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Cabinet okays growth in nuclear power generation, maternity benefit

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Cabinet okays growth in nuclear power generation, maternity benefit

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Mothers to get Rs 6000 if the child is their first.

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the setting up of 10 indigenous pressurised heavy water reactors (PWHR) that will generate 7000 MW power. This will benefit domestic nuclear energy equipment makers.

The decision was announced by Power Minister Piyush Goyal who briefed the media about a slew of cabinet decisions. The country now produces 6780 MW, and another 7000 MW are under implementation.

The new PWHRs will generate manufacturing orders worth Rs 70,000 crore in domestic industry and employ a lot many people.

In the power sector, the Cabinet has decided to keep prices low under the coal linkage policy. At the moment, 83,100 MW power is generated through foreign coal contracts, Goyal said. The Cabinet has also decided that power purchase agreements will include discounts that will be given straight away to discoms and then passed on to consumers.

Health: In other big decisions, the cabinet okayed Rs 6000 to lactating mothers but limited it to firstborns only.

“A pregnant or lactating woman having her first child will get up to Rs 6,000. Out of this, Rs 5,000 will be given by the women and child development ministry in three installments,” Goyal said.

He maintained the scheme was for the first child, but also said the scheme was applicable for the “the first two live births”.

According to the scheme, the mothers will receive the initial Rs 1000 after registering their pregnancy,  Rs 2000 after at least one antenatal check-up (after six months of pregnancy) and Rs 2000 after the birth of the child is registered and has received the first cycle of BCG, OPV, DPT and Hepatitis-B or its equivalent/substitute.

“The eligible beneficiaries would continue to receive the remaining cash incentive as per approved norms towards maternity benefit under existing programmes after institutional delivery, so that on an average, a woman will get Rs 6,000,” said an official press release.

Last year in December, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said during his address to the nation that existing Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana, which was being implemented across 56 districts since 2010, would be expanded on a pan-Indian basis.

Tax: The government has mooted a multilateral tax treaty to check evasion. PM Modi had mooted such a treaty to the G20 summit in 2015.

Roads: The Cabinet has okayed the four-laning of the Dwarka-Porbandar national highway.

Railways: The Manmad-Jalgaon railway line is to be electrified and the track doubled. This will also apply to the Guntur-Guntakal railway line.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Rain in Delhi, snowfall in Kashmir as north India sees weather shift

Rainfall in Delhi and fresh snowfall in Kashmir and Manali point to a significant weather shift across north India, impacting flights, trains and temperatures.

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Snowfall

Light to moderate rainfall was recorded across several parts of Delhi on Friday morning, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds. Cloudy conditions are likely to persist through the day, according to weather updates.

The India Meteorological Department issued an orange alert early morning, warning of short but intense spells of rain along with moderate thunderstorm activity in multiple pockets of the city.

Areas such as Narela, Bawana, Alipur, Burari, Kanjhawala, Rohini, Badli, Model Town, Azadpur, Pitampura, Mundka, Paschim Vihar, Punjabi Bagh, Rajouri Garden, Jaffarpur, Najafgarh and Dwarka are expected to be affected. These regions may witness lightning and fast-moving winds along with rainfall.

The rain is likely to provide relief from prevailing temperatures in Delhi and nearby regions.

Fresh snowfall blankets Kashmir Valley

Several areas in the Kashmir Valley, including the popular ski destination of Gulmarg, received fresh snowfall as a strong western disturbance impacted Jammu and Kashmir. Snowfall began late Thursday evening in Gulmarg, located in Baramulla district.

High-speed winds were also reported across Srinagar and other plains of the valley.

Due to the continuing snowfall, authorities at Srinagar Airport have indicated that flight operations may take longer than usual to return to normal. Train services were affected, and the Srinagar–Jammu national highway was blocked following snow accumulation.

Himachal Pradesh’s Manali also witnessed fresh snowfall, covering the hill town in a white blanket and bringing cheer to residents and tourists.

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PM Modi says Balasaheb Thackeray’s vision for Maharashtra continues to inspire generations

PM Modi on Friday said Balasaheb Thackeray’s vision for Maharashtra continues to inspire generations as he paid tribute to the Shiv Sena founder on his birth centenary.

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Bala Saheb Thakeray

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid tribute to Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray on his birth centenary, describing him as a towering personality who deeply shaped Maharashtra’s socio-political landscape. The Prime Minister said Thackeray’s vision for the state’s progress continues to inspire generations and that efforts will always be made to realise his ideals.

In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi said that Balasaheb Thackeray was a figure who left a profound imprint on Maharashtra through his sharp intellect, powerful oratory and unwavering ideological commitment. He noted that Thackeray shared a unique bond with the people and remained closely connected to social and cultural issues.

The Prime Minister highlighted that apart from politics, Thackeray had a keen interest in culture, literature and journalism. He said Thackeray’s work as a cartoonist reflected his sharp observation of society and fearless commentary on contemporary issues. PM Modi added that Thackeray’s vision for Maharashtra’s development continues to guide public life.

Balasaheb Thackeray was born on January 23, 1926, in Pune and passed away on November 17, 2012, in Mumbai. An Indian journalist, cartoonist and politician, he founded the Shiv Sena, which went on to become a dominant force in Maharashtra’s politics. Known for advocating a strong pro-Hindu ideology, Thackeray left a lasting impact on the state’s political and cultural identity.

He began his professional career in the early 1950s as a cartoonist in Mumbai, with his work also appearing in international publications, including Japan’s Asahi Shimbun and the Sunday edition of The New York Times. Over time, his political observations drew him increasingly towards active politics.

In the 1960s, Thackeray launched the Marathi-language weekly Marmik along with his brother. Through the publication, he criticised what he saw as the growing influence of outsiders in Maharashtra, arguing that local residents were being deprived of employment opportunities. This line of thought later formed the foundation of the Shiv Sena in 1966, built around the slogan “Maharashtra for Maharashtrians”.

Despite never holding a constitutional post or contesting elections, Thackeray was regarded as one of the most influential figures in Maharashtra for decades. Revered by supporters as Hindu Hridaysamrat, his authority was such that during the Shiv Sena-BJP government in 1995, Bombay was officially renamed Mumbai, after Goddess Mumbadevi.

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Shashi Tharoor likely to skip key Congress meet amid unease with party leadership

Shashi Tharoor is expected to remain absent from a crucial Congress meeting in Kerala, with sources citing dissatisfaction over his treatment during Rahul Gandhi’s Kochi visit.

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Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is likely to skip an important meeting of the party’s Kerala leadership scheduled for Friday afternoon, with sources indicating that the four-time Lok Sabha member is upset over a perceived lack of due respect during Rahul Gandhi’s recent visit to Kochi.

The meeting, set to be attended by senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, is aimed at reviewing preparations for the Kerala Assembly election later this year. Tharoor, who represents Thiruvananthapuram, is expected to be absent.

Sources said the diplomat-turned-politician has been unhappy with the party’s handling of his role during the Kochi visit, adding to existing strain between him and the Congress’ central leadership.

Tharoor has in recent months found himself under scrutiny within the party following remarks that were seen as appreciative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. These include comments on the Prime Minister’s response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent military strikes on Pakistan, as well as occasional critical observations aired through media interactions.

The tension resurfaced on Thursday after Tharoor shared a selfie with former BJP MP and current India men’s cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir. In his post, Tharoor praised Gambhir for handling what he described as “the second-hardest job in India,” after the Prime Minister’s role.

The post drew a sharp response from a BJP spokesperson, who linked Tharoor’s comments on cricket fans questioning coaching decisions to the opposition’s criticism of the Prime Minister. The BJP leader accused the opposition of prioritising family interests over national concerns and suggested that Tharoor’s remarks once again highlighted divisions within the Congress.

The episode underscores the continuing unease between Shashi Tharoor and the Congress leadership, a rift that political rivals have frequently highlighted in public discourse.

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