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Congress-National Conference rift deepens in Jammu & Kashmir ahead of Rajya Sabha polls

Cracks deepen between Congress and National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir as both parties spar over Rajya Sabha seat allocations.

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Cracks within the Congress-National Conference (NC) alliance in Jammu and Kashmir have widened just ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections. The Congress on Thursday skipped a joint legislative meeting called by NC chief Farooq Abdullah, accusing its ally of “betrayal” and sidelining it in the seat-sharing arrangement.

Congress declines NC’s offer, cites ‘unsafe seat’

The Congress had earlier opted out of both the Rajya Sabha race and the Nagrota Assembly bypoll, rejecting NC’s proposal in both cases. Tensions peaked when the NC announced three candidates for the four Rajya Sabha seats, leaving just one for the Congress — a seat the party described as “unsafe” based on its and the alliance’s strength in the Assembly.

Senior Congress leaders have alleged that the NC reneged on its assurance to Sonia Gandhi, who was promised one “safe seat” by Farooq Abdullah. The Congress, which has six MLAs in the Assembly, accused the NC of going back on that commitment.

Numbers game and looming vote

The current numbers in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly place the National Conference at 41 MLAs and the BJP at 28. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) holds three seats, while six independent legislators are backing Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s government.
Given these figures, the NC is expected to comfortably win three seats, but the fourth — originally intended for the Congress — remains uncertain. The BJP has expressed confidence in clinching that seat.

The cracks in the alliance come as the Assembly session begins, posing a political test for Omar Abdullah, who has urged both the Congress and the PDP to unite in voting against the BJP’s candidate.

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Centre plans major crackdown on IndiGo amid mass cancellations

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The Centre is preparing strong action against IndiGo after widespread disruption triggered by the airline’s handling of new pilot rest rules, according to sources. With thousands of passengers stranded and over 500 flights cancelled on consecutive days, the government is now likely to seek the removal of CEO Pieter Elbers, alongside other stringent measures.

Government weighs removal of IndiGo CEO

Sources indicate that the airline may be asked to remove its chief executive following what officials view as poor management of revised duty and rest regulations for pilots. The developments led to severe operational breakdown across airports and sparked public outrage.

Heavy penalties and flight curbs under consideration

According to officials, an unprecedented crackdown is being prepared. This includes the possibility of a hefty financial penalty on the carrier, which commands nearly two-thirds of India’s domestic aviation market.

Authorities are also evaluating whether the number of flights permitted to IndiGo should be temporarily reduced, marking what could become the toughest action taken against any airline in recent years.

IndiGo representatives were summoned by the aviation ministry on Friday evening as the government sought explanations for the crisis and measures to restore order.

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Lok Sabha clears bill to levy cess on pan masala and similar goods for health, security funding

The Lok Sabha has passed a bill to impose a cess on pan masala manufacturing units, aiming to create a dedicated revenue source for public health and national security initiatives.

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Nirmala Sitharaman

The Lok Sabha has approved the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025, paving the way for a new cess on pan masala manufacturing units. The legislation aims to generate dedicated funds for strengthening national security and improving public health, both areas identified as critical national priorities.

Bill aims to create predictable funding stream

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, responding to the debate before the bill was passed by voice vote, said that the cess will be shared with states because public health falls under the state list.

The new cess will be applied over and above the GST, based on production capacity and machinery used in units manufacturing pan masala and similar goods. The minister clarified that this cess will not affect GST revenue, and that pan masala already attracts the maximum GST slab of 40 per cent.

According to the bill text, the objective is to build a “dedicated and predictable resource stream” to support expenditure related to health and national security.

Sitharaman also mentioned that cess collection as a percentage of gross total revenue currently stands at 6.1 per cent, lower than the 7 per cent average between 2010 and 2014.

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Simone Tata passes away at 95: A look at the visionary who shaped Lakme and modern retail

Simone Tata, the pioneering business leader who built Lakme and helped shape India’s modern retail sector, passed away at 95. Here’s a look at her legacy.

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simone tata

Ratan Tata’s stepmother and celebrated business leader Simone Tata passed away on December 5, 2025, at the age of 95. Known for her pioneering role in building Lakme and transforming India’s retail landscape, she leaves behind a remarkable legacy that redefined Indian consumer culture.

A legacy that shaped Indian business

Simone Tata, born in Geneva in 1930, first came to India at the age of 23. Two years later, in 1955, she married Naval H. Tata and gradually became an integral part of the Tata family’s business vision. Her journey with the Tata Group began in the 1960s, when she was appointed to Lakme—then under Tata Oil Mills.

Under her leadership, Lakme quickly grew into one of India’s most trusted cosmetic brands. She rose to the position of managing director and later chairperson, introducing global formulations and modernising beauty products for the Indian market. Lakme’s rise was also rooted in a strong national vision—launched on former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s suggestion to reduce foreign exchange spent on imported makeup.

Transforming retail through Trent and Westside

After Lakme was sold to Hindustan Lever Limited in 1966, Simone moved to Trent, where she helped build one of India’s earliest modern retail chains. This later gave birth to Westside, a brand that has become synonymous with contemporary Indian shopping culture.

She also played a key role in philanthropic initiatives, guiding organisations such as the Sir Ratan Tata Institute and supporting cultural and children-focused foundations.

Family, personal life and final farewell

Simone Tata is survived by her son Noel, daughter-in-law Aloo Mistry, and grandchildren Neville, Maya and Leah. She also drew public attention in recent years for being the only member of the Tata family to attend Cyrus Mistry’s funeral, despite the widely known strained ties between the families.

Her funeral will take place on Saturday morning at the Cathedral of the Holy Name Church in Colaba, Mumbai.

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