 "FirstUp: PM Modi to flag off Kashmir-Katra Vande Bharat, India-Bangladesh border talks... The news today")
It’s going to be a busy Monday with several events lined up for the day.
Firstly, PM Modi is set to flag off the new Vande Bharat Express train connecting New Delhi to Jammu and Kashmir’s Katra. Meanwhile, Director General (DG)-level talks between India’s Border Security Force (BSF) and Bangladesh’s Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) are set to take place.
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) will implement new FASTag rules to enhance toll payment efficiency and reduce fraudulent activities. Meanwhile, a parliamentary panel has asked the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to submit a note by today on the amendments needed in existing laws.
Finally, the budget session of the Assam Assembly is set to commence today.
PM Modi to flag off Vande Bharat Express train
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Vande Bharat train to Kashmir today, marking a major milestone in completing the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. An official said that the Prime Minister will flag off the specially designed Vande Bharat Express from the Jammu division.
“After years of dedication, engineering brilliance, and relentless efforts, the long-cherished dream of Kashmir’s rail connectivity has finally been realized. The Vande Bharat Express will soon run on this historic route,” the official said.
India-Bangladesh to hold DG-level border talks
The Director General (DG)-level talks between India’s Border Security Force (BSF) and Bangladesh’s Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) are set to take place in New Delhi from February 17 to 20, said the Ministry of External Affairs.
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the discussions will focus on all border-related issues, and emphasised the importance of “honouring” mutually agreed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements.
On January 22, BSF and BGB held a sector commander-level coordination meeting at the Sonamasjid border outpost in Bangladesh, reported news agency ANI. The meeting aimed to ensure peace and cooperation along the Indo-Bangladesh border, according to the BSF South Bengal Frontier.
New FASTag rules to come into effect
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has issued new FASTag rules that will be implemented from today. These rules could lead to rejected transactions if users are not careful.
Some of the key changes include blacklisting FASTags and penalising blacklisted tags. So, if a FASTag remains blacklisted for a specific period, it won’t be accepted for toll payments. This could cause delays and even double toll charges at plazas. Meanwhile, Vehicles with blacklisted FASTags may face penalties, including being charged double the toll fee, depending on the toll plaza’s enforcement policies.
I&B Ministry to suggest amendments in laws after Allahbadia row
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry is set to suggest amendments needed in existing laws to clamp down on controversial content like the one involving Ranveer Allahbadia amid bipartisan concern from MPs over the issue, reported news agency PTI.
Earlier, at a meeting of the Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, members from different parties voiced concern over Allahbadia’s crass comments on a YouTube programme and called for stringent measures to punish him and to ensure that such an incident does not recur.
Budget session of the Assam Assembly to commence
The Budget session of the Assam assembly is set to begin from today. It is expected to be a crucial one, Deputy Speaker Numal Momin said. He further emphasised that the session would not only address significant legislative matters but also strengthen communal harmony in the state.
Meanwhile, the state government launched the Online Building Permission System (OBPS) in 32 municipalities across Assam. The initiative was ceremonially introduced by Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah in Guwahati on February 13.
With inputs from agencies
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