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.
The graduation is meant to bolster the legacy and legitimacy of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League, even as the real-world preparedness lagged behind the glossy narrative.
Indonesia delegation led by Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin visited BrahMos facility & met with top officials & undertook a detailed briefing on the missile system.
It is a brilliant, reasonably priced, and mostly homemade aircraft with a stellar safety record; only two crashes in 24 years since its first flight. But its crash is a moment of introspection.
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