Government is likely to extend the term of RBI's governor Shaktikanta Das for a second time, an unprecedented move that would make him the longest serving chief since the 1960s. Das was one of the most trusted bureaucrats in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration before he was appointed to lead the Reserve Bank of India in December 2018, at a time when the relationship between the government and the regulator was tumultuous.
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that banks should focus on core business and misselling insurance with loans indirectly increases cost of borrowing. ''Cost of borrowing is 'very stressful' and bank interest rates will have to be far more affordable,'' she said. She further said that government is fully aware of domestic and global challenges, and there is no cause for any undue concerns.
SC on Monday questioned Delhi govt over delay in implementation of stage 4 of GRAP in national capital despite alarming rise in pollution. The court also asked the Delhi govt about steps taken to curb rising pollution level in national capital. The court said that it will not allow scaling down of preventive measures under stage 4 of GRAP even if AQI goes below 450.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has convened a meeting with ministers and MLAs of the ruling NDA here at 6 pm to review the "developing law and order situation in the state", officials said. The development comes amid the National People's Party (NPP), which has seven MLAs in the 60-member Manipur Assembly, withdrawing support from the BJP-led government, claiming that the N Biren Singh dispensation has "completely failed to resolve the crisis and restore normalcy" in the northeastern state.
Former Delhi Minister and AAP leader Kailash Gahlot joins BJP, in the presence of Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and other BJP leaders today. This comes a day after he resigned from AAP.
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi said north India is facing a medical emergency due to hazardous air quality caused by stubble burning. Atishi said the BJP-led central government has been doing politics over the issue of pollution but has taken no step to check stubble burning in states like Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, all ruled by the saffron party. Lauding the AAP-ruled Punjab, she said it is the only state where the cases of stubble burning have come down significantly. In BJP-ruled states, they have gone up, she claimed. Atishi said due to Delhi's worsening air quality, the elderly are being hospitalised and children need inhalers and steroids to breathe.
Supreme Court questions authorities why there was a delay of 3 days in imposing Grap 3 in Delhi NCR. Supreme Court says it is proposing to pass an order that authorities will not go below Grap stage 4 without court’s permission even if Air Quality Index (AQI) goes below 300. Delhi government tells Supreme Court that Grap-4 is imposed from today. Supreme Court passes over the matter and will take it up again at the end of the board today.
A protestor was killed in firing during a clash between security forces and a mob that was vandalising properties in Manipur's Jiribam district, police said. Police confirmed that one person was killed in firing but said it was not immediately clear who opened fire, while eyewitnesses claimed the firing came from the direction of the security forces. The incident took place late on Sunday night when agitators were vandalising properties at Babupara in Jiribam police station area to protest the killing of women and children abducted by militants.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will hold a key meeting today to review the security situation in Manipur and is expected to chalk out a strategy to handle the "volatile" situation in the northeastern state. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, among other top officials, are expected to attend the meeting, they said. The situation in Manipur, which has been reeling from ethnic strife since May last year, has been volatile following protests and violence after the recovery of bodies of women and children.
The air quality worsened in Delhi on Monday morning and a thick blanket of smog engulfed several parts. The air quality level plunged to 'severe plus' levels. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the Air Quality Index was 483 in the national capital. A toxic foam was seen floating on the Yamuna River in Kalindi Kunj, as residents complained of difficulty in breathing and irritation in the eyes. Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) issued a notice, "Low visibility procedures are in progress at Delhi Airport. All flight operations are presently normal. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro on Monday on the second leg of his three-nation visit to attend the 19th edition of the G20 Leaders' Summit. PM Modi was received by Indian delegates led by Indian Ambassador to Brazil Suresh Reddy. The Prime Minister also shared pictures of his welcome at the airport. The Indian diaspora was buzzing with excitement to greet PM Modi. They could be seen waving Indian flags and pictures of the Prime Minister. PM Modi arrived in Brazil after concluding his first leg visit to Nigeria where he held fruitful discussions with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, focusing on strengthening their partnership in sectors like defence, technology, health, and education.
IndiGo Airlines issued a travel advisory for passengers owing to fog conditions in the national capital. In a post on X, the airlines recommended passengers to allow extra travel time and check flight status before starting their journey. "Fog is currently affecting visibility in Delhi, which may result in slow-moving traffic and delays in flight schedules. We recommend allowing extra travel time and checking flight status before starting your journey. Safe travels!" the post mentioned.
US President Joe Biden has authorised Ukraine to use American-supplied long-range missiles to strike deeper inside Russia, easing limitations on the weapons as Russia deploys thousands of North Korean troops to reinforce its war, according to a US official and three people familiar with the matter. The decision allowing Kyiv to use the Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMs, for attacks farther inside Russia comes as President Vladimir Putin positions North Korean troops along Ukraine's northern border to try to reclaim hundreds of miles of territory seized by Ukrainian forces.
 "UPDATES: RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das' tenure likely to be extended further")
