New Delhi: In a major policy decision, the Central Government has decided to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) 2005. The flagship rural employment scheme will now be known as the Pujya Bapu Grameen Rozgar Guarantee Bill 2025.

According to official sources, the decision aims to bring a refreshed identity to the rural employment guarantee programme while retaining its core purpose of providing livelihood support to rural households across India.

The scheme, originally launched in 2005 as MGNREGA, guarantees 100 days of wage employment to every rural household willing to undertake unskilled manual work. Over the years, it has become a critical support system for the rural workforce, especially during economic slowdowns and crises.

The government is expected to introduce the updated bill during the upcoming parliamentary session. Key features of the programme—such as guaranteed employment days, timely wage payments, and transparency mechanisms—are likely to remain intact, while new reforms may be incorporated to improve efficiency and accountability.

More details on the revised implementation framework and funding model are expected to be announced by the Ministry of Rural Development in the coming days.

Govt Counters Rahul Gandhi, Says 5 of 8 Picks From Disadvantaged Sections

New Delhi, Dec 12: Government sources have countered Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks regarding the latest appointments to the Central Information Commission (CIC), stating that five of the eight shortlisted candidates belong to disadvantaged communities, including SC, ST, OBC, minority and women categories.
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, had reportedly recorded his dissent during a meeting of the high-level selection committee — comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and himself — held on Wednesday to finalise the next Chief Information Commissioner and eight Information Commissioners.

However, sources said the committee finalised eight names, and the Centre ensured representation from diverse sections: one SC, one ST, one OBC, one minority candidate, and one woman among the eight shortlisted.
They emphasised that five of the eight candidates recommended for the Information Commissioner posts are from disadvantaged groups.

Sources further highlighted that from 2005 to 2014, during the UPA tenure, no SC/ST individual was appointed as either CIC member or chief. The NDA government, they noted, appointed Suresh Chandra (ST) in 2018, and in 2020, appointed Heeralal Samariya (SC) as Information Commissioner, who later became the first-ever Chief Information Commissioner from the SC community in 2023.

Jodhpur, Rajasthan: In a rare diplomatic move, the Rajasthan High Court has issued a notice to the Saudi Arabian Embassy in New Delhi after the body of a Rajasthan youth, who died in Saudi Arabia nearly a month ago, was not repatriated despite repeated appeals from the grieving family.
The deceased, Ramesh Kumar Meghwal, a resident of Balotra district, died under suspicious circumstances in Saudi Arabia on November 13. Nearly 28 days later, his mortal remains have not been sent back, pushing the family into deep distress.

His mother, Teeju Bai, approached the Rajasthan High Court seeking urgent intervention. Acting on her petition, Justice Nupur Bhati on Thursday issued notices to:
• Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, New Delhi
• Government of India through Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri
• Joint Secretary (Gulf Countries), Ministry of External Affairs
• Government of Rajasthan through its Home Secretary
Legal observers say issuing such a notice to a foreign government is uncommon, especially in humanitarian matters, and underscores the seriousness of the situation.
The matter will be heard again on December 17.
The prolonged delay was initially taken up by Charmesh Sharma, former Director of the Rajasthan Seeds Corporation, who has been assisting distressed Indians abroad. He filed complaints with the President’s Secretariat, National Human Rights Commission, and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Following his intervention, the MEA informed him on November 26 that:
• The Saudi Police are still investigating the case.
• The body will be released only after a forensic medical report is completed.
• The Indian Embassy can issue an NOC for repatriation only after receiving the body.
On December 3, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh issued a death certificate, stating the cause of death as suicide. However, due to the pending forensic report, the Embassy said it remains unable to facilitate the return of the mortal remains.
With no progress for weeks, the family sought legal recourse. Ramesh’s mother filed the petition through advocates Sushil Vishnoi and Sunil Purohit, pleading for the immediate repatriation of her son’s body.
ASG Bharat Vyas appeared for the Union Government during the preliminary hearing.
As the family continues to wait, the High Court’s intervention has offered a glimmer of hope — and placed the responsibility on both governments to act swiftly in a matter that has become a humanitarian concern.

New Delhi , Dec 11 : Rahul Gandhi chaired a review meeting of Congress Lok Sabha MPs on Friday to discuss the ongoing parliamentary session and the party’s strategy in the House. The Congress currently has 99 MPs in the Lok Sabha.

The meeting came a day after Rahul Gandhi renewed his criticism of Home Minister Amit Shah, saying the minister did not respond to his questions during the debate on election reforms. Rahul Gandhi said Shah appeared uneasy during his speech and avoided giving proof to counter the allegations raised. He also challenged Shah to hold a discussion on his earlier press conferences inside Parliament.

Congress MP Tanuj Punia said the Home Minister sidestepped the real issues, including those related to Haryana, and focused instead on attacking the Congress.

The BJP responded sharply, accusing Rahul Gandhi of using “hit and run” tactics. Union Minister Giriraj Singh said Rahul leaves the House whenever the Prime Minister or the Home Minister speaks and claimed he could not face the points raised by Amit Shah.

The exchanges followed a heated argument in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday between Amit Shah and Rahul Gandhi over allegations of “vote chori.”