Evening News

THE HEADLINES:

• Government increases MSP of Milling and Ball Copra for 2025 season to ensure better returns to farmers.

• India and China reaffirm their commitment to explore fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework for settlement of boundary issue.

• Defence Ministry to procure modernised artillery guns worth over 7 thousand crore rupees for the Army.

• Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijjiu expresses concern over low productivity of both Houses during winter session.

• Death toll rises to 11 in Jaipur gas tanker fire accident.

• And in T20 Cricket, India enter final of under-19 Women Asia Cup defeating Sri Lanka at Kualalumpur.

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The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved Minimum Support Price for Copra for 2025 season. Briefing media in New Delhi this evening, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, the NDA government has taken a series of decisions for the welfare of farmers. He said this reflects the NDA government's commitment towards improving the lives of farmers. MSP for Fair Average Quality of milling copra has been fixed at 11 thousand 582 rupees per quintal and for ball copra at 12 thousand 100 rupees per quintal.

The financial implication for this decision would be 855 crore rupees. NAFED and NCCF will be the central nodal agencies for Copra. Mr Vaishnaw said that the state governments will have a big role in it, so this procurement will be done with the cooperation of the state government corporations.

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The External Affairs Ministry today said India and China have reaffirmed their commitment to explore a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework for the settlement of the boundary question in accordance with the political parameters and guiding principles agreed in 2005. Briefing media in New Delhi this afternoon, Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, Special Representatives of India and China met on the 18th of this month. He said apart from discussing the framework for settlement of the boundary question, the Special Representatives also reviewed issues of peaceful border management comprehensively.

Replying to a query, the spokesperson said, India supports a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh. He said, New Delhi has reiterated its willingness to build a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh based on mutual trust, respect and mutual senstivity to each others concerns and interests.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a two day visit to Kuwait tomorrow at the invitation of Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. During the visit, the Prime Minister will hold discussions with the leadership of Kuwait. The Prime Minister will also interact with the Indian community in Kuwait. Addressing media in New Delhi this evening, Secretary in External Affair Ministry Arun Kumar Chatterjee said, this will be the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Kuwait in 43 years.

Prime Minister Modi will be accorded a ceremonial guard of honour at the Bayan Palace following which he will be holding separate meetings with the Emir of Kuwait and the crown Prince of Kuwait. There will be delegation-level talks with the Prime Minister of Kuwait as well. He will also attend the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup as a special guest of the Emir of Kuwait. India ranks among Kuwait's top trading partners with bilateral trade between the two countries at more than 10 billion dollars during 2023-24. Kuwait also remains a reliable energy partner for India.

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The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract worth 7 thousand 6 hundred and 29 crore rupees for procurement of K9 VAJRA-T Self-Propelled Tracked Artillery Guns for the Indian Army. The contract was signed by senior officials of the Ministry and representatives of Larsen and Toubro Limited in presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi today. The Ministry of Defence in a statement said the procurement of K9 VAJRA-T will catalyse the artillery modernisation and enhance overall operational readiness of the Indian Army.

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President Droupadi Murmu today said the country is giving high priority to the emerging technologies in Indian defence systems, for enhancing the efficiency and global competitiveness.

The President made these remarks while awarding President’s Colours to the College of Defence Management (CDM), Secunderabad today. The President emphasized the need to be adaptive towards absorption of emerging and disruptive technologies and lauded the role that CDM is playing in preparing the future strategic leadership towards imbibing the same. She also urged the defence forces to contribute towards the Self Reliance and Atmanirbharta initiative. The President also released the ‘Special Day Cover’ and a commemorative medallion on the occasion.

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The 72nd Plenary of the North East Council (NEC) will be chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Agartala tomorrow .

Talking to reporters, in Agartala, Union Minister for Development of North East, Jyotiraditya Scindia said that in days to come the North East Region will see a rise and fast paced development. He said elaborate discussion will be held on the NEC's work in the past one year and to fulfill the aspirations of the states of the region.

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The Winter Session of Parliament came to an end today as both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha adjourned sine die. Amid din, the two bills related to One Nation One Election were referred to the Joint Committee of Parliament. The Committee will submit its report to the House by the first day of the last week of the next Parliament session.

"The Winter session of Parliament concluded today amid protests and pandemonium. The Adani issue raised by the Opposition and US billionaire George Soros' alleged link with the Congress resonated since the House met on 25th of last month. Multiple adjournments marred the proceedings of both the houses. A statement by Home Minister Amit Shah on Opposition members regarding Dr Ambedkar led to protests outside the House. Two BJP members were injured at the venue of the protest. Stalemate continued between the ruling and the Opposition members on issues, including a no confidence motion against Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar. However, during the session, four bills were passed by Lok Sabha and three were passed by Rajya Sabha. The Bharatiya Vayuyaan Vidheyak 2024 was passed by both the houses. As part of the year-long celebration of the 75th anniversary of adoption of the constitution, a special discussion was held in both the houses. With Dipendra Kumar, Sumit Saha, Akashvani News Delhi."

Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha has registered over 54 percent productivity and the Rajya Sabha 40 percent during the Winter Session of Parliament. Briefing media after the conclusion of the session in New Delhi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, said the productivity of the two Houses were low and everyone should think about it. The Minister also condemned yesterday's incident in Parliament House in which two BJP MPs were injured.

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The government today informed the Lok Sabha that Department of Fertilizers has ensured adequate availability of fertilizers across the country during Kharif 2024 as well as ongoing Rabi season 2024-25. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Jagat Prakash Nadda said movement of all major subsidized fertilizers throughout the country is monitored by an on-line web based monitoring system called integrated Fertilizer Monitoring System.

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The External Affairs Ministry has said that the Government has taken serious note of the incidents related to the cases of violence against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh and shared its concerns with the Government of that country. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh today said India’s expectation is that the Government of Bangladesh will take all necessary measures to ensure safety and welfare of Hindus and other minorities.

As per available data from minority and human rights organisations, a total of 2 thousand and 549 cases of violence have been reported in Bangladesh during 2022 to the 8th of December, 2024.

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In Rajasthan, the death toll has risen to 11 in the gas tanker fire accident on Jaipur-Ajmer highway. Twenty nine people have been injured in the incident which took place at around 6 this morning when a gas tanker collided with a truck near the ring road on Ajmer Highway, triggering a massive fire engulfing several vehicles nearby. The incident left a devastating trail of destruction as a total of 40 vehicles were destroyed including 29 trucks and 2 sleeper buses. Five people died on the spot due to burn injuries, while six others are reported to have died during treatment.

"Fourteen people are being treated for injuries at Sawai Mansingh Hospital, with several in critical condition. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and offered support from the central government. The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Meanwhile, the state government also announced financial assistance for the families of the deceased and the injured. Industry Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore and Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani visited the hospital to inquire about the injured. Jaikishen Sharma, Akashvani News, Jaipur.

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Domestic benchmark indices, Sensex and the Nifty declined almost 1.5 percent today, after the US Fed signalled the pace of rate cuts could be slower going ahead.

"At close, 30-share BSE Sensex slipped 1,176 points to end at 78,041 and the NSE Nifty 50 dropped 364 points to end at 23,587.
In the Forex market, rupee saw some recovery from its all-time low level and appreciated 10 paise to close at 85.03 against the US dollar following softening of the US dollar index.
In the Indian Bullion Market, 24 Karat Gold was trading up at 75,840 rupees for 10 Grams when the reports last came in.
Brent Crude was trading down at 72 dollars and 57 cents per barrel according to the latest reports. Anubha Rohatgi for Akashvani News. "

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In Women's Cricket, India have entered the final of the inaugural U-19 Women's Asia Cup defeating Sri Lanka in the Super 4 match at Kualalumpur in Malaysia today. The women in blue, led by Niki Prasad, defeated Sri Lanka by 4 wickets in the Super 4 match today. India chased down the target of 99 runs in just 14.5 overs for the loss of six wickets.

India will take on Bangladesh in the final on Sunday.

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The India Meteorological Department has forecast cold wave to severe cold wave conditions over Jammu-Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh during the next 7 days.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.

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