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As Maharashtra prepares for the swearing-in ceremony of its new Chief Minister, the ruling alliance has yet to finalize its leadership amid ongoing discussions over ministerial positions. A power-sharing formula has reportedly been established, allocating one ministerial post for every six MLAs, which would grant the BJP, with 132 seats, 20 to 22 ministerial roles. Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena faction is expected to receive 12 posts, while Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction is in line for 9 to 10. However, disputes over key portfolios, particularly the coveted Home Ministry, have delayed announcements, with Shinde's faction insisting on a fair share of responsibilities if they accept Fadnavis as Deputy Chief Minister. The BJP's legislature party is set to meet on Wednesday to make a decision, with Fadnavis widely anticipated to lead, despite Shinde's recent hospitalization for what was described as a routine check-up. 
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Dec 04 2024, 8 am ISTeznews.inThe Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has blocked over 1,700 Skype IDs and 59,000 WhatsApp accounts linked to digital fraud, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar reported in Lok Sabha. The I4C launched the 'Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System' in 2021, which has helped save over Rs 3,431 crore from nearly 10 lakh complaints. As of November 15, 2024, the government has also blocked more than 6.69 lakh SIM cards and 1.32 lakh IMEIs. To combat spoofed calls used by cyber criminals, a collaboration with Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) has been initiated to block international calls that mimic Indian numbers. Furthermore, a Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre has been established to facilitate cooperation among banks, financial institutions, and law enforcement. A suspect registry for cyber criminals was launched on September 10, 2024, featuring a 'Report and Check Suspect' option for public use.
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Dec 04 2024, 8 am ISTeznews.inA resolution calling for the withdrawal of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 was passed by voice vote in the West Bengal Assembly on Tuesday, despite a walkout by BJP legislators opposing it. Minister Sovandeb Chattopadhyay argued that the bill could undermine Waqf administration and reduce Muslim representation on the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf boards. He emphasized the need for caution, citing concerns that the bill's provisions might threaten the fundamental rights of a specific religious community. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari criticized the resolution as a waste of time, asserting that a Joint Parliamentary Committee is already reviewing the bill, which he claimed aims to benefit Muslim women and children. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the BJP-led government for targeting Muslims and questioned its ability to pass the bill due to a lack of a two-thirds majority in Parliament.
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Dec 04 2024, 5 am ISTeznews.inThe Lok Sabha has passed the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, allowing bank account holders to designate up to four nominees. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who piloted the bill, stated that it aims to enhance depositor convenience with options for successive or simultaneous nominations and to increase the tenure of directors in cooperative banks from eight to ten years. The bill also proposes to redefine 'substantial interest' for directorships to Rs 2 crore and allows banks more discretion in auditor remuneration. While Sitharaman emphasized the bill's role in strengthening banking governance, opposition members, including TMC's Kalyan Banerjee, criticized it as a move towards privatization and raised concerns about cybersecurity and the frequency of KYC updates. The bill was passed amid calls for improved customer experience and governance in the banking sector.
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Dec 04 2024, 3 am ISTeznews.inIn a significant development for Ladakh, the Centre has agreed in principle to reserve 95% of gazetted officers' posts for locals in the Union Territory. Ladakh MP Hanifa Jan expressed optimism, stating that the decision fulfills the community's long-held aspirations for employment opportunities. The implementation details will be discussed in a subsequent meeting scheduled for January 15. Former BJP MP Thupstan Chhewang highlighted that over 400 vacant positions would be filled by local candidates, including tribals. The meeting included representatives from the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, who have been advocating for statehood and greater autonomy under the 6th Schedule. Additionally, the Centre is considering constitutional safeguards to protect Ladakh's land and culture, while also agreeing to declare Urdu and Bhoti as official languages. Discussions regarding separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil have been postponed until after the 2026 Census.
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Dec 04 2024, 2 am ISTeznews.inThe Manipur government is set to resume inter-district bus services with police escorts from Imphal to key hill districts starting Wednesday, following a period of reduced ethnic violence. This marks the second attempt to restore public transport in 19 months, as clashes between the Meitei community and Kuki tribes have resulted in over 258 fatalities and widespread displacement since May 2022. Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi confirmed that the decision follows a review of the law and order situation, ensuring adequate security measures are in place. Buses will operate on fixed schedules from Imphal to Senapati and Churachandpur, with public movement restricted to designated hours. The government urged citizens to cooperate and warned that any disruptions to the service would lead to strict legal action. Previous attempts to restart bus services faced significant obstacles, including protests and barricades.
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Dec 04 2024, 1 am ISTeznews.inChandni Chowk, one of Delhi's oldest and busiest markets, recorded some of the lowest pollution levels in the city earlier this week, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 186 on Monday, which is classified as moderate. This improvement comes as Delhi's overall air quality transitioned from "very poor" to "poor" following a month of severe pollution. The area's status as a non-motorised zone, established by the Delhi transport department in 2021, restricts motor vehicle access, allowing only cycle rickshaws and essential goods vehicles. Experts attribute the enhanced air quality to these traffic curbs, noting that transport emissions account for over half of the city's pollution. While authorities acknowledge the positive impact of these restrictions, they caution that sustained improvement requires ongoing efforts beyond merely limiting vehicular movement. Overall, Delhi's AQI was recorded at 285 on Sunday, 280 on Monday, and 268 on Tuesday, all within the "poor" category.
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Dec 04 2024, 12 am ISTeznews.inIn a shocking incident in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune district, a motorcycle rider was allegedly dragged on the bonnet of an Audi car for over 3 kilometers following an argument. Police reported that 23-year-old Kamlesh Patil, the car's driver, and his two associates, Hemant Mhalaskar (26) and Prathamesh Darade (22), were arrested shortly after the incident on Sunday evening. The victim, Zacheria Mathew, had approached the car after it collided with his motorcycle, seeking an explanation. However, the occupants responded with verbal abuse and physical assault. As Mathew attempted to escape, he fell onto the car's bonnet, leading Patil to accelerate and flee the scene. Authorities have registered a case against the trio under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
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Dec 04 2024, 12 am ISTeznews.inVice President Jagdeep Dhankhar voiced concerns over unfulfilled promises to farmers during a ceremony marking the centenary of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology in New Delhi. Addressing Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Dhankhar questioned the government's failure to meet commitments made to farmers, despite India's rising global stature. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting ongoing farmer protests and their demands for guaranteed compensation and benefits under new laws. Farmers have been demonstrating at border points between Punjab and Haryana since February, with recent protests in Delhi exacerbating traffic disruptions. Dhankhar's remarks reflect his ongoing advocacy for farmers, highlighting their struggles amid India's progress and questioning the effectiveness of current agricultural policies. There has been no response from Chouhan regarding the Vice President's inquiries.
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Dec 03 2024, 9 pm ISTeznews.inUnion Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu has introduced a bill in the Rajya Sabha aimed at replacing the 90-year-old Aircraft Act, following its passage in the Lok Sabha in August. The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024, was prompted by recommendations from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to amend the existing legislation. Mr. Naidu highlighted the aviation sector's potential to boost the economy, noting a significant increase in the number of airports from 74 in 2014 to 157 and a doubling of the aircraft fleet to 813. The new bill aims to clarify the roles of regulatory bodies like the DGCA, define key terms related to aviation maintenance, design, and manufacturing, and establish a robust legal framework to promote foreign investment and compliance with international standards. However, concerns were raised by Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain regarding the bill's Hindi name and the centralization of power within the civil aviation sector.
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Dec 03 2024, 9 pm IST
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