India’s census of central government employees, a practice since 1960, has been stalled since 2011, despite its importance for welfare scheme planning. While employee numbers peaked in 1995 and later declined, women’s representation steadily rose. The census, along with reports like the Employment Review, faces challenges with data collection and has been discontinued, raising concerns about informed policy-making.
BJP leader Amit Malviya has challenged Mamata Banerjee’s claims regarding the Murshidabad communal violence, citing police reports that contradict her narrative of “outsiders” being responsible. Malviya alleges that the violence, which resulted in three deaths and numerous arrests, was instigated by local youths, as indicated by intelligence inputs and police findings.
In a significant bureaucratic reshuffle, Arvind Shrivastava, a 1994 batch IAS officer, has been appointed as the new Revenue Secretary. Vumlunmang Vualnam will take over as Secretary, Department of Expenditure, succeeding Manoj Govil. Vivek Aggarwal has been named Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, marking key changes in central government departments.
The FBI has apprehended Harpreet Singh in Sacramento, California, wanted in India for multiple terror attacks across Punjab. Singh, linked to Pakistan’s ISI and the Khalistani group Babbar Khalsa International, illegally entered the US and used burner phones to evade capture. He is accused of masterminding attacks and supplying resources to operatives.
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said that the cabinet discussion on the Socio-Economic and Educational Survey, also known as the caste census, was inconclusive and postponed to May 2. Despite concerns raised by ministers regarding the survey’s unscientific nature and outdated information, Siddaramaiah denied reports of heated arguments, emphasising that no one opposed the survey outright.
The Delhi High Court discharged a man in an adultery case, referencing the Mahabharat to highlight the patriarchal roots of the now-defunct adultery law. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna emphasized the Supreme Court’s 2018 judgment decriminalizing adultery, stating that the law treated women as property. The court quashed the complaint, asserting that the outdated notion of marital ownership over women is unconstitutional.
Murshidabad witnessed violence during Waqf Act protests. Pramod Tiwari holds TMC and BJP responsible. He demands an end to the exodus of families. Governor Bose calls violence and corruption cancerous. NHRC investigates human rights violations. Calcutta High Court orders central forces to stay. The court also warns against provocative remarks. Relief efforts are underway for the affected.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has refuted claims of a nationwide satellite-based tolling system replacing FASTag by May 1, 2025. Instead, MoRTH will introduce an ANPR-FASTag-based barrier-less tolling system at select locations to ease traffic flow. This hybrid system will use number plate recognition and FASTag, with penalties for non-compliance.
Baba Ramdev defended his “sharbat jihad” remark, claiming he didn’t target any specific brand, while Congress leader Digvijaya Singh filed a police complaint alleging promotion of religious hatred. Singh accused Ramdev of indirectly targeting Rooh Afza, implying its sales fund religious institutions, and demanded an FIR for inciting communal sentiments. Police are investigating Singh’s complaint.
Kapil Sibal criticized Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s disapproval of the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential bill decisions and Tamil Nadu governor’s bill withholding. Sibal emphasized that both the President and governors must act on ministerial advice, accusing the governor of interfering with legislative authority.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has voiced strong concerns about the judiciary’s increasing reliance on Article 142 of the Constitution, describing it as a threat to democratic forces. He called for a review of constitutional interpretation practices, particularly in light of recent judicial directives to the President regarding state bills.