New Delhi, Oct 23: The government has announced the exemption of export duty on parboiled rice and husked (brown) rice, effective from October 22. In a late-night notification issued by the finance ministry, the export duty has been reduced from 10 percent to zero for parboiled rice, husked (brown) rice, and rice in the husk (paddy or rough).

Sources indicate that the Election Commission has approved this duty cut, with the stipulation that it should not be leveraged for political advantage, especially with elections in Jharkhand and Maharashtra approaching next month.

This recent decision follows last month’s exemption of non-basmati white rice from export duty. Previously, the government had reduced the levy on parboiled rice, husked brown rice, and rice in the husk from 20 percent to 10 percent. Additionally, the minimum export price for basmati rice has been eliminated to encourage outbound shipments and enhance farmers’ income.

Jammu, Oct 21: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha stated that two foreign terrorists, suspected to have infiltrated from north Kashmir’s Bandipora area, were likely involved in the deadly attack in Ganderbal district that claimed seven lives.

The attack took place at a tunnel-construction site on the Srinagar-Leh national highway in Ganderbal on Sunday, where a doctor and six laborers were killed. According to officials, the terrorists targeted the site when the workers and staff had returned to their camp for the evening.

Sinha revealed that preliminary investigations suggest the attackers, who wore masks, entered the mess hall of the company involved in the Z-morh tunnel construction and opened fire indiscriminately, killing seven and injuring four others. The Lieutenant Governor emphasized that the police and security forces have been given full freedom and clear instructions to track down and eliminate the perpetrators of this heinous act.

He further noted that the two terrorists are believed to have infiltrated from the Bandipora area of north Kashmir and assured that they are being tracked and will soon be neutralized.

NEW DELHI, Oct 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized India’s strong commitment to BRICS, recognizing it as a key platform for dialogue and addressing global developmental issues. In a statement ahead of his two-day visit to Kazan, Russia, for the 16th BRICS summit, Modi highlighted the group’s significance in fostering cooperation on critical global challenges.

He noted that BRICS’ expansion with new members last year has enhanced its inclusivity and broadened its global agenda. “India values close cooperation within BRICS, which has emerged as an important forum for discussing issues related to the global developmental agenda, reformed multilateralism, climate change, economic cooperation, resilient supply chains, and promoting cultural and people-to-people exchanges,” Modi said.

The summit, hosted by Russia, is seen as a platform for non-Western powers to assert their influence, especially amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the tense situation in West Asia. Modi will also hold bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the summit’s sidelines.

This will be the first BRICS summit following the group’s expansion during last year’s Johannesburg summit, which welcomed new members like Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE.

Modi’s visit to Kazan will also further strengthen India’s “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” with Russia. “My visit to Kazan will build upon the fruitful discussions held during the annual summit in Moscow this past July,” Modi said. He expressed eagerness to engage with other BRICS leaders at the summit.

BRICS, originally formed in 2006 with Brazil, Russia, India, and China, became BRICS with the inclusion of South Africa in 2010. The 2023 expansion marked the first addition of new members since then, reflecting the group’s growing relevance on the global stage.

New Delhi, Oct 22: On Monday night, 30 domestic and international flights operated by Indian airlines received bomb threats, according to sources. Airlines affected include IndiGo, Vistara, and Air India.

An IndiGo spokesperson confirmed that four of its flights received security-related alerts: 6E 164 (Mangaluru to Mumbai), 6E 75 (Ahmedabad to Jeddah), 6E 67 (Hyderabad to Jeddah), and 6E 118 (Lucknow to Pune). Fortunately, passengers from these flights were disembarked safely. The spokesperson stated, “We worked closely with the relevant authorities, and standard operating procedures were followed.”

An Air India spokesperson also acknowledged that some of its flights that operated on Monday faced security threats, which were reported on social media. “Following the laid-down protocols, relevant authorities were immediately alerted, and all security procedures were strictly adhered to, as per guidance from the regulatory authorities and security agencies,” the spokesperson said.

A Vistara spokesperson noted that a few of its flights received security threats on social media as well. “We immediately alerted the relevant authorities and are following all security procedures as directed by them,” the spokesperson stated.

In the past week alone, over 120 flights operated by Indian carriers have faced bomb threats. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu emphasized that while these threats are often hoaxes, they must be taken seriously.

In response to the increasing threats, the government is planning legislative measures to address bomb threats to airlines, including placing offenders on a no-fly list. Proposed amendments to The Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act (SUASCA), 1982, would allow for the arrest and investigation of perpetrators without a court order while an aircraft is on the ground. Additionally, changes to aircraft security rules are being considered to impose stricter penalties on those making bomb threats.