“Wayanad landslides: Union Home Minister Amit Shah claimed in Parliament on Wednesday that the central government’s early warning system had alerted the Kerala government, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, about potential weather anomalies and natural disasters ‘seven days before’ the devastating landslides that claimed over 150 lives in Wayanad district.

Amit Shah stated, ‘On July 23, the government of India provided an early warning to the Kerala government, which was seven days before the incident.’

He further emphasized that the Centre had issued multiple early warnings to Kerala prior to the heavy rains that triggered a series of catastrophic landslides in the state.

‘On July 24 and 25, additional early warnings were issued. On July 26, a warning was given about the possibility of heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm, along with the risk of landslides, mudflow, and potential loss of life,’ Shah added.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Amit Shah criticized the Kerala government for not responding to the early warnings or the arrival of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams. He revealed that nine NDRF battalions were dispatched on July 23, with an additional three sent on July 30, yet the state failed to take sufficient action.

The senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader also criticized the Opposition for questioning the central government’s early warning systems and its response to the tragedy.

‘Questions are being raised about the government’s early warning system… The government has invested ₹2,000 crores since 2014 for the early warning system,’ Shah said, condemning the CPI(M) government in Kerala.

Amit Shah pointed out that several states, including Odisha and Gujarat, have effectively used early warnings provided by the Centre to mitigate the impact of natural disasters like cyclones.

The Home Minister suggested that had the Kerala government responded promptly to the early warning and acted quickly when the NDRF teams arrived, the extent of the losses could have been significantly reduced.

The series of catastrophic landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad district has resulted in at least 158 fatalities and over 200 injuries, with the death toll expected to rise as rescue operations continue.

However, on Wednesday, MoS Home Nityanand Rai, while addressing the Rajya Sabha, stated that ‘133 bodies have been recovered so far.'”

“Delhi UPSC aspirants’ deaths: Rau’s IAS Study Circle announced on X on Wednesday, July 31, that they are fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation into the tragic deaths of three UPSC aspirants on July 27.

In their statement, Rau’s IAS Study Circle expressed deep sorrow over the loss of students Tanya Soni, Nivin Dalwin, and Shreya Yadav, extending their heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the tragedy.

On Saturday, three students, identified as Shreya Yadav, Tanya Soni, and Nevin Dalvin, lost their lives when water from a flooded drain surged into the basement library of Rau’s IAS Study Circle in Old Rajinder Nagar.

‘Rau’s IAS Study Circle is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation. We ask that everyone respects the privacy of the families during this difficult time. Their dreams and dedication will always be remembered,’ the tweet read.

On Sunday, Delhi Police arrested the owner and coordinator of Rau’s IAS Study Circle, charging them with culpable homicide.

Additionally, on Wednesday, a Delhi court denied bail to an SUV driver and four owners of the coaching centre basement in Old Rajinder Nagar, where the flooding led to the deaths of the three civil services aspirants.

Judicial Magistrate Vinod Kumar rejected the bail pleas of driver Manuj Kathuria and basement owners Tejinder Singh, Parvinder Singh, Harvinder Singh, and Sarabjeet Singh.

Earlier on Sunday, a magisterial court had remanded Rau’s IAS Study Circle owner Abhishek Gupta and coordinator Deshpal Singh to 14 days of judicial custody.”

The Uttar Pradesh Assembly passed the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2024, on Tuesday, July 30. This bill enhances the punishment for forced conversions, increasing the penalty from 10 years with a fine of ₹50,000 to life imprisonment for deceiving a woman into marriage or converting her religion.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna introduced the bill in the House on Monday.

The amendment stipulates that if an individual threatens, attacks, marries, promises to marry, conspires, or traffics a woman, minor, or anyone with the intent to convert them, the offense will be considered among the most serious. Those found guilty could face up to 20 years imprisonment or life imprisonment.

Previously, the bill required the presence of the victim, her parents, or siblings to file a complaint about a conversion case. The amended provisions now allow any person to register an FIR in such cases.

All conversion cases will be heard by courts no lower than the Sessions Court, and bail pleas will not be considered without an opportunity for the public prosecutor to be heard. All crimes under the amended act have been made non-bailable.

The Opposition, including the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram), has accused the Yogi Adityanath-led government of diverting attention from main issues.

“What else do they have, they are not doing anything new,” said a spokesperson from the Samajwadi Party when asked about the bill outside Parliament.

Azad Samaj Party MP Chandrashekhar criticized the government, stating, “The government is unable to fulfill the basic needs of people. They are unable to provide food, shelter, housing, good health, and good education, but they are focused on such issues because it suits them. For us, employment and price rise are the real issues, and we are working on those.”

New Delhi: Amid ongoing free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations, the European Union (EU) has proposed that India implement its own carbon tax system instead of contributing to the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), commerce and industries minister Piyush Goyal announced on Tuesday.

“They (EU) are very keen to pursue that and they have offered that India could, instead of paying CBAM tax to the EU, devise its own mechanism,” Goyal said. “We will consider their suggestion and come up with whatever is good for the Indian industry and for the people of India,” he added.

The CBAM is a tariff on carbon-intensive imports such as steel, cement, and certain electricity products entering the EU. It aims to promote cleaner industrial production practices in non-EU countries.

As part of the European Green Deal, CBAM will take effect in 2026, with reporting requirements beginning in 2023. A report by the economic think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) estimates that the CBAM could impose a 20-35% tax on specific imports into the EU starting January 1, 2026. This will impact companies in seven carbon-intensive sectors, including steel, cement, fertilizers, aluminum, and hydrocarbons. Notably, about 27% of India’s exports of iron ore pellets, iron, steel, and aluminum products are destined for the EU, with exports totaling $7.4 billion in 2023.

“My thinking is that the CBAM will hurt the EU very badly. Their infrastructure, their cost of living, their industrial products, their consumer products—will become expensive and their economy will face further distress,” Goyal added.

Meanwhile, the minister dismissed speculation about India supporting Chinese investments in the country, following suggestions in the latest Economic Survey to consider foreign direct investments (FDI) from China. The survey recommended leveraging the China-plus-one strategy to boost exports amidst global shifts.

“The chief economic adviser’s report (latest economic survey) speaks about new ideas. It is not at all binding on the government,” Goyal clarified. “There is no rethinking on supporting Chinese investments in the country.”

The domestic industry, particularly sectors using Chinese plants and equipment, has urged the government to relax FDI restrictions, citing technical and operational challenges due to visa restrictions for skilled Chinese workers. However, experts warn that allowing Chinese firms to establish a significant presence in India could pose risks.

“While Chinese companies investing in India and exporting to Western markets might seem beneficial in the short term, it risks undermining India’s long-term economic security and strategic autonomy,” said Ajay Srivastava, founder of GTRI. “Dependence on Chinese firms for key manufacturing capabilities could expose India to supply chain vulnerabilities and geopolitical risks,” he added.

The Delhi High Court is expected to hear a petition tomorrow requesting the formation of a high-level committee to investigate the Rajendra Nagar incident that led to the deaths of three UPSC aspirants. The petition was brought before a bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela by advocate Rudra Singh.

Shreya Yadav from Ambedkar Nagar in Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni from Telangana, and Navin Dalwin from Ernakulam in Kerala tragically lost their lives after the basement of the coaching institute building was inundated following heavy rainfall on July 27. On July 28, the police arrested the owner and coordinator of the coaching center, Rau’s IAS Study Circle, charging them with culpable homicide and other offenses.

The police investigation revealed that the flooding was primarily due to civic authorities’ failure to clear the roadside drains before the monsoon and the lack of proper drainage provisions in the basement, where an illegal library was operating, as reported by Mint on July 29.

The Delhi Police have formed multiple teams to investigate the underlying causes of the incident. Over 35 people, including students and staff, were trapped on July 28 when water began flooding the basement.

According to a Mint report, an MCD official stated that the building’s completion certificate specified that the basement was designated only for parking and storage, yet an illegal library was being operated there.

On July 29, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) established a committee to investigate the incident. This committee will examine the causes, assign responsibility, recommend measures, and propose policy changes to prevent such occurrences in the future.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor V. K. Saxena had previously announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh each for the families of the deceased civil services aspirants.