Today in Politics: Maharashtra Cabinet expansion likely; SC to hear Manish Sisodia’s plea seeking relaxation of bail conditions

“Day after tomorrow,” the bench said, while agreeing to list the matter on December 11.

The apex court on November 22 agreed to hear Sisodia’s pleas and issued notices to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking their responses on the applications.

On August 9, the apex court had granted him bail in the corruption and money laundering cases linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam, saying long incarceration for 17 months without trial had deprived him of his right to speedy trial.

Maharashtra Cabinet expansion likely

Cabinet expansion of the Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government is likely to take place on Wednesday or Thursday, sources said on Friday.

In all likelihood, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP will retain Finance and the BJP the Home department as in the previous Eknath Shinde-led government, sources told PTI.

The Shinde-led Shiv Sena will retain Urban Development and may also get Revenue, if Sena sources are to be believed.

A cabinet in Maharashtra can have a maximum of 43 ministers including the chief minister.

PM Modi to address Smart India Hackathon-2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with young innovators at the grand finale of Smart India Hackathon – 2024 via videoconferencing on Wednesday, his office said.

The seventh Smart India Hackathon will run concurrently at 51 centres nationwide, a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said.

Modi will interact with the young innovators at the grand finale via videoconferencing around 4:30 pm on Wednesday.

More than 1,300 student teams will participate in the grand finale and the prime minister will also address the gathering.

This year, more than 250 problem statements have been submitted by 54 ministries, departments, state governments, PSUs and industries.

Sukhu govt to fulfil guarantees

The Congress government would fulfil seven key guarantees Wednesday, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said last week while addressing a public gathering in the Siraj Assembly constituency of the Mandi district.

In a statement issued here, he accused the previous BJP government of constructing buildings without appointing staff and opening 900 institutions just before the elections without providing adequate budgets and manpower and described such actions as betrayal of the public.

He said the restoration of the old pension scheme for 1.36 lakh government employees, the release of an 11 per cent dearness allowance for employees and pensioners and an increase in police diet allowances to Rs 1,000 reflect the state’s improving financial health.

– With PTI inputs