The West Bengal government will resume the rural employment scheme under the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Grameen) Act in all districts of the state, barring Murshidabad and South 24 Parganas, where allegations of irregularities in its implementation are being investigated.
A former industries extension officer in Thiruvananthapuram has been arrested by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) for allegedly misappropriating Rs 3.57 crore from a self-employment scheme for women. The officer, Praveen Raj T R, is also implicated in two other similar cases involving significant amounts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and NDA leaders reviewed India's progress in international sports and significant growth in youth employment opportunities at their weekly parliamentary meeting.
For members, the message is simple: don't be misled by headlines about '100% withdrawal'. The basic purpose of the EPF remains unchanged -- to help employees build a financial cushion for retirement while allowing limited access to savings for genuine needs during their working lives.
15 states have rolled out unconditional cash transfer schemes for women, with an estimated annual outlay of around Rs 1.7 trillion covering nearly 120 million beneficiaries.
The Delhi government is set to introduce a comprehensive drone policy aimed at creating over 1,000 jobs and regulating drone operations. The policy will focus on establishing research clusters, flight testing facilities, and providing subsidies, while also addressing drone usage for government purposes like traffic management and surveillance, considering the city's extensive 'no drone zones'.
As MGNREGA comes to a close, both critics and supporters keenly eye VB G RAM G's performance.
The EPF should remain a retirement nest egg, not be turned into an emergency fund.
A former scheduled caste promoter of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation was arrested in connection with an alleged Rs 75 lakh subsidy fraud under a self-employment scheme for women of the marginalised community.
The Centre has notified draft rules for the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, outlining the framework for the new rural employment programme replacing MGNREGA. The draft rules are open for public feedback until June 21, 2026.
EPFO said the measure could substantially improve retirement outcomes with nearly half its members expected to see an increase of up to 35 times in their old-age savings.
The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that the 'creamy layer' principle, which excludes affluent individuals from reservation benefits, does not apply to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). This stance opposes Public Interest Litigations (PILs) seeking to implement such a principle for SC/ST reservations and to direct the government to formulate policies for more equitable distribution of reservation benefits.
Commonwealth Games gold medallist Soman Rana has highlighted the critical need for increased corporate support and permanent jobs for Indian para-athletes. He stressed that financial security is vital for athletes to focus on training and achieve consistent international success, including at events like the Paralympics and Para Asian Games. His views were echoed by PCI president Devendra Jhajharia and M3M Foundation chairperson Payal Kanodia, who noted the growing recognition and support for the Paralympic movement in India.
Jharkhand students are protesting alleged recruitment exam irregularities with creative and non-violent methods, including mock job "rate cards," satirical posters, and recitations from the Mahabharata. Their agitation, spearheaded by the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, focuses on demanding reforms, cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination, and an independent probe, while adhering to a strict code of conduct against abusive language.
Leading Indian jewellery bodies, including the All India Gem & Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) and Malabar Gold & Diamonds, have expressed support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to reduce gold imports and are advocating for enhancements to the Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) to unlock India's vast idle gold reserves.
The challenge thrown by the youth movement creates the opportunity for a more consequential debate on India's economic trajectory because it must remain centered on India's youth as its driving impulse, asserts former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers and leaders of the National Democratic Alliance allies on Tuesday attended the ruling coalition's weekly meeting of parliamentarians, where the absence of three Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) MPs stood out amid signs of differences within the 20-member group of Trinamool Congress rebels over its association with the alliance.
Launching the scheme, Modi said during the nationwide lockdown, the talent from cities returned to villages and it will now give a boost to development of rural areas. The 'Garib Kalyan Rozgar Abhiyaan' will be implemented on a mission mode in 125 days in 116 districts of six states -- Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Odisha -- that received the maximum numbers of migrant workers back.
India's largest retirement fund manager, the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), is enhancing its investment governance and fund management practices, following the Reserve Bank of India's recommendations.
...and 3 lakh for harassment.
The US Department of Labour's Office of the Inspector General has initiated an investigation into alleged fraud in H-1B and PERM work visa programmes. Indian IT firm Cognizant is among the companies under scrutiny for widespread schemes involving fraudulent applications, exploitation of foreign workers, and undercutting American labour. The probe aims to dismantle networks exploiting the guest worker visa system.
'1991 was an exceptional period in Indian history.' 'A big 400-volt shock was administered to the system, which was required. Today, we are in a much, much better position.'
The proposed facility seeks to simplify and speed up PF withdrawals by allowing Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) subscribers to access up to 75 per cent of their balance through ATMs and UPI-based systems, while retaining at least 25 per cent in their accounts.
Taxpayers must provide more details to support deduction and exemption claims.
Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's promise of a 'white paper' on corruption in West Bengal, highlighting instances of opposition leaders joining the BJP and allegedly receiving leniency in corruption investigations.
Tax treatment depends on the activity and manner of earning income.
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar announced several welfare schemes, including free bus passes for students, a private employment exchange, and initiatives for youth and farmers, shortly after assuming office.
Cyber Police have arrested Abdu Rahman in Delhi, a key accused in a Cambodia-based online fraud network. This syndicate, which initially used online trading and loan scams, shifted to matrimonial platforms to defraud Indian citizens, including a Kochi doctor who lost Rs 37 lakh. The network recruits Indians to work in scam centres in Cambodia and has been responsible for numerous online frauds.
Salaried taxpayers should not use these forms blindly to file their income-tax returns.
Kota City Police have arrested an alleged mastermind of an inter-state employment racket accused of defrauding over 8,500 people by promising work-from-home opportunities.
With more granular reporting and enhanced data matching, mismatches are likely to be identified more quickly.
Investments under the framework would remain voluntary for employees.
Maharashtra BJP MLC Pravin Darekar announced the launch of 'Devabhau' and 'Chhava' cooperative taxi services in Mumbai, aiming to counter private aggregators and benefit drivers directly, but the scheme has drawn sharp criticism from social activist Anjali Damania and the Opposition Congress over the proposed use of Mumbai Bank funds and its political branding.
The Telangana Prisons and Correctional Services Department facilitated the release of 91 life convicts who were granted special remission by the state government. The released prisoners include 85 men and six women, all of whom were found eligible for remission under the government's prescribed guidelines.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered an immediate stay on the controversial Maharashtra Right to Information (RTI) rules following a backlash from transparency advocates and a hunger strike threat by veteran anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare.
The Indian government has announced the replacement of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, effective July 1. The new scheme aims to expand guaranteed wage employment and link it more closely with infrastructure development and climate resilience, but faces concerns from opposition parties and labour rights activists.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of presenting a misleading picture of West Bengal's development and employment situation during a rally in Kolkata, alleging that he is acting more as a BJP campaigner than as the Prime Minister.
Rebel Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray MP Omprakash Rajenimbalkar has justified his crossover to the ruling Shiv Sena, saying if the people are gravitating towards power, he is merely following the trend.
Of the Rs 31,820.80 crore allocated to central sector schemes and projects, only Rs 11,868.05 crore was utilised, according to the revised estimates.
