Old pension scheme — discontinued at the Centre in 2003 — was not part of economic resolution passed at All India Congress Committee (AICC) plenary in Raipur.
Discontinued by Vajpayee in 2003, OPS issue has especially gained urgency after BJP lost Himachal assembly election to Congress last year. Restoring OPS was key poll promise of Congress.
Despite RBI warnings, states like Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh & Punjab have already brought back the scheme, which was replaced by a new one by then NDA govt in 2004.
States have seen stronger revenues and have been prudent with their expenditure, leading to better deficit ratios. But capex needs to increase & debt needs to reduce.
Countering insurgency needs the Pakistan Army to demonstrate a political will that ties leaders at the centre with those in the borderlands. But it may not have the imagination.
Centre for Science and Environment in new report makes case for rationalising GST on waste material, saying most informal operators can’t afford high tax & it also hinders recycling.
21st edition of annual joint military exercise will be held from 1 to 16 September, aimed at sharing military tech, operational best practices & disaster relief coordination methods.
Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.
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