Union Minister Pralhad Joshi stated that the Union Budget 2025-26 will be pro-people, pro-poor, and pro-middle class under PM Narendra Modi's leadership. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her eighth consecutive Budget, focusing on fiscal policies, taxation reforms, and significant announcements. The Economic Survey predicts India's economy to grow between 6.3% and 6.8% in the next financial year.
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The Election Commission has issued a notice to Arvind Kejriwal seeking evidence for his claims that Haryana poisoned Yamuna waters. The poll panel reminded him of legal provisions against statements that incite group enmity, which could lead to a criminal case if unsubstantiated. Kejriwal must respond by Wednesday, while separate complaints about water contamination are being addressed.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath stated that those who respect sanatan dharma can visit Mahakumbh regardless of religion. This response addressed demands to prohibit Muslims from attending the event. Yogi warned those with destructive intentions and criticized entities dividing the nation or illegally acquiring Waqf property.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of Art of Living, unveiled rare relics of the original Somnath Jyotirlingam in Delhi during a Maha Satsang titled Anandam. Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, who attended the event, praised the organization’s Yamuna cleanup efforts and announced plans for a riverfront project.
Congress moved the Supreme Court to address the legitimacy of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, preserving the 1947 status of religious sites. Exceptions include the Ram Janmabhoomi case. The court restricted fresh disputes and ongoing orders about religious sites pending a decision. Contested petitions challenge the 1947 cut-off date's rationality, questioning its connection to India's independence.
HAL's Chairman D K Sunil assured that technical issues with the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas have been resolved and deliveries to the IAF will commence shortly. Addressing concerns from IAF Chief AP Singh, Sunil confirmed that necessary structures are now ready, and aircraft will start rolling out once engines are available.
The Congress appointed Bhakta Charan Das as the new president of its Odisha unit on Tuesday, following the dissolution of the state committee last July due to poor election results. Sarat Pattanayak previously held the position. The party aims to revamp its state units and focus on organizational restructuring this year. Additionally, Vikrant Bhuria was appointed chairman of the All India Adivasi Congress, succeeding Shivajirao Moghe.
The Court of the Chief Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities has fined 155 establishments, including central ministries and private firms, Rs 10,000 each for not meeting digital accessibility standards. Establishments must deposit the fines in the National Fund for Persons with Disabilities and face higher penalties if they fail to comply after February 28.
Bombay High Court fined the Enforcement Directorate (ED) Rs 1 lakh for misusing legal proceedings by turning a civil dispute into a criminal case. The court mentioned that the ED acted with wrongful intent and imposed an equal fine on the complainant. It highlighted that the dispute lacked elements of cheating and was fundamentally a civil matter.
Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested for smuggling 14.2 kg of gold worth Rs 12.56 crore at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport. Subsequent DRI searches at her residence uncovered gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and Rs 2.67 crore in cash, bringing the total seizure to Rs 17.29 crore. The actress, stepdaughter of IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, has been remanded to judicial custody as investigations continue into the smuggling racket.
The Delhi High Court dismissed a woman's petition claiming homeopathic medicines healed her from 25 gunshot injuries. The court upheld lower courts' decisions, finding her allegations absurd and improbable, highlighting the impossibility of surviving such wounds without surgery. The woman in her petition alleged that she was attacked by individuals wielding “fully loaded revolvers and a machine gun.â€