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It may not be possible to bring petrol, diesel under GST for time being: CBIC chief Sanjay Agarwal

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New Delhi, Sep 10: As discussions continue to bring petrol and diesel within the ambit of Goods and Services Tax (GST), Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Sanjay Kumar Agarwal said it may not be possible to bring these items under the indirect taxation for the time being.

Asked if petrol and diesel should be brought under GST, Agarwal told IANS that petrol and diesel are presently subject to central excise duty and value-added tax (VAT), as these two petroleum items fetch a substantial revenue to the states by way of VAT and to the Central government by way of central excise duty.

“So, looking to the revenue implications, it may not be possible to bring these items under the ambit of GST for the time being,” he added. The CBIC Chairman’s comment came as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said last week that the Central government intentionally did not include petrol and diesel in the GST Council proposal.

“Legally, we are ready, but this decision must come from the states,” she said. According to her, petrol and diesel were set to figure, “even when GST was implemented, I remember my late predecessor Arun Jaitley talking about it”.

“Once the states agree, they have to decide on the rate of taxation in the council. Once that decision is taken, it will be put into the act,” FM Sitharaman noted. In the GST implemented in July 2017, products like petrol, diesel, and alcoholic beverages were kept outside its ambit since then.

These commodities are major revenue sources for both the Central and state governments through excise duty and VAT. For several states, these contribute over 25-30 per cent of their tax revenue. States fear losing control over taxation policy, pricing, and the ability to influence consumption patterns through excise duty and VAT.

IANS

Mamata Banerjee keeping a close watch on Nepal situation: Trinamool Congress

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Kolkata, Sep 10: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been keeping a watch on the situation in neighbouring Nepal, even from her office ‘Uttar Kanya State Secretariat’ at Siliguri, Trinamool Congress said on Wednesday.

“The unfolding situation in our neighbouring country, Nepal, is a matter of deep concern. Placing the interests of the state above all else, our compassionate Chief Minister, Smt. @MamataOfficial, remained at Uttar Kanya State Secretariat through Tuesday night, personally monitoring every detail with utmost vigilance,” said the Trinamool Congress in a statement.

She even refused to comment on the Nepal situation to the media persons on Tuesday afternoon before leaving for North Bengal. “I love my neighbouring country of Nepal. But I cannot comment on the current situation there right at this moment. I can only do so, only if the Indian government says something about it,” the Chief Minister said.

She reminded that even during the political crisis in neighbouring Bangladesh last year, she refrained from making any comment on the issue unless the Union government did so. “So far, the Union government has not issued a statement on the situation in Nepal,” the Chief Minister added on Tuesday.

Notably, India on Tuesday advised its citizens to defer their travelling plans to Nepal until the situation stabilises in the neighbouring country following the death of 19 people in widespread protests, which also resulted in the resignation of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli.

The Darjeeling District Police has opened a 24-hour control room for the stranded Indians. The Nepali Army has assumed responsibility for maintaining law and order, as the security institution announced a nationwide curfew, effective until Thursday morning.

The Nepali Army further warned that any acts of vandalism, looting, arson, or attacks on people and property carried out under the pretext of demonstrations would be treated as criminal offences, with strict action taken by security forces.

IANS

India turns focus to mega infrastructure push after GST overhaul

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New Delhi, Sep 10: India is shifting its policy focus to fast-tracking approvals for large-scale infrastructure projects under the ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ plan after pushing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms.

The government has asked ministries to fast-track approvals for projects of national importance, prioritising projects that touch multiple states or transform entire sectors, according to government officials. Further, the road transport ministry has set a target of 50,000 kms of access-controlled highways to be built over the next 10 to 12 years at an estimated cost of Rs 20 lakh crore, reports said.

The Union Budget for FY26 earmarked Rs 11.21 lakh crore for infrastructure spending, but officials said the public-private partnerships (PPP) will be aggressively promoted in projects with strong return potential to ease pressure on state finances.

“Bundling of projects is being done to move them quickly for approvals. PPP will be the key to financing high-return ventures,” as per the officials. The goal is to sustain India’s 7.8 per cent GDP growth in Q1 FY26 amid global tariff pressures and geopolitical risks.

The World Bank has highlighted that India should raise its real investment rate from 33.5 per cent of GDP to 40 per cent by 2035 to sustain long-term growth. India’s rising infrastructure needs underpin the nation’s urbanisation, climate commitments, and economic growth aspirations.

Capital expenditure shot up to a robust Rs 2.75 lakh crore during the April-June period, amounting to 24.5 per cent of the full-year target, reflecting the government’s investments in big-ticket infrastructure projects to push growth and create more jobs.

Meanwhile, on the back of the robust performance in Q2 2025 (7.8 per cent growth), global rating agency Fitch has revised up its forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2026 (FY26) to 6.9 per cent in its latest outlook, from 6.5 per cent in the June report.

IANS

Jammu-Srinagar highway opens for traffic after weeklong landslide blockade

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Srinagar, Sep 10: After the weeklong blockade due to landslides, the strategic Jammu-Srinagar national highway was partially reopened for traffic on Wednesday. Authorities are giving priority to trucks carrying essential supplies, and top priority is being given to those trucks carrying perishable items like vegetables, poultry, sheep, etc.

Movement of stranded vehicles was allowed on the highway from Udhampur towards Srinagar, and to start with, passenger vehicles were the first to move. Over 4,500 trucks carrying fruit had been stuck on the highway due to the blockade, and these vehicles had remained parked alongside the highway in the Valley between Qazigund in Kulgam and the Pulwama district.

Most fruit growers have been complaining that the fresh fruit stocks of apples have started rotting because of the delay in reaching the markets outside Jammu and Kashmir. Over 250 metres of the highway had been washed away at Bani Nallah in Udhampur district due to incessant rainfall.

Traffic department officials said passenger vehicles and trucks carrying essential supplies, including chicken, meat, and other perishables, were allowed to move from Udhampur towards Srinagar starting at 10 a.m.

Officials said that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) completed restoration work late Tuesday night, creating a new diversion to make the road motorable. They said men and machinery worked round-the-clock for six days to create the alternate road at Bani Nallah to make vehicular movement possible.

The Jammu-Srinagar national highway is the lifeline of supplies for the landlocked Kashmir, as all essential supplies, including foodgrains, vegetables, poultry products, mutton, petroleum products, etc., are brought into the Valley through this highway.

The uncertainty that looms over the locals with regard to the arrival/departure of essential supplies would only become a thing of the past once freight trains start operations regularly on the rail link between Kashmir and the rest of the country.

IANS

Bihar CM transfers Rs 1,263 crore under social security pension scheme, interacts with beneficiaries

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Patna, Sep 10: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, on Wednesday, transferred an amount of Rs 1,263.95 crore to the accounts of 1.13 crore beneficiaries under the Social Security Pension Scheme through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

The Bihar government had recently increased the social security pension from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100 per month. Under this scheme, senior citizens above 60 years, widows and disabled individuals are entitled to take benefits of it.

The amount is transferred on the 10th of every month directly into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts. The event was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha and Social Welfare Minister Madan Sahni.

The beneficiaries included those enrolled under the Mukhyamantri Vridhjan Pension Yojana, Lakshmibai Social Security Pension Scheme, Bihar Nishaktata Pension Yojana, Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme and Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme.

During the programme held via video conferencing, the Chief Minister interacted with several beneficiaries who shared how the pension has transformed their lives. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also watched short films featuring the experiences of the beneficiaries.

Many of them said that the enhanced monthly pension of Rs 1,100 has brought significant relief and convenience in their lives. One beneficiary, Chintamani Devi, said, “My son does not give me even two rupees when I ask, but Nitish Kumar has given me this support. I thank him for it.”

The Chief Minister expressed surprise at such social realities and emphasised that the government’s pension schemes are meant to ensure dignity and financial security for the vulnerable sections of society.

CM Nitish Kumar has taken several measures for the welfare of the people of Bihar, and social security pension is one of them. Besides, he has implemented a 35 per cent reservation for women in government jobs and increased the honorarium of many contractual employees in sectors like education, health, family welfare, and others.

IANS

Kuki-Zo apex body welcomes PM Modi; calls his forthcoming Manipur visit a historic, rare occasion

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Imphal, Sep 10: The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the apex body of the Kuki-Zo tribal community in Manipur, on Wednesday warmly welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit to the state capital Imphal and Churachandpur district on September 13.

KZC Chairman Henlianthang Thanglet and General Secretary Thangzamang said that this is a historic and rare occasion, as it comes nearly four decades after the country’s Prime Minister last visited the tribal region.

In a jointly signed statement, the KZC Chairman and General Secretary said that the people of the Kuki-Zo community have endured immeasurable hardships over the past years.

“More than 250 innocent lives have been lost; over 360 churches and places of worship have been reduced to ashes; more than 7,000 homes have been burnt; and over 40,000 of our people continue to live as displaced persons in relief camps, separated from their ancestral homes,” they stated.

The statement said that the stark reality is that the Kuki-Zo people have been forcibly separated by the actions and aggression of the majority community in Manipur. “Despite these grave circumstances, we continue to uphold our faith in the democratic spirit and leadership of India.

For years, we have been voicing our demand for complete separation from Manipur, seeking a separate administration in the form of a Union Territory with legislature under Article 239A of the Indian Constitution,” the KZC said.

The apex tribal body said that this demand arises not from convenience, but from necessity, for peace, security, and survival of their people. “As the leader of our great nation, we are confident that the Prime Minister would give due recognition to our voice, our pain, and our aspirations. We place our trust in your leadership to heal our wounds, restore our dignity, and safeguard the future of the Kuki-Zo people,” the KZC leaders said.

Meanwhile, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Tuesday held a meeting with five MLAs, belonging to the Kuki-Zo communities and discussed the possible visit of the Prime Minister on September 13.

A police official confirmed the meeting held in Churachandpur, and he indicated that the meeting discussed the Prime Minister’s likely visit to the state on Saturday and the necessary arrangements in the district.

However, no civil and police officials disclosed the details of the meeting. The five Kuki-Zo legislators are from the Assembly constituencies in Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts, both Kuki-Zo tribal people inhabited areas. On September 7, Bhalla also held a meeting with BJP MLAs from the Imphal Valley region, including former Chief Minister N Biren Singh, and BJP’s state President Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Security advisor and Home Commissioner.

Officials and BJP leaders in Manipur said that PM Modi’s Manipur visit is not yet finally confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). As per recent media reports, the Prime Minister is likely to visit Manipur on September 13, and that would be his first tour to Manipur since ethnic violence broke out between Meiteis and Kukis in May 2023.

Reports mentioned that the Prime Minister would visit the Mizoram capital, Aizawl, and inaugurate the newly-constructed 51.38 km Bairabi-Sairang new railway project, and from Aizawl, he would visit two places of Manipur — Imphal and Churachandpur. A grand stage is being set up at Kangla Fort in the heart of the capital city, Imphal, while beautification activities are underway in the areas in Imphal West district.

Meanwhile, the Churachandpur district administration has prohibited the use of aerial devices such as drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), balloons, and other flying objects across the district ahead of the “VVIP visit”. Churachandpur District Magistrate Dharun Kumar S, in an order on September 4, declared the entire hill district as a ‘No Drone Zone’ area.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma earlier said that the Prime Minister is expected to be on a two-day visit to Assam on September 13-14. PM Modi’s visit is centred around the birth centenary celebrations of cultural icon and Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika, and he will also inaugurate the official celebrations on September 13 in Guwahati.

IANS

Air India cancels flights to and from Kathmandu amid unrest

New Delhi, Sep 10: Air India has announced that its flights to and from Kathmandu on Wednesday have been cancelled as the airport continues to remain closed amid the unrest in the country. “We are closely monitoring the situation and will share further updates.

At Air India, the safety of our passengers and crew remains top priority,” the airline spokesperson said. Air India and low-cost carrier IndiGo on Tuesday cancelled their flights between Delhi and Kathmandu as the neighbouring country plunged deeper into chaos after pressure from Gen-Z protests escalated following the killing of 19 people including schoolchildren in police firing while 200 others were injured.

Air India on Tuesday said in a statement that in view of the current situation prevailing in Kathmandu, ” flights AI2231/2232, AI2219/2220, AI217/218 and AI211/212 operating on the Delhi-Kathmandu-Delhi route have been cancelled today”.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and will share further updates. At Air India, the safety of our passengers and crew remains top priority,” said an Air India spokesperson. IndiGo said that in view of the prevailing situation in Kathmandu, the airport has been closed for operations.

“Consequently, all flights to and from Kathmandu stand suspended as of now. If your travel is impacted, you may conveniently opt for an alternate flight or claim a refund by visiting our website,” said the low-cost airline in a statement posted on X.

“We are closely monitoring the developments and coordinating with local authorities to resume operations at the earliest. Customers are advised to keep checking our official channels for the latest advisories and updates. We look forward to the restoration of normal operations and sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding,” IndiGo added.

Meanwhile, Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned from his post and fled the country as protests intensified on the second day following the killing of 19 protestors on Monday. Enraged by the killing of so many people during the first day of the protests organised by Gen-Z demanding accountability for corruption and the social media ban, protestors throughout the country started to attack the houses of leaders and government buildings.

On Tuesday, the protestors stormed into the parliament building at Baneshwor in Kathmandu and set the building on fire. The protestors had made unsuccessful attempts to damage the building even on Monday, which led to a strong police response resulting in the death of several people.

They also entered the Singh Durbar, the main administrative centre of the Nepalese government and torched the main gate. India said it is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Himalayan country.

IANS

Fitch raises India’s FY26 growth forecast to 6.9 pc on robust demand, investments

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New Delhi, Sep 10: India is showing resilience amid geo-political uncertainties and is projected to stay above 6 per cent growth over the next three years — amid a raised outlook of 6.9 per cent growth in current fiscal — according to the latest Fitch Ratings’ ‘Global Economic Outlook’ released on Wednesday.

On the back of the Q2 2025 outturn (7.8 per cent growth), Fitch has revised up its forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2026 (FY26) to 6.9 per cent from 6.5 per cent in the June report. Domestic demand will be the key driver of growth, as strong real income dynamics support consumer spending and looser financial conditions should feed through to investment, said the report.

According to the Fitch note, annual growth in India is likely to hit 6.3 per cent in FY27 and with the economy operating slightly above its potential, “we expect growth will edge down to 6.2 per cent in FY28”. “We still expect the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to cut rates by 25bp towards the end of the year, as it assesses the impact of the policy loosening already implemented, and that rates will stay there until end-2026. We expect the RBI to start raising rates in 2027,” said the report.

The global rating agency raised its 2025 world growth forecast slightly to 2.4 per cent, helped by stronger data from China and the eurozone, but warned that the US economy is showing clearer signs of slowing. China’s growth forecast has been revised upward to 4.7 per cent (from 4.2 per cent in Fitch’s earlier June forecast), the eurozone’s to 1.1 per cent (from 0.8 per cent), and America’s to 1.6 per cent (from 1.5 per cent).

For 2026, global growth is pegged at 2.3 per cent. “Greater clarity about US tariff hikes does not alter the fact that they are huge and will reduce global growth. And evidence of a slowdown in the US is now appearing in the hard data; it’s no longer just in the sentiment surveys,” according to Brian Coulton, Chief Economist at Fitch.

The global rating agency expects the Federal Reserve to deliver two rate cuts of 25 basis points each in September and December, followed by three more in 2026. Fitch also expects price pressures to build later in 2025 in the US, curbing real wage growth and weakening consumer demand as job growth is already slowing.

IANS

Rapper Vedan arrested in rape case

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Kochi, Sep 10: Malayalam rapper Hiran Das Murali, popularly known as Vedan, was arrested on Wednesday in a rape case. Since he has already secured anticipatory bail from the Kerala High Court, the arrest was only a formality, and after completing the due process of law, Vedan will walk out of the police station in the evening.

He secured anticipatory bail in a case alleging rape on the false promise of marriage. On August 27, the Kerala High Court granted him conditional bail and instructed him to present himself before the probe team for two days, starting Tuesday.

He was let off on Tuesday after being questioned for five hours and was asked to appear again on Wednesday. It was during the questioning on Wednesday that his arrest was recorded.

After recording the arrest, the police will take him for the customary medical checkup, and then, after bringing him back to the police station, he will be released. The case was filed by a doctor who alleged that Vedan befriended her through Instagram in 2021, and their relationship grew over time.

She claimed that he promised to marry her and, under that assurance, engaged in physical relations on several occasions in Kozhikode, Kochi, and other places between 2021 and 2023.

The complaint also stated that the two briefly lived together and that she provided him financial support, including funds for his debut album and travel expenses. Appearing through counsel, the complainant opposed the bail plea, contending that Vedan had similarly deceived other young women.

However, the court noted that each case must be treated independently. Vedan’s counsel then argued that the relationship was consensual, initiated after the complainant approached him as a fan, and that the complaint was the result of personal differences. The police had earlier issued a lookout notice for Vedan, fearing he might attempt to leave the country, as he had been absconding since the case surfaced.

Incidentally, after this case was registered, similar allegations from other women were also made, but the Court, while granting bail, clarified that allegations of other crimes against him were not under consideration in that particular petition. Early this week, a local court here granted him anticipatory bail in a similar case filed by another woman.

IANS

Army takes charge in Nepal, to hold talks with Gen Z leaders

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Kathmandu, Sept 10: The Nepali Army has assumed responsibility for maintaining law and order, as the security institution announced a nationwide curfew on Wednesday, effective until Thursday morning.

This measure was taken due to the ongoing risks of unrest in the country. As per the Local Administration Act 1971, the District Administration Office, a civilian authority under the Home Ministry, had been enforcing the curfew till now.

With the civilian authorities completely in a mess during Wednesday’s Gen Z protests, during which several government buildings and private properties were vandalised and torched, the Nepal Army announced on Wednesday night that it was taking the initiative for law and order in the country.

Citing the need to safeguard law and order, the security officials said the prohibitory order imposed on Wednesday would remain in effect nationwide until 6 a.m. the next day. Further extensions would be decided based on the evolving situation.

“It has been observed that various anarchist individuals and groups have infiltrated and are engaged in activities such as vandalism, arson, looting, and attempts at targeted attacks on individuals, under the name of the movement, and there remains a possibility of such incidents occurring,” the Army clarified in a statement on Wednesday.

The Army personnel are seen in the streets, making announcements about the enforcement of the curfew. According to the Army’s statement, essential service vehicles, including ambulances, hearses, fire brigades, transport for health workers, and sanitation vehicles, will be permitted to operate during the restrictions. Authorities have requested coordination with nearby security personnel for smooth operations.

The Army further warned that any acts of vandalism, looting, arson, or attacks on people and property carried out under the pretext of demonstrations would be treated as criminal offences, with strict action taken by security forces.

On Wednesday night, the Nepal Army had notified through a notice that it was taking the law and order of the country into its hands starting from Tuesday, 10 p.m., and subsequently announced the curfew order on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, according to local media reports, the Army has asked for the list of names from Gen Z to hold dialogue on the settlement of the future political course of the nation following the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

Meanwhile, in a social media post, the Army said that a total of 27 individuals allegedly involved in destructive, anarchic, and disorderly activities — such as looting, arson, and attempts to cause harm to life and property — have been arrested on Wednesday till 10 a.m. Additionally, three fire engines have been mobilised to control incidents of arson. The fires set at the Singh Durbar building, the main administrative centre of the Nepal government, and at the Supreme Court building continued to burn until Wednesday morning, according to local media reports. Firefighters were rushed to the Supreme Court on Wednesday morning to extinguish the fire.

IANS