Month: July 2024

The Supreme Court on Thursday adjourned the hearing on the Directorate of Enforcement’s (ED) plea seeking transfer of investigation into bribery allegations against its officer from Tamil Nadu’s DVAC to CBI.

A bench of justices, Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan adjourned the hearing after the ED counsel apprised the court that Additional Solicitor General SV Raju representing the probe agency, is not in the town.

The court was hearing an ED plea seeking the transfer of the investigation into bribery allegations against one of its officers from Tamil Nadu State authorities to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Earlier, the top court granted interim bail to ED official Ankit Tiwari, who was arrested by the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) in December 2023 in the alleged bribery case. However, the court imposed various conditions on Ankit Tiwari including not to influence witnesses, nor to tamper with evidence and not to leave the State of Tamil Nadu without permission while granting bail.

Ankit Tiwari has challenged Madras High Court order dismissing his bail plea in the money laundering case. The top court has asked Tamil Nadu government to file reply on Ankit Tiwari plea.

The Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) in December arrested an officer of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleging that he had been caught “red-handed” while accepting a bribe of Rs 20 lakh from a doctor in Dindigul district.

According to Tamil Nadu officials, Ankit Tiwari, along with his team of ED officers, had been threatening several people and receiving bribes in the name of closing their case in the Enforcement Directorate. (ANI)

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India’s counter-drone market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 28 per cent over the next five years, highlights a report by Motilal Oswal, a financial services company.

The drone market is driven by an increased need for systems to counter aerial attacks. The report estimates the addressable market for counter-drone systems at Rs 120 billion over the next five years, based on a requirement for nearly 1,200 counter-drone systems, each costing about Rs 80 to 150 million. This substantial demand is expected to create a yearly market opportunity of nearly Rs 24 billion over the next five years.

In the drone market, systems with a range of more than 5 kilometers are growing faster than those with a range of less than 5 kilometers. The technology in this space is continuously evolving to improve range, with each counter-drone system having a lifespan of about 10 years and requiring regular software upgrades.

The report also noted that the cumulative defense electronics market was worth about USD 8.1 billion from 2016 to 2020, growing at an annual rate of 4.5 per cent during that period. In 2021, the market stood at USD 1.9 billion and is expected to grow to USD 7 billion by 2030, with an annual growth rate of 15.7 per cent from 2020 to 2030.

In India, the defense electronics segment is expected to see significant efforts to produce components locally over the next decade, leading to better manufacturing and quality standards. Currently, over 60 per cent of electronic components are supplied by foreign manufacturers.

As local production increases, a large portion of future defense electronics will be sourced locally. Major programs across the army, navy, and air force, such as new combat aircraft acquisitions, submarine building, and replacing T-72 tanks, will drive the market value of this segment.

Furthermore, over the next five years, the simulators market in India is expected to reach between Rs 140 and 150 billion. Military training simulators can simulate a wide range of scenarios, including air-to-air combat, ground combat, and naval warfare, allowing the armed forces to train in a realistic environment. Military training simulators play a crucial role in training armed forces in India.

The recently announced Agniveer Yojna provides opportunities for the youth of the country to serve in the Armed Forces as Agniveers for four years. Since the tenure of the Agniveers is very short, there is a fundamental need to train them to an acceptable level in a much faster time compared to the duration spent by the former recruits. This is where the requirements for simulators will start increasing.

With the changing nature of warfare, which now includes drones for spying, surveillance, and reconnaissance, there is a growing demand for anti-drone systems and other equipment in India and globally to protect critical sites like military bases, airports, refineries, and financial institutions. (ANI)

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After the Karnataka government put a draft bill on quotas for Kannadigas in the private sector on hold, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader CT Ravi termed it “natakbaazi” and said that in the state, the atmosphere is against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Congress government.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said that the bill enforcing 50 per cent reservation for administrative posts and 75 per cent for non-administrative posts for Kannadigas in private sector organisations, industries and enterprises has been temporarily put on hold.

“This is all ‘natakbaazi’ to divert the issue. The atmosphere is against the CM and Congress government. To divert people from the issue, they are doing this. The Kannada schools are going to close; in the state, they should first think about that. Why are the schools being closed? They are not doing anything regarding this. They are just doing nautanki,” the BJP leader told ANI.

BJP leader CR Kesavan said, “Yesterday, you first saw Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah’s tweet saying that the cabinet had approved the job quota in the private sector. Then, after some time, he deleted his tweet. Then mysteriously, the tweet came out, and then, towards the end of the evening, they said they’d put it on hold for further discussions. This should be looked at in the context of the assembly session that is going on. The Congress government has been cornered, confronted and is defenceless against the alleged scams that have taken place. He (Rahul Gandhi) self acclaims that he is a champion of tribal interests, so why is he keeping quiet?” Kesavan said.

Karnataka Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said that whatever the government wants to do is in the interest of the people.

“The CM has given a statement based on certain feedback. We will look at it again. Whatever we want to do is in the interest of our people and our local people, who should benefit, so that is the only intention. People also give many opinions, we are open to all types of views,” Gundu Rao said.

Karnataka Minister G Parameshwara said that the government is trying to consult everyone and then take a decision

“Some consultations need to be done. We are trying to consult everyone and then take a decision. We are trying to consult everybody and then take a decision,” Parameshwara said.

Minister Priyank Kharge said that the government will ensure that Karnataka delivers a global workforce from here.

“It’s not the question of taking back. As a government, we are committed to providing more jobs locally. We will ensure that Karnataka delivers a global workforce from here,” Kharge said.

According to the chief minister, the bill will be revisited and decided upon in the coming days.

“The bill approved by the cabinet to provide reservations for Kannadigas in private sector organizations, industries and enterprises has been temporarily put on hold. This will be revisited and decided in the coming days,” Siddaramaiah posted on X.

The CM said in another post on X: “The draft bill intended to provide reservations for Kannadigas in private sector companies, industries, and enterprises is still in the preparation stage. A comprehensive discussion will be held in the next cabinet meeting to make a final decision.”

On Monday, the Karnataka state cabinet approved a bill enforcing a 50 per cent reservation for administrative posts and 75 per cent for non-administrative posts for Kannadigas in private industries. (ANI)

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The ‘Wagh Nakh’ (Tiger Claw) used by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to kill Mughal General Afzal Khan will be arriving in India from London’s Victoria and Albert Museum on Friday, July 19 for a period of three years, as per Maharashtra Minister of Culture Sudhir Mungantiwar.

The Tiger Claw will be kept at the Shivaji Museum in Satara in a grand ceremony that will be presided over by Maharastra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on the same day.

Last year, in October, Maharashtra Ministers Sudhir Mungantiwar and Uday Samant signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with London’s Victoria and Albert Museum to bring back Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s ‘Wagh Nakh’ to India for a period of three years.

Sudhir Mungantiwar said that the ‘Wagh Nakh’ will be kept at a museum so that people can get a chance to witness it.

Speaking to reporters, Sudhir Mungantiwar said, “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, with all his wisdom, killed Afzal Khan with the help of ‘Wagh Nakh’. We are celebrating 350 years since the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. A lot of programmes will be held in Maharashtra. We will be giving a chance to the people to witness the ‘Wagh Nakh’ by displaying it in the museum.”

“As per the MoU, we will not be able to take Wagh Nakh in all the districts of Maharashtra, which we had earlier thought; instead, we will keep Wagh Nakh at a particular spot where all the people will be able to visit,” he added.

He further mentioned that ‘Wagh Nakh’ ( the Tiger Claws used by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to kill the general of Bijapur Sultanate, Afzal Khan, in 1659) is not just a normal thing for the people of the state but a “symbol of faith”.

The display is part of the celebration of the 350th anniversary of the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji. The choice of Satara Museum to host the Wagh Nakh also has significance. Chhatrapati Shivaji killed Afzal Khan at the foot of Pratapgarh fort in Satara. The victory of `Pratapgarh symbolises Shivaji’s bravery and reputation as a military leader. (ANI)

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The stage is set for another thrilling Emmy Awards ceremony, as the nominations for the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards were unveiled earlier today.

Leading the prestigious list is FX’s epic series ‘Shogun’, which secured an impressive 25 nominations, including the coveted Best Drama Series category, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

This achievement not only underscores the show’s impact but also sets new records within the industry.

In a closely contested lineup, other notable contenders include FX’s ‘The Bear’ with 23 nominations, marking a new comedy series record.

Hulu’s ‘Only Murders in the Building’ follows closely with 21 nods, while HBO/Max’s ‘True Detective: Night Country’ and Netflix’s ‘The Crown’ round out the top nominations with 19 and 18, respectively, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The diversity of nominees reflects a competitive year across platforms, with Netflix emerging as the frontrunner with a total of 107 nominations spread across 35 different programmes.

FX follows closely with 93 nominations from nine programmes, while HBO and Apple TV+ secure 91 and 72 nominations respectively. Notably, The Walt Disney Co. achieved a personal-best tally of 183 Emmy nominations across its diverse portfolio of networks and streaming services.

This year’s nominees were announced at the El Capitan Theatre by Tony Hale, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Television Academy chair Cris Abrego in a ceremony streamed live to viewers worldwide.

During the announcement of this year’s nominees, Abrego surprised ‘Abbott Elementary’ star Sheryl Lee Ralph with news of her nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, adding to the anticipation of the upcoming awards.

The 76th Emmy Awards are scheduled to broadcast live from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 15, airing on ABC from 5-8 p.m. PT/8-11 p.m. ET.

Preceding the main event, the Creative Arts ceremonies will take place on September 7 and 8, where numerous technical and creative achievements will be celebrated, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

In 2023, due to industry strikes, the Emmys were postponed and held in January 2024. Notable winners included HBO’s ‘Succession’, FX’s ‘The Bear’, and Netflix’s ‘Beef’, with all three shows recognised for their outstanding writing and directing.

With ‘Succession’ concluding its acclaimed run, this year’s drama category promises a fresh lineup of contenders.

To qualify for the 2024 Emmy Awards, television programmes had to air between June 1, 2023, and May 31, 2024, ensuring that the awards continue to reflect the best in recent television production, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Here’s the list of all the nominees:

Best Drama Series

The Crown (Netflix)

Fallout (Prime Video)

The Gilded Age (HBO)

The Morning Show (Apple TV+)

Mr and Mrs Smith (Prime Video)

Shogun (FX)

Slow Horses (Apple TV+)

3 Body Problem (Netflix)

Best Actress in a Drama Series

Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show, Apple)

Carrie Coon (The Gilded Age, HBO/Max)

Maya Erskine (Mr and Mrs Smith, Prime Video)

Anna Sawai (Shogun, FX)

Imelda Staunton (The Crown, Netflix)

Reese Witherspoon (The Morning Show, Apple)

Best Actor in a Drama Series

Idris Elba (Hijack, Apple)

Donald Glover (Mr and Mrs Smith, Prime Video)

Walton Goggins (Fallout, Prime Video)

Gary Oldman (Slow Horses, Apple)

Hiroyuki Sanada (Shogun, FX)

Dominic West (The Crown, Prime Video)

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Christine Baranski (The Gilded Age, HBO/Max)

Nicole Beharie (The Morning Show, Apple TV+)

Elizabeth Debicki (The Crown, Netflix)

Greta Lee (The Morning Show, Apple TV+)

Lesley Manville (The Crown, Netflix)

Karen Pittman (The Morning Show, Apple TV+)

Holland Taylor (The Morning Show, Apple TV+)

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Tadanobu Asano (Shogun, FX)

Billy Crudup (The Morning Show, Apple TV+)

Mark Duplass (The Morning Show, Apple TV+)

Jon Hamm (The Morning Show, Apple TV+)

Takehiro Hira (Shogun, FX)

Jack Lowden (Slow Horses, Apple TV+)

Jonathan Pryce (The Crown, Netflix)

Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

Nestor Carbonell (Shogun, FX)

Paul Dano (Mr & Mrs Smith, Prime Video)

Tracy Letts (Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, HBO/Max)

Jonathan Pryce (Slow Horses, Apple TV+)

John Turturro (Mr & Mrs Smith, Prime Video)

Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

Michaela Coel (Mr & Mrs Smith, Prime Video)

Claire Foy (The Crown, Netflix)

Marcia Gay Harden (The Morning Show, Apple TV+)

Sarah Paulson (Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Prime Video)

Parker Posey (Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Prime Video)

Best Comedy Series

Abbott Elementary (ABC)

The Bear (FX)

Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO/Max)

Hacks (HBO/Max)

Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)

Palm Royale (Apple TV+)

Reservation Dogs (FX)

What We Do in the Shadows (FX)

Best Actor in a Comedy Series

Matt Berry (What We Do in the Shadows, FX)

Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm, HBO/Max)

Steve Martin (Only Murders in the Building, Hulu)

Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building, Hulu)

Jeremy Allen White (The Bear, FX)

D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (Reservation Dogs, FX)

Best Actress in a Comedy Series

Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary, ABC)

Ayo Edebiri (The Bear, FX)

Selena Gomez (Only Murders in the Building, Hulu)

Maya Rudolph (Loot, Apple)

Jean Smart (Hacks, HBO/Max)

Kristen Wiig (Palm Royale, Apple TV+)

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Lionel Boyce (The Bear, FX)

Paul W. Downs (Hacks, HBO/Max)

Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear, FX)

Paul Rudd (Only Murders in the Building, Hulu)

Tyler James Williams (Abbott Elementary, ABC)

Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live, NBC)

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Carol Burnett (Palm Royale, Apple TV+)

Liza Colon-Zayas (The Bear, FX)

Hannah Einbinder (Hacks, HBO/Max)

Janelle James (Abbott Elementary, ABC)

Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary, ABC)

Meryl Streep (Only Murders in the Building, Hulu)

Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

Jon Bernthal (The Bear, FX)

Matthew Broderick (Only Murders in the Building, Hulu)

Ryan Gosling (Saturday Night Live, NBC)

Christopher Lloyd (Hacks, HBO/Max)

Bob Odenkirk (The Bear, FX)

Will Poulter (The Bear, FX)

Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

Olivia Colman (The Bear, FX)

Jamie Lee Curtis (The Bear, FX)

Kaitlin Olson (Hacks, HBO/Max)

Da’Vine Joy Randolph (Only Murders in the Building, Hulu)

Maya Rudolph (Saturday Night Live, NBC)

Kristen Wiig (Saturday Night Live, NBC)

Best Limited or Anthology Series

Baby Reindeer (Netflix)

Fargo (FX)

Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV+)

Ripley (Netflix)

True Detective: Night Country (HBO/Max)

Best Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Matt Bomer (Fellow Travelers, Showtime)

Richard Gadd (Baby Reindeer, Netflix)

Jon Hamm (Fargo, FX)

Tom Hollander (Feud: Capote vs. the Swans, FX)

Andrew Scott (Ripley, Netflix)

Best Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Jodie Foster (True Detective: Night Country, HBO/Max)

Brie Larson (Lessons in Chemistry, Apple)

Juno Temple (Fargo, FX)

Sofia Vergara (Griselda, Netflix)

Naomi Watts (Feud: Capote vs. The Swans, FX)

Best Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Jonathan Bailey (Fellow Travelers, Showtime)

Robert Downey Jr. (The Sympathizer, HBO/Max)

Tom Goodman-Hill (Baby Reindeer, Netflix)

John Hawkes (True Detective: Night Country, HBO/Max)

Lamorne Morris (Fargo, FX)

Lewis Pullman (Lessons in Chemistry, Apple TV+)

Treat Williams (Feud: Capote vs. The Swans, FX)

Best Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Dakota Fanning (Ripley, Netflix)

Lily Gladstone (Under the Bridge, Hulu)

Jessica Gunning (Baby Reindeer, Netflix)

Aja Naomi King (Lessons in Chemistry, Apple TV+)

Diane Lane (Feud: Capote vs. The Swans, FX)

Nava Mau (Baby Reindeer, Netflix)

Kali Reis (True Detective: Night Country, HBO/Max)

Best Directing for a Drama Series

Stephen Daldry (The Crown, Netflix)

Mimi Leder (The Morning Show, Apple TV+)

Hiro Murai (Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Prime Video)

Frederick E.O. Toye (Shogun, FX)

Saul Metzstein (Slow Horses, Apple TV+)

Salli Richardson-Whitfield (Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, HBO/Max)

Best Directing for a Comedy Series

Randall Einhorn (Abbott Elementary, ABC)

Christopher Storer (The Bear, FX)

Ramy Youssef (The Bear, FX)

Guy Ritchie (The Gentlemen, Netflix)

Lucia Aniello (Hacks, HBO/Max)

Mary Lou Belli (The Ms. Pat Show, BET)

Best Writing for a Drama Series

Peter Morgan, Meriel Sheibani-Clare (The Crown, Netflix)

Geneva Robertson-Dworet, Graham Wagner (Fallout, Prime Video)

Francesca Sloane, Donald Glover (Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Prime Video)

Rachel Kondo, Justin Marks (Shogun, FX)

Rachel Kondo, Caillin Puente (Shogun, FX)

Will Smith (Slow Horses, Apple TV+)

Best Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Richard Gadd (Baby Reindeer, Netflix)

Charlie Brooker (Black Mirror, Netflix)

Noah Hawley (Fargo, FX)

Ron Nyswaner (Fellow Travelers, Showtime)

Steven Zaillian (Ripley, Netflix)

Issa Lopez (True Detective: Night Country, HBO/Max)

Best Writing for a Comedy Series

Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary, ABC)

Christopher Storer (The Bear, FX)

Meredith Scardino, Sam Means (Girls5eva, Netflix)

Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, Jen Statsky (Hacks, HBO/Max)

Chris Kelly, Sarah Schneider (The Other Two, HBO/Max)

Jake Bender, Zach Dunn (What We Do in the Shadows, FX)

Best Talk Series

The Daily Show (Comedy Central)

Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC)

Late Night With Seth Meyers (NBC)

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (CBS)

Best Reality Competition Series

The Amazing Race (CBS)

RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV)

Top Chef (Bravo)

The Traitors (Peacock)

The Voice (NBC)

As anticipation builds for the main event, viewers and industry professionals alike eagerly await to see which shows and stars will emerge victorious at this year’s Emmy Awards, celebrating excellence in television across genres and platforms. (ANI)

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Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Ramban-Doda Range, Shridhar Patil visited the encounter site at Kastigarh in Doda on Thursday and said that the operation is in progress.

Earlier today, an encounter between security forces and terrorists broke out in the Kastigarh area of Doda.

“A search operation is underway. I can not share much information as our operation is in progress and we will soon be successful,” DIG Shridhar Patil told reporters.

Two Indian Army soldiers were injured in an encounter with terrorists in the Kastigarh area of Doda district in Jammu and Kashmir. The encounter comes days after four army soldiers, including an officer, laid down their lives while battling terrorists in the Doda encounter.

On July 15, based on specific intelligence inputs, a joint operation by the Indian Army and JK Police was in progress in an area North of Doda. According to the White Knight Corps, contact with terrorists was established at about 9 PM during which a heavy firefight ensued. 4 Soldiers including an officer were killed in action. The soldiers killed in action have been identified as Captain Brijesh Thapa, Naik D Rajesh, Sepoy Bijendra, and Sepoy Ajay.

On July 16, Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar, Northern Army Commander laid a wreath to pay homage to the bravehearts Captain Brijesh Thapa, Naik D Rajesh, Sepoy Bijendra and Sepoy Ajay Kumar Singh, who laid down their lives in the line of duty to ensure peace in the region, while undertaking a the counter-terrorist operation in Doda.

In the last few months, there has been a spike in terror attacks in the Jammu region, including the terror attack at the army convoy in Kathua and encounters in Doda and Udhampur.

Meanwhile, in another incident, Army officials said that the Indian Army troops opened fire after suspicious movement near the Line of Control in the Sunderbani area of Rajouri district. (ANI)

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Former cricketer Yuvraj Singh’s wife and actress Hazel Keech, is overjoyed as her daughter Aura Singh turns one year old.

Taking to her Instagram Stories, Hazel reshared an adorable picture of Aura, originally posted by Yuvraj Singh.

In the picture, little Aura is seen looking directly at the camera, capturing hearts with her innocent gaze.

Responding to Yuvraj’s playful question, “When did she turn one?” Hazel humorously wrote, “I told her to stop growing Yuvi but she didn’t listen to me.”

The couple welcomed their second child, a baby girl named Aura, in August last year.

Taking to Instagram, Yuvraj shared a happy family picture from the hospital which he captioned, “Sleepless nights have become a lot more joyful as we welcome our little princess Aura and complete our family.”

Yuvraj and Hazel welcomed their first child in January 2022.

Announcing the birth of their son, the couple posted on social media, “To all our fans, family and friends, we are elated to share that God blessed us with a baby boy. We thank God for this blessing and wish you to respect our privacy as we welcome the little one into the world.”

Yuvraj and Hazel got married on 30th November 2016. Their’s was a traditional Anand Karaj ceremony that took place at the Fatehgarh Sahib Gurdwara, Punjab.

Yuvraj represented India in 402 international games from 2000-2017, scoring 11,178 runs at an average of 35.05, with 17 centuries and 71 fifties. He was part of the Indian team which won the ICC Champions Trophy 2002 (joint-winners with Sri Lanka), ICC T20 World Cup 2007 and ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

He was also the first Indian player to hit six successive sixes in an over in international cricket, doing so during the 2007 T20 World Cup against England. His career-high was the ‘Player of the Tournament’ performance during the 2011 World Cup, scoring 362 runs in nine matches with a century and four half-centuries and picking up 15 wickets.

Meanwhile, Hazel is known for her performance in the Bollywood film ‘Bodyguard’ in which she was seen alongside Kareena Kapoor Khan and Salman Khan. She then appeared in the reality TV show ‘Bigg Boss’ in 2013. (ANI)

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Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre on Wednesday, alleging that India has been locked in a cycle of low investment since 2014, which has marred its prospects of growing at a faster rate.

Blaming the BJP government’s “erratic policy, rampant cronyism,” and the alleged misuse of central agencies, the Rajya Sabha MP asserted that India needs a new “liberalized approach” to political economy, not “marginal policy tinkering.”

“The single most important statistic that explains India’s inability to grow faster since 2014 is the sluggish investment rate. India has been locked into a cycle of low investment since 2014, due to a combination of erratic policy, rampant cronyism, and the ED/IT/CBI Raid Raj,” Ramesh said in a statement.

This comes a week before the presentation of the Union Budget, as Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present Budget for 2024-25 in Lok Sabha on July 23.

The Congress general secretary argued that low investment levels drag down medium and long-term GDP growth rates, which in turn drag down wages and consumption growth.

“The biggest component of investment – private domestic investment – has been in the doldrums since 2014. It was solidly in the 25-30 per cent of GDP range during Dr Manmohan Singh’s tenure. Under the self-declared divinity, it has been squarely in the 20-25 per cent of GDP range,” the Congress leader said.

He further said that as several countries were looking to divest from China, India was at the right place at the right time but the great opportunity has been “squandered” and nations like Bangladesh and Vietnam have benefited.

“Gross FDI as per cent of GDP has also more or less stayed constant since 2014. This is, however, only part of the story. Since at least 2016, multi-national companies across the world have been looking to divest from China and invest in other developing countries. India, with a large and growing labour pool, was at the right place at the right time – but this generational opportunity to garner FDI and become a manufacturing and export-oriented economy has been squandered.Countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam have walked away with the benefits,” he added.

Criticising the BJP government’s economic policy further, Ramesh said that “sops” like corporate tax cuts and PLIs are not enough, as the country needs a new, liberalised approach to political economy.

“Sops like corporate tax cuts and PLIs can’t compensate for a “freer society, polity, and economy” – one that is free from demonetization-like masterstrokes, cronyism, and Raid Raj,” he said.

“What India needs is not marginal policy tinkering, but a new, liberalised approach to political economy,” Ramesh added.

Notably, after presenting the upcoming budget, Sitharaman will surpass the record set by former Prime Minister Morarji Desai, who presented five annual budgets and one interim budget between 1959 and 1964 as finance minister. Sitharaman’s upcoming Budget speech would be her sixth. (ANI)

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Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday announced a series of steps for ex-Agniveers, saying they will be provided 10 per cent horizontal reservation in direct recruitment to the posts of Constable, Mining Guard, Forest Guard, Jail Warden and SPO done by the state government.

Addressing a press conference, the Chief Minister announced that a relaxation of three years will be provided to Agniveers in government’s group B and C posts.

The Centre had launched Agnipath scheme on June 15, 2022 to recruit male and female aspirants into ‘below the officer’s rank’ cadre of the three services for a period of four years as Agniveers.

Agniveers undergo optimised basic military training and specialised trade training followed by up-skilling courses, as required.

The scheme provides that on completion of four years of service, up to 25 per cent of each specific batch of Agniveers will enrolled in regular cadre of the Armed Forces based on organisational requirements.

The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have also made arrangements for 10 per cent quota for ex-Agniveers in constable level posts.

There has been debate over the scheme, with INDIA bloc parties including Congress, saying that they will repeal it if they come to power at the Centre.

Saini said if ex-Agniveer is given a salary of more than Rs 30,000 per month by any industrial unit, then Haryana government will give a subsidy of Rs 60,000 per annum to that industrial unit.

“Agnipath scheme was implemented by PM Modi on 14th June 2022. Under this scheme, Agniveer is deployed in the Indian Army for 4 years. Our government will provide 10% horizontal reservation to Agniveers in Haryana in direct recruitment to the posts of Constable, Mining Guard, Forest Guard, Jail Warden and SPO recruited by the state government,” he said.

“We will provide these Agniveers a relaxation of 3 years in the maximum age prescribed for government posts in Group B and C. In the case of the first batch of Agniveers, this age relaxation will be 5 years. The government will provide 5% horizontal reservation for Agniveers in direct recruitment to civil posts in Group C and one per cent horizontal reservation in Group B. If Agniveer is given a salary of more than Rs 30,000 per month by any industrial unit, then our government will give a subsidy of Rs 60,000 per annum to that industrial unit,” he added.

Haryana will face assembly polls later this year. (ANI)

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Nepal’s newly appointed Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli is set to take a vote of confidence on July 21, a week after he took over charge of the office.

Oli, 72, the chairman of the CPN-UML (Communist Party of Nepal–Unified Marxist Leninist), was appointed Prime Minister by President Ram Chandra Paudel on July 14 after his predecessor Pushpa Kamal Dahal lost a vote of confidence in parliament.

Oli was sworn in as the Prime Minister for his fourth term on July 15.

According to CPN-UML Chief Whip Mahesh Bartaula, Prime Minister Oli has informed the Parliament Secretariat about it stating that an early vote of confidence would help him work comfortably.

“As per the constitution, a Prime Minister is mandated to take the vote of confidence within 30 days of formal appointment over the post. Prime Minister Oli will be taking the vote of confidence on Sunday (July 21) because it would give me more confidence and allow me to work properly,” Bartaula confirmed to ANI over phone.

On July 12 this month, Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel called on political parties in the Nepal Parliament to stake claim for the Prime Minister after Pushpa Kamal Dahal lost a trust motion.

The President had called for the claim of stake as per Article 76(2) of the Constitution.

On the same day, Oli staked claim for the prime minsterial post, he and Nepali Congress party President Sher Bahadur Deuba jointly signed an application for the President to appoint the UML chief as the country’s new PM on Friday evening.

Oli, backed by the Nepali Congress and other smaller parties had on Friday submitted the signatures of 165 lawmakers claiming majority support in the parliament for the Prime Ministership.

The Constitution of Nepal mandates a Prime Minister to have the support of a majority of 138 members in the 275-strong House of Representatives to take over as Prime Minister.

Moreover, the Prime Minister is also mandated to take a vote of confidence within 30 days of appointment to prove support.

Oli became the Prime Minister for the first time in October 2015, soon after the promulgation of the Constitution that year, and remained in power until August 2016.

Right after the general election in 2017, Oli, who was able to usher in nationalist sentiment amongst the people siding with China, formed a government and remained in power from February 2018 to May 2021.

Oli was again appointed Prime Minister under the constitutional provision of 76(3) from May 2021 to July 2021 after staking claim as the parliamentary leader of the largest party in parliament.

While in power, Oli twice dissolved the parliament but the Supreme Court issued a mandamus resinstating it.

According to the July 2 deal between Congress chief Deuba and UML chairman Oli, the two parties will lead the government on a rotational basis until the next general elections in 2027.

The deal, however, has not been made public yet. (ANI)

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