Midday News

THE HEADLINES :

India becomes second largest 5G market in the world, says Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar dismisses privilege motion notice moved by Congress against Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin passes resolution against Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Assembly; BJP MLAs stage walk out.
Government to launch 12th tranche of commercial coal mine auctions in New Delhi today.
And, Khelo India Para Games 2025 to conclude with a grand closing ceremony in New Delhi this evening.

<><><>

India has become the second largest 5G market in the world, says Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Addressing an event in New Delhi today, the Minister emphasized that because of the government’s focus, various sectors are getting fundamentally transformed. He added that close to 11 lakh crore investments are being done in different sectors.

Mr. Vaishnaw further mentioned that electronic manufacturing in the country was negligible ten years back, but today it has become among the top export items. Mr. Vaishnaw said that the entire South as well as the rich countries are willing to take India’s UPI payment system. The Minister also announced that this year India plans to roll out first ‘Made in India’ chip.

<><><>

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar has dismissed the privilege motion notice moved by the Congress against Union Home Minister Amit Shah for allegedly casting aspersions on senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. The notice was moved by Congress MP Jairam Ramesh in the House over Mr Shah’s remarks that one family controlled the National Prime Minister’s Relief Fund when Congress was in power. While rejecting the notice, the Chairman said, he has carefully gone through it and did not find any transgression and absolute adherence to truth as vindicated by a document submitted by the Minister on his comments.

Mr. Dhankhar expressed pain over rushed privilege motion saying that breach of privilege is a serious matter. He reiterated that this House will not be a platform to ruin the reputations of people.

The Chairman asked the Ethics Committee to lay down fresh guidelines for Members’ conduct.

<><><>

The Centre has written to states to lower the VAT on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) to check the prices of air tickets in the country. Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha today on air ticket price, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said, 45 percent of the air fare price is due to ATF and some states are levying 29 per cent VAT on this fuel.

He said, some states have reduced the VAT on ATF to below five per cent, while Tamil Nadu is still charging the highest of 29 per cent VAT on the air fuel. He added that air fare is dynamic and it is based on demand. Mr Naidu clarified that the government does not fix the prices of air tickets.

<><><>

Around 70 per cent work of Asia’s longest tunnel – Zojila Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir has been completed. The project which will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh is being constructed at a cost of over five thousand 500 crore rupees. Zojila Tunnel Project consists of construction of a tunnel of more than 13 kilometers and approach roads to tunnel of length over 17 kilometer, totaling a total length of over 30 kilometer.

<><><>

The Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a resolution urging the central government to withdraw the proposed Waqf amendment bill.

While moving the bill in the assembly, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said the Centre’s waqf bill was against the fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution and undermined the powers of the Waqf Board. More form our correspondent:-

“The motion moved by TN CM MK Stalin stated that any elected government should work towards only protect the rights of the minorities and never endanger it. The bill was passed in the assembly today with the Support of the main opposition AIADMK and PMK Parties, While the BJP members staged a walkout opposing the bill. Later speaking to media, BJP legislator and the National president of the BJP Mahila Morcha, Smt. Vanati Srinivasan said, the centre has the powers to bring any change the Wakf act. Sumitra, Akashvani News, Chennai.”

<><><>

Many political parties including Bhartiya Janta Party and AJSU Party have called for Ranchi bandh today in protest against the daylight murder of BJP leader Anil Kumar Mahato alias Tiger yesterday in Jharkhand’s capital Ranchi. Many social organizations have also extended their support to the bandh.

Senior BJP leader and Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth has said that law and order has collapsed in the state.

More form our correspondent:-

“Party workers in large numbers have come out on the streets to make the Ranchi bandh called in protest against the murder of BJP leader Anil Tiger a success. The workers have blocked many major crossings including Ring Road, Ranchi-Silli Road, Mahatma Gandhi Main Road, Harmu Road, Dhurwa, Booty More, Ratu Road, Piska More by burning tyres. Police have detained many party leaders including State BJP Spokesperson Pratul Shadeo who had come out to enforce Ranchi Bandh. Workers of various political parties and social organizations have come out on the streets and are demonstrating at various places. BJP, AJSU Party and JLKM leaders have become aggressive against the state government over this murder and are demanding for government’s resignation on the issue of law and order. Shilpi, Akashvani News, Ranchi.”

<><><>

The Ministry of Coal will launch the 12th tranche of commercial coal mine auctions in New Delhi today. Among the offered mines, 13 coal mines are fully explored, while 12 are partially explored, providing opportunities for both immediate and future development. The 12th tranche of commercial coal mine auctions aims to attract significant interest from domestic and international investors, reinforcing India’s commitment to self-reliance in energy and industrial growth.

<><><>

In Jammu and Kashmir a fresh encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces today in Kathua district where a massive anti-terrorist operation is underway for the last four days. The gunfight erupted when the security forces spotted the terrorists in Ghati Juthana area of Rajbagh this morning.

Reinforcements have been rushed and further details are awaited.

<><><>

The Khelo India Para Games 2025 is set to conclude with a grand closing ceremony this evening, marking the culmination of an inspiring and action-packed sporting event. Organized by the Sports Authority of India, the ceremony will be graced by Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Nikhil Khadse.

<><><>

Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO, Prasar Bharati was today present at the launch of FICCI-EY M&E Industry Report’ in Mumbai. While addressing the gathering, CEO, Prasar Bharati Shri Gaurav Dwivedi said that large amount of consolidation and huge democratisation of content are creating regularly in the industry.

<><><>

The world is observing World Theatre Day today. The day is celebrated annually on the 27th of March for honoring the art of theatre, its practitioners, and its role in cultural exchange and human expression. The theme for this year is “Theatre and a Culture of Peace”.

Talking exclusively to Akashvani News, theatre artist and renowned Bollywood actor Punit Tiwari has shared his thoughts with us.

<><><>

THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:

India becomes second largest 5G market in the world, says Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar dismisses privilege motion notice moved by Congress against Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin passes resolution against Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Assembly; BJP MLAs stage walk out.
Government to launch 12th tranche of commercial coal mine auctions in New Delhi today.
And, Khelo India Para Games 2025 to conclude with a grand closing ceremony in New Delhi this evening.

<><><>