Parliamentary Session Continues
The ongoing Budget Session of Parliament entered its second phase, with discussions covering various ministries and policies. Today, the Lok Sabha is set to discuss the grant demands of the Jal Shakti Ministry.
India’s Lunar Ambitions
Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr. Jitendra Singh, announced in the Lok Sabha that India is planning to send humans to the Moon by 2040. He emphasized that the experiences gained from the Chandrayaan missions would be utilized in future space endeavors.
Chandrayaan’s Success to Benefit Future Missions
Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted that the success of Chandrayaan will contribute to upcoming missions, including Gaganyaan, scheduled for next year. This year, ISRO is set to conduct a final dress rehearsal for Gaganyaan, featuring a robot named “Vyommitra.” Additionally, preparations for Chandrayaan-4 are underway, and India is advancing towards establishing its own space station, to be named “Bharat.”
Railway Maintenance Measures Announced
Three-Hour Track Maintenance Blocks
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw responded to questions regarding railway accidents, explaining that micro-fractures on tracks can worsen if not maintained properly. To prevent accidents, India adopted a strict policy in 2018, setting three-hour track maintenance blocks in each section. IIT Bombay developed a timetable for these blocks in December 2019.
Government Blocks Over 1,000 Online Gaming and Betting Sites
Strengthening Cyber Regulations
IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that online gaming and betting activities are being closely monitored. He revealed that while only 14 such sites were blocked in 2022, the number surpassed 1,000 by 2024, with 1,097 sites blocked in the current year alone. A regulatory framework is being developed to manage online gaming under constitutional guidelines, ensuring coordination between the central and state governments.
PM Modi Attends Lok Sabha Session
Warm Welcome in Parliament
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the Lok Sabha during the Question Hour. Upon his arrival, members of the Treasury Bench greeted him with chants of “Modi-Modi.”
