pointing out that this acknowledgment contradicted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's ...Read More >
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India] November 18 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party MP K Laxman slammed Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, accusing the Congress party of 'misleading' people. He further said that the people of Maharashtra know "how to teach a lesson" to Congress. "Revanth Reddy as a CM of Telangana and as a Congress leader is misleading the public. Maharashtra people are clever enough they know how to teach a lesson to these Congress people and Revanth Reddy you will come to know what has happened in Haryana that is going to be repeated in Maharashtra, and Jharkhand also," K Laxman ...Read More >
New Delhi, Nov 26: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking directions to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to introduce ballot paper in place of EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines). A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and P.B. Varale rejected the prayer to return to the ballot system due to the alleged manipulability of EVMs. "When you lose, EVMs are tampered with; when you win, EVMs are fine," remarked the apex court, when the petitioner referred to the statements made by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and his predecessor Jagan Mohan ...Read More >
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition is now gearing up for a national protest after losing Maharashtra state elections. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, which suffered a crushing defeat in last week's Maharashtra state elections, is now gearing up for a national protest against the credibility of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), which it blames for its loss. The MVA, led by the Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction), and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) (led by Sharad Pawar), is planning to challenge the use of EVMs in court and demand a return to ballot paper voting. Fo ...Read More >
Guwahati: A group of intellectuals and prominent citizens met the officials of the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala and demanded the immediate release of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari in Bangladesh. Various other organisations also organised protest rallies and demonstrations against the arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari. The intellectuals under the banner of 'Forum for Protection of Minorities in Bangladesh' urged the Bangladesh caretaker government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to make all efforts to protect the minorities in Bangla ...Read More >
Ghaziabad: The police arrested a couple on Wednesday for robbing a pedestrian in Crossings Republik on Nov 15. Wave City ACP Lipi Nagayach said unknown individuals on a scooter snatched a woman's gold chain near Ajnara market in the Crossings Republik area on Nov 15. Once the woman filed a complaint, a case was registered under section 304 (snatching) of BNS, and police teams were formed to probe the incident. "With the help of CCTV footage, manual input, surveillance, and a tip-off, Vivek Pandey (29) and his wife Kirti Sharma (28) were nabbed from Chitrawan society in the Crossings Republik ...Read More >
Listening to the sounds of nature such as birdsong reduces stress levels - but the sound of traffic increases them, new research shows. The research lends support for anyone who is a firm believer in the curative powers of a walk in the countryside or through a forest. In a study, 68 volunteers listened to three three-minute soundscapes: a nature soundscape recorded at sunrise in West Sussex, the same soundscape combined with 20 mile per hour road traffic sounds, and the same soundscape with 40 mile per hour traffic sounds. General mood and anxiety were assessed before and after the soundsc ...Read More >
The family of a 25-year-old Air India pilot, who died by suicide at her Mumbai home, alleged that her boyfriend used to humiliate her and extort money from her. Aditya Pandit, 27, was arrested on Wednesday on charges of abetment to suicide. Srishti Tuli was found dead at her rented accommodation in Mumbai's Marol after an argument with her boyfriend over the phone. She allegedly used a data cable to hang herself. ALSO READ: 'Can't Be Divided Or Silenced': Hemant Soren's Dig At BJP Before Taking Oath As Jharkhand CM Pandit told police that he rushed to Tuli's flat, which was locked from the ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Lieutenant governor VK Saxena has given his approval to the reconstitution of Delhi Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, paving the way for govt to prepare a scheme to provide compensation to the construction workers who lost work due to the implementation of GRAP IV provisions. The board was not in place for the last couple of years. While giving his nod to its reconstitution, LG directed that immediate steps should be taken to implement Supreme Court directions to provide subsistence allowance to workers affected due to restrictions on construction activities be ...Read More >
For the second consecutive day on Monday (December 2, 2024), Delhi's air quality showed a slight improvement although it remained in the 'poor' category with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 273 in the morning. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's 24-hour average AQI on Sunday stood at 285, an improvement to the 'poor' category and a welcome relief following 32 consecutive days of 'very poor' and 'severe' air quality (AQI over 400). The city's air quality was last recorded in the 'poor' category on October 29 with an AQI of 268, according to the CPCB. Farm fires ris ...Read More >
Delhi is facing worsening pollution and erratic weather patterns, with the air quality regularly reaching dangerous levels. This is partly due to climate change, with temperature rises and unpredictable rainfall patterns caused by global warming. The industrial revolution has played a significant role, contributing to the rise in global temperatures. The effects are already being felt, with 2024 witnessing record-breaking heat in India. Despite this, there is little action from society or leadership, with courts repeatedly stepping in to address issues like pollution and farm fires. The need f ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition seeking to revert to ballot paper voting in elections in the country. "What happens is, when you win the election, EVMs (electronic voting machine) are not tampered. When you lose the election, EVMs are tampered (with)," remarked a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and P B Varale. Apart from ballot paper voting, the plea sought several directions including a directive to the Election Commission to disqualify candidates for a minimum of five years if found guilty of distributing money, liquor or other material inducement to the voters d ...Read More >
Sources said during the crucial Mahayuti leaders' meeting in New Delhi on Thursday night, Maharashtra's caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde sought 12 ministerial berths for his party It's been six days since the Maharashtra assembly election results were declared and the Mahayuti alliance emerged victorious, but suspense over the new head of the state and fresh cabinet minister is not over yet. Sources have said that the key alliance leaders will finalise a list and fly to Delhi on Monday to meet with the BJP top brass before making an announcement. Sources said during the crucial Mahayut ...Read More >
The Supreme Court on Monday (December 2, 2024) refused to relax emergency measures under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) dealing with air pollution in the national capital till it noticed a downward trend in the AQI level. A Bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih further sought the presence of the chief secretaries of NCR states to appear through video-conferencing to inform it whether or not any compensation was paid to the construction workers who were without work owing to the restrictions. Delhi air pollution: Air quality in Capital plunges to 'very po ...Read More >
Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, has accused two top AAP leaders of backing separate candidates for the Barnala assembly bypoll on November 20. Bajwa claimed that while one leader is supporting the official AAP candidate, the other is backing a rebel candidate. He urged the public to reject both and vote for the Congress candidate. Bajwa also took a jibe at Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, suggesting he could become Punjab's "Eknath Shinde" after reportedly being in contact with the Union Home Ministry through a Punjab-based Union minister. ...Read More >
At Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh, on Monday, a teacher played the role of a vegetable seller, complete with props, while students acted as buyers. "How much is this vegetable for?" asked the teacher, setting off lively exchanges -- all over a laptop screen. Advertisement https://images.indianexpress.com/2020/08/1x1.png This roleplay session, part of an online lesson about markets and vegetables, is one of many such creative strategies teachers are adopting as schools across Delhi shift to remote learning due to hazardous air pollution levels. The air quality in Delhi plummeted to "se ...Read More >
In a miraculous turn of events, a seven-year-old boy who was kidnapped from Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad district more than 30 years ago has reunited with his family. IMAGE: Raju was kidnapped when he was seven-year-old from Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad district. Photograph: ANI Now 38, Raju shared his ordeal and said that after being abducted in September 1993, he was handed over to a truck driver who took him to Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. "The kidnappers kept me in a room located in the middle of a barren area, where I was forced to take care of sheep and goats. Each night, I was chained and locke ...Read More >
Shinde accepts BJP's decision, likely to receive key ministries Shinde has agreed to BJP's decision to make a Chief Minister from its ranks. He is expected to be given important portfolios like Urban Development, Public Works Department, and Water Resources. Sources also say that two Deputy Chief Ministers will be appointed, one each from Shiv Sena and NCP. Pawar has told his party leaders that the swearing-in ceremony could take place this weekend. Despite initial resistance, Shinde announced his party's support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah's decision on the ...Read More >
New Delhi, Nov 28 (PTI) Coworking firm Incuspaze, which provides managed flexible office spaces to corporates, is looking to raise USD 25 million (over ₹210 crore) to expand its business across major cities before planning to launch its Initial Public Offer (IPO). Established in 2016, Incuspaze has a presence in 44 locations across 18 cities with a total portfolio of 40 lakh square feet. "We plan to add another 2 million (20 lakh) square feet in our portfolio by the end of December 2025," Incuspaze founder and CEO Sanjay Choudhary told PTI. In view of the growing demand for flexible workspa ...Read More >
American entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, known for his quest to reverse aging, experienced the effects of Mumbai's air pollution during his India tour. Promoting his book Don't Die, Johnson detailed his discomfort despite using air purifiers and masks. He adhered to his rigorous health routine, carrying all his meals and supplements for the six-day trip. The visit included an exclusive meetup with prominent figures like Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal, showcasing his dedication to health and longevity advocacy.Bryan Johnson, the American entrepreneur renowned for his anti-aging mission, has drawn atten ...Read More >
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], December 2 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) President Farooq Abdullah claimed that Muslims are feeling unsafe and stated that there is no discrimination based on religion, as guaranteed by the Constitution. The former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir also said that the government should treat Muslims without any discrimination. "...There is no doubt that Muslims are feeling unsafe. I will ask the govt of India to stop that. 24 crore Muslims cannot be thrown into the ocean. They (the govt) should treat Muslims equally, there is no di ...Read More >
CHENNAI: Singles, Doubles, and the Team Championship - the 18-year-old Chennai girl, the daughter of an auto driver from Kasimedu, left nothing for competitors from around the world at the sixth edition of the Carrom World Cup held in the US which Team India swept. The Women's Singles final was a hard-fought contest, where the 18-year-old M Khazima kept her nerves to defeat 12-time national and multiple World Cup winner Rashmi Kumari from Bihar. With this victory, Khazima became the youngest Carrom World Champion. Khazima, whose father Mehaboob Basha is an auto driver from Kasimedu, had been ...Read More >
Campaigning for the November 20 assembly bypolls to four seats in Punjab ended on Monday evening with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Opposition Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party making last-ditch efforts to mobilise support for their respective candidates. Hours before the campaign ended at 6 pm, major political outfits intensified their efforts to woo the voters. Bypolls to four assembly segments -- Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal (SC) and Barnala -- will be held on November 20 from 7 am to 6 pm, and the results will be out on November 23. The bypolls were necessitated afte ...Read More >