Two-day GST Council meetings are expected in September to pave the way for reforms. The announcement was made by the Prime Minister from the ramparts of the Red Fort. These reforms are seen as a Diwali gift for the middle class. Key changes include the removal of the 12% GST slab and rate rationalisation for health and life insurance policies. The government aims to reduce the GST on most items currently in the 12% slab to 5%. This move is expected to make essential items such as footwear, bags, clothes, and toothpastes more affordable. The government is addressing concerns about inflation and the rising cost of living. Feedback regarding health insurance, which impacts the common person, has also been considered. The meetings in September are crucial for approving these changes, with implementation anticipated before Diwali. The Finance Ministry and state finance ministers have been involved in the process.
India Today special report 'New Year Old Wounds' covers multiple geopolitical conflicts at the start of 2026. In Venezuela, following the capture of Nicolas Maduro by US forces, President Donald Trump stated, 'We're in charge'. The focus then shifts to rising tensions over Greenland, which President Trump says the US must have for strategic reasons.
The controversy over actor Vijay's film 'Jananayagan' has escalated, with the makers now approaching the Supreme Court. This move follows a decision by a two-judge bench of the Madras High Court to stay its own single-judge order that had granted the film a U/A certificate. According to India Today's Anagha, the filmmakers are pushing for an urgent hearing to secure an early release, citing massive financial stakes. The reporter notes the filmmakers' plea that 'they have spent close to 500 crores, they have invested a huge sum of money on the making of this film, and therefore, the film has to find its release ASAP'. The challenge from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had led to the High Court's reversal, putting the film's planned Pongal release in jeopardy and prompting the appeal to the nation's apex court.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan addresses the controversy surrounding the Malayalam language bill, responding to concerns raised by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Vijayan asserts that the bill is inclusive and its 'key provisions... ensures that no language is imposed and linguistic freedom is fully protected'. He highlighted that Clause 7 of the bill specifically safeguards the rights of linguistic minorities, particularly the prominent Kannada-speaking population in Kasaragod and the Tamil-speaking community in Idukki. Vijayan clarified that students with a mother tongue other than Malayalam are not compelled to take Malayalam exams and can choose other languages. The Kerala Congress leadership has also weighed in, suggesting the issue is a misunderstanding rather than a point of political contention, as exemptions for linguistic minorities are already built into the legislation.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is on a 'warpath' against the Election Commission, according to this report. The Trinamool Congress supremo has written a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the poll panel is harassing ordinary citizens through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. The Chief Minister's letter states that 'the ordinary people are suffering' due to the revision drive. The opposition has reportedly been raising this issue for some time, claiming that the extensive process is causing trouble for the general public. The report highlights the ongoing tussle between the state government and the Chief Election Commission over the implementation and impact of the voter roll revision process in West Bengal.
