Delhi Police has imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code at the Ghazipur border. It has also issued a traffic advisory, alerting commuters about restrictions on the movement of vehicles at three borders of the national capital. Traffic restrictions/diversions will be imposed at Singhu Border for commercial vehicles from Monday and for all types of vehicles from Tuesday, it said.

While the primary objective is to prevent any unauthorised gatherings between February 13 and February 15, there are concerns that similar attempts may occur thereafter, leading to the Lok Sabha election this year. On February 13, more than 200 farmers’ unions from across the country are expected to participate in the proposed ‘Delhi Chalo’ march to press the Centre to accept several demands, including enactment of a law to guarantee MSP for crops, according to reports.

“Information has been received that some farmer organisations have given a call to their supporters to gather/march to Delhi on 13th February for their demands of the law on MSP and others. They are likely to sit at the border of Delhi till their demands are met. In order to avoid any untoward incident and to maintain Law and Order, a precautionary Order of section 144 Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, is required to be issued to save the lives and property in the area,” read an order issued by Delhi Police.

Authorities are anticipating a gathering resembling the protests of 2021 and have instructed law enforcement to implement necessary measures to prevent the groups from entering Delhi. Haryana Police are also employing various tactics, including setting up diverse roadblocks, to deter the protesters. A traffic advisory has also been issued, urging people to avoid the main roads of the state unless necessary. Section 144 has been enforced in Panchkula. The Shambhu border (Punjab-Haryana) has been sealed, and BSF and RAF personnel have been deployed. The security has also been tightened near Tikri Border in West Delhi.

Delhi Police also conducted simulated exercises and evaluated their tear gas shells and launchers on Sunday, resulting in numerous complaints from residents of east Delhi about eye irritation. If farmers attempt to enter the Delhi border by crossing Haryana and Punjab in any way, the border will be sealed with cranes and containers.

On the other hand, Union Ministers Arjun Munda, Home Minister Nityanand Rai, and Piyush Goyal will be meeting the leaders of farmers’ organisations to discuss their demands later in the day, the reports added.

THE ALERT

One of the alerts issued by an agency concerning potential gatherings suggests that protesters could attempt to infiltrate Delhi before February 13 and gather near the residences of the Prime Minister, as well as those of the Home and Agriculture Ministers. Authorities anticipate that the protesters may try to enter Delhi under the cover of night, anticipating heavy security presence during the daytime.

“The protesters may reach New Delhi area in small groups by cars, two-wheelers, metro trains, trains, etc, and appear suddenly at any spot to hold snap demonstrations,” the alert warned.

“Some opposition political parties, trade unions and students’ unions may also support and join the protesters to gain mileage. Security may be upped in New Delhi, North and Central districts like Ramlila Ground, Rajghat, Red Fort, Kisan Ghat and Parliament, besides PM and HM residences, among other places of significance,” read the alert.

Farmers are anticipated to arrive in Delhi via the borders of Shambhu (Ambala), Khanori (Jind), and Dabwali (Sirsa), accompanied by their tractors/trailers, carrying ample provisions, rations, and logistical supplies for a duration of six months, sourced from different locations.

“Some farmers might start early to evade police action and arrive 2-3 days prior to February 13 and hide in prominent gurdwaras, dharamshalas, ashrams and guest houses and hold snap demonstrations. Some farmers may try to enter from remote, non-motorable borders where there is less movement to create an element of surprise. If the protesters are able to gain entry into Delhi, they may not vacate soon,” it added.

Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Radha Raturi on Saturday urged the Union Home Ministry for four additional Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) companies. “In view of the continuous disruption of law and order by anarchist elements during the demolition of encroachment in Malik ka Bagicha under Banbhoolpura police station area on February 8, four additional companies of central paramilitary force are required for law and order duty in the district,” wrote Raturi.

Four CAPF companies and seven PAC companies were already deployed after violence erupted, as per ADG Law and Order AP Anshuman.

As per reports, on Sunday, though tension remained high, most shops in the Banbhoolpura area reopened and the mobile internet service cut off in some areas was restored.

Violence had erupted in Haldwani on Thursday after the administration conducted a drive to demolish a mosque and madrasa that allegedly were on government land not officially mentioned in revenue records. Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami had issued shoot-on-sight orders as tension increased.

“Delighted to share that our former Prime Minister, Shri PV Narasimha Rao Garu, will be honoured with the Bharat Ratna,” PM Modi posted on X.

Lauding the leadership of PV Narasimha Rao, he further wrote, “Rao’s tenure as Prime Minister was marked by significant measures that opened India to global markets, fostering a new era of economic development. Furthermore, his contributions to India’s foreign policy, language and education sectors underscore his multifaceted legacy as a leader who not only steered India through critical transformations but also enriched its cultural and intellectual heritage”.

He hailed the commitment of Chaudhary Charan Singh, who served as India’s fifth Prime Minister, to democracy and his “dedication” to the welfare of the farming community. “It is the good fortune of our government that former Prime Minister of the country Chaudhary Charan Singh is being honoured with Bharat Ratna. This honour is dedicated to his incomparable contribution to the country. He had dedicated his entire life to the rights and welfare of farmers. Be it the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh or the Home Minister of the country and even as an MLA, he always gave impetus to nation-building. He also stood firm against the Emergency. His dedication to our farmer brothers and sisters and his commitment to democracy during the Emergency is inspiring to the entire nation.”

“It is a matter of immense joy that the Government of India is conferring the Bharat Ratna on Dr. MS Swaminathan Ji, in recognition of his monumental contributions to our nation in agriculture and farmers’ welfare. He played a pivotal role in helping India achieve self-reliance in agriculture during challenging times and made outstanding efforts towards modernizing Indian agriculture. We also recognise his invaluable work as an innovator and mentor and encouraging learning and research among several students. Dr. Swaminathan’s visionary leadership has not only transformed Indian agriculture but also ensured the nation’s food security and prosperity. He was someone I knew closely and l always valued his insights and inputs,” the PM added.

On February 3, the Prime Minister had announced that BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani will be conferred Bharat Ratna, praising his distinguished service in public life and commitment to transparency and integrity.

The trials were conducted with four different mission objectives in a revised robust configuration using a single booster designed by Advanced Systems Laboratory, Hyderabad to provide reduced launch acceleration, a Defence Ministry release said. The trials were conducted during January 30 and February 2.

The objectives like safe release of booster, launcher clearance and attaining the required end of launch velocity were achieved. During the flight trials, various parameters like required endurance, speed, manoeuvrability, altitude and range were successfully validated.

Designed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), ABHYAS offers a realistic threat scenario for practice of weapon systems. It is designed for autonomous flying with the help of an auto pilot indigenously made by the ADE.

It has Radar Cross Section, Visual and Infrared augmentation system required for weapon practice. It has a laptop-based Ground Control System with which the aircraft can be integrated and pre-flight checks, data recording during the flight, replay after the flight and post-flight analysis can be carried out. ABHYAS requires minimum logistics and is cost effective compared to imported equivalents.

The systems tested recently were realised through Production Agencies – Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Defence. With identified production agencies, ABHYAS is ready for production. The system has export potential and can be offered to friendly countries.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has congratulated the DRDO, the Armed Forces and the Industry for the successful flight trial of ABHYAS. The development of this system will meet the requirements of aerial targets for the Armed Forces, he said.

Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat appreciated the efforts of the teams associated in the design, development and testing of the system.

“Ayushman Bharat cover will be extended to all Anganwadi and Asha workers. All maternal and child healthcare schemes will be brought under one comprehensive scheme. Furthermore, the government is enhancing the target for Lakhpati Didi scheme to Rs 3 crore from Rs 2 crore.”

She further said that the next five years will be the years of unprecedented development. “We need to focus on poor, women, youth and farmers/Anna Data. Their needs and aspirations and welfare are our highest priority All four require and receive government support, their empowerment and well being will drive the country forward,” she said.

Listing out the ‘strategy for Amrit Kaal’, the Finance Minister said that the government will adopt economic policies that foster and sustain growth, facilitate inclusive and sustainable development, improve productivity, create opportunities for all, help them enhance their capabilities and contribute to generation of resources to power investments and fulfil aspiration. “Many growth and development-enabling reforms are needed in the state for realising the vision of Viksit Bharat. A provision of Rs 75,000 crore as a 50-year interest-free loan is proposed this year to support those milestone-linked reforms by the state governments.”

The government will also a launch housing scheme for middle class to enable them to buy or build their own homes.

She said that outlay for infrastructure has been increased to Rs 11.11 lakh crore in FY25. Defence outlay will be 3.4% of GDP. “”…The revised estimate of the fiscal deficit is 5.8% of GDP, improving on the budget estimate notwithstanding moderation in the nominal growth estimates.

Fiscal deficit in 2024-25 is estimated to be 5.1% of GDP, adhering to the path of fiscal consolidation.

Budget Estimates for 2024-25

Total receipts other than borrowings: Rs. 30.80 lakh crore

Total expenditure: Rs. 47.66 lakh crore

Tax receipts: Rs. 26.02 lakh crore

Scheme of 50-year interest free loans for capital expenditure, to states will be continued with outlay of Rs 1.3 lakh crore.

The government has also proposed withdrawing direct tax demands up to Rs 25,000 pertaining to the period up to financial year 2009-10 and up to Rs 10,000 for financial years 2010-11 to 2014-15. She further said that a big focus of the budget was improving services for tax payers. “Introduction of updated IT returns, new form 26AS and pre-filling of tax returns have made filing simpler and easier Average processing time has been reduced from 93 days in 2014 to 10 days this year, thereby making refunds faster.”

Sitharaman also proposed to extend tax exemptions for some IFSC Units to March 31, 2025.

She said that the GST has reduced compliance burden on trade and industry Tax base of GST has more than doubled and average monthly gross GST collection has almost doubled to Rs. 1.66 lakh crores this year. States too have benefited, states’ SGST revenue including compensation released to them in post GST period has achieved buoyancy of 1.22. Biggest beneficiaries are consumers due to reduction in logistics costs and reduced prices of most goods and services, she stressed.

“In the full budget in July, our Government will present a detailed roadmap for our pursuit of Viksit Bharat,” she added.

Her budget speech was a little less than an hour long.

RAIL INFRA

Key rail infrastructure projects, including Metro Rail and Namo Bharat, will be expanded to more cities and around 40,000 rail bogies will be converted to Vande Bharat coaches.

“Three major Railway economic corridors programmes will be implemented. These are energy, mineral and cement corridor; port connectivity corridors and high traffic density corridors. The projects have been identified under the PM Gati Shakti for enabling multi-modal connectivity. They will improve logistics efficiency and reduce cost.”

TOURISM

“To address fervour for domestic tourism, projects for port connectivity, tourism infrastructure and amenities will be taken on our islands, including Lakshadweep.”

Tourism, including spiritual tourism, has tremendous opportunities and all states will be encouraged to take up iconic tourist spots and develop them, she explained.

MORE MEDICAL COLLEGES

“Our government plans to set up more medical colleges by utilising the existing hospital infrastructure under various departments. A committee for this purpose will be set up to examine the issues and make relevant recommendations.”

TECH

“A new scheme will be launched for strengthening deep-tech technologies for defence purposes and expediting self-reliance.”

“For our tech-savvy youth, this will be a golden era. A corpus of Rs 1 lakh crore will be established with 50-year interest-free loan provided. It will be for long-term financing or re-financing with low or nil interest rates.”

ROOF-TOP SOLARISATION

“Through roof-top solarisation, 1 crore households will be enabled to obtain up to 300 units of free electricity every month. This scheme follows the resolve of the Prime Minister on the historic day of the consecration of Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.”

AGRICULTURE

“For further growth of agriculture sector, the government will further promote public and private investment in post-harvest activities.”

Revised Estimates of 2023-24

RE of total receipts other than borrowings is Rs 27.56 lakh crore, of which tax receipts are Rs. 23.24 lakh crore

RE of total expenditure is Rs 44.90 lakh crore

Revenue receipts at Rs. 30.3 lakh crore are expected to be higher than Budget Estimates RE of fiscal deficit is 5.8% of GDP

The government, under its Viksit Bharat programme, wants to change this disparity by strictly implementing the Equal Remuneration Act of 1976, which envisages parity in pay. As per the Act, “no employer shall pay to any worker, employed by him in an establishment of employment, remuneration, whether payable in cash or in kind, at rates less favourable than those at which it is paid to workers of the opposite sex”.

Under the Viksit Bharat scheme, the government has laid stress on the need for better work opportunities, including facilities, infrastructure and better pay, for women. This is part of the ‘Saksham Nari, Sashakt Bharat’ scheme, which, as per Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is possible only when women are empowered and treated equally at the workplace.

As women are being encouraged to step up and out, the government wants to ensure that workplaces help women continue working even after childbirth as well as in tough conditions.

Recently, an SMS was sent on behalf of the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPFO), which asked for a survey form to be filled up. It was sent to every person with access to provident fund, and was aimed especially at women who were asked to fill up details of their work conditions. The primary focus was on the pay structure, with the form asking if women were paid the same as men for the same job, News18 reported.

The survey also asks whether workplaces have crèches, pick and drop provided in late hours, and provision of work from home. However, in the past, Irani has not been in favour of menstrual leave as she believes it would “lead to more discrimination at work and in employment”.

Notably, just a year ago, BCCI had announced pay parity for women and men cricketers. It was seen as a giant leap forward and the acknowledgement of the fact that not just in sports but in several sectors like cinema, corporate spaces and manual labour, women earn far lesser than men even if they show the same talent and capability.

Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani and Labour Minister Bhupender Yadav have stressed the fact that this disparity needs to end and the government has begun work on the mission. Advisories have been issued to workplaces and will be stepped up in the days to come with a clear message — Zero tolerance for discrimination in pay.

“INS Sumitra, on anti-piracy operations along the East Coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, responded to a distress message regarding hijacking of an Iranian-flagged Fishing Vessel Iman. The vessel had been boarded by pirates and the crew was taken as hostages,” Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said.

INS Sumitra intercepted the vessel and acted in accordance with the established SOPs to coerce the pirates for safe release of the crew along with the boat, he said. It ensured the successful release of all 17 crew members and the boat, the spokesperson said.

The vessel was subsequently sanitised and released for onward transit.

Mission deployed Indian Naval ships on anti-piracy and maritime security ops in the Indian Ocean Region symbolise Indian Navy’s resolve towards safety of all vessels and seafarers at sea, he added.

On January 5, Indian Navy had swiftly responded to the hijacking of a merchant vessel, Malta-flagged vessel MV Ruen, about 460 nautical miles off Somalia, and evacuated all 21 crew on board, including 15 Indians, in the daring mission. About five to six armed people had boarded the vessel. A warship, maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters, P-8I, and long-range aircraft, along with Predator MQ9B drones, were deployed in the operation.

On January 18, Indian Navy deployed the warship INS Visakhapatnam after receiving a distress call from a cargo vessel, which was under attack by drones in the Gulf Aden, and provided assistance.

This policy not only imposes punitive action for overweight personnel with “no improvement within 30 days” but also introduces additional tests to the existing ones, requiring the maintenance of an Army Physical Fitness Assessment card (APAC) for each individual.

The recent change designates a Brigadier rank officer as the presiding officer, replacing the previous structure where a Commanding officer handled quarterly tests, and each personnel maintained an APAC card, The Indian Express reported. A letter sent to all commands outlined that this new policy aims for uniformity in the testing process, addressing issues like officers being physically unfit or obese during courses, foreign postings, and the rise of lifestyle diseases, TIE reported quoting sources.

The present norms involve quarterly BPET and PPT tests, covering various physical activities. In the Battle Physical Efficiency Test, individuals must complete a 5 km run, a 60-metre sprint, climbing using a horizontal rope, climbing using a vertical rope, and crossing over a 9 feet ditch within a specified time based on age. Meanwhile, the Physical Proficiency Test includes a set of exercises such as a 2.4 km run, 5 m shuttle, push-ups, chin-ups, sit-ups, and a 100-metre sprint. The swimming test is conducted only where facilities are available.

The results are currently included in the Annual Confidential Report (ACR) on an annual basis, maintained by the Commanding Officer (CO). Under the new guidelines, officers up to the rank of Brigadier will preside over the Board of Officers, conducting quarterly assessments led by a minimum rank of a Brigadier, with two Colonels and a Medical Officer (MO). In addition to the existing quarterly BPET and PPT, a 10 km speed march and 32 km route march every six months have been added, along with an annual 50-meter swimming proficiency test, the report added.

For the short ceremonial trip, the two presidents rode on a colonial-era open-air buggy and waved to crowds as they arrived at the destination ahead of the parade. After a gap of 40 years, the presidential carriage returned to the Republic Day celebrations, replacing the usual armoured limousine.

The presidential buggy was in use for Republic Day functions till 1984 but was discontinued after the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

The six-horse drawn, black-coloured carriage with gold-plated rims, red velvet interiors and an embossed Ashoka chakra originally belonged to the Viceroy of India during British rule. The buggy was used for ceremonial purposes and to travel around the presidential (then Viceroy) estate.

However, when the colonial rule ended, both India and newly-formed Pakistan vied for the luxurious buggy. To decide which country would keep the buggy, the two nations came up with a unique solution – toss a coin. India’s Colonel Thakur Govind Singh and Pakistan’s Sahabzada Yaqub Khan flipped the coin. Colonel Singh won the buggy for India.

Later, the buggy was used by the President to ride from Rashtrapati Bhavan to Parliament for the oath-taking ceremony. The carriage was also used to ferry the head of state to the Beating Retreat ceremony at Vijay Chowk on Kartavya Path to mark the end of Republic Day celebrations on January 29.

Several years after Independence, the use of the open-carriage, which was a common transport vehicle for the President, was discontinued owing to security threats. The traditional buggy was soon replaced with bullet-proof cars.

The historic buggy made a comeback in 2014 with President Pranab Mukherjee arriving in it to attend the Beating Retreat ceremony.

Scoring a double rank, it also topped the “Best Foods and Drinks in India” list, underscoring the significant role of Chai Masala in Indian cuisine and culture​​.

Announcing the win on Instagram, the food guide described the beverage in the caption, saying, “Chai masala is an aromatic beverage originating from India. It is made with a combination of sweetened black tea and milk that is spiced with a masala mix—which typically includes cardamom, ground ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and black peppercorns.”

About its much-debated origin, the guide highlighted the link of the origin with the British tea trade. “In the 19th century, the Chinese had a monopoly on the tea trade, and the British looked for other markets that would fulfill the high demand for black tea—which was a firm European favorite,” the post explained.

In the global ranking, Chai Masala was positioned third, following Hong Kong-style Milk Tea and Aguas Frescas from Mexico.