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December 3, 2024 9:57 PM

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Evening News

THE HEADLINES:

  • Centre approves proposals worth over 21 thousand crore rupees to acquire naval defence equipment for effective surveillance in coastal areas.

  • Lok Sabha passes Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill while Rajya Sabha gives nod to Oilfield Regulation and Development Amendment Bill.

  • Government launches sixteen initiatives to empower Divyangjans across the nation.

  • A most wanted terrorist commander Junaid Ahmed Bhat killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir.

  • South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol declares emergency martial law in the country.

  • India beat Hong Kong China 31-28 in Asian Women’s Handball Championship in Delhi.

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The Defence Acquisition Council has approved five capital acquisition proposals amounting to over 21 thousand 772 crore rupees. The council under the Chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi today granted Acceptance of Necessity for the procurement of 31 New Water Jet Fast Attack Crafts for the Indian Navy.

Defence Ministry said, these are designed to perform the task of Low Intensity Maritime Operations, Surveillance, Patrol, and Search and Rescue operations close to the coast. In addition, these vessels will play an effective role in Anti-Piracy missions, especially in and around Indian Island territories. The Ministry said, the council has also accorded approval for procurement of 120 Fast Interceptor Craft, and certain other equipment.

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The Lok Sabha has passed the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The Bill seeks to amend the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the State Bank of India Act, 1955, the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1970 and the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1980. The Bill also seeks to increase the option for nominees per bank account to four, from the existing one.

The bill also proposes to redefine substantial interest for directorships, which could increase to two crore rupees instead of the current limit of five lakh rupees. Moving the bill, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the proposed amendment will strengthen governance in the banking sector apart from enhancing customer convenience. 

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The Rajya Sabha today gave its nod to the Oilfield (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill 2024. The Bill amends the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948. It expands the definition of Mineral oils, which include naturally occurring hydrocarbon, coal bed methane, and shale gas.  It clarifies that mineral oils will not include coal, lignite or helium.

Replying to a debate on the Bill, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the Bill ensures policy stability, sharing of infrastructure, carbon capture, decriminalisation and easy resolution of disputes. Mr. Puri said, the bill will provide ease of doing business in the oil and gas sector.

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The Rajya Sabha today took up the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024 for discussion. The Lok Sabha has already passed the Bill in the Monsoon session this year.

Moving the Bill, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said, the Bill defines design, manufacturing and maintenance of aircrafts which will help the civil aviation industry with a legal framework. He said the Bill will replace the Aircraft Act, 1934 which has been amended 21 times. Mr Naidu said, India is one of the fastest-growing civil aviation markets in the world.

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External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar has stressed that maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas is pre-requisite for the development of ties between India and China. He said, the two countries will be discussing both de-escalation and effective management of activities in border areas in the coming days. The Minister was making a statement in the Lok Sabha today on recent development in India’s relations with China. Dr. S Jaishankar pointed out that recent developments that reflect continuous diplomatic engagements have set Indo-China ties in the direction of some improvement. 

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India has surpassed China as the biggest two wheeler market in the world.  In a written reply, heavy Industries Minister HD Kumaraswamy said, as per the records of Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers more than 16.6 million units of two wheelers were sold in China in 2023 while more than 17 million two wheelers were registered in India in the same year.

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Both Houses of Parliament resumed normal business today, ending the five-day deadlock between the Government and the Opposition.

Substantial business was transacted in both the Houses after Government and Opposition built consensus on smooth functioning during the on-going winter session. The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha took up both Question Hour and Zero Hour smoothly despite some uproar. While the Lok Sabha passed the Banking Laws Amendment Bill, the Rajya Sabha passed the Oilfields Regulation and Development Bill. Though the opposition MPs submitted notices for immediate discussion on several issues in both Houses, they did not press it and did not disrupt the proceedings. The Session which began on 25th of last month will continue till 20th of this month. With Anand Kumar, Anupam Mishra, Akashvani News, Delhi.”

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The government today launched sixteen initiatives to empower Divyangjans across the nation. The initiatives have been launched by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024 in New Delhi.

Addressing the gathering the Minister emphasized that the event reflects the Government’s unwavering dedication to creating an inclusive society. Some of the key initiatives that were launched by the Minister, include the launch of the ‘Kadam Knee Joint, ‘Pathways to Access: Part III, Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, and the Braille Book Portal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today reiterated the Government’s commitment to boosting accessibility, equality, and opportunity for Divyangjans.

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In Maharashtra, BJP officials held a meeting in Mumbai today ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected Mahayuti government. Though the face of the Chief Minister is not yet clear, BJP state chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule also took stock of the preparations for the ceremony along with MLA Ashish Shelar, Pravin Darekar, Prasad Lad and others. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to take place on 5th of December at 5 PM at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan. Union Ministers, Governors, Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers of NDA-ruled states, senior party leaders and senior officials have been invited to attend the programme.         
            

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In Jammu & Kashmir, a most wanted terrorist commander was killed in an encounter in Dachigam forests in the Srinagar outskirts today.  A police spokesperson confirmed that the killed terrorist has been identified as Junaid Ahmed Bhat, an “A” category terrorist of the Lashkar e Tayiba outfit. The spokesperson added that he was wanted for his involvement in the October 20 attack near a tunnel construction site in Gagangir Sonmarg area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, in which six innocent non local labourers and a local doctor were killed.

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The Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO will launch the PSLV-C59/Proba 3 mission tomorrow at 4.08 pm from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. PSLV C59 will launch Proba 3 satellites of the European Space Agency into the highly elliptical orbit. The commercial arm of ISRO namely New Space India Limited has got this order from European Space Agency. Proba 3 satellites will split into two after reaching the orbit. The satellites will study the Sun’s Corona, its surrounding atmosphere, space weather and solar wind.

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President Droupadi Murmu arrived at Bhubaneswar this evening on a five-day visit to her home state Odisha to attend several official programmes including Indian Navy Day tomorrow at the Blue Flag Beach in Puri.

“President Droupadi Murmu will visit the 12th century Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri tomorrow morning and offer prayers to the Lords. After the darshan, she will grace the 75th anniversary celebration of Gopabandhu Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya in Puri. President Murmu, who is also the supreme commander of Indian armed forces, will grace the Navy Day as Chief Guest hosted by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi at the Blue Flag Beach in Puri tomorrow afternoon. The event marks the anniversary of Operation Trident, a critical naval offensive during the 1971 Indo-Pak War. The event will showcase over 15 ships, submarines, and more than 40 aircraft, with support from Marine Commandos and personnel from the Indian Army.  Prakash Dash Akashvani, Bhubaneswar.”

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South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has declared “emergency martial law” calling it a necessary measure to protect the country from North Korea’s communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements. Making the announcement in a surprise late night television address, Yoon accused the opposition parties of undermining the government, sympathizing with North Korea, and paralyzing the nation’s legislative process.

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India Meteorological Department has forecast thunderstorm accompanied with lightning at isolated places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, Mahe, Lakshadweep, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and Rayalaseema tomorrow. Talking exclusively to Akashvani News, senior scientist RK Jenamani said, fishermen are advised not to venture into the areas of east central Arabian sea.

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India defeated Hong Kong China 31-28, in their opening group B match of Asian Women’s Handball Championship which kicked off in New Delhi at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium today.

In another match of the group, Japan thrashed Iran 34-14. In the two group A matches, Kazakhstan beat China 28-26 and South Korea thrashed Singapore 47-5. India is hosting the handball competition for the first time.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:

  • Centre approves proposals worth over 21 thousand crore rupees to acquire naval defence equipment for effective surveillance in coastal areas.

  • Lok Sabha passes Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill while Rajya Sabha gives nod to Oilfield Regulation and Development Amendment Bill.

  • Government launches sixteen initiatives to empower Divyangjans across the nation.

  • A most wanted terrorist commander Junaid Ahmed Bhat killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir.

  • South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol declares emergency martial law in the country.

  • India beat Hong kong China 31-28 in Asian Women’s Handball Championship in Delhi.


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