Today in History (February 3^rd, 1661)

1661 – Maratha forces under Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj defeat the Mughals in the Battle of Umberkhind.

Summary of Today’s News

Vijay, a prominent figure in Tamil cinema.
He officially entered politics by announcing his political party,
- ‘Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam’.
Taking a stance against corruption and divisiveness in politics,
Vijay emphasized that his party would participate in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election,
Opting to stay away from the upcoming Lok Sabha election and refrain from endorsing any other political entity.
It’s worth noting that Vijay, previously heading the Vijay Makkal Iyakkam, which originated from his fan association, has now transformed it into a larger social platform, ultimately evolving into a full-fledged political party.

Union Ministers in both Houses of Parliament demanded an apology from the Congress following remarks by Lok Sabha member D.K. Suresh, suggesting that South India might seek a separate nation without sufficient funds in the Union Budget.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to refer the matter to the Ethics Committee and
He sought an apology from Sonia Gandhi, who leads the Congress Parliamentary Party.
Joshi condemned the statement, considering it an insult to Babasaheb Ambedkar, and called for action against Suresh.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal in the Rajya Sabha sought an apology, deeming the remarks divisive and an attack on the Constitution.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will showcase its combat and firepower capabilities during Exercise Vayu Shakti-2024
It will be at the Pokhran firing range in Rajasthan.
In a near-realistic scenario, the exercise will feature Rafale fighter jets and Prachand and Apache attack helicopters for the first time.
Air Marshal A.P. Singh stated that the event aims to demonstrate the full spectrum of Indian aerospace power, involving joint operations with the Indian Army.
The exercise, with 121 participating aircraft, will highlight the IAF’s precision and long-range weapon delivery capabilities, showcasing indigenous systems like Akash and Samar for intruder interception.

Centre to cover entire cost for households using <300 units of electricity/month.
Implementation Approach:
- Public sector units (e.g., NTPC) to identify and install rooftop solar systems.
Financial Model:
- 60% of installation cost subsidized; PSU takes a loan, repaid from electricity usage above 300 units.
Eligibility:
- Households >300 units can participate, funding 40% through a loan or self-financing.
Revenue Generation:
- Scheme pays back in 7-10 years; excess electricity can be sold back to the grid.
Execution Framework:
- PSUs form special purpose vehicles with private companies for program execution.
Budgetary Outlook:
- No specified budget; estimated cost for electrifying 1 crore households at least 1.5 lakh crore.
Current Rooftop Solar Adoption:
- 7 lakh households; scheme aims for exponential expansion with increased awareness and faster installation.

The 22nd Law Commission, in its recent report submitted to the Law Ministry, recommends retaining criminal defamation within India’s criminal laws.
Emphasizing the importance of protecting the right to reputation,
- The commission asserts that reputation, derived from Article 21 of the Constitution, deserves safeguarding as a fundamental right.
In addressing punishment, the commission highlights the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita’s inclusion of community service as an additional measure, aiming to balance victim interests and prevent misuse through an alternative form of punishment.

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