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December 18, 2024 9:25 AM

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Morning News

THE HEADLINES:

 

  • Government agrees to refer One-Nation One-Election bills to Joint Parliamentary Committee for wider consultations.

 

  • Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, BJP will bring Uniform Civil Code in every state under its rule.

 

  • National Testing Agency to conduct only entrance tests for admission to educational institutions from next year and not to hold any recruitment exam.

 

  • National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to take part in India-China Special Representatives’ talks in Beijing today.

 

  • Sri Lanka to offer visa free travel to Indian nationals from next month.

 

  • West Indies beat India by nine wickets in 2nd Women’s T20 International to level 3 match series 1-1.

 

 

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The government has referred the One-Nation One-Election (ONOE) bills to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for wider consultations. Union Home Minister Amit Shah told Lok Sabha that Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself suggested that the bill should be sent to the JPC as there should be a detailed discussion over it at every level.

 

Mr Shah’s statement came amid an uproar in the Lok Sabha as Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal tabled the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Law (Amendment) Bill, 2024, to enable simultaneous polls. Soon after the bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha, the opposition party leaders registered their objections with the bill.

While introducing the bills in the lower house of Parliament, Mr Meghwal had said that the government is ready to send ONOE to the JPC. He also termed the objection to ONOE bills as political in nature.

 

The two bills are aimed at holding Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections simultaneously in the country.

The JPC is an ad hoc Committee set up by the Parliament to conduct a thorough examination of a specific subject or Bill. It consists of members from both Houses and the ruling and opposition parties. However, the number of members and composition of the JPC are not limited. The JPC is dissolved after the examination is completed. The JPC’s recommendations are advisory, and the government is not required to abide by its decision. The committee can also gather evidence from experts and consult public bodies, associations, individuals, and other interested parties.

 

 

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that the BJP will bring Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in every state under its rule as the party did in Uttarakhand. Concluding the discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the 75 years of adoption of the Constitution, Mr Shah launched a scathing attack on the Congress for failing to implement the UCC across the country. The Home Minister accused the Congress of appeasement politics and asked the party to clarify why there should not be a common law for every religion in a secular nation.

 

Mr Shah also lashed out at the Congress over its allegations concerning Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), saying some of those who made complaints about the results in Maharashtra celebrated it in Jharkhand, where JMM-led INDIA bloc won the Assembly elections.

The debate on 75 years of the Constitution started in Rajya Sabha on Monday and lasted two days. Lok Sabha held the debate last week.

 

 

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Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said that the National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct only competitive entrance tests for admission to educational institutions from next year and will not hold any recruitment exams. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, he said that the idea is to conduct error-free exams and fix accountability. Mr Pradhan said, Education and Health ministries are deliberating on whether to conduct the medical entrance exam NEET-UG in pen-and-paper mode or online mode. The Minister said, the detailed modalities for NEET-UG is likely to be announced in 2-3 weeks. He said that CUET-UG will continue to be held once a year. The Education Minister shared recommendations of committee headed by former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan for the smooth and fair conduct of exams and strengthening of NTA.

 

 

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President Droupadi Murmu will be inaugurating several new facilities at the Rashtrapati Nilayam in  Bolarum near Hyderabad today. The new facilities include a Visitors’ new facilitation building and a souvenir shop at the Nilayam. She will also be laying the foundation stone to various development initiatives that are being taken up at the Nilayam.

She will be presenting the President’s Colours to the College of Defence Management in Secunderabad on Friday.

 

 

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The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has witnessed a six-fold increase in budget allocation from nearly 21 thousand crore rupees during 2013-14 to 1 lakh, 22 thousand crore rupees in 2024-25. In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Ram Nath Thakur said that the major schemes being implemented for farmers’ welfare include the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), and the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund.

 

 

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Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh launched India’s first of its kind anti-pesticide bodysuit, Kisan Kavach in New Delhi yesterday. This bodysuit is designed to protect farmers from the harmful effects of pesticide exposure. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Singh said that the Kisan Kavach is a groundbreaking solution addressing a critical gap in farmers’ safety.

The event also saw the distribution of the first batch of Kisan Kavach suits to farmers.

 

 

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National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will take part in the India-China Special Representatives’ talks in Beijing today. The talks aimed at restoring the bilateral ties stalled for over four years due to the military standoff in eastern Ladakh. Mr Doval will hold the 23rd round of the Special Representatives’ (SR) talks with his Chinese counterpart and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. They are expected to discuss a range of issues to rebuild the bilateral ties following the October 21 agreement of disengagement and patrolling in eastern Ladakh between the two countries.

 

 

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Indians will be among the nationals from 39 countries – who will have free visas to travel to Sri Lanka from January 2025. This was announced by the visiting Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath during an interaction organised by the India Foundation in New Delhi. He said, a parliamentary gazette notification will be made next January, where Sri Lanka will give free visas to 39 countries, including India. He also expressed hope that India will give the same facility to the Sri Lankans also.

 

 

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French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after India extended its support in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, a devastating storm that struck the French archipelago of Mayotte on Saturday. Prime Minister Modi had earlier conveyed his condolences. He further said that India stands in solidarity with France and is ready to extend all possible assistance. Responding to Mr Modi’s message, President Macron thanked him on social media. At least 22 people have been killed and over 1,400 injured in Mayotte after the cyclone.

 

 

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In Nepal, five-day Bhaktapur Mahotsav witnessed lakhs of footfall. The purpose of the festival was to introduce the world to Bhaktapur’s unique and historic art, culture and way of life. Bhaktapur is a district in Kathmandu Valley that has UNESCO heritage sites as Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Changu Narayan temple in its perimeter.

 

In the crowded Bhaktapur festival, foreign tourists were seen flocking at local delicacies stalls feasting on Yomari, juju dhau, bada and traditional Newari Khaja.

In the Durbar square, the paubha painting exhibition and exhibition of traditional sculptures in bronze, stone and wood was on display. Tourists dotted around the podium of Cultural dance performances where artists performed barahi dance and lakhi dance. Music Bands from different schools as well as local community groups marched on different streets and lanes playing flutes and traditional instruments.

Handicraft items made by local people were on exhibition cum sale. Sweta Singh for Akashvani News, Bhaktapur.Sweta Singh for Akashvani News, Bhaktapur.”

 

 

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Moving on to the world of sports, we have updates from Cricket, Badminton and Chess.

 

“In women’s cricket, West Indies beat India by nine wickets in the second T20 International to level the three-match series 1-1 at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, last night. Captain Hayley Matthews led from the front with 85 runs unbeaten as the West Indies chased down the target of 160 with 26 balls to spare. She was declared player of the match.

Next update is from the Badminton, where Indian women’s doubles pair, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, achieved their career-best ranking of 11 in the latest BWF World Rankings. Meanwhile, In the men’s singles, Lakshya Sen remains the best Indian male shuttler with a world ranking of 12. In women’s singles, PV Sindhu jumped one place to become world number 15. The only Indian shuttlers in the world’s top 10 across categories, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, are currently ranked ninth in the world.

In Chess, newly crowned World Champion D. Gukesh has pulled out of the upcoming FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championship. Arjun Erigaisi and R. Praggnanandhaa will represent India in the event. The FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships will be held from December 26-31 in New York.Manik Sharma Akashvani News, Delhi.”

 

 

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In Cricket, Australia were 11 for 1 in the second innings of the third test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Gabba, a shortwhile ago. Australia is leading the match with 196 runs.

Earlier, the match was delayed due to rain and cloudy weather.

In the first innings, India were all out for 260 in response to Australia’s 445 on day five of the Gabba Test. Resuming the day at 252 for nine, India added eight runs in 24 balls.

 

 

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast cold wave conditions at isolated places over Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Rajasthan today. Similar conditions are also expected over Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan, and Muzaffarabad during the next 2-3 days.

 

 

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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE,

 

  • “1 Nation, 1 poll bills tabled in Lok Sabha, to be sent to House panel” leads The Asian Age.
  • “Doval in China, LAC peace on agenda” writes The Tribune.
  • “Space Bill Draft set for consultation in Quarter 1 Financial year 2026” reports Economic Times.
  • “India’s oil imports rebound in November with refineries back in full swing” writes The Indian Express.
  • “Blast in Moscow kills Russian General accused of chemical use” notes The Times of India.
  • “Over 30 Delhi schools get bomb threats” states The Pioneer.
  • “Sports Minister supports Fit India Movement by cycling” reports The Hindu.
  • And finally, “Indian media and entertainment industry to outpace global growth rate, to reach 19.2 billion dollars” reports The Stateman.

 

 

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN-

 

  • Government agrees to refer One-Nation One-Election bills to Joint Parliamentary Committee for wider consultations.

 

  • Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, BJP will bring Uniform Civil Code in every state under its rule.

 

  • National Testing Agency to conduct only entrance tests for admission to educational institutions from next year and not to hold any recruitment exam.

 

  • National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to take part in India-China Special Representatives’ talks in Beijing today.

 

  • Sri Lanka to offer visa free travel to Indian nationals from next month.

 

  • West Indies beat India by nine wickets in 2nd Women’s T20 International to level 3 match series 1-1.

 

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