In today’s News18 Daily Digest, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s record ninth Union Budget has triggered a sharp backlash from Opposition-ruled states. The budget has been met with criticism, with Kerala raising concerns about resource allocation, while the Centre focuses on protecting key sectors from global tariff pressures. Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has intensified her standoff with the Election Commission, taking legal and political steps in Delhi. In other news, the Sabarimala gold theft probe has faced setbacks as the prime accused moves towards securing bail. Outrage has also erupted in Bangladesh after the Jamaat-e-Islami chief made derogatory remarks about women in politics. Mumbai Police have arrested suspects in the firing outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s residence, while the Equestrian Federation has come under fire for sending a coach accused of harassment abroad. Actor Ram Charan’s hospital visit has sparked chaos among fans, and India has halved its budgetary allocation for Bangladesh. On a positive note, young tennis player Carlos Alcaraz has made history with a record-breaking win at the Australian Open. Let’s take a closer look at these stories and other updates from India and around the world.
The Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has been met with mixed reactions. While the government has focused on boosting the economy and providing relief to various sectors, Opposition-ruled states have expressed concerns about resource allocation. Kerala, in particular, has raised concerns about the reduction in funds for various schemes and projects. The state’s Finance Minister, Thomas Isaac, has stated that the budget has not addressed the state’s concerns and has called for a review of the allocation of resources.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has intensified her standoff with the Election Commission. She has taken legal and political steps in Delhi, including meeting with President Ram Nath Kovind, to protest against the transfer of top police officers ahead of the state assembly elections. Banerjee has accused the Election Commission of being biased and has demanded that the transfers be revoked. This move has further escalated the ongoing political tensions in the state.
In other news, the Sabarimala gold theft probe has faced setbacks as the prime accused, Sandeep Nair, has moved towards securing bail. Nair, who is the managing director of a jewellery store, was arrested in connection with the theft of gold ornaments from the Sabarimala temple. The incident had caused a stir in the state, and the police had launched a massive investigation. However, with the prime accused seeking bail, the case has taken a new turn.
Meanwhile, in Bangladesh, there has been widespread outrage after the Jamaat-e-Islami chief, Maqbul Ahmad, made derogatory remarks about women in politics. He had stated that women should not be involved in politics as it goes against their nature. These comments have been met with strong criticism from various political parties and women’s rights groups. The incident has once again highlighted the need for gender equality and the empowerment of women in politics.
In Mumbai, the police have arrested suspects in the firing outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s residence. The incident had caused panic in the area, and the police had launched a search operation to apprehend the culprits. The suspects have been identified as members of a local gang, and the police are investigating the motive behind the attack.
In the sports world, the Equestrian Federation has come under fire for sending a coach accused of harassment abroad. The coach, who has been accused of sexual harassment by a female athlete, was allowed to travel with the Indian team to an international event. This move has sparked outrage and raised questions about the safety and protection of athletes in the country.
On a lighter note, actor Ram Charan’s hospital visit has caused chaos among his fans. The actor, who is known for his roles in Telugu films, was admitted to a hospital in Hyderabad for a minor surgery. However, his fans gathered in large numbers outside the hospital, causing chaos and traffic congestion. The incident once again highlights the immense popularity of actors in India and the impact they have on their fans.
In international news, India has halved its budgetary allocation for Bangladesh. The budget for the financial year 2021-22 has been reduced from 2,000 crore to 1,000 crore. This move has raised concerns about the impact it will have on the development projects and initiatives
