THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi says India deeply appreciates and fully reciprocates US President Donald Trump’s sentiment and positive assessment of India-US relations; Says, the two countries share forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership.
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says India will continue to buy Russian oil, guided solely by national interest.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit flood affected states to review the situation.
- Chardham Yatra resumes in Uttarakhand; Pilgrimage to Gangotri and Yamunotri remain suspended.
- Immersion of Lord Ganesh’s idols underway in several parts of the country to conclude the 10 day long Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
- And, in US Open Tennis, Jannik Sinner defeats Auger-Aliassime to set up final clash with Carlos Alcaraz.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said he deeply appreciates and fully reciprocates US President Donald Trump’s sentiments and positive assessment of India-US ties. Responding to Mr. Trump’s recent statements, the Prime Minister noted in a social media post that India and the US share a very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
Talking to the media in Washington last night, the US President said that India and the United States have a special relationship and there is nothing to worry about the ties between the two countries. President Trump said, Mr Modi is a great Prime Minister and he will always be friends with him.
In an earlier social media post, Mr. Trump had remarked, that the US had lost India to China.
Speaking to Akashvani, former Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar said that India’s partnership with the United States is set to grow stronger, more vibrant, and more dynamic in the coming days.
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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar today said, that Prime Minister Narendra Modi attaches enormous importance to India’s partnership with the United States. Talking to media about PM Modi’s response to US President Donald Trump, Dr Jaishankar said, that Mr. Modi has always had a very good personal equation with President Trump. He added that India remains engaged with the United States.
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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that India will continue purchasing Russian oil, stressing that decisions will be guided solely by national interest. In an interview to a TV channel, she said, whether it is Russian oil or anything else, we will take a call based on what suits our needs in terms of rates and logistics. Ms Sitharaman reiterated that the contribution of crude oil to India’s import bill is the highest.
The Minister informed, the government is working on measures to support exporters who are impacted by the 50 per cent US tariffs. She said, the objective of Atmanirbhar Bharat was not only about producing everything in the country, but also about self-respect in the face of uncertain global trade policies.
Ms. Sitharaman said that the new GST regime will improve consumption by citizens and it will not impact capital expenditure. She said, 99 per cent of all the goods and services are now either in the zero, five or 18 per cent bracket.
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Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said the Prime Minister has given significant relief and a valuable gift to middle-class families with next generation GST reforms. Briefing the media in New Delhi today, Mr. Vaishnaw said the GST reforms are expected to add around 20 lakh crore rupees to the nation’s GDP, significantly boosting the country’s economy.
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The Goods and Services Tax reforms launched by the government are all set to reduce tax rates on a range of daily use items of consumers from September 22. The GST Council has simplified the indirect tax system into a two-tier structure of 5 per cent and 18 per cent from a four-tier structure of 5 per cent, 12 per cent, 18 per cent and 28 per cent. The GST rate reduction and rationalisation with a focus on the common man will reshape how consumers and businesses will pay tax from September 22. From medicines and milk to cars, soaps, and even IPL tickets, the GST Council’s latest rate rationalisation is expected to ease the tax burden on consumers significantly.
Today we look at the reforms undertaken for dairy products.
The GST Council approved the exemption of several dairy products from the taxes. Items like Paneer, Chhena and Ultra High Temperature Milk which attracted a five percent GST rate are now tax-free. This will ensure availability of these products at affordable rates. Furthermore, dairy oils including Butter, Ghee and Cheese holding a 12 percent GST previously, have been slashed down to 5 percent now. Similarly, milk cans of iron, steel and aluminium have also been reduced to 5 percent from 12 percent. Meanwhile, the GST on plant-based milk beverages is also cut down from 18 percent to 5 percent offering relief to consumers on healthier dairy alternatives. Talking to media, Managing Director of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, Jayen Mehta lauded the decision as a great news for producers and consumers. He said lower taxes will boost consumption and provide producers access to a larger and continuous market.
This significant tax rationalization is expected to boost the dairy sector and extend benefits to both farmers and consumers, contributing to the overall socio-economic development in the country. The reform will directly benefit over 8 crore rural farmer families, particularly small, marginal and landless labourers engaged in rearing milch animals for their livelihoods, while also supporting a large segment of consumers. With Rohan, Drishti Punyani, Akashvani News, Delhi.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the flood-affected states to review the situation, as several parts of northern India including Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab have been severely impacted by incessant rainfall, triggering landslides and flash floods.
Meanwhile, the impact of the monsoon continues to be felt in Himachal Pradesh, as intermittent rainfall and landslides are disrupting traffic at many locations. In the apple-producing regions of Shimla, Kullu, and Mandi, road closures have severely affected the transportation of apples to markets. More from our correspondent:
The water level of the Gobind Sagar reservoir of the Bhakra Dam reached close to the danger mark this morning. All four floodgates of the dam have been opened up to seven feet, releasing 74,151 cusecs of water. In Kangra district, the water level of the Pong Dam was recorded at 4.52 feet above the danger mark, with a total of 99,673 cusecs of water being released. Its impact is clearly visible in Fatehpur and Indora areas of Himachal, as well as in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur and Pathankot districts, where several houses and fields have been inundated. NDRF teams along with local administration are continuously engaged in relief and rescue operations, evacuating people from the affected villages to safer locations. Ritesh Kapoor, Akashvani News, Shimla.
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In Punjab, the flood situation is gradually coming under control. The Met department has not predicted heavy rain in the coming two days. Though the controlled release of water from Bhakra and Pong dams is still a matter of concern, the Bhakhra Beas Management Board Chairman has assured no further danger from extreme release of water.
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In the National Capital, the water level of the Yamuna River is receding, but the city continues to grapple with a flood-like situation as the level remains above the danger mark. According to the latest update, the water level at the Old Railway Bridge (ORB) has dropped to 206.36 metres, falling below 207 metres for the first time in several days.
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The ten-day long Ganesh Chaturthi festival will culminate today with the immersion of Lord Ganesh’s idols across the country on the occasion of Anant Chaturdashi. Devotees will bid farewell to the deity amid grand processions, music, and prayers, while authorities have arranged elaborate security and eco-friendly measures for the immersions.
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In Mumbai, the ganesh procession is now underway. Artificial lakes have been arranged for immersion at various places and idol donation activities will be carried out at many places. More from our correspondent:
Around 6500 Sarvajanik Ganpati idols and 1.75 lakh household Ganpatis will be immersed today in Mumbai at 65 natural water bodies and 205 artificial ponds created for the purpose. The 10,000 strong surveillance camera network in the city will be used to monitor huge crowds coming to Mumbai beaches to bid final adieu to their beloved Bappa for this year. There will be particularly heavy police deployment at popular immersion spots like Girgaon Chowpatty, Dadar, Juhu, Versova and Powai. For women’s safety, Nirbhaya Squads will patrol the streets, besides police women dressed in plain clothes. For the first time, Mumbai Police will use AI technology during Ganpati Visarjan to manage crowds and monitor processions. Bhavana, Akashvani news, Mumbai
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Eid-e-Milad, the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, was celebrated in Maharashtra excluding Mumbai and the suburban area of Mumbai. On this occasion, in Malegaon city of washim district, Muslim youth have organized a blood donation camp at the Ganesh Mandal pavilion. A large number of youth, social activists and political leaders participated in this camp.
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With improvement in weather conditions and road repairs in Uttarakhand, the Chardham Yatra and registration process have resumed from today. However, the pilgrimage to Gangotri and Yamunotri remains suspended due to recent heavy rainfall that damaged roads in the area, making travel unsafe for pilgrims. The journey to these two shrines is expected to resume once the roads are restored. District magistrates have been given the authority to manage or suspend the yatra as needed.
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In tennis, Italy’s Jannik Sinner has powered into the US Open men’s singles final with a commanding four-set victory over Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime. He will now face Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in a much-anticipated final. In the women’s singles, Amanda Anisimova of the United States booked her place in the final with a gritty comeback win over Japan’s Naomi Osaka. She will now challenge defending champion Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, who earlier overcame Jessica Pegula of the US in straight sets.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi says India deeply appreciates and fully reciprocates US President Donald Trump’s sentiment and positive assessment of India-US relations; Says the two countries share forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership.
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says India will continue to buy Russian oil, guided solely by national interest.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit flood affected states to review the situation.
- Chardham Yatra resumes in Uttarakhand; Pilgrimage to Gangotri and Yamunotri remain suspended.
- Immersion of Lord Ganesh’s idols underway in several parts of the country to conclude the 10 day long Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
- And, in US Open Tennis, Jannik Sinner defeats Auger-Aliassime to set up final clash with Carlos Alcaraz.
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