FirstUp: India's Budget, Germany's 4-day work week to begin... Headlines of the day

It’s a busy Thursday today as India will witness its 92nd annual Budget. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will set a record by presenting the sixth Budget in a row – five annual Budgets and one interim – a feat only achieved by former Prime Minister Morarji Desai. Apart from the Budget, the top developments expected are NCP MLA Rohit Pawar’s appearance before the Enforcement Directorate in an alleged Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank scam, a rise in liquor prices in Tamil Nadu and Germany to try a four-day work week starting today for the next six months. Here’s what the day will look like: India’s pre-election Interim Budget 2024 today Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her sixth budget on 1 February. However, instead of a full budget, she will present an interim budget as the Lok Sabha elections are due to take place in a few months. The interim budget will be presented in a joint sitting of Parliament, while the full budget will be presented in July, after a new government takes over following general elections that are due in April-May. NCP’s Rohit Pawar to appear before ED NCP MLA Rohit Pawar, grand nephew of party supremo Sharad Pawar, will be appearing before the ED for questioning in connection with a probe into the alleged Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank scam. [caption id=“attachment_12824222” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Sharad Pawar and his grandnephew Rohit Pawar at a press conference on 2 July after Ajit Pawar’s rebellion. PTI[/caption] He was earlier questioned by the agency on 24 January for more than 11 hours in South Mumbai office. Hundreds of NCP workers from across the state had gathered at the party office to stage a protest against the ED. Delhi HC to hear banks’ diligent response to cyber crimes The Delhi High Court will hear a batch of petitions related to instances of innocent customers falling victim to fraudulent activities. [caption id=“attachment_13628442” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] RBI has been increasing its gold holdings since 2017. AFP File Photo[/caption] The court had directed the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to submit an affidavit, clarifying whether guidelines have been issued to banks regarding queries raised by the police and ensuring compliance with orders from police authorities or courts. Myanmar’s state of emergency expires The six-month state of emergency in the Northeastern state, which has repeatedly been extended, is due to expire today. Additionally, the state’s military government on Wednesday also eased election registration rules for political parties. Liquor rates to be increased in Tamil Nadu The excise tax on liquor in Tamil Nadu will be increased which is to be reflected on liquor prices starting today. According to a release from the Tamil Nadu State marketing Corporation (TASMAC), “10 rupees has been increased to 180 ml of normal and medium-quality liquor. 180 ml of high-quality liquor is to be increased to 20 rupees. Likewise, 650 ml beers are to be increased by 10 rupees.” As per the revised schedule, alcoholic drinks sold in higher quantities will accordingly cost more. Ayodhya to be connected with eight cities Starting today, the Ministry of Civil Aviation will introduce eight new flight routes for Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya. These routes will establish connections between Ayodhya and major cities such as Delhi, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Patna, Darbhanga, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. [caption id=“attachment_13558852” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] A view of the Ayodhya airport on 28 December. PTI File Photo[/caption] Odisha Congress to hold Jana Sampark Bus Yatra The Congress unit in Odisha will be holding Jana Sampark Bus Yatra from Lingaraj temple starting today. The yatra will start from Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar and will cover all the 147 assembly seats in the state. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge is also likely to address a mega rally in the state capital. SAD’s ‘Punjab Bachao Yatra to start today The Shiromani Akali Dal’s planned Punjab Bachao Yatra will start from the Indo-Pak border in Attari on 1 February and will cover 43 assembly constituencies in a month. According to party spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema, the yatra would “expose” the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as well as showcase the contribution of the SAD governments in the development of the state. Germany to try four-work week for the next six months Germany is launching a six-month trial of a four-day work week starting Thursday. This involves 45 companies, aiming to improve employee well-being, productivity, and address economic challenges. The pilot is being led by Four Day Week Global, a non-profit based in New Zealand. Ferrari Racing Days in Abu Dhabi In a piece of fun news, the Ferrari Racing Days Abu Dhabi 2024 will descend upon Yas Marina Circuit from Thursday (! February) and will go on till Sunday (4 February). The racing action is returning to the Middle East for the second consecutive year. A day to remember

• Indian Coast Guard will celebrate its 46th Raising Day of Indian Coast Guard
• Myanmar’s military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021
• 251 people were trampled to death and 244 injured in a stampede at the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia in 2004
• Thomas Edison finished construction of the first motion picture studio, the Black Maria in New Jersey in 1893

Anniversaries Today

• Birth anniversary of cricketer Jahangir Khan
• Birth anniversary of cricketer Ajay Jadeja
• Birth anniversary of actor Jackie Shroff
• Birth anniversary of footballer Stanley Matthews
• Birth anniversary of politician and actor Manoj Tiwari
• Death anniversary of astronaut Kalpana Chawla