We live in uncertain times and no one knows this better than the Chief Secretaries of States. As a country, we face a whole range of challenges in diverse areas. In my message to the nation on the eve of the New Year, I had grouped these challenges into five broad categories.

Manmohan Singh: 'We are framing a law for regulation of public procurement'

Business Standard

I believe our government has given considerable attention to agriculture in the last seven and a half years or so. We have been able to channel nearly Rs 4.75 lakh crore of bank credit into agriculture and allied sectors. Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for key agricultural commodities have been significantly enhanced. Indeed, they have been enhanced as never before.

'Agricultural marketing reforms are significant'

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the Centre and the Chhattisgarh government were committed to eradicate the menace of Naxalism from the state before March 31, 2026.
When Chhattisgarh becomes free of Naxalism, the entire country will get rid of the menace, Shah said addressing the President's Police Colour Award function at the Police Parade Ground in Raipur.
The Chhattisgarh police have made a significant achievement in the fight against Naxalism in the last one year, he said.
Shah also hailed the Chhattisgarh government's rehabilitation policy for Naxalites and appealed to them to quit violence and join the mainstream.
"The state leadership, the chief minister, the home minister of the state have taken a pledge and the Government of India is also committed to your pledge. Together, we will completely eradicate Naxalism from Chhattisgarh before March 31, 2026. We all are committed to free Chhattisgarh from the clutches of Naxalism before March 31, 2026.," he said.
When

Amit Shah, Home Minister

You have come at a time when the growth-inflation dynamics is changing and the rupee is under pressure

Sanjay Malhotra

Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra on Sunday said there is no room for factional politics in the party, and organising meetings was unacceptable.
He urged party leaders holding any such meetings and conferences to immediately stop their activities.
Pointing out at the media reports about preparations for a show of strength event being organised by a section of party leaders in his favour, Vijayendra said, "There are no factions in the BJP and everyone in the organisation is a staunch party worker."
"I urge all our former legislators and party leaders who have gathered in Davangere that already our conducts have created a lot of confusion among party workers and supporters in the state. By organising such events no one should give room for more confusion," he told reporters here.
"I'm making it clear that no such convention or event is before us. No one should pay heed to such things. Through the media I want to tell our former legislators and party leaders that no such events o

B Y Vijayendra

BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday attacked the Congress and the Samajwadi Party, saying they should not speak on reservations as they colluded in opposing legislation giving quota in promotions to Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) when the Congress-led UPA was in power.
Addressing a press conference, she also backed the Centre's bills on 'one nation- one election', stressing it will reduce expenses and ensure public welfare works continue uninterrupted. She urged other parties to also support the measure.
Mayawati demanded that reservations for SC, ST and OBC be included in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution to prevent any tampering. Central and state laws listed in the Ninth Schedule are exempt from judicial review.
During the discussion on the Constitution in Lok Sabha, the ruling side and the opposition, especially the Congress and the Samajwadi Party, to woo Dalit and OBC voters, have said a lot of "baseless" things about reservation issue in which there is "not eve

Mayawati

The confidence to extend credit offerings stems from the firm's growth in the larger UPI landscape

Super.money fintech firm upi flipkart

The Bengaluru police arrested Nikita Singhania from Gurugram while her mother and brother were arrested from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh

Nikita Singhania arrest

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday proposed 11 resolutions which include upholding existing reservations for marginalised sections but  strongly opposing any religion-based quota.
Replying to a two-day debate in Lok Sabha on the 'Glorious Journey of 75 Years of  the Constitution of India', Modi said the Constituent Assembly had decided against religion-based reservations after a thorough discussion, and alleged the Congress is now promising it to appease its vote bank.
The 11 resolutions proposed by Modi towards the end of his over 110-minute speech also included a call for an end to dynastic politics, promoting meritocracy over nepotism in governance and a pledge for having zero tolerance to corruption.
The prime minister said these resolutions are aimed at shaping India's future.
But Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav termed the 11 resolutions "hollow and fake promises."
"Today, we heard resolution of 11 'jumlas'. Doubling the .

Modi, Narendra Modi

India's import of Russian crude oil dropped in November to its lowest level since June 2022 but the Kremlin continues to be the biggest source of oil for India, according to a monthly tracker report of a European think tank.
India became the second biggest buyer of Russian crude oil since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022, with purchases rising from less than one per cent of the total oil imported to almost 40 per cent of the country's total oil purchases.
The rise was primarily because the Russian crude oil was available at a discount to other internationally traded oil due to the price cap and the European nations shunning purchases from Moscow.
"India's imports of Russian crude oil dropped by a massive 55 per cent in November - the lowest figure since June 2022," the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) said its latest report.
Russia remained India's top oil supplier, followed by Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
"China has bought 47 per cent of Russia's crude exports,

Russia’s state-owned oil firm Rosneft has agreed to supply up to 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil to Indian upstream oil and gas major Reliance Industries (RIL) in the largest-ever energy deal between the two countries, Reuters reported on

Russia's state-owned oil firm Rosneft has agreed to supply up to 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil to Indian upstream oil and gas major Reliance Industries (RIL) in the largest-ever energy deal between the two countries, Reuters reported on

Five of the 10 most valued firms added Rs 1,13,117.17 crore to their total market valuation last week with Bharti Airtel stealing the show.
While Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), HDFC Bank, Bharti Airtel, ICICI Bank and Infosys were the gainers, Reliance Industries, State Bank of India, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), ITC and Hindustan Unilever took a hit in their valuations.
Last week, the BSE benchmark gained 623.07 points or 0.76 per cent and the Nifty advanced 90.5 points or 0.36 per cent.
The market valuation of Bharti Airtel surged by Rs 47,836.6 crore to Rs 9,57,842.40 crore.
Infosys added Rs 31,826.97 crore to its valuation at Rs 8,30,387.10 crore.
HDFC Bank's valuation rose by Rs 11,887.78 crore to Rs 14,31,158.06 crore and that of ICICI Bank increased by Rs 11,760.8 crore to Rs 9,49,306.37 crore.
The market capitalisation (mcap) of TCS climbed Rs 9,805.02 crore to Rs 16,18,587.63 crore.
However, the mcap of Reliance Industries declined by Rs 52,031.98 crore 

Airtel

The US Fed interest rate decision, inflation data and FIIs are the key factors that are expected to drive stock markets this week,  analysts said.
Also, global trends will also be tracked by investors for further cues, they added.
"The Indian stock market's future trajectory will be influenced by a blend of global and domestic factors. Global trends, particularly the performance of US markets and the Fed's monetary policy decision, will play a significant role. Additionally, domestic economic indicators like inflation, will shape the market sentiment," Pravesh Gour, Senior Technical Analyst, Swastika Investmart Ltd, said.
The flow of foreign and domestic institutional investments will also be a key driver, he said.
Gour further said the rupee's exchange rate and crude oil prices will be critical determinants of market direction.
From the domestic macroeconomic data announcement, WPI inflation will be in focus on Monday.
"The key focus will be on the US Federal Reserve meeting, wh

Market, Stock market, NSE, National Stock Exchange

"Green shoots" are visible on the consumption front as food inflation has started receding, newly appointed FICCI President Harsha V Agarwal said.
Food inflation is expected to come down to its normal level in the next two quarters, Agarwal said, adding that he is hopeful for a revival in consumption growth, aided by a good crop and increased spending by the government on the big-ticket infra projects and rural schemes in the December quarter.
Government spending in the right areas -- like increase in capex and ramping up infrastructure, rather than focusing on revenue expenditure -- is helping the overall economy, he said.
"We are seeing some green shoots where we believe food inflation is coming down... it has to come back to normal. It might take maybe one quarter or so. But we are seeing situations where it is improving, and hence we are hopeful that consumption should increase," Agarwal told PTI.
Government spending in the September quarter was low due to the general elections

Low inflation blues may taper off in the second half of FY18

food inflation

Named 'Firefly Sparkle,' this galaxy is distinguished by its low mass, offering a rare glimpse into early galaxy formation

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has made a groundbreaking discovery, identifying a galaxy that existed just 600 million years after the Big Bang. (Photo/NASA)

James Webb discovery

89% of participants test positive for microplastics; links to clotting and inflammation identified

plastics

From immediate to regular to deferred pension, check out your best options

Retirement Plan, Retirement, Pension

He used to be the cynosure of all eyes at training sessions during his captaincy days and Virat Kohli was once again the centre of attention as he addressed his teammates here on Thursday.
After the demoralising 10-wicket defeat in the Adelaide day/night game, the visitors needed a bit of inspiration going into the crucial third Test of the series, and the youngsters in the side couldn't have got a better mentor than 'King' Kohli himself to guide them with his words of wisdom.
The team huddles before the start of the training session has been a constant feature for years now and Kohli used to do a lot of talking during his days in charge.
He did take a back seat once he left captaincy but with skipper Rohit also under immense pressure after four straight defeats, the senior-most player (in terms of Test debut) had to take the initiative ahead of the match starting here on Saturday.
With vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah by his side, Kohli was seen speaking animatedly to the group and ...

Virat Kohli

At just 18 years old, Gukesh's triumph marks a historic milestone in chess, making him the youngest player to ever claim the World Chess Championship title.

Manmohan Singh

Manmohan Singh

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Manmohan Singh: 'We are framing a law for regulation of public procurement'

'Agricultural marketing reforms are significant'

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Govt committed to end Naxalism in Chhattisgarh by March 2026: Amit Shah

An open letter to the RBI Governor: On growth, inflation, rupee challenges

No room for factional politics in party: Karnataka BJP chief Vijayendra

Mayawati asks parties to back ONOE bills; slams SP, Cong on reservation

Flipkart-backed super.money plans credit, wealth push following UPI success

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Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash's wife, in-laws arrested in suicide case

Zero corruption, no to religion-based quota: PM outlines 11 resolutions

India's import of Russian oil drops in Nov to lowest level since June 2022

Mcap of 5 of top-10 most valued firms climb to Rs 1.13 trn; Airtel shines

Mkts to be guided by US Fed rate decision, WPI inflation, trends: Analysts