Highlights include Atishi filing her nomination for the Kalkaji seat ahead of Delhi polls, Sharad Pawar urging Amit Shah to maintain the decorum of his office, and Arvind Kejriwal accusing BJP of distributing money and gold to sway voters.
Jammu and Kashmir is incomplete without Pakistan occupied Kashmir, says Rajnath: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday slammed Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq for his remarks against India, and said that Jammu and Kashmir is incomplete without PoK. "Jammu and Kashmir is incomplete without PoK. PoK is nothing more than a foreign territory for Pakistan... PoK's land is being used to run the business of terrorism. Terrorist training camps are being run in PoK... Pakistan will have to destroy them otherwise," news agency ANI quoted the minister addressing the ninth armed forces veterans’ day rally at the Tanda Artillery brigade in Akhnoor sector. Rajnath Singh attacked previous Congress governments for not turning the tactical advantage that it won after the 1965 war into a strategic advantage. "The war between India and Pakistan was fought in Akhnoor in 1965. India succeeded in thwarting the efforts of the Pakistani army. . Pakistan has been promoting illegal infiltration and terrorism since 1965,” he said. (PTI)
Atishi files nomination for Kalkaji seat ahead of Delhi polls: Chief Minister Atishi filed her nomination for the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls from Kalkaji constituency on Tuesday. She filed her nomination papers at the district magistrate's (DM) office in Lajpat Nagar. Atishi is pitted against Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Ramesh Singh Bidhuri and the Congress' Alka Lamba. (PTI)
Sharad Pawar asks Amit Shah to maintain decorum of his high office: Former Union minister Sharad Pawar on Tuesday rubbished Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks that the BJP’s victory in the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls ended the politics of betrayal and treachery started by Pawar in 1978. “I was the chief minister in 1978. I am not aware about his whereabouts then,” Pawar told reporters in Mumbai. “When I was the chief minister, there were people like Uttamrao Patil from Jan Sangh in my ministry,” Pawar added. The decorum of the post of home minister should be maintained, the NCP (SP) chief said, bemoaning the lack of communication between present political leaders. (PTI)
Kejriwal accuses BJP of distributing money, gold to sway voters: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is distributing money and gold chains to lure voters ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. Accusing the BJP of adopting unfair means, Kejriwal claimed that the party is distributing jackets, shoes, sarees, money and even gold chains to buy votes. (PTI)
Congress President blames Modi government for rupee’s steep slide: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday attacked the Modi government over the steep slide in the rupee, and said people want the Indian economy to be saved from their "disastrous policies." People are also suffering due to price rise and unabated inflation and their lives have become miserable, he charged. Kharge also said that the country's forex reserves have fallen to a 10-month low and the massive withdrawal of foreign capital from Indian equities has contributed to the highly negative sentiments. (PTI)
Congress shares old Kejriwal video to 'prove' why he is silent on caste census, quota cap: Stepping up its attack on former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Congress on Tuesday referred to an old video in which the AAP convenor is purportedly talking about reservation and said it has now understood why he remains mum on caste census and removing the 50 per cent cap on quota. Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh shared an old undated video of Kejriwal in which he is purportedly heard telling the audience that if someone benefits from reservation then that family should not get reservation again and another family be benefited from it. "We also believe that if a family, from these sections of the society...if someone is economically well-off then that person should not get reservation someone else should get reservation," Kejriwal purportedly says in the video. There was no immediate reaction from AAP and the veracity of the video could not be independently ascertained. "Kejriwal's views must be heard on the issue reservation. Now it is understood --Why he remains silent on the removal of 50% cap on reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs in government employment and government educational institutions, and on caste census," Ramesh said in a post in Hindi on X. (PTI)
Delhi Police files FIR against AAP for sharing images of Modi, Shah: The Delhi Police has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the Aam Aadmi Party for sharing posts on X featuring images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. The FIR, filed at the North Avenue police station on Monday, followed a complaint from office secretary of the Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Brijesh Rai, mentioning various tweets in which the images of PM Modi and Shah were used.
Wholesale price inflation rises to 2.37% in December: Wholesale price inflation rose to 2.37 per cent in December 2024, led by spike in manufactured products even though prices of food items eased, government data released on Tuesday showed. The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) based inflation was 1.89 per cent in November 2024. It was 0.86 per cent in December 2023. As per the data, inflation in food items eased to 8.47 per cent in December 2024, as against 8.63 per cent in November. Inflation in vegetables stood at 28.65 per cent, as against 28.57 per cent in November. Among food items, cereals, pulses, wheat saw easing in inflation in December. The fuel and power category witnessed a deflation of 3.79 per cent in December, against a deflation of 5.83 per cent in November. In manufactured items, inflation was 2.14 per cent, against 2 per cent in November. Retail inflation data released on Monday showed that consumer price index (CPI) based inflation eased to a 4-month low of 5.22 per cent in December on easing food prices. (PTI)
Parliamentary committee chairman demands apology, wants to summon Meta: The social media behemoth is set to receive a summons from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communication and Information Technology after Chairman Nishikant Dubey accused Mark Zuckerberg of spreading misinformation regarding the 2024 Indian general election. Dubey, in a post on X, said that Meta should apologise for the remarks and that the Committee will summon the organisation. On Monday, Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, criticised Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg after he suggested most incumbent governments lost in 2024 elections, including in India. Vaishnaw took to X to dismiss Zuckerberg's statement as "factually incorrect," asserting that the Indian public reaffirmed their trust in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Maoist terrorist behind 64 deadly IED blasts killed: Mahesh Korsa, a 36-year-old expert in planting improvised explosive devices (IEDs), was killed in an encounter with security forces on January 9. Korsa, a deputy platoon commander in the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), the armed wing of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), was involved in several deadly attacks, including those that claimed the lives of 25 security personnel in 2017, 17 in 2020, and 22 in 2021. He was neutralised by a joint team of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF), and the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) in the hilly jungles between Paliguda and Gundraj Gudem villages in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district, according to The Indian Express.
Laurene jobs taken ill after the ritual dip, recovers fast: Overwhelmed by the huge crowds at the Maha Kumbh, Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, was briefly indisposed but is recovering after 'Ganga snan' and rest. Her enthusiasm to learn about Sanatan Dharma remains strong, according to a statement issued by the Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday. "Laurene was briefly unwell on Monday but is feeling better after 'Ganga Snan' and rest. Her enthusiasm to delve deeper into Sanatan Dharma remains strong," the government statement quoted Swami Kailashanand as saying. Swami Kailashanand told PTI Videos that she faced some health issues due to the crowds. He described his newest disciple as a "simple, virtuous, and humble" woman with a keen interest in Sanatan Dharma. "She is free from ego and fully devoted to her guru," he said. (PTI)
Chhattisgarh CM announces Rs 10 lakh aid to murdered journalist's family: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday announced an aid of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar, who was murdered in Bijapur district earlier this month. Talking to reporters at the helipad in Police Lines, Sai said a building will be constructed for scribes and named after the slain journalist. Freelance journalist Mukesh Chandrakar (33) went missing on January 1. His body was found on January 3 in a septic tank on a property owned by road contractor Suresh Chandrakar at Chattanpara Basti in Bijapur town. Suresh Chandrakar, the prime accused, was arrested from Hyderabad on January 5, while his brothers Ritesh and Dinesh and supervisor Mahendra Ramteke were arrested earlier. Sai said, "The family of the deceased journalist will be given Rs 10 lakh assistance. A building will be constructed for journalists, and it will be named after him." The special investigation team probing the case has said the accused, Suresh Chandrakar, the slain journalist's relative, was enraged after the latter published a news report highlighting alleged corruption in his road construction work in Bijapur. Mukesh Chandrakar worked as a freelance journalist for the NDTV news channel and ran a YouTube channel, 'Bastar Junction', which has around 1.59 lakh subscribers.
2025 budget to focus on tax relief, growth measures: The upcoming budget for 2025, set to be presented on February 1, is expected to include several measures aimed at supporting demand and propelling growth in light of the slowing economy, The Economic Times reports. These measures include tax relief for the middle class, tariff adjustments to shield domestic industry from external pressures, and initiatives to foster job creation and private investment. Discussions within the government have intensified with a focus on delivering a strong message on reforms and ease of doing business. Economic growth for FY25 is forecasted to slow to a four-year low of 6.4%, heightening the demand for effective measures. Tax relief under the new tax regime, simplification of corporate taxes, and adjustments to the tax deducted at source (TDS) are also being considered.
Economists predict rupee's next big fall in March, may hit 87 against US dollar: The Economic Times reports that economists at Standard Chartered, Deutsche Bank, and others predict the Indian rupee will depreciate to 87 against the US dollar by March 2025, with the possibility of it reaching this mark earlier if the tariff war escalates and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) relaxes its intervention strategy. The rupee has already weakened by 1.6% since November 2024, driven by a stronger US dollar. While the rupee has fared better than other Asian currencies, its depreciation is likely to continue due to global pressures, including US exceptionalism and tariff threats. The RBI has intervened significantly, with $120 billion worth of interventions in the December quarter alone.
Rahul Gandhi promises caste census, calls out Modi, Kejriwal on inflation: In his first campaign speech for the Delhi Assembly elections, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal for neglecting the rights of minorities and backward communities. Speaking at a rally in Seelampur, Delhi, Gandhi called for a caste census and vowed that the Congress would implement it if they formed the government in Delhi. He also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of fostering divisive politics and claimed the BJP and AAP had failed to address economic disparities. Gandhi also criticised both for making false promises about inflation, which he said remains high.
Complaint filed against Atishi for using government vehicle for election campaign: A complaint has been registered against Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi for allegedly using a government vehicle for election-related activities on January 8, violating the Model Code of Conduct. The vehicle, with registration number DL-IL-AL1469, was reportedly used for campaigning, breaching a directive from the General Administration Department (GAD), Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD), which prohibits the use of official vehicles for such purposes.
PM Modi reaffirms statehood promise at Sonamarg tunnel launch: During the inauguration of the 6.4 km Sonamarg tunnel, which will cut travel time between Srinagar and Leh, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his commitment to holding free and fair elections in the Union Territory (UT) and urged the PM to make good his commitment to restore the UT to statehood.PM Modi, in turn, called J&K the "crown of India" and reiterated his pledge to honour his statehood promise.
On Bharat Jodo Yatra anniversary Congress slams Modi for not visiting Manipur: Launching a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not visiting violence-hit Manipur, the Congress on Tuesday said that he has found time, inclination and energy to go all over the world but has not seen it necessary to reach out to the distressed people in the northeastern state. The Congress' outburst came on the first anniversary of the launch of the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' that began in Manipur. The Congress had launched Rahul Gandhi-led 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' from Manipur on January 14 last year aiming to put the spotlight on issues such as unemployment, price rise and social justice. (PTI)
India summons Bangladesh's envoy: India summoned Bangladesh's acting High Commissioner, Nural Islam, on Monday to address concerns over the stalled border fencing project, urging Dhaka to implement previous agreements aimed at preventing illegal activities along the border. While Bangladesh has halted work on the barbed wire fencing, India stressed its importance for securing the border and ensuring a crime-free zone. The meeting followed Bangladesh’s summoning of Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to discuss India's unapproved construction of fences, which Dhaka argued undermines bilateral relations. During the meeting with Islam, India conveyed that with regard to security measures at the border, including on fencing, India observed all protocols and agreements between the two countries and between the Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
General Dwivedi reaffirms India-Bangladesh military cooperation: India's Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi stated on Monday that India and Bangladesh are "strategically important" neighbours, with any animosity not serving the interests of either nation. He noted that the military relationship remains strong, with ongoing contact between him and Bangladesh’s counterpart, General Waker-Uz-Zaman. Although joint military exercises are currently on hold due to the political situation in Bangladesh, General Dwivedi confirmed that cooperation continues through regular exchanges, including three Indian officers attending the National Defence College (NDC) course in Dhaka.
Tata Electronics in talks with Xiaomi and Oppo for new manufacturing deals: Tata Electronics is negotiating with Xiaomi and Oppo to start contract manufacturing for the Chinese smartphone giants, moving away from its sole reliance on Apple, The Economic Times reports. This expansion could intensify competition with Dixon Technologies, which recently formed a joint venture with Vivo. Tata Electronics' strategy aims to position it as a significant player in the global electronics manufacturing services (EMS) ecosystem.
Groww plans IPO, eyes $6-8 billion valuation amid regulatory changes: Discount stock brokerage platform Groww is preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) within the next year, targeting a valuation of $6-8 billion, The Times of India reports. The Bengaluru-based fintech startup plans to raise $600-800 million through the offering, with new shares and offers for sale by existing shareholders split almost evenly. The IPO is set to be one of the largest in the sector, following regulatory shifts in the derivatives trading space. These changes, aimed at retail investors' trading in futures and options, have impacted revenues for brokers. Groww aims to file its IPO prospectus with SEBI soon and is expected to list before the year’s end.
Urban Company set to file for IPO, appoints top banks for listing: Mint reports that home services platform Urban Company is set to file draft papers for a ₹3,000 crore (approx. $362 million) IPO before the end of the March quarter. The company, backed by Prosus, has appointed Kotak Mahindra Capital, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley to manage the IPO.
Warburg Pincus to launch $3-4 billion India-focused fund: Private equity firm Warburg Pincus is set to launch its first India-specific fund, aiming to raise between $3 billion and $4 billion, as reported by The Hindu Business Line. The firm, which has been investing in India since the 1990s, plans to increase its investments in the country. Managing Director, Head of Asia Private Equity and Co-Head Financial Services at Warburg Pincus, Vishal Mahadevia, had earlier mentioned that the firm invested around $5 billion in India over the past 4-5 years and intends to invest significantly more in the near future. The launch of the fund is reportedly imminent.
Live-in registrations mandatory as Uttarakhand implements Civil Code on January 26: Uttarakhand is set to introduce its Uniform Civil Code (UCC) on January 26 with mandatory requirements for live-in relationship registrations, video recordings for witnesses in testamentary successions, and the inclusion of photos and Aadhaar (Unique Identification Authority of India) details in all registrations. The state government commenced training for its officials on the UCC portal on January 12, as reported by The Indian Express. The session, held at Dehradun’s Doiwala Block Office, aims to familiarise officials with the portal, which offers services like marriage, divorce, live-in relationship registrations, succession matters, and complaint registration. The training will end on January 20.
IndiGo plans summer flights to Europe with Boeing 787 lease deal: India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has announced plans to expand its international reach by launching flights to Europe, with a focus on London, Paris, and Amsterdam starting this summer, The Economic Times reports. The airline has opened internal vacancies for airport manager and chief security officer roles at these airports. IndiGo has entered into an agreement with Norwegian carrier Norse Atlantic to lease up to six Boeing 787 aircraft, allowing it to enter the India-Europe market ahead of its planned Airbus A350-900 fleet delivery in 2027. This move positions IndiGo against Tata-owned Air India, which has been expanding its India-Europe services.
Bengaluru start-up to launch satellite to monitor space objects on board SpaceX rocket: Bengaluru-based start-up Digantara is set to launch the world's first commercial satellite for surveillance of objects as small as 5 cm orbiting the Earth to ensure safer space operations. Digantara's Space Camera for Object Tracking (SCOT) satellite is set for launch onboard SpaceX's Transporter-12 mission around Tuesday midnight from California. "With SCOT, we are taking a crucial step in achieving surveillance superiority, ensuring not only a safer and more sustainable space environment but also towards safeguarding sovereign assets in the face of an increasingly contested space domain," said Anirudh Sharma, Founder and CEO of Digantara Aerospace. (PTI)
ModiWatch: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged scientists to work towards developing warning systems for earthquakes while noting that advances in weather sciences have helped the country minimise losses caused by natural disasters. Addressing a function to celebrate 150 years of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Modi also launched 'Mission Mausam' for developing cutting-edge weather surveillance technologies and systems, implementing high-resolution atmospheric observations, next-generation radars and satellites, and high-performance computers.
Delhi Today: Hazy sunshine.
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