Orders Separate Loos, Free Pads In Schools In 3 Mths

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated a new Electric Receiving Sub Station (RSS) of the Delhi Metro near the Central Vista Project Area, at Park Street on Friday.

The Supreme Court has made significant observations regarding acid attack cases. The court suggested extraordinary punitive measures and questioned why convicted attackers' assets cannot be seized for victim compensation. Shaheen Malik, an acid attack survivor, shared her long struggle for justice. The court urged high courts to expedite trials and sought data from states.

Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Haryana's opposition leader, accused the BJP government of betraying the poor by arbitrarily canceling ration cards and pensions. He stated that over 70,000 ration cards and 500,000 pensions were stopped in six months due to minor errors in Family IDs, with Haryana leading national cancellations.

New India Assurance reported a 28.86% rise in net profit to Rs 826 crore for the December quarter, driven by higher investment income and steady premium growth. Despite one-time wage-related provisions impacting underwriting results, the company's robust investment income and strong premium collections, particularly in health and personal accident, bolstered its financial performance.

Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati has asked UP CM Yogi Adityanath to stop beef exports from the state and declare the cow as ‘Rajya Mata’. He emphasized that such steps would prove the chief minister’s commitment as a “Hindu sympathiser”. The seer further stated that he had staged a sit-in protest for 11 days after the incident but left the Magh Mela ground last Wednesday “with a heavy heart”.

Ajit Pawar's untimely death in a plane crash has reignited talks of reuniting the NCP factions. Sources indicate merger talks were advanced, with Ajit Pawar viewing it as a strategic move for the party's future. His passing may now accelerate this process, with a potential February announcement. Leadership questions arise for the ruling NCP.

Married women, particularly housewives, represent over half of female suicide cases in Delhi, a trend consistent for five years. In 2023, 54% of female suicides were married women, with housewives comprising 44%. This highlights significant marital and economic pressures impacting women's mental well-being in the capital.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will convene a legislature party meeting on January 31 to name Sunetra Pawar, wife of late deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, as its leader. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has indicated no objection to Sunetra Pawar taking oath as deputy chief minister as early as Saturday, pending the formal decision.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has accused Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of misusing the Supreme Court's name to justify his «Miya Muslims» remarks. Gogoi labelled Sarma's claims as a «blatant lie,» asserting the chief minister falsely attributed words to the apex court. He urged the Supreme Court to take cognisance of these remarks.

Union home minister Amit Shah accused the Congress of altering Assam's demography, claiming infiltrator numbers rose significantly during their rule. He urged voters to elect the BJP for a third term to combat infiltration and protect the state's identity, highlighting the Mising community's role in this effort.

BJP storngly condemned former Vice President Hamid Ansari for his remarks who called Mahmud Ghazni as an Indian. In a social media post, BJP spokesperson C Kesavan said that the remarks were “shocking” and recalled that Ansari had been the Congress-led UPA’s choice for Vice President twice. Shehzad Poonawala, also attacked the Congress party.

Senior NCP leader Praful Patel stated there is no opposition to Sunetra Pawar succeeding her late husband Ajit Pawar as the leader of the NCP legislature party. The party prioritizes filling the Maharashtra deputy chief minister and legislature party leader posts. Patel mentioned discussions with the family for approval.

Directors of 20 AIIMS institutions have signed an MoU to establish a Pan-India collaborative research consortium. This initiative aims to strengthen biomedical and clinical research by pooling expertise, infrastructure, and patient data for joint projects and multicentric studies. The consortium will focus on national health priorities, including AI in healthcare and affordable therapies.

DMK MP Kanimozhi has voiced strong opposition to the prominent use of Hindi on a Chennai railway station signboard, calling it an «imposition.» This move by the BJP-led Centre reignites the long-standing language dispute between the ruling party and the Tamil Nadu government, with language politics expected to be a key factor in upcoming assembly elections.

India is piloting a digital food currency, a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), for its free ration scheme in select regions. Beneficiaries will receive digital food coupons in an RBI-enabled wallet, redeemable at ration shops by scanning QR codes. This aims to enhance transparency and prevent leakage in the food security program.

The government has declared coking coal a critical mineral. This move aims to boost exploration and mining activities. India imports most of its coking coal despite having large domestic reserves. This reform seeks to reduce import dependence. It will strengthen the steel sector's supply chain. The policy also encourages private investment and advanced mining technologies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened with Indian AI start-ups and industry leaders, emphasizing ethical AI use, data security, and indigenous solutions. He highlighted India's digital prowess, citing UPI as an example, and urged the creation of a transparent, impartial, and secure AI ecosystem.

The Beating Retreat ceremony will formally conclude Republic Day celebrations today. This event showcases India's military heritage and the armed forces' dedication. Bands from the Army, Navy, and Air Force will perform at Vijay Chowk. Traffic restrictions are in place in central Delhi to ensure the ceremony proceeds smoothly. Commuters are advised to use alternative routes.