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Aadhaar number helped track at least 500 missing children: UIDAI chief

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Aadhaar number helped track at least 500 missing children: UIDAI chief

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Ajay Bhushan Pandey, CEO of UIDAI claimed at the Global Conference on Cyberspace that missing children were traced using the 12-digit biometric identifier

At a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government are facing a barrage of criticism for making linking of Aadhaar numbers with nearly every document or amenity that a citizen needs to prove his/her existence mandatory, here’s a potential benefit that the unique identification number can accrue to citizens.

If claims by Ajay Bhushan Pandey, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) are to be believed, then in the few months Aadhaar numbers have been instrumental in tracing at least 500 missing children from across the country and re-uniting them with their kin.

Addressing a session at the Global Conference on Cyberspace (GCCS) that was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, on Friday, Pandey said: “Over the last few months, more than 500 missing children have been identified through Aadhaar.

The top boss of the agency responsible for Aadhaar registration said the identification of of these missing children happened “in instances where a child found in an orphanage underwent Aadhaar enrolment and it was found that his/her 12-digit biometric identifier had already been made.”

The claim that missing children can be tracked if they have already been enrolled for Aadhaar numbers is a significant one for India, a nation which has the distinction of being among the world’s leading countries when it comes to the population of children. According to the 2011 Census, of the 1.2 billion-strong population of India, around 40 per cent citizens are below the age of 18.

News Agency PTI has quoted estimates put out by CRY (Child Rights and You), an NGO working for child rights, stating that the number of children who went missing and remain untraced across India had increased by about 84 per cent between 2013 and 2015. The NGO arrived at the disturbing figure using government data to say about 180 children go missing on an average every day in the country. In light of these startling figures, Pandey’s claims can’t be dismissed – or accepted – lightly.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Madras HC grants interim anticipatory bail to Kunal Kamra

His petition expressed apprehension about being arrested by the Mumbai Police, which had summoned him twice in connection with the case.

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The Madras High Court on Friday granted interim anticipatory bail to stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, who faces potential arrest over jokes targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a recent performance in Mumbai.

Kamra, 36, had sought relief from the court, stating that he relocated from Mumbai to Tamil Nadu in 2021 and has since been a resident of the state. His petition expressed apprehension about being arrested by the Mumbai Police, which had summoned him twice in connection with the case.

The controversy arose after Kamra’s show at Mumbai’s Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, where he performed a satirical song parodying Shinde. The act drew sharp criticism from Shiv Sena supporters, leading to violent protests. A group of party workers vandalized the comedy club and the adjoining hotel, prompting police action.

Following a complaint by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel, the Khar Police registered a case against Kamra for allegedly making defamatory statements against the deputy CM. Mumbai Police issued a second summons, directing the comedian to appear before them on March 31.

Meanwhile, authorities arrested 12 Shiv Sainiks, including leader Rahool Kanal, for the destruction of property at the venue.

Kamra, known for his sharp political satire, took to X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, lashing out at mainstream media. He wrote: “The mainstream media at this point is nothing but a miscommunication arm of the ruling party. They are vultures who report on issues that don’t matter to the people of this country. If they all shut shop from tomorrow till eternity, they will be doing a favor to the country, its people & their own children.”

The Madras High Court’s decision to grant interim bail provides temporary protection to Kamra from arrest, allowing the legal process to proceed without immediate detention. The case has reignited debates on free speech, political satire, and the limits of comedy in India, where comedians frequently face legal challenges for their content.

This incident is not Kamra’s first brush with controversy—his past remarks on politicians and media figures have often sparked outrage. 

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India News

Union Cabinet approves 2% hike in DA for central govt employees, pensioners

This follows July 2024’s 3% DA hike (50% to 53%) and precedes the anticipated 8th Pay Commission recommendations expected in 2026. Since 2020, DA revisions have followed this biannual pattern, except during the pandemic-induced freeze from April 2020 to June 2021.

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The Union Cabinet Friday announced a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners, marking the second such adjustment this fiscal year. The revised rates, rising from 53% to 55% of basic pay, will take effect from January 1, 2025, benefiting approximately 1.15 crore individuals across the country.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the decision following today’s Cabinet meeting, stating the hike reflects the government’s commitment to mitigating inflation’s impact on its workforce. “This revision aligns with our established formula based on the All-India Consumer Price Index data,” Vaishnaw said. The move carries an annual financial implication of ₹6,614.04 crore for the exchequer.

Detailed Financial Impact
The increase affects 48.66 lakh active employees and 66.55 lakh pensioners. For illustration:

  • Senior bureaucrats with ₹2 lakh basic pay will see monthly DA rise by ₹4,000 (from ₹1.06 lakh to ₹1.10 lakh)
  • Mid-level officers drawing ₹56,100 basic pay gain ₹1,122 monthly
  • Entry-level staff (₹18,000 basic) receive an additional ₹360 per month

Implementation Timeline
The Finance Ministry has directed all departments to:

  1. Process revised payments for February 2025 salaries
  2. Calculate and disburse January arrears separately
  3. Complete all account adjustments by March 31, 2025

This follows July 2024’s 3% DA hike (50% to 53%) and precedes the anticipated 8th Pay Commission recommendations expected in 2026. Since 2020, DA revisions have followed this biannual pattern, except during the pandemic-induced freeze from April 2020 to June 2021.

State governments typically follow the Centre’s lead on such adjustments, suggesting similar announcements may follow from various state capitals in coming weeks. The move comes as the government balances fiscal responsibility with welfare commitments in an election year.

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Cricket news

Who is the best T20 player right now? Harbhajan picks THIS cricketer over Head, Abhishek and McGurk

Nicholas Pooran has earned Harbhajan Singh’s vote as the best T20 batter right now, ahead of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, after a fiery IPL 2025 start.

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Nicholas Pooran, Harbhajan Singh, who is best T20I batter, Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Jake Fraser-McGurk,

India spin legend Harbhajan Singh, now part of the IPL 2025 commentary panel, has weighed in on one of T20 cricket’s most debatable questions—who is the best T20 batter right now?

Is it Australia’s in-form explosive opener Travis Head, India’s rising star Abhishek Sharma, or the ultra-aggressive Jake Fraser-McGurk? No, says Harbhajan.

His pick? Nicholas Pooran, the Trinadidan tsunami.

The former off-spinner declared his choice on social media after Nicholas Pooran’s latest blitz for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2025. “Currently Nicholas Pooran is the best player of T20 format. Period!” he posted on X.

Presenting the batter’s T20 stats, Harbhajan declared Pooran as the best T20 player in the world right now, following his electrifying start to IPL 2025 with LSG.

Continuing his red-hot form, the 29-year-old Trinadadian has smashed 145 runs in just two matches, including a 26-ball 70 against Sunrisers Hyderabad and a 75 from 30 balls vs Delhi Capitals. He currently holds the Orange Cap, with a strike rate of 258.92 and average of 72.50.

After his destructive knock against SRH, Nicholas Pooran became the second player after KL Rahul to score over 1000 runs for LSG. He reached the milestone in just 31 matches, averaging 45.54 at a destructive strike rate of 184.53.

Known for his effortless power-hitting, Pooran holds the record for the most IPL fifties scored in under 20 balls—doing so four times, more than any other player. He recently smashed an 18-ball half-century, second-fastest for LSG, only behind his own 15-ball effort from IPL 2023.

When it comes to speed, Pooran leads again—holding the record for most IPL fifties in under 20 balls (4). Travis Head and Fraser-McGurk have managed this feat three times each.

In a tournament full of hard-hitters, Pooran isn’t just keeping pace—he’s setting it.

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