Female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) is lower in households with children under 14, especially in urban areas, and most notably affects women aged 20-35. The Periodic Labour Force Survey analysis highlights rising female LFPR in rural India since 2017-18, with married rural women showing higher participation growth. Government schemes have contributed to this increase.
Union urban affairs minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced that positive news regarding the memorial for former PM Manmohan Singh will emerge within the next two days. Singh's family was expected to visit potential sites at Rajghat, though this remains unconfirmed. This follows the government's recent decision on a site for former President Pranab Mukherjee's memorial.
The Bangladesh interim government has approved the import of 50,000 tonnes of non-basmati parboiled rice from India to fulfill domestic demand. A private Indian company will supply the rice at a cost of $22,942,000, evidencing a consistent trade relationship despite recent diplomatic tensions.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath defends the survey of Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, warning against ignoring historical occupation of Hindu religious sites. He criticizes the Waqf Board, highlights Sanatan Dharma's significance, and urges political opponents to embrace India's spiritual heritage.
Pritish Nandy, renowned poet, editor, film producer, Rajya Sabha member, and animal rights activist, passed away at 73 in Mumbai. Known for his work in poetry, journalism, and film production, Nandy made significant contributions to Indian media, including the corporatisation of Bollywood and advocating for animal rights.
The first JPC meeting on the 'one nation, one election' bills saw opposition MPs call the legislations an attack on constitutional norms, whereas BJP and allies argued for reduced expenditure and administrative load benefits, citing broad public support and historical precedents.
SC directs Centre to implement a scheme by March 14 to ensure cashless treatment for road accident victims during the golden hour, as required under the Motor Vehicles Act. The scheme, aimed at saving lives, must address concerns regarding payment limits and treatment duration.
Citizens face difficulty accessing RTI status reports due to non-functioning OTP feature on the RTI portal, causing delays and complications. The issue remains unresolved despite complaints, with OTPs either not being received or not working, frustrating users seeking transparency as per their legal rights.
The Maldives ensured it will not compromise India’s security amid concerns regarding Chinese vessels, while agreeing to extend the lease of Indian helicopters and a Dornier aircraft. Defence cooperation between the countries accelerated, including the handover of defence equipment and the continuation of the MNDF 'Ekatha Harbour' project.
The Supreme Court is set to decide on the legitimacy of the 2023 law altering the selection panel for chief election commissioner (CEC) and ECs, contrasting Parliament's legislative power with SC’s authority. The court's previous order outlined a panel including the PM, LoP, and CJI, but Parliament replaced the CJI with a Union minister, raising concerns about EC independence.
Following a proposal to temporarily halt the selection of sitting or former judges' lawyer children for high court judges, another SC collegium member suggested they should meet a higher benchmark. This aims to balance merit-based appointments with concerns over the advantages of judicial lineage.
The Supreme Court of India has acknowledged its error in rejecting the juvenility plea of a convict, ordering his immediate release after 25 years in jail. The court recognized the convict was 14 at the time of the crime and highlighted the importance of rehabilitation for juveniles.
A stampede during the distribution of Vaikuntha Dwara Sarva Darshan tokens for Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirupati resulted in six deaths and over 30 injuries. The chaos involved poor crowd management as devotees surged forward. TTD had organized the event, expecting large crowds. Andhra CM Naidu is overseeing the situation.
China expresses sincere appreciation for India and other nations that sent condolences following the deadly Tibet earthquake, which resulted in 126 casualties. India, along with leaders from 22 countries and several international organizations, extended messages of sympathy and support for the victims and their families.
Arvind Kejriwal accuses Congress of secret collaboration with BJP, after Ashok Gehlot calls AAP their main opposition in Delhi elections. Gehlot denies the claims, asserting Congress aims to win. The controversy follows a heated exchange and allegations from both parties, with AAP and Congress locked in a critical rivalry.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Visakhapatnam, launching projects worth Rs 2 lakh crore to boost the development of Andhra Pradesh. The plans include making Andhra Pradesh a $2.5 trillion economy by 2047, setting up a green hydrogen hub, and advancing railway electrification and urban modernization.
Samajwadi Party demanded the Election Commission for webcasting of all polling booths in Milkipur constituency by-elections to ensure free, fair, and transparent voting. This request follows the EC's decision to block public access to CCTV footage, citing voter privacy protection.
A Rajya Sabha MP urges the health minister to enable local production of Risdiplam, a vital drug for spinal muscular atrophy, to reduce costs. Current patents prevent affordable production. Encouraging local manufacturing could make the drug accessible at significantly reduced prices, benefiting thousands of patients in India.
The Bombay High Court granted bail to Rona Wilson and Sudhir Dhawale, accused in the Elgar Parishad Maoist Links case, due to prolonged incarceration and a pending trial. Bail conditions include reporting to the NIA weekly. The case involves inflammatory speeches and alleged Maoist connections.
A 'Mahabharat era' Shivling was found vandalized at Billeshwar Mahadev temple in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh. Awadhesh Kurmi, dealing with depression over his wife's illness, was arrested for the act. This incident has deeply hurt the sentiments of devotees, leading to condemnation from local organizations.
Sharmistha Mukherjee criticized Congress MP Danish Ali for linking a memorial for Pranab Mukherjee to his alleged connection with RSS, calling it ignorant. She emphasized the varied responsibilities Pranab held in Congress, questioning the intelligence of past leaders. BJP accused Congress of disrespecting its leaders, with spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla highlighting Modi's unbiased appreciation of contributions.
An RTI activist has filed a petition claiming that Aligarh's Jama Masjid was built on Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu temples, deeming it illegal. The petition followed responses revealing the mosque was constructed on public land without approval. The case is scheduled for hearing on February 15.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Andhra Pradesh and launched multiple developmental projects worth over Rs 2 lakh crore, including NTPC’s Integrated Green Hydrogen Hub and Krishnapatnam Industrial Hub. These initiatives aim to create significant employment and enhance regional connectivity, marking a major milestone for the state.
Several individuals were injured when an elephant turned violent during the BP Angadi 'Nercha' at Tirur in Malappuram, Kerala. The incident, captured on video, shows the elephant picking up and hurling a man. This occurred during the annual 'Nercha' feast at the Pattambi Mosque, which commemorates a revered Muslim saint and attracts thousands of devotees.
The Supreme Court is set to hear petitions challenging the appointment process of the chief election commissioner and election commissioners on February 4. The case addresses concerns about the exclusion of the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel, which is seen as excessive executive interference.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar defended the amendment to election rules restricting public inspection of CCTV footage at polling booths, emphasizing the need to protect voter privacy and prevent misuse of footage through fake narratives. The new rule limits access to CCTV footage, ensuring voter identities are safeguarded.
The political tension in Delhi escalates as the AAP and BJP clash over accusations regarding the renovation of the Chief Minister's bungalow. AAP leaders tried to inspect the disputed property but were blocked by police, leading to heated exchanges. The BJP condemns the AAP's actions as anarchy, while AAP counters with allegations of baseless claims.