THE HEADLINES:
- External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar calls for India and Afghanistan ties to work together in combating terrorism; Holds talks with his counterpart in New Delhi; Announces reopening of its embassy in Kabul.
- Election Commission issues notification for first phase of Assembly Elections in Bihar; Deadlock continues over seat sharing in NDA and Grand Alliance.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh invites Australian Businesses to invest in India; Says India is on transformative journey of structural reforms.
- The US denies supplying advanced medium-range Air-to-Air Missiles to Pakistan.
- In Cricket, Indian top order batters give a flying start aga inst West Indies in the second test match at New Delhi.
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External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar emphasized the need for India and Afghanistan to work together in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. In his opening remarks during the meeting with the Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi, Dr Jaishankar said both nations have a common commitment towards growth and prosperity.
The Minister said, India has a deep interest in Afghanistan’s development and progress. He said that the government is fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan. He said, closer cooperation between both nations contributes to Afghanistan’s national development, as well as regional stability and resilience. The External Affairs Minister also announced the upgrading of India’s Technical Mission in Kabul to the status of Embassy of India.
Speaking on the occasion, Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi said that his country will not allow any forces to threaten or use Afghan territory against other nations. He said, Afghanistan has never given statements against India and always valued its good relations. He added that Afghanistan wants relations based on mutual respect, trade and people-to-people relations.
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Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan surged dramatically following multiple explosions in Kabul yesterday. The explosions triggered widespread panic in eastern Kabul, a zone home to key government facilities and residential areas. Taliban chief spokesman confirmed the attacks, saying that they have started an investigation.
The incident occurred just hours after Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif delivered a fiery statement in the National Assembly, suggesting a breakdown in diplomatic restraint. While the exact source and intent behind the blasts are still unconfirmed, early reports point to the possibility of airstrikes, raising concerns over the escalation of regional conflict.
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The notification for the first phase of Assembly Elections has been issued. With this the nomination process for the first phase has began for 121 Assembly constituencies. Candidates can file their nomination papers until 17th of this month. Scrutiny of nomination papers will be held the next day, and the last date for withdrawal of nominations is 20th October. In the first phase, polling will be held on 6th of next month in districts of North and South Bihar. The Election Commission has also issued special instructions for tight security arrangements around the nomination centres. Crowds will not be allowed inside or around the nomination premises: We have a report:-
As the electoral process gets underway, political activity has intensified across the state. Both the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition Grand Alliance are yet to finalize their seat-sharing agreements. Within the NDA, discussions remain ongoing, with the BJP actively trying to reach an understanding with the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), led by Union Minister Chirag Paswan. It is expected that the NDA may announce its seat-sharing formula in coming days. Meanwhile, the Grand Alliance, which includes the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the Congress, and Left parties, has also not settled on a seat distribution plan. In an effort to break the impasse, RJD President Lalu Prasad is expected to meet with senior Congress leaders in Patna today to push for a resolution. With Dharmendra Kumar Rai’s report from Patna, AISHWARYA RAI NIGAM for Akashvani News.
Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) President Chirag Paswan today said that seat sharing talks are going in a positive direction and it is in the final stage now. Talking to media in New Delhi after holding discussions with senior BJP leader Mr. Paswan said, he wants to hold discussions on every aspect to avoid conflict at later stages.
On RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav’s announcement of providing a government job in every household, JDU leader Rajiv Ranjan Prasad termed the announcement a big lie.
The Assembly elections in the state will be conducted in two phases – polling for the second phase will take place on 11th November, while counting of votes will be held on 14th of next month.
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The Election Commission has said that electors on the voter list can display any one of 12 alternative photo IDs apart from Electors’ Photo Identity Card (EPIC) to vote. These IDs include Aadhar Card, Pan Card, Passport, Driving License and Passbooks with photograph issued by Bank or Post Office.
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Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said PM Dhan-Dhaanya Yojana and Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission are initiatives aimed at making the nation Aatmanirbhar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch PM Dhan-Dhaanya Yojana and Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission from Pusa Campus in New Delhi tomorrow. In an interview with Door Darshan, the Agriculture Minister said that under PM Dhan-Dhaanya Yojana, the government will identify 100 low-productivity districts and implement targeted measures to enhance productivity.
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NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam today released NITI Tax Policy Working Paper Series II titled ‘Towards India’s Tax Transformation: Decriminalisation and Trust-Based Governance’, in New Delhi. The report includes development of guidance note for prosecution of Income Tax Cases. These guidance notes aim to assist tax officers so that prosecution is invoked only in appropriate cases and after all civil remedies are exhausted. Speaking on the occasion, NITI Aayog CEO Subrahmanyam emphasized on building a world-class tax system in the country to ensure easier compliance, user friendly, and fair.
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GST Bachat Utsav, which was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and commenced on 22nd of last month, is benefiting all sections of society. Today, our correspondent brings a report on the GST reforms that will boost the economy of the state of Madhya Pradesh.
The new GST reform is a big win for Madhya Pradesh’s farmers, artisans, industrial workers and small businesses. GST on namkeens has been slashed to 5 percent, making these snacks 6 to 7 percent cheaper and giving a major boost to the Indore namkeen sector of the state, supporting about 3 lakh 50 thousand jobs. Farm machinery, pumps, tractors and other implements will now come under the 5 percent slab, reducing costs by 7 to 13 percent and helping small and marginal farmers to adopt modern tools.Traditional tribal crafts have moved from 12 percent to 5 percent, making items such as Gond paintings, terracotta, wooden lac toys, bell metal and dokra craft, bamboo and cane crafts, and brassware nearly 6 percent cheaper, boosting demand in local and export markets. With Samarth, Rohan for Akashvani News, Delhi.
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said that the country is on a transformative journey of structural reforms, particularly in manufacturing. He said, India is now the fourth-largest economy and the fastest-growing economy in the world. Addressing the India-Australia Defence Industry Business Round Table in Sydney today, Mr Singh said, the defence production ecosystem is being continuously liberalised through policy interventions and simplification of compliance mechanisms. Mr Singh invited the Australian business community to invest, collaborate, and innovate with India. He said, India and Australia can develop cutting-edge technologies, build advanced platforms together.
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The United States has denied to supply newly produced Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) to Pakistan. In a clarifying statement, US Embassy in India asserted that a recent amendment to an American Foreign Military Sales contract is not a transfer of new weapon systems to Islamabad. It said that the modification is limited to sustainment and spare parts support only and no capability enhancement or upgrade to its arsenal is being provided.
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President Droupadi Murmu today visited the Somnath Mahadev Temple at Gir Somnath of Gujarat. The President performed Jalabhishek, Someshwar Mahapuja and Dhwajapuja during her visit. Gujarat Tourism Minister Mulubhai Bera, District Collector and other dignitaries welcomed the President upon her arrival. The President also paid floral tributes to the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the temple premises. Later the President is scheduled to visit Sasan.
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All India Institute of Medical Sciences, AIIMS, New Delhi has achieved a major milestone by conducting the first Robot Assisted Kidney Transplant Surgery. Talking to Akashvani News, Dr Virinder Kumar Bansal , Renal Transplant Surgeon, said, AIIMS is the first government institution in the country which has performed such surgery.
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In Cricket, India today made a solid start by scoring 220 runs for 1 in 58 overs against West Indies on the first day of second test match played at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. Indian skipper Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to bat first on a black-soil surface, favourable for batting.
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Benchmark domestic equity indices, Sensex and Nifty today rallied, rising over half a per cent each. The Sensex surged 429 points to 82 thousand and 599, while the Nifty added 132 points to 25 thousand 313, when reports last came in.
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THE BULLETIN, THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN :
- External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar calls for India and Afghanistan ties to work together in combating terrorism; Holds talks with his counterpart in New Delhi; Announces reopening of its embassy in Kabul.
- Election Commission issues notification for first phase of Assembly Elections in Bihar; Deadlock continues over seat sharing in NDA and Grand Alliance.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh invites Australian Businesses to invest in India; Says India is on transformative journey of structural reforms.
- The US denies supplying advanced medium-range Air-to-Air Missiles to Pakistan.
- In Cricket, Indian top order batters give a flying start aga inst West Indies in the second test match at New Delhi.
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