Digest for 30 June, 2025
Indian Railways to Overhaul Ticketing, Prepare Reservation Charts 8 Hours in Advance
Indian Railways will now prepare reservation charts eight hours before departure, double the current four-hour window, to help passengers from remote areas better plan their journeys. Additionally, the Passenger Reservation System (PRS) is being upgraded to handle over 1.5 lakh bookings per minute, a five-fold increase. The new system will also feature a more user-friendly interface and require OTP-based authentication for Tatkal bookings to curb misuse, with these changes reflecting a major modernisation effort.
Telangana to Introduce Bill to Protect Gig Worker Rights
The Telangana government is set to introduce legislation to protect the state's 4.2 lakh gig workers, making it the third Congress-governed state to do so after Rajasthan and Karnataka. The proposed bill mandates the registration of gig workers and aggregators, and establishes a tripartite welfare board with representatives from the government, companies, and workers. This board will administer a dedicated welfare fund, aiming to provide social and economic justice to a rapidly growing segment of the workforce.
Senior Iranian Cleric Issues 'Fatwa' Against Trump and Netanyahu
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi, a senior Shia cleric in Iran, has issued a 'fatwa' (religious decree) declaring former US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "enemies of God." The decree, a response to perceived threats against Iran's Supreme Leader, forbids any cooperation with them and calls on Muslims worldwide to make the leaders "regret their words." The move follows recent heightened military tensions and verbal sparring between Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Crowds Return to Puri for Darshan a Day After Deadly Stampede
A day after a stampede killed three people and injured about 50, thousands of devotees returned to Puri's Shree Gundicha temple for a darshan of the deities during the Rath Yatra festival. In response to the tragedy, authorities have erected new barricades and queuing systems to manage the large crowds. An ADG-rank IPS officer has been appointed to oversee security arrangements for the remainder of the festival, as pilgrims continue to flock to the religiously significant event.
Supreme Court Dismisses Lalit Modi's Plea for BCCI to Cover FEMA Fine
The Supreme Court has rejected a plea from former IPL chairman Lalit Modi, who sought an order for the BCCI to pay a ₹10.65 crore penalty imposed on him by the Enforcement Directorate for violating the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The court upheld a Bombay High Court ruling that dismissed the petition as "frivolous," noting that the BCCI is not a 'state' under the Constitution and cannot be compelled by a writ to indemnify an individual for a personal penalty.