Centre

Judiciary can't order GST cuts on air purifiers, Centre tells Delhi HC

The Centre has opposed in the Delhi High Court a PIL seeking directions to classify air purifiers as "medical devices" and reduce the GST rates on those, saying judicial intervention in matters pertaining to the tax are constitutionally impermissible. The Centre said it is a settled law that courts do not substitute themselves for constitutionally-designated decision makers, particularly in matters involving economic policy and fiscal structuring. "Any direction by this court to modify GST rates, convene a meeting of the GST Council or compel the GST Council to consider or adopt a particular outcome would amount to the court stepping into the shoes of the GST Council, thereby exercising functions that the Constitution has consciously and exclusively entrusted to the GST Council," the Centre said in its affidavit filed in response to the petition, adding that such an exercise would violate the doctrine of separation of powers. The plea is listed for hearing on Friday before a bench o

SC urges Centre, Delhi govt to set up special court for ISIS-linked case

The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Centre and the Delhi government to consider setting up a special court to conduct a day-to-day trial in a 2021 case probed by the National Investigation Agency related to the ISIS links of a person. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing the bail plea of Md Heydaitullah who allegedly used Telegram groups to propagate the ideology of the terrorist group in India and recruit other persons. The CJI said that inordinate delay in trial gives to legitimate submissions on behalf of the accused that he cannot be kept in custody for a longer period of time, that too without the trial. The bench asked Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the government and the NIA, to apprise it within a week about the setting up of the special court here to conduct a day-to-day trial in the case in which 125 witnesses are to be examined. Earlier, the top court had, in a separate case, pulled up the Cen

Govt may withdraw X's safe harbour tag over Grok AI obscene content lapses

The government has reportedly warned X of strict action if it fails to follow directions on removing AI-generated obscene content, stressing the need to protect users' safety and dignity online

Centre launches Good Governance Week to boost grassroots service delivery

The Centre on Friday launched the good governance week, an administrative outreach aimed at strengthening citizen-centric governance with a strong focus on grassroots delivery. Launching the initiative, Secretary in the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Rachna Shah, released guidelines for the nationwide 'Prashasan Gaon Ki Ore' campaign. Shah said good governance week, observed annually around the birth anniversary of former prime minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee on December 25, has over the years evolved from a commemorative observance into a focused and action-oriented governance initiative. She emphasised that good governance is reflected not merely in policies and institutional frameworks but in how effectively public services reach citizens and how responsively grievances are addressed. The Prashasan Gaon Ki Ore' initiative continues to form the core of the good governance week campaign, placing district administrations at the forefront of .

Copyright Act under review to address generative AI challenges, says Centre

The Centre told the Lok Sabha that it is reviewing the Copyright Act, 1957 to see if it can address legal challenges arising from the growing use of generative artificial intelligence

Centre approves higher MSP for copra for 2026 season to support cultivators

In a statement, the committee said the Fair Average Quality MSP for milling copra was fixed at ₹12,027 per quintal, while ball copra was set at ₹12,500 per quintal for the 2026 season

Fairfax leads race to acquire majority stake in IDBI Bank from govt, LIC

Fairfax has moved ahead in the race to buy a majority stake in IDBI Bank, with Kotak Mahindra Bank still in the fray as the government and LIC prepare to finalise bids for the lender's sale

BJP has abandoned its responsibilities as Oppn in Karnataka: Priyank Kharge

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Monday hit out at the BJP ahead of the Assembly session here, alleging that the party has abandoned its responsibilities as an opposition and was instead focusing only on trivial issues. Speaking to reporters on the premises of Suvarana Vidhana Soudha here, Kharge took a dig at the BJP for remaining silent on matters that fall under the purview of the central government. Responding to a question that the BJP was going to target the Congress government in the session, Kharge said, "Let them do it. They have abandoned their responsibilities as an opposition." "The MSP (Minimum Support Price) for maize was supposed to be given by the Central government. They are not asking about that. Similary, the FRP (Fair and Remunerative Price) for sugarcane is decided by the Centre," he said. Kharge further claimed that the Centre owed Karnataka significant dues, but instead the BJP was raising irrelevant issues. "They owe the state government Rs 13,000 crore

Centre files curative plea in SC over states' right to levy mining cess

The Centre has approached the Supreme Court with a curative plea against the ruling that allowed states to levy a cess on mining lands, warning of international implications and strain on the federal

Govt enforces four labour codes; rationalises 29 existing labour laws

The Centre has brought all four Labour Codes into force from November 21, rationalising 29 old laws to improve worker welfare, and simplify rules for businesses

Centre plans to set up AI governance group, expert panel by next month

The AIGG will bring together officials from several important ministries, including MeitY, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of External Affairs, among others

Highlights: Centre to force drugmakers to upgrade plants after fatal cough syrup crisis

Highlights: Catch all the latest news developments from across the world here

SC reserves verdict on green firecracker sale, use across Delhi-NCR

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta suggested that the Supreme Court allow the bursting of green crackers to be permitted from 8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali under strict conditions

SC grants Centre six weeks to respond to plea on J&K statehood timeline

Petitioners urged the Supreme Court to enforce the Centre's earlier promise to restore statehood and pleaded that the same should be fulfilled within a reasonable timeframe

GST rate cuts impact Centre and states equally, says FM Sitharaman

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday made it clear that the Centre was not considering any compensation to states for potential revenue loss arising from the latest Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate cuts, stressing that the impact will be shared equally and given the devolution of taxes, while the Centre's share will be even smaller. The opposition was putting pressure on the BJP-led central government, seeking compensation of potential revenue loss from GST rationalisation. Speaking at a BJP-organised discussion on GST in Kolkata, Sitharaman said that during the GST Council meeting, several states, particularly those governed by opposition parties, raised concerns over the proposal to reduce rates, and asked what would happen if they led to revenue losses and how that gap could be filled. Sitharaman said that in response, she had explained that there is "no donor-donee relationship" within the GST Council. "If GST is divided 50/50 between the Centre and the states

Central govt notifies CGST rates for goods effective September 22

The Union Finance Ministry has notified Central GST (CGST) tax rates for goods, which will be effective from September 22. States will now have to follow suit and notify the State GST (SGST) rates to be levied on goods and services beginning Monday. Under GST, the revenues are shared equally between the Centre and the states. Effective Monday, GST will be a two-tier structure, wherein the majority of goods and services will attract tax of 5 and 18 per cent. A 40 per cent tax will be levied on ultra luxury items, while tobacco and related products will continue to be in the 28 per cent plus Cess category. Currently, Goods and Services Tax (GST) is levied in 4 slabs of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent. Besides, a compensation cess is levied on luxury items and demerit or sin goods. With the reduction in rates on most goods, the onus is now on trade and industry to pass on the benefit of these tax rate changes to consumers and align compliance in a timely manner. AMRG & Associates Senior

Centre appoints Pawan Kumar Sharma as Deputy Election Commissioner

Senior IAS officers Pawan Kumar Sharma and V Lalithalakshmi were on Saturday appointed as Deputy Election Commissioner and Joint Secretary in the Vice President's Secretariat, respectively, according to an official order. Sharma is a 1999-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre and Lalithalakshmi is a 2008-batch officer of the West Bengal cadre. Sharma, Additional Secretary in the Defence Ministry, has been appointed as Deputy Election Commissioner in the rank and pay of Additional Secretary to the government of India, an order issued by the Personnel Ministry said. The Centre also carried out a major Joint Secretary-level bureaucratic reshuffle, with 35 civil servants appointed to various government organisations. Aman Sharma, an Indian Postal Service officer of the 2002 batch, has been named as Joint Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, the ministry order said. Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS officer Tarun Kumar Pithode has been appointed as J

Govt plans ₹20,000-cr risk fund to ease financing hurdles in infra projects

The government is considering a ₹20,000-cr risk guarantee fund to protect new infrastructure projects from policy delays and external risks, aiming to boost credit flow and attract investors

Centre moves SC to transfer High Court pleas against Online Gaming Act

The Centre has urged the Supreme Court to hear all pleas against Online Gaming Act pending in Delhi, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh HCs, citing risk of conflicting judgments

SC questions governors' authority to withhold assent to money bills

Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said Article 207 requires a governor's nod for introducing a money bill. So there's no scope for withholding by the governor once introduced