ModiWatch: In his speech before the start of the Winter Session of Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for constructive discussions, urging new MPs to contribute new ideas for India’s global progress.

PM Modi inaugurated the ICA Global Cooperative Conference, noting reforms in India's cooperative sector.

PM Modi will join a three-day conference of Director Generals of Police and Inspector Generals of Police in Bhubaneswar from 29 November, discussing internal security, cybercrime, and counter-terrorism.

PM Modi will address Constitution Day celebrations at the Supreme Court today, releasing the judiciary's 2023-24 annual report alongside the Chief Justice and senior judges.

Parliamentary affairs

Parliament adjourned till Wednesday: Lok Sabha (House of the People, lower house) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States, upper house) is adjourned till Wednesday amid opposition protests over Adani bribery allegations, violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal, continued unrest in Manipur, and flood relief for Kerala’s Wayanad.

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Opposition demands JPC on Adani Group allegations: Opposition floor leaders called for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into alleged Adani Group corruption, citing risks to retail investors.

Opposition seeks extension for Waqf Bill review: Opposition members requested Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to extend the Joint Committee’s tenure on the Waqf Amendment Bill, citing concerns over rushed proceedings and pending state presentations.

Great Nicobar project cleared with strict conditions: The Lok Sabha was informed that the Great Nicobar Island development project received environmental clearance with 42 conditions after expert reviews. The Great Nicobar Island project aims to establish a hub for trade, tourism, and strategic military presence near key ports in Colombo, Klang, and Singapore.

Tourism sector's GDP contribution steady at 5%: Tourism contributed 5% to the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022-23, with 9.52 million foreign tourists visiting, the government told Parliament.

President Murmu to address Parliament on Constitution's anniversary: President Droupadi Murmu will address a joint parliamentary session today to commence year-long celebrations of the Constitution's seventy-fifth anniversary.

India pushes IMECC, two-state solution

IMECC and Rome embassy underline strategic ties with Italy: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar inaugurated the new Indian Embassy in Rome and highlighted the India-Middle East-Europe Connectivity Corridor (IMECC) as a transformative project for regional trade and infrastructure.

Jaishankar calls for ceasefire, two-state solution in West Asia: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar urged a ceasefire in West Asia and backed a two-state solution, addressing civilian casualties and India’s trade ties worth over $260 billion with the Mediterranean and Gulf regions.

Approvals for innovation, rail, and hydro projects

Cabinet approves Atal Innovation Mission 2.0: The Union Cabinet has approved Atal Innovation Mission 2.0, under NITI Aayog (policy think tank of the government), targeting innovation gaps with initiatives like vernacular innovation centres, deeptech research, and international collaborations.

Approval for PAN 2.0 project: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved PAN 2.0 Project to merge identifiers like Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number (TAN) and Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) into the Permanent Account Number (PAN), ensuring data safety with mandatory data vaults and a unified portal.

Approval for $234 million hydro project in Arunachal Pradesh: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved a $234 million investment for the 240 MW Heo Hydro Electric Project (HEP) in Arunachal Pradesh's Shi Yomi district, offering 12% free power to the state and 1% for local development.

Tato-I hydroelectric project approved: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved a $210 million investment for the 186 MW Tato-I Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh, including $9.3 million for infrastructure and $18.1 million in central financial assistance.

Multi-tracking projects approved for railways: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved three railway multi-tracking projects across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, aimed at easing congestion and enabling freight and passenger growth.

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Carbon credit pacts with Japan, South Korea, and Singapore to drive investment: India plans to finalise a carbon credit deal with Japan in early 2025, targeting investment and technology for pollution mitigation projects, with South Korea and Singapore agreements expected by March 2026.

Adani Group reassures investors amid US bribery indictment: Gautam Adani's conglomerate highlighted $6.6 billion in cash reserves, sufficient for 28 months of debt obligations, and plans to invest $100 billion over 10 years.

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TotalEnergies halts new Adani investments amid corruption allegations: TotalEnergies, holding a 19.75% stake in Adani Green Energy Ltd, has paused new financial contributions to Adani companies after US authorities indicted Adani executives over alleged corruption, while affirming its investments complied with due diligence.

Economic recovery and AI investment boom

Economic activity rebounds amid global challenges: India’s October economic indicators show recovery, with rising manufacturing jobs, strong service trade, and $64.8 billion forex reserve growth in 2024, despite geopolitical and export challenges.

Generative AI funding surges sixfold in Q2: Generative AI investments rose six times quarter-on-quarter, driven by early-stage funding in business-to-business (B2B) and productivity platforms, with 20 funding rounds totalling a 3.4 times year-on-year increase, according to Nasscom.

Mahayuti partners discuss power-sharing

Mahayuti partners discuss Maharashtra government formation: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar stated that Mahayuti allies are deliberating on a government formation formula, with a decision expected after input from a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-appointed Central observer.

Delhi Today: Sunny.

Delhi air quality improves: Delhi's air quality index (AQI) reached 281, shifting from hazardous to unhealthy.

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