Avoid jail for drug users: Social justice ministry
In its suggestion to review the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment recommended decriminalising possession of small quantities of drugs for personal consumption. It also suggested amendments to the NDPS Act to treat those who use drugs as victims, be sent to rehab, and not be sentenced to jail.
Source - Indian Express
Pakistan in deep economic crisis
Imran Khan-led Pakistan is gripped with a severe economic crisis, requiring external funding of $51.6 billion in two years to fulfil its needs. Despite the IMF's highly conservative forecasts, Pakistan's gross external finance demand is $23.6 billion and $28 billion in 2021-22 and 2022-23, respectively. Pakistan is now hoping to strike a staff-level agreement with the IMF to bridge this gap.
Source - Economic Times
IRCTC to introduce 'pod' concept retiring rooms in Mumbai
IRCTC will soon introduce POD concept retiring rooms at Mumbai Central railway station in association with M/s Urban Pod Pvt Ltd, Mumbaiesteemed passengers of Indian Railways. Each Pod will provide a wide range of features that are never seen before. The facility will have a total Pod inventory of 48 with functional design for differently-abled where the rooms will comfortably fit 2 guests with space for free movement of Wheelchair.
Source - Mint
Mullaperiyar dam in danger of collapse
Tamil Nadu has issued the first warning to Kerala after the water level in the 150-year-old Mullaperiyar dam reached 136ft. Kerala has requested Tamil Nadu to release water from the dam once it reaches 136 feet, which according to Tamil Nadu, has to release the water once the level reaches 142 feet. This request comes after the dangers of three-fourths of Kerala getting submerged if the dam collapses.
Source - The Siasat Daily
China tightens land border protection with new law
China passed a law on Saturday to strengthen border protection amid a standoff with India and concerns about Taliban-controlled Afghanistan and Covid-19. It allows the Chinese People's Liberation Army to counter any "invasion, encroachment, infiltration, [or] provocation" and close the border if a war or other armed conflict nearby threatens border security.
Source - DW
SRA survey of Patil Estate slums to begin October 25
Reportedly, PhonePe, Walmart group's digital payments firm, has begun charging processing fees of INR 1 & INR 2 per mobile recharge above INR 50, even if done through Unified Payments Interface (UPI). PhonePe is the first digital payments app to charge users for UPI-based transactions, offered free by its competitors like GooglePay & PayTM. The app is also charging processing fees for credit card payments like other players.
Source - Hindustan Times
Matchbox falls prey to inflation
A matchbox, currently priced at Re 1, will cost double from December 1. It is the only day-to-day item whose price did not increase for 14 years. The last time it saw a price revision was in 2007 - from 50 paise to Re 1. The manufacturers have decided to hike the MRP of a matchbox to Rs 2 each, citing the steep rise in input costs. The MRP hike will come into effect from December 1.
Source - The New Indian Express
J&K encounter: 3 security personnel, Pak terrorist injured
3 security personnel and an arrested Pakistani terrorist were wounded on Sunday after terrorists fired on a joint search party of the Indian Army and police inside a forest in the Poonch district of J&K on the 14th day of a huge operation against militants hiding in the area. The arrested Pakistani terrorist was taken to identify a hideout by the security forces.
Source - Hindustan Times
Amit Shah promises delimitation, elections, statehood in J&K
On Saturday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced J&K would undergo delimitation, followed by elections and then restoration of statehood. Delimitation is redrawing of the boundaries of an assembly or Lok Sabha constituency to reflect the demographic changes. The delimitation exercise of J&K is expected to begin next year.
Source - India Today
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