Highlights include Congress MP's call to restore a 1971 war photograph at Army HQ, as well as PM Modi's push for reforms to capture overseas investment opportunities. The government launches 'Jalvahak' to promote inland waterway cargo transport.
Rajya Sabha, Day 17: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman initiated a debate in Rajya Sabha (Upper House) on the Indian Constitution’s 75-year journey, paying tribute to the Constituent Assembly, while six newly elected MPs were sworn in.
Lok Sabha functioned smoothly during the question hour: The House discussed job migration in Karnataka, elephant intrusions, the Climatic Intervention project in Andhra Pradesh, health security and the gender gap in the formal job sector, informal job sector and drought relief funds in Telangana. The House will hear action taken statements of the standing committees on chemicals and fertilisers and coal, mines and steel.
Congress MP calls for reinstatement of 1971 war photograph at Army HQ: Congress MP Manickam Tagore submitted a notice in the Lok Sabha (Lower House) urging the government to restore the historic photograph of the 1971 Pakistani surrender at Dhaka, which was kept at the Army Headquarters in New Delhi. Tagore termed the removal an attempt to alter India’s historical narrative.
Government to introduce bill for simultaneous elections on Tuesday: The Union government is set to introduce the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, on Tuesday to facilitate simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, with a proposal for it to be referred to a Joint Committee for consultations.
New Income-Tax Bill unlikely to be introduced in Parliament Budget session: According to Business Standard, the Finance Ministry is set to delay the introduction of the new Income-Tax Bill, with a review committee expected to submit its report soon. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her FY25 Budget speech, announced a comprehensive review of the Income-Tax Act aimed at making it concise, clear, and easier to understand.
Shah urges left-wing extremists to surrender as govt intensifies anti-extremism drive: Home Minister Amit Shah called on Left-wing extremists to renounce violence and surrender, promising rehabilitation, as security forces set up multiple bases in Bastar to dismantle Maoist strongholds by March 2026.
Kejriwal in Aam Aadmi Party’s fourth list for Delhi elections: A close election is on the cards for the New Delhi seat, which former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is vying for a third time. He will be up against Congress’ Sandeep Dixit and BJP’s Parvesh Verma, both children of former Chief Ministers: Sheila Dixit and Sahib Singh Verma. Atishi, the current Chief Minister of Delhi, will contest from the Kalkaji seat.
China accounts for 79% of anti-dumping cases: India's Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) is investigating 43 anti-dumping cases in 2024, with China involved in 79% (34) of them, targeting sectors like chemicals, glass, metals, and plastics. Other countries under investigation include Thailand, Taiwan, Russia, and the European Union (EU).
Airbus signs long-term lease for 650,000 sq ft in Bengaluru: Airbus has leased 650,000 sq ft in Titanium Tech Park, Bengaluru, for a global capability centre, with plans for future expansion, and a 10-year lease agreement valued at over ₹500 crore ($60 million). Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Secretary, S Krishnan, India's electronics manufacturing ambitions depend on building social infrastructure around large facilities.
Dixon Technologies, Vivo partner for smartphone manufacturing venture: Dixon Technologies (India) Limited (Dixon) and Vivo Mobile India Private Limited (Vivo India) have signed a binding agreement to establish a joint venture for manufacturing smartphones and other electronic devices. The facility will handle part of Vivo's original equipment manufacturing (OEM) orders in India and could take on additional OEM projects for other brands.
IIHL’s acquisition of Reliance Capital: IndusInd International Holdings Ltd (IIHL) expects to complete the acquisition of Reliance Capital by the end of January 2025. The total acquisition cost for IIHL is estimated at around ₹9,861 crores ($1.2 billion).
Sri Lankan President meets Indian ministers to discuss economic ties: Monday morning, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held talks with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, focusing on strengthening economic cooperation, investment opportunities, and regional security.
Morocco’s incentives for Indian defence companies: Morocco plans to provide incentives for Indian defence businesses to establish plants as a gateway to Africa and Europe. "We would like to offer a state-of-the-art environment, zero bureaucracy, and profitability for Indian defence companies," stated Abdeltif Loudyi, in charge of the Administration of National Defence of Morroco.
Russia set to relax visa rules for Indian tourists by March 2025: By March 2025, Indian tourists may visit Russia without a visa, following discussions between the two countries in June.
Government launches 'Jalvahak' scheme to promote inland waterway cargo transport: The Union government has launched the 'Jalvahak' scheme to incentivise cargo movement via National Waterways. The scheme is designed to optimise supply chains for major shipping companies, freight forwarders, and trade bodies.
Increase in India’s smartphone exports: According to data published by companies and figures compiled by industry associations, Smartphone exports in November 2024 reached ₹20,395 crore ($2.45 billion), a 92% increase from the same period last year.
New rules to target Chinese suppliers of IoT modules in telecom networks: New Delhi is tightening security checks on Internet of Things (IoT) modules, aiming to regulate Chinese suppliers that dominate the Indian market amidst concerns over data security risks in telecom networks.
Delhi Airport’s preparation for fog: To improve flight operations during foggy weather, Delhi International Airport Limited, led by the GMR Group, has completed the airfield construction, ensured repairs of Runway Visual Range (RVR) equipment by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and set up a German hangar for deboarded passengers.
Congress, Omar Abdullah clash over EVM concerns, leadership in opposition bloc: A dispute has emerged between Congress and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, with Congress denying Abdullah's EVM tampering claims and urging the INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) bloc to verify facts, as Abdullah questions the Congress's leadership and strategy in the opposition alliance.
Sonia Gandhi urged to return Nehru papers: Historian Rizwan Kadri has written to Congress Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, seeking his help in retrieving historical documents, including letters from figures like Albert Einstein and Edwina Mountbatten, which were removed from the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Museum & Library in 2008, according to the Indian Express.
Jehangir Wadia joins the board of group companies: Jehangir (Jeh) Wadia, the younger son of Nusli Wadia, has returned to the boards of group companies.
ModiWatch: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the National Conference of Chief Secretaries in Delhi. He directed state chief secretaries to explore viability gap funding (VGF) for recycling e-waste and introduce reforms to facilitate ease of business, capturing overseas investment opportunities in India.
Delhi Today: Sunny and light winds.
Delhi AQI hits 'very poor' category after cleanest start to December: The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi reached 348 in the ‘very poor’ category as of Monday morning, following a period of relatively cleaner air, with the first half of December recording the lowest-ever average AQI of 238.