The next-gen GST reforms kicked in today with PM Narendra Modi claiming Indians will save ₹2.5 lakh crore on account of their rollout and the earlier announced income tax revisions. Labelling it as a “Bachat Utsav”, the move is expected to provide a significant relief to the poor and the middle class as the auspicious Navratri season begins today.
SC seeks Govt and DGCA’s assurance of “fair, impartial” investigation
Next up, the Supreme Court sought replies from the Union government and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in a case involving the tragic June 12 Air India plane crash.
The SC wants to know how they propose to ensure a “free, fair, impartial and expeditious” investigation into the London-bound plane’s crash in Gujarat. Additionally, India’s top court sought replies on the need for a court-monitored probe by an independent investigator.
Deadly Pak air strikes kill 30
In other news, at least 30 people, including women and children, were killed after Pakistan reportedly conducted deadly overnight air strikes in its own northwestern region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Local media reports suggest that the Pak air force was targetting Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan hideouts in the area. As of this report, the Pakistani government had yet to make any official statement.
Kim Jong Un ready for US talks but on one condition
Moving on, North Korea’s Supreme Leader, Kim Jong Un, said there was no reason to avoid talks with the US if Washington stopped insisting on denuclearisation. He, however, reiterated that he would never abandon the country’s nuclear arsenal to end sanctions.
Kim’s comments come after both US President Donald Trump and South Korean leader Lee Jae-myung expressed their willingness to meet with their North Korean counterpart at their White House meeting last month.
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