Filing an Income Tax Return (ITR) is a vital part of fulfilling your tax obligations, and one must be well aware of the deadlines for filing ITR. For taxpayers not requiring audit, the due date to file ITR for Financial Year 2023-24 (Assessment Year 2024-25) was July 31, 2024. In case the deadline has passed, one can still submit a belated return, and this deadline is December 31, 2024. The filing needs to be done before that date in order to avoid penalty charges as well as interest accumulation. Stay updated with the rules for filing taxes to prevent any hurdles.

All taxpayers, however, have the same deadline for filing a revised return and a belated return. Many taxpayers are unaware of the penalties they may incur if they fail to file the revised and belated returns for FY 2023-24 by the deadline of December 31, 2024.

Consequences of Missing the ITR Filing Deadline

Fines for filing delayed: There is a Rs 5,000 penalty for taxpayers who file their taxes after the deadline. The fine is Rs 1,000 for anyone whose income is less than Rs 5 lakh. The purpose of this penalty is to incentivise prompt adherence to tax reporting deadlines.

Interest: Under Section 234A, taxpayers who owe unpaid taxes will be charged interest at 1% per month until the tax is paid. This extra expense can add up rapidly, raising the overall amount due.

Loss of exemptions: Under the old tax system, filing a late return resulted in the loss of exemptions. The new tax system will apply to taxpayers filing delayed returns, prohibiting deductions and exemptions under sections 80C and 80D, among other things.

Carrying over losses: Failure to file by the deadline results means the taxpayers will lose the chance to carry over capital losses to subsequent years. This could also affect taxpayers’ ability to deduct their losses from future capital gains.

The default tax regime: The new tax system will be the default tax regime for the fiscal year 2023-24. Late filers will immediately be switched to this regime and will no longer be eligible for deductions offered by the old tax system.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. File.
| Photo Credit: AP

Hasina involved in forced disappearances, says Bangladesh inquiry commission

In a new turn of events, the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearance set up by the interim government of Bangladesh filed a report on Saturday (December 14, 2024) stating that it found the “involvement of Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina” in enforced disappearances of individuals during her tenure.

Our government strengthening Constitution, Congress repeatedly wounded it after tasting blood: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (December 14, 2024) said that the Congress, having “tasted blood”, repeatedly wounded the Constitution while his government’s policies and decisions since it took office in 2014 have been aimed at boosting India’s strength and unity in line with the vision of the Constitution.

Parliamentary proceedings: Are we not part of this nation, asks Manipur MP in Lok Sabha

While Outer Manipur MP Alfred Kanngam Arthur cited the Oting killings of 2021 in Nagaland and the ongoing conflict in Manipur to raise questions about the government’s commitment to Constitution, first-time MP Chandra Shekhar “Azad” asked whether certain sections of society in India were as free as the Constitution envisioned them to be.

J&K leaders Mehbooba, Tarigami, Masoodi oppose ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal

Opposing the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal, several Jammu and Kashmir leaders claimed on Saturday (December 14, 2024) that it is actually aimed at creating a ‘one nation, one party’ situation.

Hezbollah leader says main supply line via Syria has been cut

The leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah militants says the fall of Bashar Assad in Syria has cut a main supply line for the group but it can find other ways to bring in weapons.

U.S. officials have been in direct contact with the Syrian rebel group that ousted Assad, Blinken says

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday that American officials have been in direct contact with the Syrian rebel group that spearheaded the overthrow of President Bashar Assad’s government but is designated a foreign terrorist organization by the United States and others.

Conclude EU-India FTA to counter forces of protectionism and transactionalism, says Portuguese Foreign Minister

An early conclusion of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is necessary to “counter” the global trends of protectionism and transactionalism, Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel told The Hindu during a four-day visit to India.

Muslims will soon become majority, says Bengal Minister Hakim

A fresh controversy has erupted over remarks of West Bengal Minister and Mayor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation Mayor Firhad Hakim who is heard saying in a video that soon “we will become majority”.

Row over Centre’s demand for payment of ₹132 crore as outstanding charges for air evacuation efforts during disasters

A bitter stand-off between the Union government and the State is unfolding with a communication sent by the Ministry of Defence on October 22 urging the Kerala government to pay up the outstanding charges of ₹132.61 crore for air evacuation operations carried out by the Indian Air Force (IAF) as part of the disaster response between 2006 and September 2024, evoking sharp reactions from the Left and the Congress leaders.  

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. File.
| Photo Credit: AP

Hasina involved in forced disappearances, says Bangladesh inquiry commission

In a new turn of events, the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearance set up by the interim government of Bangladesh filed a report on Saturday (December 14, 2024) stating that it found the “involvement of Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina” in enforced disappearances of individuals during her tenure.

Our government strengthening Constitution, Congress repeatedly wounded it after tasting blood: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (December 14, 2024) said that the Congress, having “tasted blood”, repeatedly wounded the Constitution while his government’s policies and decisions since it took office in 2014 have been aimed at boosting India’s strength and unity in line with the vision of the Constitution.

Parliamentary proceedings: Are we not part of this nation, asks Manipur MP in Lok Sabha

While Outer Manipur MP Alfred Kanngam Arthur cited the Oting killings of 2021 in Nagaland and the ongoing conflict in Manipur to raise questions about the government’s commitment to Constitution, first-time MP Chandra Shekhar “Azad” asked whether certain sections of society in India were as free as the Constitution envisioned them to be.

J&K leaders Mehbooba, Tarigami, Masoodi oppose ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal

Opposing the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal, several Jammu and Kashmir leaders claimed on Saturday (December 14, 2024) that it is actually aimed at creating a ‘one nation, one party’ situation.

Hezbollah leader says main supply line via Syria has been cut

The leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah militants says the fall of Bashar Assad in Syria has cut a main supply line for the group but it can find other ways to bring in weapons.

U.S. officials have been in direct contact with the Syrian rebel group that ousted Assad, Blinken says

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday that American officials have been in direct contact with the Syrian rebel group that spearheaded the overthrow of President Bashar Assad’s government but is designated a foreign terrorist organization by the United States and others.

Conclude EU-India FTA to counter forces of protectionism and transactionalism, says Portuguese Foreign Minister

An early conclusion of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is necessary to “counter” the global trends of protectionism and transactionalism, Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel told The Hindu during a four-day visit to India.

Muslims will soon become majority, says Bengal Minister Hakim

A fresh controversy has erupted over remarks of West Bengal Minister and Mayor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation Mayor Firhad Hakim who is heard saying in a video that soon “we will become majority”.

Row over Centre’s demand for payment of ₹132 crore as outstanding charges for air evacuation efforts during disasters

A bitter stand-off between the Union government and the State is unfolding with a communication sent by the Ministry of Defence on October 22 urging the Kerala government to pay up the outstanding charges of ₹132.61 crore for air evacuation operations carried out by the Indian Air Force (IAF) as part of the disaster response between 2006 and September 2024, evoking sharp reactions from the Left and the Congress leaders.  

India’s D. Gukesh reacts after beating title-holder China’s Ding Liren in the 14th and last game of the FIDE World Chess Championship 2024, in Singapore, on December 12, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Gukesh is youngest world chess champion

History was made on the small island of Sentosa in Singapore on Thursday (December 12, 2024), as D. Gukesh became the youngest world chess champion ever after defeating Ding Liren of China in the final game of their match. The 18-year-old from Chennai broke the record held by the Russian Garry Kasparov for nearly four decades.

India votes in favour of UN General Assembly resolution demanding immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza

India voted in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution that demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and reiterated the demand for immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. The UN General Assembly has overwhelmingly approved resolutions demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and backing the UN agency for Palestinian refugees that Israel has moved to ban.

Six die in massive fire at hospital in Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul

At least six persons, including a child and two women, perished in a massive blaze that broke out at a private four-storey hospital in Dindigul of Tamil Nadu late on Thursday night. The fire had engulfed the hospital building located on Tiruchi Road. Five of the victims, including three men, were trapped in the hospital lift and initial reports suggested they died of suffocation. Police said 32 persons were rushed to the Government Hospital and three of them were on ventilator.

Supreme Court questions U.P.’s ‘silence’ on core aspects of equality, secularism in schools

The Supreme Court on Thursday (December 12, 2024) questioned the Uttar Pradesh government’s “silence” about ensuring that schools in the State offer quality education to students by inculcating in them core constitutional principles of equality, fraternity and secularism in their campuses. A Bench headed by Justice A.S. Oka made the observation while hearing a case linked to the slapping of a Muslim boy in Muzaffarnagar by his classmates on the orders of their teacher, who peppered the abuse with communal remarks against the child.

What is Disease X and why the world should prepare for it

The recent outbreak reported in the first week of December 2024 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has claimed over 400 lives and remains unclassified, has raised concerns that it could be an instance of Disease X. This unsettling event has reignited discussions about “Disease X.” Disease X is not an actual but a hypothetical disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) coined the term in 2018 to describe an unknown pathogen that could potentially unleash a devastating epidemic or pandemic. It was conceptualised by the WHO to prepare for future outbreaks that are difficult to predict or identify.

Debate on Constitution to kick off in Lok Sabha today

The Lok Sabha will on Friday (December 13, 2024) begin a two-day debate on the Constitution to mark 75 years of its adoption. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to reply to the debate on Saturday (December 14, 2024). Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is likely to make her maiden speech in the Lok Sabha during the debate.

Bombay High Court refuses relief to Coca-Cola in 2001 adulterated beverage case 

The Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court has refused to quash criminal proceedings initiated against Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Private Limited 14 years ago by the magistrate’s court in Maharashtra’s Jalna district, on charges of selling adulterated beverages. The case, pending before the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Jalna, dates back to batches of Canada Dry, a sweetened carbonated beverage, manufactured in June 2001. On July 26 of that year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspected the product and found extraneous fibrous substances, particulate matter, and cobwebs inside the sealed bottles, raising quality concerns.

Over 50 students in Ratnagiri complain after exposure to fumes, JSW denies responsibility

At 2 p.m. on Thursday, around 30 students from Jaigad Vidya Mandir school, in the coastal district of Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri, complained of experiencing extreme eye irritation due to release of fumes in the air from a nearby power plant. Later in the day, the count went up to 60 that includes 53 boys, six girls, and a woman who were admitted in nearby hospitals.

Bengaluru forest cover shrinks due to encroachments, threatening ecology and water resources

A searing summer and a water crisis that shook citizens put the spotlight on the ecology of Bengaluru. Like its lakes, the forest area in Bengaluru is not able to escape the threat of encroachment. The five taluks of the bustling city – Bengaluru North, Yelahanka, Bengaluru East, Anekal, and Bengaluru South – have over 26,077 acres of forest land. According to the Karnataka Forest Ministry, over 2,665 acres of forest land in these taluks have been encroached upon. Forest Minister Eshwar B. Khandre made this submission in response to a question in the recently held council.

Bottom trawling by Indian fishermen must stop: Sri Lanka’s Fisheries Minister

The enduring fisheries conflict in the Palk Bay — which impacts fisher folk of northern Sri Lanka and daily wage fishermen of Tamil Nadu — can be decisively resolved only if the Indian side stops using the destructive bottom-trawling method, according to Sri Lanka’s Minister of Fisheries Ramalingam Chandrasekar. The fisheries conflict has remained a key diplomatic issue between India and Sri Lanka for many years. It is likely to be discussed during President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s scheduled visit to India next week.

The story so far: Parliament’s winter session has remained chilly as a stand-off continues between the Centre and Opposition over the indictment of Indian businessman Gautam Adani by the US Department of Justice (DoJ). The Rajya Sabha had listed the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024 for passage on Monday (December 2, 2024), but the Upper House was quickly adjourned for the day without any legislative business being conducted. The Bill had been introduced in the Upper House during the Monsoon session. 

“This Bill aims to ensure policy stability for oil and gas producers and allow international arbitration,” said Union Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri while speaking at the Geo India 2024 conference on November 15. Promising private sector companies ‘zero interference’ by the government, Mr. Puri also said that the Bill would enhance India’s domestic output and cut down its reliance on oil imports. 

According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), India’s oil and petroleum imports for the past three quarters have been worth ₹4,121,787.4 million, ₹4,294,979.6 million and ₹3,130,294.1 million respectively. This is worth at least thrice the country’s quarterly oil and petroleum exports.  

“For India to reduce its import dependence, the increase in domestic production must outpace the country’s rapidly growing energy demand,” explains Vivek Rahi, Partner, KPMG in India, adding, “Imports have largely remained unchanged in spite of policy measures aimed at boosting domestic production—such as the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP), the Discovered Small Fields (DSF) policy, gas pricing reforms, and reduced royalty rates for deepwater, ultra-deepwater, and high-pressure/high-temperature areas.”

Here’s a look at the proposed amendments and how they will affect India’s oil industry.

Mineral oils definition and lease expanded

Currently, the petroleum industry is burdened by delays in obtaining environmental and forest clearances, complexities in land acquisition, absence of comprehensive standards, procedures, and guidelines for operational and safety compliance, explains Mr. Rahi.

“India is believed to hold yet-to-find potential of 13 billion tons of oil equivalent. This bill addresses two critical issues to help India exploit these resources – separation of petroleum and mining activities and expanding the definition of mineral oils,” he says, 

In the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948, petroleum and natural gas were the only two defined as mineral oils. This Bill expands the definition to include coal bed methane, oil shale, shale gas, shale oil, tight gas, tight oil, and gas hydrate, but does not include coal, lignite and helium occurring in the petroleum process. Subsequently, the Bill alters the previously used mining lease to introduce a ‘petroleum lease’ which allows companies to explore, prospect (search for oil and gas fields), produce, make merchantable, and dispose of mineral oils. Mining leases in use will remain valid. 

“The broader definition (of mineral oils) enables the efficient exploration, development, and production of both conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon resources without any policy confusion,” says Mr. Rahi, adding, “This (separation of leases) eliminates redundant or irrelevant approvals, streamlining the regulatory framework.”

Expands Centre’s regulatory powers, decriminalises offences

Under the Act, the Centre was empowered to regulate the grant, terms and conditions, and time period of leases, production, storage and conservation of mineral oils and collecting royalties, fees and taxes for mineral oils. This Bill expands the Centre’s powers to include framing rules for lessees to reduce emissions, sharing of oil production and processing units, merger of leases and resolving disputes on leases. 

With India and the energy sector’s focus on green technology, this Bill also urges oil companies to use oilfields for other purposes like hydrogen production, carbon capture utilization and storage or coal gasification.

Explaining how this is reflected in the current practices of the oil and gas industries, Mr. Rahi says, “The global industry is increasingly prioritizing decarbonization with methane capture, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), and other low-carbon technologies.” Acknowledging that the current viability of such projects is subject to challenges, he adds, “government support, in the form of a policy direction to begin with and possible incentives in the future, could make these projects sustainable.” 

Further, the Bill also decriminalises offences related to the above-mentioned petroleum activities, such as those pertaining to invalid leases and non-payment of royalties; however, it increases the monetary fine for them from Rs. 1000 to Rs 25 lakhs. 

Refuting any claims of avenues for misuse of the decriminalisation clause, Mr. Rahi stresses that it has been a long-standing demand of the industry, as many operators are increasingly outsourcing specific operations to optimize costs. “By shifting from criminal penalties to administrative fines for minor infractions, companies can focus on compliance and operational improvements without the fear of severe legal consequences. This will foster a more predictable environment, encourage innovation, and streamline the regulatory process,” says Mr. Rahi.

Opening up no-go areas to oil exploration

The Centre has allowed oil exploration within previously defined no-go areas, such as those near missile testing sites. In a recent bid, 1.36 lakh square kilometers of area was being offered, of which 38% had been previously marked no-go area, said Mr. Puri. This Bill is an attempt by the Centre to “catch up and make up for somewhat tardy or slow focus on implementation in the past” as oil exploration and production was not in focus for previous governments, says Mr. Puri. 

“While these reforms are designed to enhance exploration and production, achieving a meaningful reduction in import dependency will require a sustained and significant growth in domestic production, particularly in oil, natural gas, and deployment of renewable energy,” Mr. Rahi says.

A file photo of Infosys co-founders N. R. Narayana Murthy and S. Gopalakrishnan, addressing mediapersons regarding the changes in the Infosys Prize, at Infosys Science Foundation (ISF), Jayanagar, in Bengaluru on May 15, 2024.
| Photo Credit: Murali Kumar K

The Infosys Science Foundation (ISF) announced the winners of the Infosys Prize 2024 in six categories — Economics, Engineering and Computer Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physical Sciences.

The Infosys Prize honours the accomplishments of individuals whose research and scholarship significantly impact India.

The prize for each category comprises a gold medal, a citation, and a purse of $100,000 (or its equivalent in rupees).

The laureates of Infosys Prize 2024 were selected by an international panel of jurors comprising renowned scholars and experts.

Over the past 15 years, ISF has recognised groundbreaking research that has influenced various aspects of human life.

In 2024, the ISF decided to honour researchers under 40, emphasising the need for early recognition of exceptional talent.

Kris Gopalakrishnan, President, Infosys Science Foundation, said, “The Infosys Prize has played a pivotal role in recognising brilliant minds whose contributions are shaping the future of research and science. This year, we refocused to reward early career researchers under the age of 40, recognising their immense potential and the promise of paradigm-changing work.”

The winners of the Infosys Prize 2024 in the six categories are:

Economics

The Infosys Prize 2024 in Economics is awarded to Arun Chandrasekhar, Professor, Department of Economics, Stanford University, for his contribution to the study of social and economic networks, using innovative data sets and drawing on theoretical methods from machine learning and computer science.

His collection and mapping of networks data, from multiple villages in Karnataka, provides a test bed for studying important questions in development economics. Prof. Chandrasekhar’s work sheds light on the role of networks in the functioning of the modern economy. His work provides critical ingredients for better policy making.

Engineering and Computer Science

The Infosys Prize 2024 in Engineering and Computer Science is awarded to Shyam Gollakota, Professor, School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington for his impactful research and technology translation spanning multiple engineering domains in societally relevant areas, such as smartphone-based affordable healthcare tools for low- and middle-income countries, battery-free computing and communication, and augmentation of human auditory sensing with artificial intelligence.  

Humanities and Social Sciences

The Infosys Prize 2024 in Humanities and Social Sciences is awarded to Mahmood Kooria, lecturer, School of History, Classics and Archaeology, University of Edinburgh, for his outstanding and seminal contributions to the study of maritime Islam in a global perspective, with particular focus on Kerala in the pre-modern and early modern eras. His pioneering studies have revealed the role of Islamic law in shaping economic, political, and cultural transformations on the Indian Ocean littorals.

Life Sciences

The Infosys Prize 2024 in Life Sciences is awarded to Siddhesh Kamat, Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, for his discoveries concerning bioactive lipids and their receptors, and their metabolic and signaling pathways. His research, using advanced methods to understand the function of lipids, a key component of cells, has important implications for understanding the role of these molecules in a range of cellular functions and human diseases.

Mathematical Sciences

The Infosys Prize 2024 in Mathematical Sciences is awarded to Neena Gupta, Professor in the Theoretical Statistics and Mathematics Unit at the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, for her work on the Zariski Cancellation Problem, a fundamental problem in algebraic geometry first posed in 1949 by Oscar Zariski, one of the founders of modern algebraic geometry. In 2014, she proved the striking result that Asanuma’s 3-dimensional affine variety yields a negative answer to Zariski’s original Cancellation Problem in positive characteristic.

Physical Sciences

The Infosys Prize 2024 in Physical Sciences is awarded to Vedika Khemani, Associate Professor in the Physics Department at Stanford University, who has made wide-ranging and groundbreaking contributions to theoretical and experimental non-equilibrium quantum matter, most notably the discovery of time-crystals. This could have important implications for the future of quantum computing and other technologies.

Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during a meeting, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on September 23, 2024
| Photo Credit: PTI

Sri Lanka’s newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday (September 23, 2024) promised to strengthen democracy and “work hard to win people’s trust”, with the disclaimer that he is no “magician”.

“I am not a magician; I am not a miracle-worker. There are things I know and don’t know. But I will commit myself to doing the right thing at all times, and lead a collective effort to rebuild our nation,” he said, in his first address as President, just after being sworn in at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo. It is the building that protesters stormed in July 2022, as they ousted former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa amid a severe financial meltdown.

Mr. Dissanayake, 55, takes over the country’s top office when the island nation struggles to put a crippling economic crisis behind it. Scores of poor families are looking for urgent relief from the everyday economic strain amid high living costs and utility bills that shot up as part an IMF-led programme that introduced painful austerity measures.

Mr. Dissanayake secured 42.31 % of the votes to win the September 21 presidential election, that he closely fought with Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa and former President Ranil Wickremesinghe. His National People’s Power (NPP) Alliance campaigned on a plank of anti-corruption and has promised to change the country’s political culture.  Mr. Dissanayake’s victory marks a shift in Sri Lankan politics, away from the country’s traditional parties and political elite. He leads the NPP’s chief political constituent, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP or People’s Liberation Front), a party with Marxist-Leninist ideology.    

Although Mr. Dissanayake emerged winner in the national election, he did not secure the majority vote share among the country’s ethnic minority communities, especially the Tamils of the north and east. In a message apparently targeting them and others who voted for his rivals, he said: “Democracy helped me win. Some voted for me, and others didn’t. But my pledge is to work hard to win the trust of those who didn’t vote for me as well. This is an important part of my Presidency.” Further, he pledged support to businesses and said he would work with all international actors, while keeping Sri Lanka’s best interests in mind.

President Dissanayake on Monday (September 23, 2024) appointed secretaries to various ministers. He is expected to appoint a new Cabinet on Tuesday (September 24, 2024), Colombo-based political sources said.

Smoke rises from the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Kila, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as pictured from Marjayoun, near the border with Israel, on September 20, 2024.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Sri Lanka to choose President in crucial contest on September 21

Over 17 million Sri Lankans will have a chance to elect their next President today in a crucial election, the first to be held after the island nation’s economy crashed in 2022. A good turnout is expected, in line with Sri Lanka’s record of high voter participation in every national election. The last presidential poll in 2019 saw a voter turnout of 83.72 %.

Doctors set to resume work but protests continue to rage in Kolkata

A day after junior doctors called off their ceasework agitation, healthcare workers and thousands of civil society protesters took to the streets of Kolkata seeking justice for the doctor who was raped and killed at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital (RGKMCH) last month. It has been 41 days since the female trainee doctor was raped and killed on duty at RGKMCH on August 9. So far, the Kolkata Police have arrested one person in connection with the case

Decks cleared for Atishi to take oath as Delhi Chief Minister

President Droupadi Murmu appointed Atishi as the Delhi Chief Minister. A gazette notification by the Union Home Ministry stated: “The President is pleased to appoint Ms. Atishi as the Chief Minister, National Capital Territory of Delhi, with effect from the date she is sworn in.” She also accepted Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation as the CM.

NIA searches four Punjab locations in Pannun case

The National Investigation Agency conducted searches at four locations in Punjab in connection with a case related to the alleged promotion of terror-related activities and violence by Gurupatwant Singh Pannun, the “designated terrorist” of banned outfit Sikhs for Justice. The searches were carried out at one location each in Moga and Mohali, and two in Bathinda, in the case registered by the NIA in 2023 against Pannun and other SFJ members.

FIRs against Rahul Gandhi over statements on Sikhs in India

Multiple First Information Reports (FIR) have been registered against former Congress president Rahul Gandhi in various districts of Chhattisgarh over his recent statements on the Sikh community made during the leader’s recent visit to the U.S. According to the police, Mr. Gandhi has been accused of hurting religious sentiments. Cases have been filed in the capital Raipur and a couple of other cities, including Bilaspur and Durg, with police sources adding that more such FIRs were in the process.

Top Hezbollah leader Ibrahim Aqil killed in Israeli strike

A strike on Hezbollah’s stronghold in Lebanon’s capital Beirut killed eight people and wounded dozens of others, with a source close to the movement saying a top military leader was dead. The Israeli military said it had conducted a “targeted strike”, while the Lebanese health ministry said the attack had killed eight people and wounded 59 more.

Nationwide outrage over custodial abuse pushes Majhi government into damage control mode

The alleged custodial abuse of an Army officer and the sexual harassment of his fiancée at a Bhubaneswar police station sparked nationwide outrage, pushing the Mohan Majhi government in Odisha into damage control mode. While the Congress questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the incident, the principal opposition in Odisha, the Biju Janata Dal demanded a court-monitored special investigation team probe and a judicial inquiry into this grave incident against an Army Major and the lady.

‘Blockchain,’ ‘smart materials’ among list of ‘innovate’ projects mooted in PM solar scheme

As part of the ₹75,000-crore PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has announced a ₹500-crore sub-component for “Innovative Projects”, according to a draft notification from the Ministry. Under this programme, companies and individuals can submit proposals, which will be perused by a committee, to execute novel ideas connected to rooftop solar installations.

Opposition rejects Sufi council’s plea for separate dargah board

The All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council, which claims to represent 600 dargahs in India, in a presentation before the Parliament’s Joint Committee on Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, demanded a “separate” and “independent” dargah board, claiming that the current Waqf Boards are not “streamlined” for their needs. The council argued that the dargahs were distinct from other Waqf properties, since they had a hereditary Sajjada Nashin as its head – which means a single family had been “continuously and uninterruptedly” looking after the property for several centuries.

IndiGo tail strike: plane arrives in Delhi with damaged belly, cleared for flight to Bengaluru

An IndiGo Airbus A321 aircraft parked in Bengaluru since September 9, which is the subject of a DGCA enquiry for scraping against the runway surface, may have arrived in the same condition at its previous stop at Delhi airport. Airline sources familiar with the incident said the massive abrasions extending from the wings of the plane to the tail went completely unnoticed and the aircraft was cleared for the next flight to Bengaluru.

Key recommendations in simultaneous elections report ‘flawed’, says former CEC Quraishi

With the government setting the ball rolling for simultaneous polls, former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi has flagged concerns over the practicality and implications of the proposed move, saying some key recommendations are “flawed” as he emphasised the need for a debate in Parliament on these issues. The Union Cabinet accepted the recommendations of a high-level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind for holding simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha, State Assemblies and local bodies in a phased manner after a countrywide consensus-building exercise.

Tirumala laddus row: Samples of ghee used by TTD contained ‘foreign fat’ says NDDB report 

The samples of ghee used by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams in the preparation of ritual offerings (Naivedyam) to Sri Venkateswara Swamy, the presiding deity of the world famous Tirumala temple, and Laddu Prasadam contained fish oil, beeftallow (rendered form of beef suet) and lard (fat drawn from the abdomens of pigs) together called ‘foreign fat’ going by an analysis report of the National Dairy Development Board’s Centre for Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food (CALF) located at Anand in Gujarat. 

Haryana Assembly polls: Kejriwal tells voters to keep the BJP out of power

As the Aam Aadmi Party stepped up its election campaigning in Haryana, party supremo and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the BJP had been instrumental in putting him behind bars in a false case and it was time for voters to put the BJP out of power. At a roadshow in Jagadhri in Yamunanagar district, Mr. Kejriwal asserted that AAP was so popular among voters that no government could form without his party’s support in Haryana.

Why disrespect an 82-year-old leader, asks Priyanka on PM not replying to Kharge

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has “disrespected” Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge by not replying to Mr. Kharge’s letter himself and fielding BJP President J. P. Nadda instead, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said. Ms. Vadra, in a post on X, said that in today’s “toxic political atmosphere”, the Prime Minister should have set a different example, keeping the dignity of his post in mind. Mr. Kharge had first raised with Mr. Modi the issue of “extremely objectionable” and “violent” statements being made against Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi by ruling alliance members.

Land-for-jobs case: Sanctions to prosecute Lalu Prasad obtained, CBI tells court

The CBI told a Delhi court that it has obtained requisite sanctions from authorities concerned to prosecute former railway minister Lalu Prasad in a corruption case related to the alleged land-for-jobs scam. The Central probe agency informed the court that there were around 30 other accused in the case for whom prosecution sanction was awaited, and urged it to grant 15 more days to enable it to obtain the requisite documents.

China ready to welcome more Indian firms into Chinese market: Envoy

China is ready to welcome more Indian companies to enter its market, Chinese ambassador Xu Feihong said while hoping that a “sound” business environment will be provided to Chinese firms in India. In an address at an event, Mr. Xu said China is looking at India to take “positive measures” for resuming direct flights and visas for Chinese citizens. The Chinese envoy’s remarks came amid the dragging border row in eastern Ladakh. India has been maintaining that its ties with China cannot be normal unless there is peace in the border areas.

India vs Bangladesh first Test | Compartmentalising batting and bowling has helped: Ashwin

R. Ashwin explained that compartmentalising his batting and bowling has helped him shine with the willow. The 38-year-old, whose sixth Test century powered India into a dominant position, spoke about trying not to think too far ahead while at the batting crease. “When I walked in, the only thing I wanted to do was settle down. The one thing I keep telling myself is to watch the ball hard,” said Ashwin, who went out to bat when India was in trouble at 144 for six.

Junior doctors holding their stethoscope raise slogans as they sit on a dharna after the police stopped their march towards Swasthya Bhawan in protest over RG Kar Hospital rape and murder incident, in Kolkata, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Kolkata rape and murder case: Doctors continue protests, reject Bengal government call for talks

Responding to the claims by government officials, the protesting doctors said, “We want to keep all channels for negotiations and talks open. But the way they wrote the email and the language they used was an insult to us. The way the email came to us, it was not an official email; it was a mail from the Health Secretary, we are not in any position to officially respond to it. If there is any positive response from the government to our five demands, we are ready to consider their appeal to hold talks.”

Six Indians released from Russian Army

At least six Indians enlisted with the Russian Army have been released from their camps on Russia-Ukraine border, months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue “personally” with President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow in July.

Top U.S. diplomat Donald Lu to visit India, Bangladesh

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu will be in India and Bangladesh for the September 10-16 period, the U.S. State Department has announced. Mr. Lu will be in India for the U.S.-India “2+2” Foreign and Defence Ministries’ intersessional dialogue.

Rahul Gandhi’s ‘prejudice against reservation’ got exposed in U.S.: BJP

The BJP on Tuesday accused the Congress of being “anti-reservation” and of opposing the interests of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Adivasis, citing a statement of Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, in the U.S.

SEBI chief’s husband received ₹4.78 crore from Mahindra group: Congress

Alleging a conflict of interest, the Congress on Tuesday (September 10, 2024) alleged that Dhaval Buch, husband of Madhabi Puri Buch, chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), received ₹4.78 crore between 2019 and 2021 from Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) Limited at a time when the SEBI was adjudicating cases of the same group. 

Congress reposes faith in sitting MLAs from Muslim-dominated Nuh; BJP replaces two candidates from 2019 Assembly poll

All three Congress candidates from the Meo Muslim-dominated Nuh district in Haryana – Aftab Ahmed, Mamman Khan and Mohammad Ilyas – on Tuesday (September 10, 2024) filed their nominations for the Assembly polls scheduled for October 5.

We will fight unitedly on all 288 seats: NCP-Ajit Pawar faction

A day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah held closed-door meetings with all the Mahayuti allies in Mumbai, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)-Ajit Pawar faction Maharashtra State president Sunil Tatkare said there was no question of a friendly fight on any seats in the State.

Israel releases video of a Gaza tunnel where it says Hamas killed six hostages

The Israeli military has released video footage of a Gaza tunnel where it says six hostages were recently killed by Hamas. The video shows a low, narrow passageway deep underground that had no bathroom and poor ventilation.

Bulldozers raze illegal structures in Surat after stones thrown at Ganesh pandal

Local authorities in Gujarat’s Surat carried out a demolition drive, razing illegal buildings and temporary structures, in an area that saw rioting following alleged stone-pelting of a Ganesh pandal.

Israeli defense chief says a temporary truce with Hamas is possible

Israel’s Defence Minister says the window is closing on an opportunity to reach a temporary cease-fire deal with the Hamas militant group that he believes could also bring calm to the country’s volatile northern border with Lebanon.

Rural access to electricity had differential benefits: Study

Access to electricity benefited larger, populous villages disproportionately more than hamlets with fewer households, an analysis of the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyut Yojana – a programme launched in 2005 to provide and improve electricity access to roughly 4,00,000 Indian villages. 

Haryana CM Nayab Saini files nomination from Ladwa

Haryana Chief Minister and BJP leader Nayab Saini on Tuesday (September 10, 2024) filed his nomination for the Assembly election from the Ladwa constituency, saying that his only mission was take the State forward on the path of development.

BJP MP objects to suggestion to call SEBI chief to depose before PAC

With the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) setting the agenda to review the performance of “regulatory bodies established by Acts of Parliament”, PAC member and Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy, at the committee’s meeting on Tuesday, demanded that Securities and Exchange Board (SEBI) chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch, who faced allegations of conflict of interest, be called in to depose. 

Elon Musk’s social media giant X has clashed with Justice Alexandre de Moraes (in picture) over its reluctance to comply with orders to block users. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Senior ICAR scientists hired laterally without reservation

More than 2,700 scientists at India’s top farm research body — accounting for an overwhelming majority of senior-level hires at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) – have been recruited through lateral entry since 2007, undermining the goals of the reservation policy, documents accessed by The Hindu reveal.

Brazilian Judge Alexandre de Moraes suspends Elon Musk’s X platform after it refuses to name a legal representative

A Brazilian Supreme Court justice has ordered the suspension of Elon Musk’s social media giant X in Brazil after the tech billionaire refused to name a legal representative in the country, according to a copy of the decision seen by The Associated Press. The move on Friday (August 30, 2024) further escalates the monthslong feud between the two men over free speech, far-right accounts and misinformation.

At 6.7%, growth slid to five-quarter low in Q1

Signalling a moderation in the economy’s growth momentum, India’s real GDP rose 6.7% in the April to June 2024 quarter, the slowest in five quarters, and well below the Reserve Bank of India’s expectation of a 7.1% uptick as well as the 7.8% uptick registered in the preceding quarter.

Cyclone Asna forms over Kutch; rain continues in Gujarat

Cyclone Asna has formed over the Kutch coast in Gujarat and adjoining areas of Pakistan, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday. The cyclonic storm – a rare land-originating one in August and headed to the Arabian Sea – is expected to move further away from the western coast in the next 48 hours.

India yet to take a decision on Pakistan invite to SCO meet

The government confirmed on Friday (August 30, 2024) that it has received an invitation from Pakistan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of Government (HoG) meeting in Islamabad on October 15-16. However, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it did not have a decision yet on whether India would participate and at what level that would be, even as it outlined other travel scheduled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September and October this year.

Uniform Civil Code is a small measure of justice for women: Vice-President

Echoing President Droupadi Murmu’s remarks on the rape and murder at the R.G. Kar hospital Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday said a society where “women and girls do not feel safe is not a civilised society”. He also backed a Uniform Civil Code, calling it a “small measure of justice” for women. 

Protests continue to rock Kolkata; Mamata writes to PM Modi again on ‘stringent’ laws

More than 20 days after the rape and murder of a doctor at the R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, protests continued to rock the city on Friday (August 30, 2024) with leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s women’s wing putting a giant-sized model of a lock on the gate of the West Bengal State Women’s Commission.

Ahead of Assembly elections, Congress expels two MLAs from Maharashtra

Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole announced on Friday (August 30, 2024) the expulsion of MLAs Zeeshan Siddique and Jitesh Antapurkar from the party, just ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Mr. Patole did not provide specific reasons for their expulsion, though the move comes over a month after it was revealed that seven Congress MLAs had cross-voted in the biennial elections for 11 Legislative Council seats.

Joint panel meeting on Waqf Bill witnesses heated debate

At a stormy eight-hour-long second sitting of Parliament’s Joint Committee on Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, there was a heated exchange between the Opposition and the government members, especially on the clause allowing the District Collector to be the final arbitrator on Waqf properties. 

People in queer relationships can open joint bank accounts, nominate their partners: FinMin clarification

People from the LGBTQIA+ community and those in queer relationships cannot be prevented from opening joint bank accounts, the Union government said in an advisory issued this week, making it clear that they can also nominate each other as beneficiaries.

Security forces kill 5 militants in intel operations Pakistan’s violence-hit Balochistan province

At least five terrorists of a banned militant group were killed and three were injured in ongoing intelligence-based operations in multiple districts in Balochistan following a string of terror attacks last weekend.

2024 Paris Paralympics: Resilient Avani Lekhara fires India to a golden start

Be it the Olympics or the Paralympics, shooting has seen encouraging results for the Indian contingent at the Paris Summer Games. Avani Lekhara, Mona Agarwal and Manish Narwal all made the podium on the first day of shooting on Friday.