After weeks of suspense, the Maharashtra government has finally announced the allocation of portfolios for its newly formed cabinet. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has retained the Home Ministry, while Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has been assigned Urban Development. Other key appointments include Ajit Pawar as the Finance Minister, Dadaji Bhuse as the School Education Minister, and Ashish Shelar handling IT and Culture. The delay in portfolio allocation had sparked speculation about discord within the ruling alliance, and opposition leaders criticized the winter session of the legislature, calling it a mere formality as ministers attended without their portfolios.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has granted approval to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to prosecute Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy scam. The ED had requested permission for prosecution on December 5, 2024, concerning irregularities in the 2021-22 excise policy. In response, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused the ED of political targeting, calling the investigation a "harassment" campaign. The party emphasized that despite extensive raids and document filings, no evidence has been recovered, and claimed the BJP is attempting to undermine the AAP government.
Amid the controversy over Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks about Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Delhi's former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced the 'Dr. Ambedkar Samman Scholarship' scheme, aimed at providing free education abroad for Dalit students. Kejriwal criticized the BJP for insulting Ambedkar and emphasized that the scholarship would also benefit Dalit government employees' children. The announcement, made in the lead-up to Delhi's assembly elections, comes after a heated exchange in Parliament, where Shah dismissed the frequent invocation of Ambedkar's name as a "fashion," triggering outrage from the Opposition.
India’s total forest and tree cover has increased by 1,445 square kilometers since 2021, now covering 25.17% of the country’s geographical area, according to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023. The report highlights a growth in forest cover from 7,13,789 sq km in 2021 to 7,15,343 sq km in 2023, representing 21.76% of the country’s total area. Additionally, tree cover grew by 1,289 sq km, now constituting 3.41% of India’s geographical area. States like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Mizoram have shown notable gains, contributing to the overall increase in green cover.
The body of seven-year-old Zohan Pathan, who had been missing since the tragic ferry-Navy boat collision off the Mumbai coast on December 18, was found on Saturday. With his recovery, the death toll in the incident has risen to 15. The collision occurred when a Navy boat undergoing engine trials lost control and collided with the overloaded tourist ferry, 'Neel Kamal,' which was carrying more than 100 passengers. The Indian Navy has launched an investigation into the crash, which has prompted a search-and-rescue operation involving Navy and Coast Guard assets.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a historic two-day visit to Kuwait, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 43 years. During his visit, PM Modi will attend the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup as a special guest of the Emir of Kuwait and engage with the Indian diaspora at a community event. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties, focusing on areas like trade, investment, energy, and cultural cooperation. It also highlights India's commitment to the welfare of its large expatriate workforce in Kuwait. This visit is expected to open new avenues for collaboration and reinforce India-Kuwait relations.
The Delhi Police on Friday transferred the FIR against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to the Crime Branch, following a scuffle in Parliament where BJP MPs Pratap Chandra Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput were injured. The FIR accuses Gandhi of physical assault and incitement during the altercation, which took place amid competing protests over "insults to BR Ambedkar." Rahul Gandhi denied the allegations, claiming BJP MPs blocked his entry and used intimidation tactics. Congress has also filed a separate complaint accusing BJP lawmakers of misbehaving with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. The investigation continues as authorities review footage of the incident.
Recent declarations by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have reinforced the importance of stringent testing for ensuring the safety of packaged drinking water. Dr. Saurabh Arora, Managing Director of Auriga Research, explains that comprehensive testing procedures are crucial for maintaining water quality. These include daily, weekly, and annual tests covering various parameters like pH, microbiological content, and packaging integrity. With the new FSSAI regulations simplifying the licensing process, businesses must still adhere to strict BIS and FSSAI standards, with advanced testing methods and third-party audits ensuring the water remains safe for consumers.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the revised schedule for the UGC NET December 2024, which will be held from January 3 to January 16, 2025. The exam will take place in two shifts: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. A total of 85 subjects will be assessed for eligibility to Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor roles, and PhD admissions. Candidates can check the subject-wise schedule on the official UGC NET website. Additionally, exam city details will be provided eight days before the exam.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP PP Chaudhary was appointed as the Chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal on Friday. The government also expanded the committee's size, increasing its membership from 31 MPs to 39, ensuring broader representation from multiple political parties. The two Bills under scrutiny—the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024—aim to amend the Constitution to allow simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. While the proposal has faced significant opposition, with critics raising concerns about its impact on India's democratic framework, the JPC will examine its implications in the coming months.
New CCTV footage has revealed the horrifying aftermath of the Jaipur gas tanker crash, which caused a massive fire on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway, claiming at least 11 lives and injuring over 40 people. The footage shows flames sweeping through a nearby house, while dense black smoke filled the sky. Authorities are working to identify those involved, including passengers aboard a bus behind the tanker during the crash. Rajasthan's Health Minister and Chief Minister visited the hospital treating the victims, ensuring immediate medical care. The investigation into the cause of the crash and the extent of the damage is ongoing.
The Winter Session of Parliament concluded on Friday with both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha adjourned sine die. The session saw significant controversy, particularly over the "One Nation, One Election" bill, which proposes simultaneous elections across India. The bill was sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) after strong opposition protests, including criticism from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The session also witnessed heated exchanges over Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, triggering protests and demands for his resignation. In addition, clashes between BJP and Congress MPs led to injuries and an FIR being filed against Rahul Gandhi. The session was marked by intense political drama, setting the stage for further debates in the coming months.
