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, March 30 (PTI) The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, Mritunjay Kumar Narayan, on Monday asked people to provide accurate information to census enumerators, asserting that individual data will remain confidential and cannot be used as evidence or to obtain any benefit under any scheme. Addressing a press conference, as the first phase of the country's 16th Census is all set to begin in April in some states, including Delhi, the commissioner said that under Section 15 of the Census Act, all individual data remains confidential. The first phase of Census will be conducted in Delhi from April 16 to May 15. "All individual data collected during the exercise remains confidential. It cannot be shared with any organisation, be it government or private, under the Right to Information Act, or used as evidence in a court," Narayan said. Only statistical aggregate data will be used for tabulation purposes, he added. Asked about caste being included in the Census and the apprehension that people may not furnish correct information, Narayan said the data related to caste will be collected during the second phase, and the questions will be decided after exhaustive discussions. "There are many suggestions on how to collect caste information. All those will be considered, and the best will be put forth before finalising questions," he said. "Individual information cannot be used for any purpose. Only aggregate statistical information is made public. Individual data cannot be used to derive any benefit from any scheme. There is no such provision. Hence, the manipulation you are apprehending is not possible," Narayan said. The last comprehensive caste-based count was done between 1881 and 1931. Caste was excluded from all census operations conducted since Independence. The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, decided to include caste enumeration in the upcoming census on April 30 last year. Narayan said that strict measures are in place for digital security, in conformity with the norms set by the Indian agencies. The commissioner also made it clear that no documents shall be collected during the exercise. "There is no scope for any manipulation. People have the option of self-enumeration; an enumerator will go from house to house to collect information, even after self-enumeration is completed, to verify it. There is also a supervisor for every six enumerators, making it a double-layered process to rule out any manipulation," he said. For the first time, self-enumeration has been introduced in the Census process, allowing people to digitally submit information during the 15-day window preceding the first phase of the Census Housing listing and Housing Census, as notified by each state and UT, Narayan said. The Housing Listing Operations (HLO) will take place during a 30-day window specified by each state and Union territory between April 1 and September 30 this year. There will also be an option for self-enumeration to be conducted in a 15-day window immediately before the start of Housing Listing Operations. In Delhi, the HLO phase will be conducted in two 30-day windows. The New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) and Delhi Cantonment areas will undergo the exercise from April 16 to May 15, and the MCD area from May 16 to June 15. The self-enumeration for the NDMC and Delhi Cantonment areas shall begin on April 1, and for the MCD, from May 1 to May 15. Ten states and UTs have issued notifications to start the first phase of the exercise in April, 15 will start in May, and 10 will start in June or later. "Once data is matched and authenticated, the process shall be considered complete," the commissioner said. The individual doing self-enumeration will have the chance of correcting any incorrect data during the visit of the enumerator, he added. "Earlier, data was collected on physical paper, which took a lot of time in digitisation. We will start collecting digital data from the outset, so we will be able to issue it very early. Many data sets will be published in 2027," Narayan said. The commissioner said this provision will be available only to people residing in the country, not to those outside its geographical boundaries. Narayan also said data will be collected through the mobile application on enumerators' phones; a web-based portal will monitor and manage various activities of the Census and House Listing; and block creation will be done through a web mapping application. Highlighting digital security to safeguard data, Narayan said, among other protocols in place, data centres have been declared critical information infrastructure to ensure data security during the Census. He also said that no decision regarding the updation of the National Population Register has been taken as of now, and there is no correlation with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being undertaken by the Election Commission of India. "SECC is not our issue. There is no provision for inquiring into the data under the Census. It is an administratively massive exercise in which there is no provision to inquire into the data provided by any individual. That's why individual data is kept confidential and cannot be used to obtain benefits from any government scheme. "This provision is intended to ensure that people come forward and provide accurate information to the enumerators. These are important data, which are used to form the country's policy, hence there is no provision of inquiry, and it is not possible to conduct any inquiry," he said. Narayan said the first phase of the census will include questions on housing conditions, and no personal details, including caste or religion, will be collected in this phase. During the first phase, the officials will also collect information about the name and sex of the head of the household, ownership status of the house being surveyed, number of dwelling rooms exclusively in possession of the house, and number of married couples living in the house, among other questions, a gazette notification had said. "The reference date for the said census shall be 00.00 hours of the first day of March 2027, except for the Union territory of Ladakh and the snow-bound non-synchronous areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand," Narayan said "In the Population Enumeration phase, data related to various demographic, socio-cultural and economic parameters along with migration and fertility characteristics of individuals from each household will be collected," he said. Narayan said that questions for the first phase were notified on January 22, and that notifications for the period and questions for the second phase will be published in due course. The eighth version of the exercise to collect population-related data across the country will be carried out by about 30 lakh enumerators and supervisors, and around 1.3 lakh census functionaries, armed with digital devices. The decadal exercise, scheduled for 2021, was postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak. The Registrar General of India has notified 33 questions that will be put to citizens during the first phase of the census - Household Listing and Housing Census. The Housing Listing and Housing Census systematically list all structures, houses, and households throughout the country to prepare a sound framework for the conduct of the population enumeration. PTI ABS ARI ARI
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 >
New Delhi, Nov 26: A day after the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the PAN 2.0, the Income Tax Department on Tuesday issued a detailed clarification on the project based on a list of 11 frequently asked questions (FAQs) to provide taxpayers with a deeper insight into the new system. 1. What is PAN 2.0? PAN 2.0 Project is an e-Governance project of the Income Tax Department for re-engineering the business processes of taxpayer registration services. The objective of the project is to enhance the quality of PAN services through the adoption of the latest technology. Under this pr ...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 >
Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh): The police have identified one of the suspects involved in the ₹5 lakh robbery from PHE contractor Vinay Anand in Gwalior. The suspect, Manish Yadav, a resident of Katihar, Bihar, was captured in CCTV footage and traced to Agra, Uttar Pradesh. Watch the CCTV clip below :- Authorities are now working with local police in Agra to locate and apprehend him. The Crime Branch has been conducting raids in Bihar to locate the gang members. As, it has also been revealed that the same gang was involved in a similar robbery in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh. The incident According ...Read More >
Lucknow, December 3: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Tuesday, emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emphasis on using the term "Divyang" and respecting their sentiments has inspired persons with disabilities to advance in life and various fields with dignity. He highlighted that whenever Divyangjans have been given opportunities, they have consistently demonstrated their exceptional talents and abilities. Speaking at a state-level award ceremony at Lok Bhavan on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Chief Minister celebrated the achievements of Divyangjans and reaffi ...Read More >
Ahmedabad, Dec 4 (VOICE) A grand celebration of BAPS volunteer services is set to be organised at Narendra Modi stadium, the world's biggest cricket stadium on December 7, to mark the selfless service and devotion of more than 1 lakh volunteers. The occasion will begin with a heartfelt tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharaj on his birth anniversary, celebrating his pioneering efforts in fostering a global community of selfless volunteers. The event will be graced by BAPS spiritual leader Mahant Swami Maharaj and attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The year- ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 4 (ANI): BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde and NCP chief Ajit Pawar on Wednesday met Governor CP Radhakrishnan to stake claim to form the Mahayuti government. BJP's Central Observers for the state, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Vijay Rupani were also present at the meet. Also Read | Stock Market Today: Indian Stock Market Ends in Green, All Eyes on RBI's MPC Decision on Repo Rate. Fadnavis is scheduled to take oath as the Chief Minister on December 5 after being unanimously chosen as Leader of Maharashtra BJP Legislati ...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 >
Lakhimpur Kheri, December 3: Talent knows no boundaries. A testament to this is 28-year-old Muneer Khan from Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh, whose innovations and technical skills have gained him global recognition. From a 'smart water bottle' to 'smart soil testing device,' and more recently, 'AI-enabled eye-glasses,' what makes his innovations stand out is their ability to improve everyday convenience for ordinary people. Born in a humble and poor family in Kheri's Gauriya village, Muneer lost his father when he was just one year old. His four older brothers and mother worked tirelessly t ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar, Dec 3 (PTI) Odisha MLAs across party lines on Tuesday demanded an increase in their salaries and enhanced pensions for former lawmakers. The issue was raised during Zero Hour by Opposition chief whip Pramila Mallik, supported by members from both Congress and BJP. Mallik emphasised the need to increase the pension of former MLAs, saying they were struggling to manage due to rising market prices and medical expenses. She pointed out that a committee formed by the previous government had already submitted a report recommending an increase in the salary of MLAs to Rs 2.5 lakh per ...Read More >
Traffic Diversions for oath-taking: The swearing-in ceremony of the new Maharashtra Chief Minister will be held at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai tomorrow, December 5. Mumbai Traffic Police has issued an advisory in view of the event. The traffic diversions will remain in place from 12 PM tomorrow till the end of the programme. Devendra Fadnavis was on Wednesday unanimously elected as Maharashtra BJP legislature party's leader, paving the way for his swearing-in as the chief minister for a third time. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders are set to attend the grand swearing-in cerem ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 4 (PTI) Axis Securities on Wednesday settled a case involving front-running trades by Vikrant Bhimrao Kadam, who worked as its dealer, and his friend, after paying Rs 14.62 lakh towards settlement amount to Sebi. It was alleged that as a stock broker, Axis Securities failed to exercise appropriate due diligence in the matter in its dealer and branch manager compliance policy. Also Read | Latest Government Jobs Notifications: Apply for 98 Court Officer, Assistant and Other Posts of NCLT Recruitment 2024; Know Salary and Other Details Here. The order came after Axis Securities ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 5 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday lauded the Indian hockey team for winning the men's junior Asia Cup, saying their unmatched skill, unwavering grit and incredible teamwork have etched this victory into the annals of sporting glory. He said on X, "Proud of our hockey champions! It's a historic moment for Indian hockey as our Men's Junior Team wins the Junior Asia Cup 2024 title.Their unmatched skill, unwavering grit and incredible teamwork have etched this win into the annals of sporting glory." Araijeet Singh Hundal slammed four goals as defending champions Indi ...Read More >
day after the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the PAN 2.0, the Income Tax Department on Tuesday issued a detailed clarification on the project based on a list of 11 frequently asked questions (FAQs) to provide taxpayers with a deeper insight into the new system. PAN 2.0 Project is an e-Governance project of the Income Tax Department for re-engineering the business processes of taxpayer registration services. The objective of the project is to enhance the quality of PAN services through the adoption of the latest technology. Under this project, ITD is consolidating all processes ...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 >
New Delhi, Dec 4 (PTI) The Congress Wednesday said a "cover-up" is in the making after reports claimed entities connected to the Adani Group have approached the SEBI seeking settlement in a case that alleges violations of public shareholding norms through unfair practices. It asserted the "scam" requires serious punitive action, including arrests and raids by investigative agencies. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said a token settlement would make Indian institutions a laughing stock whose reputation has already been tarnished by the actions of Prime Minist ...Read More >
New Delhi: The annual all-India conference of directors general of police and inspectors general of police will begin in Bhubaneswar on Friday where issues related to internal security, Jammu and Kashmir, and pro-Khalistan elements, among others are likely to be discussed, officials said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, among others will attend the three-day conference where cyber crimes, challenges posed by AI tools and threats emanating from drones are also expected to be discussed. About 250 officers of DGP and IGP ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Border Security Force (BSF) has completed the deployment of two fresh battalions, comprising more than 2,000 personnel, in the Jammu region to better plug infiltration from across the Pakistan front and check the recent spurt of terrorist activities in the area. Officials in the security establishment told PTI that the new troops of these units have been deployed "in depth areas" as the "second line of defence" just behind the BSF border deployment along the international border (IB) with Pakistan. These two BSF battalions were recently withdrawn from the anti-Naxal operations ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state, Gujarat, has achieved remarkable success in implementing the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, a flagship initiative aimed at promoting rooftop solar installations for residential users. Informing the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy and Power, Shripad Naik, stated that Gujarat has recorded the highest number of solar rooftop installations, followed by Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. The minister further revealed that a total of 1.45 crore registrations have been recorded across the country under the PM Su ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 4 (ANI): The GSEC in Hyderabad will be the first of its kind in the APAC region after Tokyo and only the fifth globally, with similar facilities in Dublin, Munich, and Malaga, according to a statement. This GSEC is a specialised international cybersecurity hub designed to play a crucial role in developing advanced security and online safety products tailored for the Indian context. The centre will focus on cutting-edge research, AI-driven security solutions, and creating a collaborative platform for leading experts and researchers in cybersecurity. It also aims to ...Read More >
Itanagar, Dec 5 (PTI) The Arunachal Pradesh government has inked a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the Indian Army for the maintenance and upkeep of the Major Ralengnao Bob Khathing Museum of Valour in Tawang district. The memorandum was signed by Tawang Deputy Commissioner Kangki Darang and Brigadier VS Rajput of the 190 Mountain Brigade on Wednesday in the presence of Chief Minister Pema Khandu. With this agreement, the museum will be effectively managed solely by the Indian Army, an official statement said here on Thursday. On the occasion, Khandu paid tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai P ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], December 3 (ANI): Producer Ektaa R Kapoor on Tuesday met with Odisha Chief Minister Charan Majhi in Bhubaneshwar. Visuals from the meeting surfaced online in which CM Mohan Charan Majhi and Ektaa could be seen exchanging warm pleasantries. Also Read | 'The Sabarmati Report': Union Home Minister Amit Shah Praises Vikrant Massey Starrer for Revealing the Truth Behind Godhra (View Post). Ektaa also visited Lingaraja Temple and offered prayers there. Notably, on Monday, Ektaa along with the team of 'The Sabarmati Report' attended a special screening of the film wi ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar, Dec 3 (PTI) A delegation of the Opposition BJD on Tuesday met Union Minister for Jal Shakti C R Patil and apprised him of the potential submergence of large areas in Odisha's Malkangiri district, due to construction of a multi-purpose project in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. The delegation, led by senior leader Debi Prasad Mishra, also submitted a memorandum with the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The regional party in its memorandum mentioned that the Polavaram project is likely to impact the lives and livelihoods of thousands of tribal people, especially those from vulnerable and prim ...Read More >
New Delhi, November 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the government at the Centre has strengthened the spirit of the Constitution over the last 10 years. Addressing the Constitution Day celebrations at the Supreme Court, PM Modi highlighted that in the last 10 years, more than 53 crore bank accounts were opened, more than 4 crore pukka houses were given and more than 10 crore free gas connections were given. "In the last 5-6 years, by providing tap water facilities in more than 12 crore houses, the government made the lives of citizens easy, particularly of women," he sai ...Read More >
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, campaigning to invite global investors to the Global Investors Summit to be held in Bhopal in February 2025, addressed an interactive session with industrialists during a roadshow in London, UK, on Tuesday. Yadav praised the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the rapid industrial development seen across India. Inviting the industrialists to invest in Madhya Pradesh, he highlighted that the state possesses one of the largest land banks in the country. Madhya Pradesh has transparent and investor-friendly policies and is a leader in the mining and ...Read More >
The Indian government has announced a 375km rail network expansion, aimed at enhancing economic growth and connectivity in North Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. With a total cost of approximately Rs79.27bn ($1.05bn), these projects are aimed to be completed within four years. Union Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, detailed the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs' approval of three railway infrastructure projects. The projects include the Jalgaon-Manmad fourth line (160 km), Bhusawal-Khandwa third and fourth lines (131km), and the Prayagraj (Iradatganj)-Manikpur thir ...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 >
Cybercrime is quickly increasing in India, with reports surfacing daily about victims losing large sums of money to scammers. These scammers often use tactics like threatening a "digital arrest" to instill fear and pressure individuals into transferring money. They typically operate from foreign countries to evade capture by law enforcement. The Indian government, including Prime Minister Modi, is actively raising awareness about these scams. Recently, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued a warning to the public regarding international fraud calls. They advised people to be caut ...Read More >
Mumbai, Dec 3 (PTI) Maharashtra's caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday visited a private hospital in Thane for a "check-up," two days before a new CM is sworn in at an open ground ceremony in south Mumbai. Even as it is not known yet who would take oath as chief minister at Azad Maidan on the evening of December 5, preparations are in full swing for the ceremony, to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, about 2,000 VVIPs and some 40,000 supporters. Shinde, who had been staying at his private residence in Thane for the last few days, visited the hospital in the morning. "I ...Read More >
Srinagar, Dec 4 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday attached properties worth more than Rs 3 crore belonging to two alleged drug peddlers in Srinagar, officials said. "Reinforcing the ongoing efforts against drug peddlers/smugglers, police in Srinagar has attached properties worth more than Rs 3 crore belonging to two drug peddlers under Section 68 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act," a police spokesman said. Giving details, he said the police attached a three-storey residential building belonging to Abdul Ahad Bhat at Banpora Batamaloo worth Rs 65 lakh. Bh ...Read More >