Month: August 2024

EPFO Wage Ceiling Revision Likely Soon: Finance Ministry Receives Proposal from Labour Ministry

Manish Kumar

The Union Finance Ministry is expected to make a decision soon on a proposal from the Labour Ministry recommending an increase in the wage ceiling for calculating provident fund and pension contributions under the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). The proposed revision suggests raising the wage ceiling from the current ₹15,000 to ₹21,000. Background of the Proposal The existing wage ceiling of ₹15,000 for EPF and EPS contributions has been in place since September 1, 2014. The proposal to increase this ceiling was sent to the Finance Ministry in April,…

IPL 2025 Auction: 3 Players Who Could Break Mitchell Starc’s Record as the Most Expensive Cricketer

Manish Kumar

The excitement for the IPL 2025 auction is already building, even though it’s still a while away. With mega auctions set to return, all eyes are on which players could fetch the highest bids. Mitchell Starc set the record for the most expensive player in IPL history last year, bagging a staggering INR 24.75 crore from Kolkata Knight Riders. As franchises prepare to rebuild their squads, here are three Indian players who might break Starc’s record in the upcoming IPL 2025 auction. 1. Rohit Sharma Rohit Sharma, the Indian ODI…

Rahul Gandhi’s First Foreign Trip as Leader of Opposition, to Address Indian Diaspora in US on September 8

Manish Kumar

Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, is set to address the Indian diaspora in Texas, United States, on September 8 during his week-long visit to the country. This will be his first foreign trip since assuming the post of LoP after the Congress secured 99 seats out of 543 in the Lok Sabha elections. Key Details of the Visit During his trip, Gandhi is expected to engage with students at prestigious universities and meet US lawmakers, highlighting the importance of strengthening ties between India and…

Himachal Pradesh Assembly Unanimously Passes Bill to Raise Minimum Marriage Age for Girls to 21

Manish Kumar

The Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly has passed a bill to raise the minimum marriage age for girls from 18 to 21 years. The Himachal Pradesh Child Marriage Prohibition Bill-2024 was passed unanimously on Tuesday (August 27) during the Monsoon Session of the Assembly. The bill, introduced by the state’s Health, Social Justice, and Empowerment Minister Dhaniram Shandil, sought to amend the existing child marriage laws in the state. The amendment increases the legal marriage age for girls by three years and will now be forwarded to the Governor for final…

10 Years of Jan Dhan Yojana: Over 53 Crore Bank Accounts Opened, PM Modi Hails Scheme as a Success

Manish Kumar

On the tenth anniversary of the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the initiative for its remarkable role in enhancing financial inclusion across India. Launched in 2014, PMJDY has successfully opened over 53.1 crore bank accounts, with deposits exceeding ₹2.3 lakh crore. Nearly 30 crore beneficiaries are women, highlighting the scheme’s impact on empowering marginalized communities. PM Modi expressed his appreciation on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Today, we mark a momentous occasion—#10YearsOfJanDhan. Jan Dhan Yojana has been paramount in boosting financial inclusion and giving dignity to…

Trump Faces Revised US Indictment in Election Subversion Case, Calls it ‘Witch Hunt’

Manish Kumar

Former US President Donald Trump has been hit with a revised federal indictment accusing him of attempting to overturn his 2020 election defeat. Trump called the new charges “an act of desperation” and part of an effort to revive a “dead Witch Hunt.” He claims the revised indictment has the same issues as the previous one and should be dismissed immediately. Key Points of the Revised Indictment: Narrow Focus: Prosecutors have refocused their charges on Trump’s role as a political candidate seeking re-election, rather than his actions as President. Supreme…

Biden Praises Modi’s Peace Efforts in Ukraine as Diplomatic Balancing Act Continues

Manish Kumar

In a recent phone call, U.S. President Joe Biden commended Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his proactive efforts to promote peace in Ukraine. The conversation, which occurred after Modi’s visit to Kyiv on August 23, spotlighted India’s diplomatic balancing act amid global tensions. Biden praised Modi’s “message of peace and ongoing humanitarian support” for Ukraine, underlining the growing importance of India’s role in fostering international peace and stability. Modi’s Diplomatic Maneuvers in Ukraine Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Ukraine came at a critical juncture, following a controversial trip to…

Supreme Court Grants Bail to K Kavitha in Delhi Excise Policy Case

Manish Kumar

In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Tuesday granted conditional bail to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha, who had been in custody since March 15 in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. The daughter of former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, Kavitha was arrested first by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in March, followed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) a month later. The case also involves prominent figures like Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his former deputy, Manish Sisodia. Supreme Court’s Concerns and…

NCERT Suggests Overhaul in Class 12 Evaluation: Inclusion of Marks from Classes 9 to 11 Proposed

Manish Kumar

A Shift in Evaluation The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has put forth a significant proposal to revamp the evaluation system for Class 12 board exams in India. This new model suggests that students’ performance from Classes 9, 10, and 11 should be factored into their final Class 12 results. The move aims to provide a more holistic and comprehensive assessment of a student’s academic journey, reducing the pressure of a single final exam. Proposed Mark Distribution Under the proposed system, the final Class 12 results would…

FIR Filed Against Contractor After Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue Collapses

Manish Kumar

A 35-foot-tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi just eight months ago, suddenly collapsed on Monday at the historic Rajkot Fort in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district. The statue, depicting the revered Maratha king in an attacking pose with a sword held high, broke into several pieces, raising questions about the quality of its construction and prompting swift legal action against those responsible. Sudden Collapse at Rajkot Fort Shocks Maharashtra The statue, which stood proudly on a pedestal at the ramparts of Rajkot Fort, began to totter…