NEW DELHI: The Centre is set to replace the two-decade-old national rural employment scheme – MGNREGA – with a new legislative framework titled the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025. In response to the change, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi slammed the government questioning the intentions behind removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name.The Bill, aimed at aligning rural livelihoods with the government’s long-term development vision, has been listed for introduction in the Lok Sabha, according to the supplementary list of business issued on Monday.

The proposed legislation seeks to dismantle MGNREGA, enacted in 2005, and establish a new statutory regime for rural employment.Priyanka Gandhi criticises the movePriyanka Gandhi questioned the government’s intent behind renaming the scheme, asking whether such a move was necessary in the first place. Speaking to the reporters outside the Parliament complex, she said, “Why is Mahatma Gandhi’s name being removed. Mahatma Gandhi is considered the tallest leader not just in the country but in the world, so removing his name, I really don’t understand. What is the objective? What is their intention?”She further went on to argue, “Whenever the name of a scheme is changed, there are so many changes that have to be made in offices, stationery, for which money is spent. So, what is the benefit? Why is it being done?”Priyanka Gandhi added that the move was wasteful in terms of both money and time, and said the Centre was effectively disrupting its own work by squandering valuable debate time. “Even when we are debating, it is on other issues, not the real issues of the people. Time is being wasted, money is being wasted, they are disrupting themselves,” Priyanka Gandhi added.Last week, when reports surfaced about the government renaming the scheme to ‘Poojya Bapu Grameen Rozgar Yojana,’ Gandhi had said the exercise would be a waste of government resources and questioned what benefit the process would serve. “I can’t understand what mentality is behind this. First, this is Mahatma Gandhi’s name, and when it is changed, the government’s resources are spent on it again,” Priyanka Gandhi argued, “From offices to stationery, everything has to be renamed, so this is a big, costly process. So what’s the benefit of doing this unnecessarily? I can’t understand.”What changes?The government would guarantee 125 days of wage employment every financial year to each rural household whose adult members are willing to undertake unskilled manual work. This is an upgrade from the minimum 100 days of wage employment.The bill positions itself as part of a broader “rural development framework aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047”The goal of MGNREGA framed the programme to “enhance the livelihood security”While the MGNREGA focused on the goal to “enhance the livelihood security”, the new bill says it aims to promote “empowerment, growth, convergence and saturation for a prosperous and resilient rural Bharat”, and lays emphasis on “empowerment, growth, convergence and saturation through public works aggregating into forming Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack”.In the statement of objects and reasons, rural development minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan acknowledged the role played by MGNREGA over the last 20 years in providing assured wage employment to rural households. However, the new legislation signals a reimagining of rural employment policy as the government seeks to transition from an entitlement-based safety net to what it describes as a future-oriented development mission.The VB-G RAM G Bill would mark the end of one of India’s most expansive social welfare programmes and the beginning of a new chapter in rural employment policy, potentially reshaping how the state supports livelihoods in the countryside.

NEW DELHI: Countries like UK, Canada and Singapore on Monday issue travel advisory cautioning its citizens against the deteriorating air quality index in Northern India.This comes as the Delhi continued to experience hazardous air conditions, with Anand Vihar recording an AQI of 493, placing it in the ‘Severe’ category.

Singapore High Commission in New Delhi has issued an advisory asking its citizens to monitor their flight status as many flights were cancelled dense smog engulfed major cities of north India.“In light of the Indian Central Pollution Control Board invoking Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan, the Singapore High Commission has issued the following advisory for Singapore nationals in the Delhi NCR,” a statement from the High Commission read.Earlier, United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said that pregnant women, people with heart or respiratory condition should consult a doctor before travelling to India.“Severe air pollution is a major health hazard, especially during the winter months from October to February. North Indian cities are most affected by extremely high levels of pollution,” the advisory reads.“Children, the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions may be especially affected. If you’re pregnant or have a respiratory or heart condition you may wish to consult a medical practitioner before you travel,” it added.Canada also issue a similar advisory and asked travelers to monitor air quality regularly, especially if someone is suffering from respiratory ailments “Smoke haze and other types of air pollution can be extremely hazardous in urban areas and cities such as Delhi. It’s typically at its worst in winter. In rural areas, air quality can be affected by agricultural burning,” it said.“Dust storms also occur across northern India. Monitor air pollution levels, which change quickly, especially if you suffer from respiratory ailments or have pre-existing medical conditions,” it added.Visibility in Delhi was severely affected on Monday morning as a thick layer of smog and fog enveloped the city, reducing visibility and disrupting air traffic operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport. The weather conditions led to concerns over delays and rescheduling of flights, particularly during early morning hours.The air quality was ‘severe’ at 38 stations while it was ‘very poor’ at two stations. Jahangirpuri, which recorded an AQI of 498, recorded the worst air quality amongst all 40 stations.According to the Central Pollution Control Board, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 ‘severe’.The AQI in Delhi had climbed to 461 on Sunday and marked the city’s most polluted day this winter and the second-worst December air quality day on record, as weak winds and low temperatures trapped pollutants close to the surface.The air quality monitoring station at Wazirpur recorded the maximum possible Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 500 during the day, beyond which the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) does not register data.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday departed from Delhi on a three-nation tour to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman, nations with which India shares “age-old civilizational ties” and strong bilateral relations.The visit to Jordan coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, a milestone expected to strengthen bilateral engagement further.“I am embarking on a three-nation visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Sultanate of Oman, three nations with which India shares both age-old civilizational ties, as well as extensive contemporary bilateral relations,” the prime minister said before his departure, as cited by PTI.

What is PM Modi’s itinerary?

PM Modi will be in Jordan from December 15 to 16 at the invitation of King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, during which he will hold talks to review the full range of India-Jordan relations and discuss regional developments.He is also set to meet the Indian diaspora in the country. “First, I will be visiting Jordan, on the invitation of His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein. This historic visit will mark 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries,” the prime minister said as he departed.In the second leg of his tour, PM Modi will visit Ethiopia from December 16 to 17, marking his first visit to the country. He is scheduled to hold detailed talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali on all aspects of bilateral relations. Addis Ababa, the capital, is also the headquarters of the African Union.Speaking about the visit, PM Modi said, “I will pay my first visit to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Addis Ababa is also the headquarters of the African Union. In 2023, during India’s G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20.” He added, “In Addis Ababa, I will hold detailed discussions with H E Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali and also have the opportunity to meet the Indian diaspora living there.”The prime minister will also address a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament. “I eagerly look forward to sharing my thoughts on India’s journey as the ‘Mother of Democracy’ and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South,” he said.The MEA said the Ethiopia visit will reaffirm the shared commitment of both countries, as partners in the Global South, to strengthening friendship and expanding bilateral cooperation.In the final leg of his tour, PM Modi is scheduled to visit Oman from December 17 to 18 at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, marking his second visit to the country. The Ministry of External Affairs said India and Oman share an all-encompassing Strategic Partnership rooted in centuries-old ties of friendship, trade, and strong people-to-people connections.The visit coincides with 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations and follows the Sultan of Oman’s state visit to India in December 2023. Both sides are expected to conduct a comprehensive review of cooperation across areas, including trade, investment, energy, defence, security, technology, agriculture, and culture, and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.“In Muscat, I look forward to my discussions with His Majesty the Sultan of Oman, and towards strengthening our Strategic Partnership as well as our strong commercial and economic relationship. I will also address a gathering of the Indian diaspora in Oman, which has contributed immensely to the country’s development and in enhancing our partnership,” PM Modi said.

NEW DELHI: The ministry of civil aviation on Monday issued a travel advisory, urging flyers to head to airports only after checking the latest status of their flight.According to Delhi airport, 40 flights have been cancelled while 4 have been diverted so far due to low visibility.In a social media post on X, the ministry said that that Air Traffic Control along with other teams are “working tirelessly” to minimise disruptions.“Heavy Fog Alert for Northern India. Delhi (DEL) & other airports in Northern India are experiencing dense fog, severely affecting visibility.For Passengers: Before heading to the airport, please check the latest flight status with your airline. Check flight information on the airport website/app. Please allow extra travel time,” civil aviation ministry said.“Safety is our top priority. Our teams & ATC are working tirelessly to minimize disruptions. Thank you for your patience and cooperation,” it added.Meanwhile, airlines including Air India and IndiGo also issue advisories, saying that weather situation could impact flight schedules and cause inconvenience to passengers travelling to and from Delhi.In a post on social media platform X, IndiGo informed passengers about the prevailing weather conditions and their potential impact on operations. “Travel Advisory…Low visibility and fog over Delhi will impact flight schedules. We’re keeping a close watch on the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly,” IndiGo said in a social media post on X.The airline further urged travellers to remain vigilant and regularly check their flight status through official channels. IndiGo requested passengers to monitor updates via its website or mobile application and assured full support from its ground and customer service teams during the period of disruption.“We request you to stay updated on your flight status via our website or app. Be assured, our teams are here to assist you at every step and ensure support… Here’s hoping dearer skies help us serve you better soon, and thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time,” the airline added in its advisory.Through a post on X, Air India advised, “#TravelAdvisory…Poor visibility due to dense fog is impacting flight operations in Delhi and parts of Northern India. Please check your flight status at: https://www.airindia.com/in/en/manage/flight-status.html before heading to the airport.”Meanwhile, Delhi airport said that flight operations are currently being conducted under CAT III conditions due to dense fog, which may which may result in delays and cancellations.“Our ground teams are actively assisting passengers to ensure smooth travel. For the latest flight updates, please contact your respective airlines. We sincerely regret for any inconvenience caused,” a social media post from Delhi airport reads.Visibility in Delhi was severely affected on Monday morning as a thick layer of smog and fog enveloped the city, reducing visibility and disrupting air traffic operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport. The weather conditions led to concerns over delays and rescheduling of flights, particularly during early morning hours.The air quality was ‘severe’ at 38 stations while it was ‘very poor’ at two stations. Jahangirpuri, which recorded an AQI of 498, recorded the worst air quality amongst all 40 stations.According to the Central Pollution Control Board, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 ‘severe’.The AQI in Delhi had climbed to 461 on Sunday and marked the city’s most polluted day this winter and the second-worst December air quality day on record, as weak winds and low temperatures trapped pollutants close to the surface.The air quality monitoring station at Wazirpur recorded the maximum possible Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 500 during the day, beyond which the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) does not register data.

NEW DELHI: The Congress party on Monday expelled former MLA Mohammed Moquim from the party days after he wrote to Sonia Gandhi urging the removal of party president Mallikarjun Kharge on the grounds that “age is not on his side.” Congress cited “anti-party activities” as the reason behind his expulsion, however, it refrained from specifying such acts.“This is for the information of all concerned that AICC has approved the proposal for the expulsion of Sri Md. Moquim from the primary membership of the party, due to anti-party activities,” the notice issued by Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) said.Moquim had written to Sonia, urging her that the party should consider bringing forward “young leaders”, adding that the Grand Old Party was going through a “difficult phase”.“I have written a letter to Sonia Gandhi stating that the party is going through a difficult phase and needs her advice and new leadership… Age is not on AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge’s side… We should bring forward young leaders. I know that Sonia ji and the CWC members will definitely discuss this…. Nuapada by-elections were concerning,” he had said.The 60-year-old received criticism for the letter as OPCC chief Bhakta Das went on to equate his remarks as one aligned with the BJP.“Those who challenge the party leadership should immediately join the BJP,” he said on Sunday.

What the letter said

Addressed to Sonia Gandhi, Moquim’s letter pointed out party’s recent electoral defeats in Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra and Kashmir and blamed a “series of wrong decisions, misguided leadership choices”.“The recent outcomes in Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Kashmir, where our defeats were by staggering margins, are not just electoral setbacks; they reflect a deeper organisational disconnect,” the letter said.“A series of wrong decisions, misguided leadership choices, and the continued concentration of responsibility in the wrong hands have weakened the Party from within. Rather than correcting these errors, we appear to be repeating them and the consequences are now visible to the entire nation,” the letter added.The letter further questioned whether the “responsibilities being entrusted to the right people”.“Painful questions are being raised: Are decisions being made with seriousness? Are responsibilities being entrusted to the right people? Does the leadership fully grasp the gravity of this crisis, or are we allowing the Party’s decline to continue unchecked, with decisions remaining in the wrong hands?” he questioned.The Bharatiya Janata Party was quick to react to the “internal rift” with Shehzad Poonawalla saying, “Team Priyanka vs team Rahul out in the open now Internal rift in Congress out! Senior Congress leader from Odisha Writes to Sonia Gandhi: Says Kharge Hatao ,Priyanka Lao;Hits out at state and central leadership Odisha leader Mohammed Moquim has questioned the leadership crisis nationally and called for deep structural, organisational and ideological renewal for the party’s revival. He notes a “deep and growing disconnect” between the Congress leadership and Indian youth, saying that under the current leadership of Mallikarjun Kharge, who is 83, the party has been unable to resonate with the youth.”

Moquim’s past controversies

This was not Moquim’s first brush with controversy. He was suspended on July 15, 2023, for questioning Pattanaik’s leadership, a decision that was later withdrawn on January 23, 2024, ahead of the simultaneous Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. Earlier, he had received a show-cause notice for cross-voting in support of NDA presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu in July 2022. The former Barabati–Cuttack MLA, who was elected for the first time and whose seat is now held by his daughter Sofia Firdous, was disqualified from contesting the 2024 elections after being convicted in a state vigilance case on September 29, 2022.

NEW DELHI: In a boost to India’s rotary wing combat capabilities, the Army is set to get delivery of three remaining Apache AH-64 attack helicopters from US, while the Navy will commission its second squadron of MH-60R Seahawk submarine-hunting choppers this week.The induction of these much-delayed American helicopters will plug existing operational gaps but the real punch will come when the Army and IAF begin getting 156 indigenous ‘Prachand’ light combat helicopters from 2028 onwards.Armed forces want over 1,000 new helicopters of different types in next 10-15 years to make up for major deficiencies and replace obsolete Cheetah and Chetak fleets.They include 484 light-utility helicopters in 3.5-tonne class and 419 Indian multi-role helicopters in 10-15 tonne class, but there have been delays in these projects being executed by HAL.The three Apache gunships, dubbed “tanks in the air” since they are armed with Stinger air-to-air missiles, Hellfire Longbow air-to-ground missiles, guns and rockets, will touchdown in India in a couple of days, defence officials told TOI.India had ordered six heavy-duty Apaches for the Army in a Rs 5,691 crore deal with US in February 2020, under which the first three were delivered in July after a huge delay due to supply chain problems faced by Boeing. These six Apaches will add to the 22 such choppers inducted by IAF in 2019-2020 under a Rs 13,952 crore deal with US in Sept 2015. The Army Apaches will be deployed at Jodhpur, where a squadron was raised in March last year to cater for the western front with Pakistan.Navy will commission its second squadron of Seahawks, armed with Hellfire missiles, MK-54 torpedoes and precision-kill rockets as well as advanced sensors, at INS Hansa in Goa on Dec 17.The US has so far delivered 15 of the 24 Seahawks, which are manufactured by Sikorsky-Lockheed Martin, under a Rs 15,157 crore contract in February 2020. Incidentally, the defence ministry last month inked another Rs 7,955 crore contract with the US for follow-on support and spares for the multi-mission helicopters.While quite expensive, the Seahawks are crucial because the 140-warship Navy is currently grappling with just a handful of old Sea King and Kamov-28 anti-submarine warfare helicopters at a time when the presence of Chinese submarines is only going to further increase in the Indian Ocean Region.

New Delhi: In an important ruling, Supreme Court has said that a person employed on compassionate grounds to alleviate family difficulties because of death of a parent in harness cannot seek appointment to higher posts merely because they have the requisite qualifications for the same.A bench of Justices Rajesh Bindal and Manmohan on Friday reversed a Madras HC judgment directing Tami Nadu govt to promote two persons initially appointed as sweepers on compassionate grounds, due to death of their fathers, as Junior Assistants as they had the requisite qualifications for that post at the time of their appointment in 2007 and 2012. Both had approached the HC in 2015.The bench said employment is provided on compassionate grounds to the eligible kin of an employee who dies in harness to enable the family of the deceased to tide over difficult times. “Such appointment which is arising out of exceptional circumstances cannot be used as a ladder to climb up in seniority by claiming a higher post merely on the basis that he/she is eligible for such post,” it said. Justice Bindal said once the dependent of a deceased employee is offered employment on a compassionate basis, their right stands exercised. “Thereafter, no question arises for seeking appointment to a higher post. Otherwise, it would be a case of ‘endless compassion’,” he said.The bench said compassionate appointment is a relief against financial hardship caused by the sudden and unforeseen loss of the earning member of a family, and employment to the kin of the deceased is provided under such circumstances to ensure that the family members do not face impoverishment.SC: Recruitment for other posts governed by rules applicable for all The SC said recruitment for other posts are governed by rules and regulations which apply to all eligible candidates. Thus, it would be impermissible to allow a person who has entered employment through compassionate grounds to bypass the process of recruitment and get promoted to a higher post, it said.“An applicant for the post on a compassionate basis may be eligible for any higher post, but that does not mean he has the right to be appointed on that post. This depends on the rules and the policy applicable and also the number of vacancies to be offered in that category. In fact, this is not an additional source of recruitment, rather an exception to the general rule of providing equal opportunities to all for recruitment in government jobs,” SC said.

ECs Will Pay When Cong Wins: Rahul

NEW DELHI: Taking his months-long campaign of “vote chori” to its climax, Congress’s Rahul Gandhi on Sunday led a packed Ramlila Maidan rally to raise the slogan of “vote chor, gaddi chhod”, as he claimed that the Modi-led BJP is winning elections by stealing votes but “Narendra Modi-RSS govt” would ultimately be evicted from power.Rahul said “vote chori” is principally BJP’s attack on Ambedkar’s Constitution that has enshrined the right to vote. He said BJP’s DNA has “vote chori” just as truth is Congress’s DNA, and accused Election Commission of working at BJP’s behest. Interacting with the party workers who had poured in from across the country for the rally, Rahul said PM Narendra Modi has lost his confidence which is reflected on his face, just like Amit Shah’s hands were trembling in Lok Sabha when he challenged the home minister to a debate on his press conferences about “rigged” elections.“You look at Modi’s face carefully. Have you seen it? It is so because he knows his ‘vote chori’ has been caught, and the country would know their reality in the coming time,” he said, referring to a point made by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in her speech.Planned as a mass gathering to mark the conclusion of the party’s nationwide signature campaign on “vote chori”, the dais featured the Congress brass of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi, CMs Siddaramaiah, Sukhwinder Sukhu and Revanth Reddy, CWC members Ajay Maken, KC Venugopal, Sachin Pilot, Abhishek Singhvi, Gaurav Gogoi and P Chidambaram, among others.In framing the argument made by speakers who linked “vote chori” to BJP’s desire for victory at all costs, Rahul started his speech by referring to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s reported statement in Andamans that “world recognises power, not truth”. “Hindu religion, and ideology of world religions, says that truth is most important, but Bhagwat says truth means nothing and power is important. That is the crux of the ongoing battle in India. It is a fight between ‘satya and asatya’,” he said, mentioning “Satyam Shivam Sundaram” and “Satyamev Jayate”.Rahul, as also Priyanka, kept the poll panel in their crosshairs, even leading the crowd in repeating the names of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and ECs SS Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. “Remember the names,” they said to the crowd in their separate speeches. Rahul said Congress govt will retrospectively remove the immunity provided to the ECs by the law brought by Modi in 2023, and would act against them, repeating the chilling warning he made during the debate in LS. “You are India’s EC, not Modi’s EC,” he said.