THE HEADLINES :
- Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta presents 1 Lakh Crore rupee budget for 2025-26; Allocates 5,100 crore rupees for Mahila Samridhi Yojana, over 2 thousand Crore for Ayushman Yojana and more than 3,800 Crore for Road infrastructure.
- Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar to meet floor leaders this afternoon over alleged recovery of cash at Delhi High Court judge's residence.
- Three Maoists killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district.
- In Football, India to take on Bangladesh in a qualifier match of AFC Asian Cup 2027 in Shillong.
- In IPL Cricket, Gujarat Titans to lock horns with Punjab Kings at Ahmedabad this evening.
<><><><><><>
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta today presented her Government's budget for the financial year 2025-26 in the Assembly. This is the first budget of the newly formed BJP led Government. Ms Gupta, who also holds the finance portfolio, said one lakh crore rupee budget outlay focuses on development and growth of every sector. Calling her budget historic, the Chief Minister said, this is not just an account or ledger, this is budget of transformation from bad economy to Viksit Delhi.
"The Chief Minister announced the capital expenditure of over 28 thousand crore rupees has been allocated in the budget which is almost double from the previous budget. Delhi government's flagship scheme, Mahila Samriddhi Yojana also got an allocation of 51 hundred crore rupees in the budget."
"The Delhi Chief Minister said, 3843 crore Rs are allocated for road and bridge infrastructure. 696 crore rs for basic facilities in slums and JJ colonies. She said, along with the five lakh from the Center, the Delhi government will give a top-up of five lakh to the people of Delhi under Ayushman Yojana and 2144 crore rupees are being allocated for this."
<><><><><><>
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar has called a meeting with the floor leaders of the House this afternoon on the issue of recovery of cash from the residence of Delhi High Court Justice Yashwant Varma. Terming this a serious issue, the Chairman said, this issue concerns sovereignty, supremacy and relevance of Parliament. He lauded the Chief Justice for taking prompt action in this matter. During the Zero Hour, he expressed confidence that a fruitful discussion will be held to find a way out.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has welcomed the decision of the Chairman. Yesterday, Mr. Dhankhar had a meeting with Leader of the House J P Nadda and Mr. Kharge over the issue.
<><><><><><>
Meanwhile, Congress MP Manish Tewari has demanded a statement by the Union Law Minister in the Lok Sabha on the issue of cash recovery from the residence of Delhi High Court Justice Yashwant Varma. Talking to media outside Parliament, Mr Tewari said, the entire judicial and legal fraternity, and citizens across the country are extremely concerned about the incident.
<><><><><><>
In the Parliament today, the Lok Sabha witnessed protests and adjournments over the alleged non-release of funds related to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA).
<><><><><><>
The tenure of the Joint Committee of Parliament on ‘One Nation, One Election’ has been extended upto the first day of last week of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. A motion in this regard was moved by the Chairman of the Committee PP Chaudhary in the Lok Sabha today which has been approved by the house.
<><><><><><>
"Three Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district today. According to reports, a joint team of security forces launched an anti-Naxal operation in the forested area along the border of Bijapur and Dantewada districts."
Dantewada SP, Gaurav Rai told media that after information about presence of Maoists the operation was planned.
<><><><><><>
In Jammu and Kashmir a massive search operation to track down a group of infiltrating terrorists continued for the third day in a forested area in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district today. The operation, led by DGP, Nalin Prabhat, was launched on Sunday evening in the Saryal village of Hiranagar sector following an encounter between security forces and terrorists hiding in a nursery.
<><><><><><>
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that separatism in Jammu and Kashmir is now history, citing two Hurriyat-linked organizations severing ties with separatist activities. Calling it a major step toward national unity, he credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for bringing about this change.
<><><><><><>
Stand-up Comedian Kunal Kamra has refused to apologise amid the ongoing controversy over his jokes on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. In his first statement on the matter, Kamra also condemned the vandalism of venue in Mumbai where his show was recorded.
Kamra sparked a major political controversy in Maharashtra after taking a jibe at Shinde’s political career by modifying the lyrics at the a popular Hindi movie song during his show.
The Mumbai police has registered an FIR against him on the complaint of Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel. On the other hand, Khar police in western Mumbai detained the Shiv Sena leaders Rahul Kanal and Shrikant Sarmalkar, along with others, for vandalising the venue where the comedy show was held.
<><><><><><>
A delegation of officials from the United States will visit India today for trade talks with a Indian officials. The visit comes against the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to impose reciprocal tariffs on various countries, including India. This visit by the U.S. trade officials is significant as these tariffs are expected from April 2, raising concerns among the Indian exporters.
<><><><><><>
India has condemned Pakistan for its “repeated references” to the region during a United Nations debate on peacekeeping reforms.
Speaking at the UN Security Council, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish said, India is compelled to note that the delegate of Pakistan has yet again resorted to unwarranted remarks on the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
India’s Permanent Representative also condemned Pakistan for attempting to “divert attention” from core discussions on peacekeeping.
<><><><><><>
India and Singapore today signed a Letter of Intent for Green and Digital Shipping Corridor in Singapore, with a focus on digitalisation and decarbonisation.
Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and Ministry of Ports and Shipping in a joint release said, the Corridor will enhance collaboration from both countries and help accelerate the development and uptake of zero or near-zero Green House Gas emission technologies and the adoption of digital solutions.
<><><><><><>
In Football, the Indian National team will take on Bangladesh in the crucial third-round match of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers in Shillong this evening. The match will begin at 7 PM. India is placed in Group C of the final round of the Qualifiers, alongside Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangladesh.
<><><><><><>
In IPL Cricket, today, Gujarat Titans will lock horns with Punjab Kings at Ahmedabad from 7:30 PM.
<><><><><><>
THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN :
- Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta presents 1 Lakh Crore rupee budget for 2025-26; Allocates 5,100 crore rupees for Mahila Samridhi Yojana, over 2 thousand Crore for Ayushman Yojana and more than 3,800 Crore for Road infrastructure.
- Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar to meet floor leaders this afternoon over alleged recovery of cash at Delhi High Court judge's residence.
- Three Maoists killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district.
- In Football, India to take on Bangladesh in a qualifier match of AFC Asian Cup 2027 in Shillong.
- In IPL Cricket, Gujarat Titans to lock horns with Punjab Kings at Ahmedabad this evening.
<><><><><><>