Digest for 03 September, 2025
GST Council to Deliberate Major Tax Overhaul Amid Opposition Demands for Compensation
Finance ministers from eight opposition-ruled states are demanding compensation for anticipated revenue losses ahead of a crucial GST Council meeting. The council will discuss a proposal to simplify the tax structure to just two main slabs (5% and 18%) and a special 40% rate for luxury and demerit goods. While the Centre believes lower rates will boost consumption, states fear significant revenue shortfalls and are uniting to press for a central government guarantee to cover potential losses from the major policy shift.
Severe Floods and Landslides Devastate Northern Indian States
Unrelenting rains have caused widespread devastation across Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh. Swollen rivers have inundated vast areas, leading to at least 29 deaths in Punjab alone and affecting over 256,000 people. The extreme weather has crippled road and rail traffic, triggered landslides, and forced school closures. The India Meteorological Department has issued red alerts for multiple districts, and the water level of the Yamuna River in Delhi has crossed the danger mark, prompting evacuations.
Maratha Quota Activist Manoj Jarange-Patil Ends Hunger Strike
Activist Manoj Jarange-Patil ended his five-day hunger strike in Mumbai after the Maharashtra government agreed to key demands, including issuing Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Marathas. This move will allow them to access reservation benefits under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. The government issued a resolution to form village-level committees to verify documents and also agreed to withdraw cases against protestors and provide aid to families of those who died during the years-long agitation for quotas.
US Court Orders Google to Share Data but Rejects Browser Breakup
In a major US antitrust ruling, a federal judge ordered Google to share search data with competitors to foster competition but stopped short of forcing the tech giant to sell its Chrome browser or Android operating system. The ruling also allows Google to continue its lucrative payments to Apple for being the default search engine. The decision is seen as a mixed result, providing some relief to Google but imposing measures aimed at curbing its market dominance in online search and advertising.
Delhi High Court Denies Bail to Activists in 2020 Riots Case
The Delhi High Court has denied bail to activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and eight others accused in the "larger conspiracy" case related to the 2020 Delhi riots. The accused, who have been jailed for over five years under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), had sought bail citing trial delays and seeking parity with other co-accused who were previously granted relief. The court's decision is a significant legal development in the high-profile and long-running case.