Category Archives: government

POWERGRID Convenes 36th Annual General Meeting

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The 36th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID), a Maharatna CPSU under the Ministry of Power, Government of India, was held virtually on 26th August 2025.

The meeting was chaired by Ravindra Kumar Tyagi, Chairman and Managing Director, in the presence of key board members including Ravisankar Ganesan, Director (Finance) & CFO; Dr. Yatindra Dwivedi, Director (Personnel); Naveen Srivastava, Director (Operations); Vamsi Rama Mohan Burra, Director (Projects); Dr. Saibaba Darbamulla and Abhay Bakre, Government Nominee Directors; along with Independent Directors Shiv Tapasya Paswan, Rohit Vaswani, and Smt. Sajal Jha. Representatives of the Hon’ble President and shareholders also participated through virtual mode.

During the AGM, the company presented its key financial highlights, operational achievements, and future growth prospects. Technological innovations and ongoing initiatives were detailed, and the management addressed queries raised by the shareholders. The shareholders appreciated POWERGRID’s robust performance and extended their best wishes for sustained growth.

As of 31st July 2025, POWERGRID has commissioned and is operating 286 substations and more than 180,849 ckm of transmission lines, along with a transformation capacity of 574,331 MVA. Leveraging the latest technological tools and techniques, enhanced automation, and digital solutions, POWERGRID has successfully maintained an average transmission system availability exceeding 99.85%.

These milestones underscore POWERGRID’s commitment to strengthening India’s power transmission infrastructure while embracing innovation and operational excellence.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/corporate-gallery/powergrid-convenes-36th-annual-general-meeting

Notebook Prices Rise Despite Zero GST; Insurance Policyholders Not Getting Full GST Benefit

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**GST Removal on Notebooks and Stationery Items Leads to Price Hikes**

New Delhi: Under the GST 2.0 reforms, the government has removed GST on notebooks, exercise books, and stationery items. Previously, these items attracted a 12 percent GST and are now tax-free, providing relief to consumers.

However, the raw material for notebooks—paper—has seen its GST rate increase from 12 percent to 18 percent. As a result, notebook prices have risen. Shopkeepers are paying higher GST when purchasing paper but cannot charge any GST while selling notebooks due to the tax exemption. This loss of input tax credit is being added to the final price, causing an increase despite the GST removal on finished products.

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**Insurance Companies Not Fully Passing On GST Benefits to Policyholders**

The GST Council reduced GST on life and health insurance premiums from 18 percent to 0 percent, effective from 22 September. While this move was expected to lower insurance premiums, many policyholders report that insurance companies are not passing on the full benefit.

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**Health Insurance Premiums Rise Despite GST Relief**

Numerous complaints concern health insurance companies. For instance, one policyholder who paid Rs 63,000 last year found their premium increased despite the GST removal. The company attributed the hike to the policyholder moving into a higher age group, highlighting how factors other than GST also affect premium costs.

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**New Add-Ons Used to Justify Premium Rates**

Some insurance companies have added new coverage options or riders to policies, claiming these are additional benefits. Customers, however, argue that such benefits were part of older plans. This strategy has resulted in premiums either remaining unchanged or increasing, negating the intended GST relief.

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**Government and IRDA May Intervene**

Amid mounting complaints on social media, the government is considering asking the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) to investigate the issue and take necessary action to ensure policyholders receive the rightful GST benefits.

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**Life Insurance Premiums See Only Slight Reductions**

While some life insurance policyholders have experienced premium reductions, these decreases are relatively small. For example, one customer reported a mere 2.5 percent premium drop despite the GST rate being cut by 18 percent. This clearly indicates that the full benefit is not reaching customers.

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**Few Companies Passing On GST Benefits**

A limited number of insurance companies have taken steps to reduce policy commissions and lower their costs, thereby passing on GST benefits to customers. However, such cases remain rare.

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**Conclusion**

Although the government has removed GST on notebooks and certain insurance premiums, the benefits are not fully reflected in final prices. Consumers are advised to remain vigilant and report discrepancies to authorities as necessary. The ongoing scrutiny by the government and IRDA is expected to ensure greater transparency and fair pricing in the near future.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/notebook-prices-rise-despite-zero-gst-insurance-policyholders-not-getting-full-gst-benefit

Bombay HC Stays Investigation Into Vidhan Bhavan Brawl, NCP Leader Claims Case Politically Driven

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Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday stayed the investigation into a case arising from a scuffle inside the Maharashtra Assembly premises involving supporters of BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction, including former state cabinet minister Jitendra Awhad.

### Interim Protection Granted to NCP Member

A bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad, on October 1, restrained the Investigating Officer from proceeding further with the probe into the July 18 FIR registered at Marine Drive police station. This interim protection will continue until the petition is decided.

### Petition Filed Against Alleged Political Targeting

The court was hearing a plea filed by Nitin Hindurao Deshmukh, a member of the Pawar faction of the NCP. Deshmukh had been arrested in connection with the case but was granted bail by a magistrate on July 21.

His advocate, Rahul Arote, argued that the case was “baseless and politically motivated” and sought the quashing of the FIR. The plea alleged that the FIR was lodged with mala fide intent, asserting that the only claim against Deshmukh was that he had engaged in a quarrel and allegedly manhandled policemen who tried to intervene.

### Legal Arguments on Applicability of Charges

The petition emphasized that there was no allegation of assault or obstruction that could attract Section 132 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which penalizes assault on public servants. It also questioned the applicability of charges relating to unlawful assembly, affray, and use of criminal force, citing the absence of evidence indicating a common object or violent clash.

“At most, there was commotion and verbal altercation during the protest,” the plea stated.

### Entry with Valid Pass Highlighted

Deshmukh’s legal team further highlighted that he had entered the high-security Vidhan Bhavan with a valid entry pass, undermining any claims of unlawful intent.

The Bombay High Court has listed the matter for further hearing on November 12.

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https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/bombay-hc-stays-investigation-into-vidhan-bhavan-brawl-ncp-leader-claims-case-politically-driven

Ted Cruz goes all in on Trump’s new ‘racist’ trope and puts sombrero and mustache on Senate Democrats in shutdown troll

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Republican Senator Ted Cruz attempted to troll Democrats who refused to vote for the Republicans’ temporary spending bill by copying President Donald Trump’s racist video that superimposed a mustache and sombrero onto House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Taking to his X profile on Wednesday, Cruz indicated he would punish the 44 Senate Democrats who voted against the continuing resolution—which triggered a government shutdown—by placing sombreros and handlebar mustaches onto their photos. The two-minute-long video flashes altered photos of the Senators set to the 1993 pop song “Macarena.”

The idea appeared to be inspired by Trump’s recent AI-generated post mocking Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer after their meeting in the Oval Office ahead of the shutdown to try and negotiate a deal. Trump’s video featured Jeffries, who is Black, as a stereotyped Mexican with a sombrero and mustache, alongside Schumer and a deepfake of Schumer’s voice. Jeffries called the video racist.

However, Vice President JD Vance excused the video as funny and claimed Trump was poking a little bit of fun at Democrats. Vance said he’d make a solemn promise that the sombrero memes will stop if the Democrats help Republicans reopen the government.

In keeping with the spirit of Vance’s promise, Cruz vowed to continue “Sombrero posting” as long as the shutdown remains. “The 44 Senate Democrats who voted for Schumer’s Shutdown should know that the Sombrero posting will continue until they re-open our government,” Cruz wrote in his Wednesday post.

The Independent has asked senators featured in the video for comment.

The Senate Democrats, joined by Republican Rand Paul and independent Bernie Sanders, voted against the continuing resolution on Tuesday evening out of protest because Republicans have refused to add Democrats-approved healthcare provisions to the temporary funding bill.

Democrats have blamed Republicans for the shutdown, saying they’re refusing to negotiate, thus backing them into a corner as they fight for those on Medicaid and low-income Americans using marketplace insurance.

Republicans have blamed Democrats for trying to add the healthcare provisions into an otherwise clean continuing resolution, meaning the bill does not seek to make dramatic changes to the current funding levels. Many Republicans have also falsely claimed Democrats want to give free health care to illegal aliens.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/ted-cruz-shutdown-trolls-democrats-sombrero-b2838074.html

UP Govt Plans Festive Bonanza: Bonus & DA Hike For 15 Lakh Employees, Teachers

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**Uttar Pradesh Government to Announce Major Festive Relief Package for Employees and Teachers**

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government is preparing to announce a significant festive relief package aimed at benefiting its employees and teachers ahead of Diwali. Nearly 1.5 million non-gazetted staff and educators in the state are expected to receive both bonuses and an increased dearness allowance (DA), following the Centre’s recent decision to enhance benefits for its workforce.

Officials have confirmed that the bonus amount could reach up to ₹7,000, bringing much-needed cheer to employees across various departments. This move will cover state government staff, teachers, and teaching-support personnel, ensuring a broader reach of financial relief during the festive season.

In addition to the bonus, the DA rate for employees under the 7th Pay Commission will be revised upward from 55% to 58%. This revision will lead to higher payouts in monthly salaries, benefiting serving employees significantly. The relief package will also extend to pensioners, with nearly 1.2 million retirees in Uttar Pradesh expected to benefit from an increased rate of dearness relief, consistent with the hike granted to active employees.

The financial impact of this double benefit package is expected to be substantial. Estimates suggest that the bonus payout alone will impose a burden of nearly ₹1,000 crore on the state treasury. However, officials have maintained that this decision aligns with the festive season customs when governments traditionally provide economic relief to their staff.

Sources indicate that the official announcement is likely to be made within the first week of October, well ahead of the Diwali holidays. It is important to note that employees covered under the 5th and 6th Pay Commissions may see their DA hikes implemented at a later stage after the current package is rolled out to 7th Pay Commission beneficiaries.

Currently, Uttar Pradesh has around 14.81 lakh non-gazetted staff, work-charge employees, and daily wage earners who are eligible for bonus payments. This decision is expected to have a widespread positive impact, directly benefiting households across the state during the festive period.

This initiative follows the Centre’s recent move to grant both bonus and DA hikes to central employees, setting a precedent that state governments often emulate. With the upcoming festive season, the Uttar Pradesh government’s announcement is anticipated to provide a major boost for employees and pensioners alike.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/up-govt-plans-festive-bonanza-bonus-da-hike-for-15-lakh-employees-teachers

UP Govt Plans Festive Bonanza: Bonus & DA Hike For 15 Lakh Employees, Teachers

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Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government is preparing to announce a major festive relief package for its employees and teachers. Nearly 1.5 million non-gazetted staff and educators in the state are likely to receive both bonuses and increased dearness allowance (DA) ahead of Diwali, following the Centre’s recent decision to enhance benefits for its workforce.

Officials confirmed that the bonus amount could reach up to ₹7,000, bringing cheer to employees across departments. The move will cover state government staff, teachers, and teaching-support personnel. Alongside this, the DA rate for employees under the 7th Pay Commission will be revised upward from 55% to 58%, ensuring higher payouts in monthly salaries.

The relief is also set to extend to pensioners. Nearly 1.2 million retirees in Uttar Pradesh are expected to benefit from the increased rate of dearness relief, in line with the hike for serving employees.

The financial impact of this double benefit package will be significant. Estimates suggest that the bonus payout alone will burden the state treasury by nearly ₹1,000 crore. However, officials maintained that the decision aligns with the festive season, a time when governments traditionally extend economic relief to their staff.

Sources indicate that the announcement is likely to be made within the first week of October, well before the Diwali holidays. Employees covered under the 5th and 6th Pay Commissions may see their DA hikes implemented at a later date, after the current package is rolled out to 7th Pay Commission beneficiaries.

Currently, Uttar Pradesh has around 14.81 lakh non-gazetted staff, work-charge employees, and daily wage earners eligible for bonus payments. The decision is expected to have a widespread impact, directly benefiting households across the state during the festive period.

This step follows the Centre’s move to grant both bonus and DA hikes to central employees, setting a precedent that state governments often follow. With the upcoming festive season, the Uttar Pradesh government’s announcement is anticipated to be a major boost for employees and pensioners alike.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/up-govt-plans-festive-bonanza-bonus-da-hike-for-15-lakh-employees-teachers

LLB, B.Ed, M.Ed Admissions: CET Cell Extends Form Correction Deadline To Oct 5

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Acknowledging the impact of heavy rains and floods in several parts of Maharashtra, the Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) cell has extended the correction window for various exam admissions. Many students were unable to complete their admission cap round forms due to these unforeseen circumstances.

The dates for application form corrections and college option choice filling for the extended institutional level round have now been extended from October 3 to October 5. This extension applies to the following courses:

– 3-year LLB
– B.Ed. (Bachelor of Education)
– M.Ed. (Master of Education)
– B.P.Ed (Bachelor of Physical Education)
– M.P.Ed (Master of Physical Education)
– B.Sc. Nursing

This will be the final opportunity for students to apply. Candidates who have entered incorrect marks for their Class 12, graduation, or post-graduation qualifications in the application form will be allowed to make corrections within this window.

In addition, the Indian Nursing Council has extended the cut-off date for admissions to October 31. This move aims to accommodate students affected by the recent adverse weather conditions.

Speaking on the development, Dileep Sardesai, IAS, Commissioner of the State Common Entrance Examination Cell, said,
“Due to heavy rains and floods in the state, many students could not register for admission in the B.Sc. Nursing course. To ensure that these students also get a fair chance, the registration deadline has been extended till October 5, along with the revised eligibility criteria.”

Students are encouraged to utilize this extended window to complete their applications and make necessary corrections to avoid missing out on admissions this year.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/pune/llb-bed-med-admissions-cet-cell-extends-form-correction-deadline-to-oct-5

UPSC CMS 2025 Interview Dates Announced At upsc.gov.in; Personality Test From October 13

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**UPSC CMS 2025 Interview Schedule Released**

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the interview schedule for the UPSC CMS 2025 personality test. Candidates who have qualified for the interview round can now check the schedule on UPSC’s official website at [upsc.gov.in](https://upsc.gov.in).

Moreover, the e-Summon Letters for the Personality Tests (Interviews) will soon be available for download on the Commission’s websites: [upsc.gov.in](https://upsc.gov.in) and [upsconline.in](https://upsconline.in). Candidates are advised to keep an eye on these portals for updates.

**Important Note:**
Please be aware that requests for changes in the date or time of the Personality Test (Interview) are generally not entertained by the Commission.

Candidates appearing for the interview will be reimbursed for their travel expenses. However, this compensation will cover only the second class or sleeper class Mail/Express train fare.

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### UPSC CMS 2025 Interview Schedule: Important Details

– **Interview Dates:** October 13, 2025 – November 21, 2025
– **Reporting Time (Forenoon Session):** 09:00 AM
– **Reporting Time (Afternoon Session):** 01:00 PM
– **Total Candidates Shortlisted:** 2,045

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### How to Download the UPSC CMS 2025 Interview Schedule

Follow the steps below to download and check your interview schedule:

1. Visit the official UPSC website at [upsc.gov.in](https://upsc.gov.in).
2. On the homepage, find and click the link titled “UPSC CMS 2025 Interview Schedule.”
3. A PDF file containing the detailed schedule will open. Verify your interview date and time from this document.
4. Download and save a copy of the PDF for your reference. It is also recommended to print a physical copy to carry on the interview day.

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For more information and updates, candidates are encouraged to regularly visit the official UPSC website. Stay prepared and best of luck for your interview!
https://www.freepressjournal.in/education/upsc-cms-2025-interview-dates-announced-at-upscgovin-personality-test-from-october-13

US government shutdown begins as partisan division rules Washington

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US Government Shutdown Begins as Partisan Division Rules Washington

The United States is experiencing its 15th government shutdown since 1981, as partisan divisions continue to dominate the political landscape in Washington, D.C.

A partial government shutdown is scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2025. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges in reaching bipartisan agreements on key funding issues.

A view of the US Capitol building a day before the partial government shutdown was scheduled to take place, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, US, September 30, 2025.

Photo credit: REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon

By REUTERS

https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-869170

India records close 4.5 lakh crimes against women in 2023: NCRB report

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The figures compiled from police records across states and union territories indicate a national crime rate of 66.2 incidents per lakh female population, based on mid-year projected female population estimates of 6,770 lakh. The overall chargesheeting rate for these cases stood at 77.6 percent in 2023.

Among states, Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of cases at 66,381, followed by Maharashtra at 47,101, Rajasthan at 45,450, West Bengal at 34,691, and Madhya Pradesh at 32,342. In terms of crime rate per lakh female population, Telangana led with 124.9, ahead of Rajasthan at 114.8, Odisha at 112.4, Haryana at 110.3, and Kerala at 86.1.

Cruelty by husband or relatives under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) accounted for the largest share with 133,676 cases and a rate of 19.7. Kidnapping and abduction of women followed with 88,605 cases and a rate of 13.1. Assault on women with intent to outrage modesty was recorded in 83,891 cases at a rate of 12.4, while rape cases stood at 29,670 with a rate of 4.4.

Dowry deaths totalled 6,156 cases (rate of 0.9), abetment to suicide had 4,825 cases (rate of 0.7), and insult to modesty accounted for 8,823 cases (rate of 1.3).

Rape cases included 28,821 incidents involving women aged 18 and above, and 849 involving girls below 18. Attempts to commit rape numbered 2,796 cases, and acid attacks were reported in 113 cases.

Under Special and Local Laws (SLL), crimes against women totalled 87,850 cases. The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, saw 15,489 cases, while the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, recorded 1,788 cases involving women victims. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, had 632 cases. There were 31 cases lodged under the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, and under the POCSO Act, there were 40,046 cases for child rape, 22,149 for sexual assault, 2,778 for sexual harassment, 698 for using a child for pornography, and 513 for other provisions of the law.

Police disposal statistics revealed that 185,961 cases were pending investigation from previous years. Additionally, 448,211 new cases were registered and 987 transferred, totalling 635,159 cases. Of these, 182,219 were chargesheeted, yielding a chargesheeting rate of 77.6 percent. Pendency stood at 182,219 cases or 28.7 percent.

Court disposal data showed 2,184,756 cases were pending trial from prior years, along with 350,937 new cases and 6,276 reopened, totalling 2,535,693 cases. Pendency at courts reached 2,303,657 cases, or 90.8 percent.

In 2023, a total of 667,940 persons were arrested for crimes against women, comprising 587,441 males, 80,490 females, and nine transgender persons.

*This story has been sourced from a third-party syndicated feed and agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for the dependability, trustworthiness, reliability, or data of the text. Mid-day management and mid-day.com reserve the sole right to alter, delete, or remove (without notice) the content at their absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.*
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/india-records-close-4-5-lakh-crimes-against-women-in-2023-ncrb-report-23596534