Month: March 2024

Insights Unveiled: Electoral Bonds Data Reveals Surprising Trends and Donors

Manish Kumar

Electoral Bonds Expose Political Funding Landscape in India. Future Gaming and Hotel Services Takes the Lead. Industry Titans Among Top Donors, Diverse Range of Donors. BJP Leads in Donations, a wide spectrum of Beneficiary Parties. Individual Donors Make Their Mark with varied Purchasing Patterns. Reliance Industries and Adani Group did not feature among the list of donors. The recent release of detailed data by the Election Commission of India (ECI), in compliance with the Supreme Court’s directive, sheds light on the intricate web of electoral funding through bonds. The State Bank…

Vision for Edible Oil Self-Reliance takes root in the North-East; Launch of Oil Palm Processing Mill under National Mission on Edible Oil

Manish Kumar

During the visit to Arunachal Pradesh, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi  underscored India’s self-reliance (Atmanirbharta) in edible oil production. The Prime Minister highlighted the Mission Palm Oil, a special campaign carried out by the central government with the Northeast in mind and inaugurated the first oil mill under this mission. “Mission Palm Oil will make India Aatmanirbhar in the edible oil sector and boost the income of farmers,” the Prime Minister said, expressing gratitude towards the farmers for taking up palm cultivation. The Government of India launched the National Mission…

“Partnership of dreams of common citizens and Modi’s resolve is the guarantee of a bright future”

Manish Kumar

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the beneficiaries of PM SVANidhi scheme at JLN Stadium in Delhi today and distributed loans to 1 lakh street vendors (SVs) including 5,000 SVs from Delhi as part of the scheme. He handed over PM SVANidhi loan cheques to five beneficiaries. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of two additional corridors of Delhi Metro’s Phase 4. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister acknowledged the presence of lakhs of street vendors linked to the event through video conferencing from 100s of cities.…

Odisha Enacts Protective Measures: Visitor Ban Imposed at Olive Ridley Turtle Nesting Sites

Manish Kumar

In a proactive move to safeguard the delicate nesting process of Olive Ridley Sea turtles, Odisha authorities have instituted a ban on visitor access to all mass nesting sites. This regulatory action comes in response to observed detrimental behaviors exhibited by visitors, including the use of bright lights for observation and the capture of photographs or videos. The affected nesting sites encompass key locations such as Gahirmatha beach in Kendrapara district, Devi river mouth in Puri, and Rushikulya river mouth in Ganjam district. Olive Ridley sea turtles hold protected status…

Transparency Concerns Arise Over Selection of Election Commissioners in India

Manish Kumar

Bureaucrats Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Gyanesh Kumar have been chosen for the two vacant posts in the top panel of the Election Commission of India. Congress’s leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury told the media this afternoon. Chowdhury criticized the composition of the panel, lamenting the absence of the Chief Justice of India. Chowdhury expressed frustration over the lack of transparency in the selection process, citing his limited time to review a list of 212 candidates before the meeting. He emphasized that the vast number of candidates provided for…

Arvind Kejriwal Moves Sessions Court to Challenge Summons in Delhi Liquor Policy Case

Manish Kumar

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has taken proactive measures by filing a plea in a Sessions Court to challenge the summons issued by a Magistrate Court. The summons issued by the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate mandated Kejriwal’s appearance before the court on March 16. The ED, for the second time, approached Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court, leveling accusations of non-compliance against Kejriwal. Kejriwal had expressed his willingness to cooperate with the agency’s inquiries, proposing a date for questioning post-March 12 and offering to participate via video-conferencing. The ED’s complaint against Kejriwal,…

Toward Electoral Synchrony: Insights from the Kovind Panel Report on One Nation One Election

Manish Kumar

In a significant stride towards electoral reform, the high-level panel led by former President Ram Nath Kovind presented its exhaustive report on the feasibility of implementing simultaneous elections across India to President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The report, spanning a colossal 18,626 pages, reflects extensive consultations, expert insights, and nearly six months of dedicated research since its inception on September 2, 2023. Key Recommendations of the Report: Unanimous Endorsement of Simultaneous Elections: The panel unequivocally endorses the concept of simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha, state Assemblies, and local bodies,…

Paytm Payments Bank Faces Closure, Layoffs Loom Over Workforce Amid Regulatory Scrutiny

Manish Kumar

Paytm Payments Bank, a prominent player in India’s fintech landscape, is bracing for significant changes as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has directed it to cease operations by March 15 due to serious rule violations. As the bank prepares to shut down temporarily, concerns about job terminations loom large for its workforce amidst ongoing layoffs across departments within its parent company, One 97 Communications. Closure of Paytm Payments Bank: The RBI’s directive to shut down Paytm Payments Bank stems from “non-compliance issues and concerns” within the bank, including serious…

Upholding Sovereignty: Amit Shah Firm on CAA Implementation Despite Opposition

Manish Kumar

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reaffirmed that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) will remain intact, emphasizing its constitutional validity. He emphasized the BJP’s commitment to fulfilling its manifesto promises and providing refuge to persecuted minorities from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Shah dismissed claims of unconstitutionality, citing the law’s adherence to Article 14 and its reasonable classification. Responding to allegations of political motivations behind the CAA’s notification, Shah refuted claims of opportunism, attributing delays to the COVID-19 pandemic. Amit Shah criticized opposition leaders, including Mamata Banerjee and Rahul Gandhi, for…

Ashwin Overtakes Bumrah at Summit of ICC Test Rankings; Rohit Climbs to 6th Among Batsmen

Manish Kumar

Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin surged to the top of the ICC Test bowlers’ rankings, propelled by a stellar performance in his 100th Test match. Meanwhile, his compatriot and captain, Rohit Sharma, ascended to sixth place among the world’s top batsmen, marking a remarkable comeback in the latest ICC rankings. Ashwin’s masterclass was evident throughout the intense battle against England in Dharamsala. He claimed four crucial wickets in the first innings and an extraordinary 36th five-wicket haul in the second innings, leading India to a resounding victory in the fifth and…