Monday, March 09
A booming tax haul fuels government spending, but the fiscal gap persists as sanitation, administration and education absorb the biggest slices of the pie.
In his letter, Gogoi drew attention to a statement made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in the state Assembly on 24 November, where he claimed that findings of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Assam Police suggested that Garg's death "was a murder." The Chief Minister further stated that multiple individuals have been booked and that the alleged crime was planned and executed by a group.
The Delhi High Court has issued notices to a retired IAS officer and digital platforms in a defamation suit filed by former J&K Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta. Mehta disputes allegations of a "Jal Jeevan Mission scam" made by Ashok Kumar Parmar, citing a lack of documentary evidence and contradicting official inquiries.
A Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Parliament has proposed removing the words 'secular' and 'socialist' from India's Constitution Preamble. The bill argues these terms were added undemocratically during the Emergency in 1976. The MP cited Constituent Assembly debates where Dr B R Ambedkar reportedly stated these words were not necessary. The original Constitution adopted in 1949 did not include them.
Prime Minister Modi urged President Putin towards peace in Ukraine, emphasizing India's commitment to global welfare and a peaceful resolution. While not neutral, India supports all peace efforts. Putin briefed Modi on ongoing diplomatic initiatives, including with the US, to end the crisis. This stance aims to reassure the West amidst concerns over the summit.
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers has received a show cause notice from aviation watchdog DGCA for mass flight disruptions since December 2. The notice cites alleged operational lapses and inadequate passenger support, demanding a response within 24 hours. A four-member committee has been formed to investigate the issue and recommend preventive measures.
Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule has proposed 'The Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025' to promote work-life balance. The bill aims to curb employee burnout from constant digital communication by granting workers the right to ignore work-related calls and emails outside office hours. Companies could face penalties for non-compliance, encouraging negotiation of out-of-hour service conditions.
Meenakshi Singh's new coffee table book, 'Expressions of Divinity Maha Kumbh 2025,' published by Bloomsbury India, was launched at India Habitat Centre. The book explores sacred sites and the spiritual experience of millions at the Sangam, portraying divinity through human courage, humility, and strength. Supreme Court judge Justice Vikram Nath praised it as a significant cultural document.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi slammed the Centre for excluding Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi from President Murmu's state dinner for Vladimir Putin. She termed the move "petty," arguing the President's office should be bipartisan. Congress leaders echoed this sentiment, questioning the guest list and alleging government insecurity.
The Supreme Court has ruled that a dying declaration remains valid even if there's a time gap before the victim's death, and it doesn't need to be made under immediate threat. Such statements, even if not recorded by a magistrate or medically certified for mental fitness, are admissible. This decision allows prosecution of in-laws in a dowry death case.
