New Delhi: Ahead of the Vice-Presidential election scheduled for September 9, the Election Commission has appointed observers. Two Additional Secretaries from central ministries—Sushil Kumar Lohan (Panchayati Raj Ministry) and D. Anandan (Finance Ministry)—have been designated as observers, the Commission announced on Thursday.

The election follows the unexpected resignation of Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar. NDA candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan and opposition nominee B. Sudarshan Reddy are in the fray.

Mumbai: Heavy rains have left Mumbai and its suburbs waterlogged. The situation is expected to ease by Thursday. Seventeen local train services were cancelled after tracks went under water, Central Railway said. Airlines, including IndiGo, warned that flights could be cancelled or diverted anytime due to bad weather.
Earlier this week, a cloudburst in Nanded district caused flash floods, killing eight people. On Tuesday, heavy rains caused the Mithi River to overflow, leading to flooding in several areas. Around 350 people from Kurla were evacuated. Schools, colleges, and government offices were shut.

Rescue teams have been deployed, said CM Devendra Fadnavis. Deputy CM Eknath Shinde visited affected areas.

Tamil Nadu: The NIA arrested one person during raids in Tamil Nadu linked to the murder of PMK leader Ramalingam. The accused, identified as Inbadullah, was arrested from Kodaikanal where he worked in a biryani shop. He is said to have links with the banned Popular Front of India (PFI).

Raids were conducted at eight locations in Dindigul and Kodaikanal, during which pamphlets, electronic devices, and ID documents were seized. The murder had earlier been linked to PFI operatives, several of whom remain absconding.

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha has passed the Online Gaming Regulation Bill, introduced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and cleared by the Cabinet earlier this week. The bill aims to curb rising addiction, money laundering, and financial frauds.

Once implemented, all monetary transactions related to online gaming will be banned. Banks and financial institutions will not be allowed to process payments for such games. Advertising of gaming and even promotion of e-sports will be completely prohibited. Unregistered or illegal platforms will face strict action.

Since October 2023, online gaming has been subject to 28% GST, and from FY 2024–25, winnings will attract 30% tax. Offshore operators have also been brought under the Indian tax regime. Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, illegal betting is now a criminal offence punishable with up to 7 years’ imprisonment. The IT Ministry will serve as the nodal regulator with powers to block illegal sites.

New Delhi: The central government said it was compelled to introduce a bill to regulate online gaming after estimating annual losses of over ₹20,000 crore. More than 45 crore people fall victim to online games every year. Gambling and betting have been included under the new bill’s scope. Several MPs had flagged issues such as subscription fees for money-based games. The government said it is prioritizing citizens’ mental well-being over revenue from such games.

The bill highlights problems such as addiction, fraud, and legal loopholes. Players will not face punishment, but platforms running the games will be targeted. Running gambling apps could lead to 3 years’ imprisonment and a fine of ₹1 crore, while promoting such apps may attract 2 years’ jail and a ₹50 lakh fine.