A new pension program is set to provide advantages for employees of the central government.  The Union Cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a new pension policy on Saturday that will benefit approximately 2.3 million central government employees. This policy introduces a framework that guarantees a monthly payout equivalent to 50% of the basic pay, addressing the concerns of federal staff unions that have advocated for assured retirement benefits. In April 2023, Modi established a committee chaired by the then Finance Secretary, TV Somanathan, to revise the existing pension system, known as the New Pension Scheme (NPS). This initiative was prompted by widespread dissatisfaction, which escalated into a political issue, leading some opposition-led states to revert to the older, financially burdensome Old Pension Scheme (OPS). The newly introduced system, termed the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), will provide 50% of the average basic pay earned by a fed

 Shortly before the Prime Minister's visit to Ukraine, the chief of the Russian Navy is in India.   NEW DELHI:  In anticipation of Prime Minister Modi's upcoming visit to Ukraine on August 23, the Chief of the Russian Navy has arrived in India to explore opportunities for enhancing maritime collaboration between Moscow and New Delhi. Admiral Aleksandr Alekseyevich Moiseyev is on an official visit to India from August 19 to 22, during which he engaged in extensive discussions with Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi on Monday. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has criticized the lateral entry of individuals into senior government positions, labeling it an affront to Dalits, OBCs, and Adivasis. India is striving to maintain a delicate strategic equilibrium between its enduring partnership with Russia and the US-led Western bloc, which has consistently expressed concerns regarding the close relationship between New Delhi and Moscow. Additi

  Bill Gates flags off 1st Indian Independence Day celebration in Seattle area, describes India as 'global leader'  Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and renowned philanthropist, inaugurated the inaugural Indian Independence Day celebration in Seattle. In an Instagram post, Gates expressed, “I was privileged to take part in the first India Day Celebrations at @indianconsulateseattle, alongside esteemed government officials and members of the Indian diaspora. India stands as a global leader, showcasing remarkable innovations in technology, agriculture, and healthcare that enhance and save lives. It has been a privilege to work alongside the Indian government, philanthropists, the private sector, nonprofits, and the Indian American community. Wishing a Happy Independence Day to all Indians!”  Gates spoke to more than 2,000 individuals from the Indian-American community during the celebration, describing India as "a global leader with groundbreaking advancements in fields s

  An Air India cabin crew member was allegedly sexually assaulted by an intruder at a London hotel earlier this week. A member of the Air India cabin crew was reportedly assaulted by an intruder at a hotel in London earlier this week. The event took place on Thursday night at the Radisson Red Hotel located at Heathrow Airport. The assailant was apprehended and subsequently delivered to law enforcement authorities. The crew member was transported to a medical facility and is currently en route back to Mumbai, as reported by The Hindu.  An anonymous source cited by the Times of India reported that the incident took place shortly after midnight while crew members from several Air India flights were residing at the location.  "The crew member was asleep when an assailant entered her room around 1:30 am. Alarmed, she awoke and called for assistance. The intruder assaulted her with a clothes hanger and pulled her across the floor as she attempted to flee towards the door," the sour

  Concerns regarding the ownership of Swachh Bio have been raised by the opposition in Telangana during the Chief Minister's tour of the United States. There are claims suggesting that the company was established merely days prior to the Chief Minister's visit, with allegations that the Chief Minister's brother held the position of director. Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy Intensifying its criticism of the Congress government in Telangana, led by A Revanth Reddy, the opposition party BRS has posed inquiries regarding the ownership of Swachh Bio, a company specializing in lignocellulosic biofuels, which has declared its investment in Telangana amid the Chief Minister's current visit to the United States. The BRS party has asserted that Reddy's trip to the United States is primarily for the benefit of his family, alleging that the Chief Minister's brothers stand to gain from a Rs. 1000 crore agreement with Swachh Bio. The Opposition has pointed out that t

The Calcutta High Court has mandated the transfer of the investigation into the rape and murder case involving a doctor in Kolkata to the Central Bureau of Investigation into the rape and murder case involving a doctor in kolkata to the central bureau of investigation (CBI) The Calcutta High Court inquired of the West Bengal Government regarding its efforts to shield the principal of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, the site of the alleged crime. A file photograph depicts  presence outside the emergency department of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, following the reported death of a female doctor who was allegedly raped.  On Tuesday, August 13, 2024, the Calcutta High Court assigned the inquiry into the purported rape and murder of a physician at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital to the Central Bureau of Investigation. A division bench presided over by Justice T.S. Sivagnanam stated that, at first glance, there appears to have been no substantial advancement in

The Delhi Police has enhanced security measures in preparation for the upcoming Independence Day celebrations. Supplementary police units and paramilitary forces have been stationed at multiple sites, including IGI Airport, railway stations, bus terminals, shopping malls, and marketplaces. Preparations are in progress at the Red Fort for the upcoming Independence Day celebrations in New Delhi. | Photo Credit: PTI. The Delhi Police has enhanced security measures by assigning over 3,000 traffic police officers, deploying more than 10,000 police personnel, and installing 700 AI-driven facial recognition cameras throughout New Delhi in preparation for the Independence Day celebrations. Supplementary police units and paramilitary forces have been stationed at multiple sites, including IGI Airport, railway stations, bus terminals, shopping malls, and marketplaces. In celebration of Independence Day, over 3,000 traffic police officers will be assigned to manage traffic flow, positioned at key