THE HEADLINES:
- Pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi app not mandatory for mobile manufacturers; Government says, app is secure and only meant to safeguard from cyber crime.
- Lok Sabha passes Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025 to increase excise duty and cess on tobacco products.
- Twelve Maoists killed in an encounter in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirms government’s resolve to ensure dignity, accessibility and equal opportunities for Divyangjan.
- Nearly 64 per cent of citizens receive at least one form of social security, says Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
- And in Men’s Cricket, India set a target of 359 before South Africa in second ODI in Raipur.
<><><>
In view of increasing acceptance of Sanchar Saathi app, the Government has decided not to make the pre- installation of the app mandatory for mobile manufacturers. The Ministry of Communications in a statement said that the app is secure and purely meant to help citizens from bad actors in the cyber world.
Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia today rejected the opposition’s allegations of snooping, saying that snooping is neither possible nor will happen with the Sanchar Saathi App. Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, Mr Scindia clarified that users can activate the app by registering at their convenience to access its benefits, and they may deactivate or delete it from their devices at any time. He said, the Narendra Modi government has provided this facility to protect the citizens from fraudulent activities.
<><><>
The Government has mandated all pan masala packs to display Retail Sale Price on their labels. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, in a statement said that these amendments are made under the Legal Metrology Second (Amendment) Rules, 2025. It informed that the amended rules will come into effect on the 1st of February next year from which date all manufacturers, packers, and importers of pan masala will be required to comply with the new regulations.
<><><>
The Lok Sabha has passed the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The proposed law aimed to amend the Central Excise Act, 1944, specifically to raise excise duties and cess on tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, hookah tobacco, chewing tobacco, zarda and scented tobacco.
Replying to a debate on the Bill, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, this is not a new law and not even an additional tax. She said, it is not a cess but an excise duty which existed before GST. She said, even after GST came into effect, compensation cess rates remained unchanged from July 2017 to 2024.
Several other members participated in the discussion including Dr D Purandeswari of BJP, Karti P Chidambaram of Congress and Supriya Sule of NCP.
“The Bill is intended to increase central excise duty on unmanufactured tobacco, manufactured tobacco, tobacco products, and tobacco substitutes. While the Central Excise Act, 1944 levies an excise duty ranging between 200 rupees and 735 rupees per thousand cigarettes, the enhanced duty under the Bill ranges between two thousand 700 rupees and 11 thousand rupees per thousand cigarettes. The Bill also prescribes higher excise duties for manufactured tobacco products. For instance, the duty on chewing tobacco will increase from 25 percent to 100 percent. Duty on hookah will increase from 25 percent to 40 percent. For smoking mixtures for pipes and cigarettes, the duty is proposed to be increased from 60 percent to 325 percent. The purpose of the bill is to protect people from the ill effects of tobacco and to discourage them from its consumption. With Anand Kumar, Bhupendra Singh, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
After the discussion, the House was adjourned for the day to meet again tomorrow.
<><><>
In Chhattisgarh, twelve Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Bijapur district today. Three security personnel have also laid down their lives in the line of duty, while two others sustained injuries in the encounter.
“Acting on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of Maoists along the Bijapur-Dantewada border, a joint team comprising the District Reserve Guard of Dantewada and Bijapur, the Special Task Force, COBRA unit and the CRPF launched a search operation in the area. During the operation, the exchange of fire commenced. Security forces have so far recovered the bodies of twelve Maoists from the encounter site. Rifles and other explosive materials have also been seized from the location. In the encounter, two other security personnel have been injured. Additional forces have been rushed to the area, and a coordinated search operation is going on in the region. Vikalp Shukla, Akashvani News, Raipur”
<><><>
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today reaffirmed the government’s resolve to ensure dignity, accessibility and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. In a social media post, Mr Modi said that Divyang persons have excelled across diverse sectors through their creativity and determination. Highlighting the steps taken in recent years, Mr. Modi noted that India has strengthened its commitment to Divyang Kalyan through laws, accessible infrastructure, inclusive education policies and innovations in assistive technologies.
<><><>
Prime Minister Modi shared an article on social media today highlighting the importance of natural farming. Mr Modi said, it promotes diversified fields where plants, trees, and livestock coexist to support natural biodiversity. He issued a clarion call to people across India to adopt and expand natural farming practices.
<><><>
Labour and Employment Minister, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya has said, today nearly 64 percent of citizens receive at least one form of social security, making India the world’s second-largest provider of social security benefits. Speaking at IndiaEdge 2025 conference in New Delhi today, Dr Mandaviya said the new labour codes drew insights from the International Labour Organisation by introducing several worker-friendly measures.
<><><>
The new Labour Codes implemented by the government on the 21st of last month are poised to offer stability to workers’ livelihoods across India. Our correspondent brings a report on how the new reforms are providing the direct benefit to bidi and cigar workforce.
“In order to provide financial stability to bidi and cigar workers, government has now introduced an expanded system of wage protection, social-security coverage and workplace safeguards. Under new reforms normal working days are now uniformized at fixed eight hours while retaining the weekly limit of 48 hours. Also, free annual health check-ups are now provided to employees ensuring healthcare. In addition floor wages will be fixed by the central government considering the minimum living standards of an employee including food, clothing etc, offering stability in daily life. Furthermore employers are directed to pay twice the normal wage rate for any work beyond normal working hours as with new codes employees are entitled to overtime. These measures will build stability and bring dignity into workers’ lives by ensuring a more inclusive support mechanism. With Rohan, Aman Yadav for Akashvani News, Delhi.”
<><><>
Member of Parliament Nishikant Dubey has emphasised that the youth of this country should think in the direction of making the country a developed nation by 2047. Mr Dubey was delivering the prestigious Dr. Rajendra Prasad Memorial Lecture 2025 in New Delhi organised by Akashvani. He said the contribution of Dr Rajendra Prasad, who was the first President of India, in framing the Constitution and his ideals are still relevant in today’s time.
As a mark of respect to Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Akashvani hosts the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Memorial lecture every year. The recording of this lecture will be broadcast at 9:30 PM tonight on the entire network of Akashvani on the occasion of Dr. Rajendra Prasad’s Birth Anniversary.
<><><>
President of Russia Vladimir Putin will pay a state visit to India tomorrow for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. During the two day visit, President Putin will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Both leaders will exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. A number of agreements are expected to be signed, including in areas related to trade, economy, healthcare, academics, culture and media.
President Droupadi Murmu will also receive the Russian President and host a banquet in his honour. The visit will provide an opportunity for the leadership of India and Russia to review progress in bilateral relations and set the vision for strengthening the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’.
<><><>
President Droupadi Murmu has said the Indian Navy will continue to advance indigenous technologies and contribute significantly to the nation’s goal of building a Viksit Bharat. She was addressing the Navy Operational Demonstration in Thiruvananthapuram on the eve of Navy Day.
<><><>
In Men’s Cricket, India have set a target of 359 runs against South Africa in the second game of the three-match ODI series in Raipur. The hosts scored 358 for five wickets in stipulated 50 overs. Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 105 off 83 balls while Virat Kohli scored 102 off 93 balls. It was Kohli’s 53rd ODI century, a record-extending feat, in the format. Earlier, the visitors won the toss and elected to field. In reply, South Africa were 289 for 4 in 40.3 overs, when reports last came in.
<><><>
The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall over Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Mahe, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal tommorow. The Met Department has predicted heavy rainfall in places of South Interior Karnataka.It also said that cold wave conditions are likely in over Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi,Punjab and Rajasthan.
<><><>
THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi app not mandatory for mobile manufacturers; Government says, app is secure and only meant to safeguard from cyber crime.
- Lok Sabha passes Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025 to increase excise duty and cess on tobacco products.
- Twelve Maoists killed in an encounter in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirms government’s resolve to ensure dignity, accessibility and equal opportunities for Divyangjan.
- Nearly 64 per cent of citizens receive at least one form of social security, says Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
- And in Men’s Cricket, India set a target of 359 before South Africa in second ODI in Raipur.
<><><>