Chhattisgarh plant blast kills 9, injures 15

Australia to get first female Army Chief in historic move

Canberra, Apr 15 (BNP): Australia has announced that its Army will be led by a woman for the first time in its 125-year history, marking a historic milestone in the country’s military leadership. Susan Coyle, currently serving as Chief of Joint Capabilities, will take over as Chief of Army in July as part of a broader reshuffle of the defence force leadership.

She will succeed Simon Stuart, who has held the position since July 2022.

The landmark appointment underscores Australia’s efforts to enhance gender diversity and inclusivity within its armed forces. Lieutenant General Coyle brings extensive operational and strategic experience and is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future direction of the Australian Army.

Officials said further details regarding the transition and leadership changes will be announced in due course.

New Wage Rules to Increase Basic Pay Share, Reduce Tax Benefits

Apr 15 (BNP): The implementation of India’s new labour codes is expected to change how employee salaries are structured, with possible impacts on take-home pay and tax liability.

Under the revised rules, basic pay, dearness allowance, and retaining allowance must together form at least 50% of an employee’s total cost to company (CTC). This is expected to reduce the share of tax-free allowances in salary packages.

Earlier, companies often structured salaries with higher allowances such as HRA, LTA, and reimbursements to optimise tax benefits. Experts say the new framework will limit this flexibility and increase the taxable portion of income.

While benefits like HRA and LTA exemptions will continue under existing tax regimes, their overall advantage may reduce as basic pay increases.

Experts also indicate that employees may see higher EPF contributions, which could reduce monthly in-hand salary, especially for mid and senior-level professionals.

Overall, the new labour codes aim to bring greater transparency in salary structures, while also changing how compensation and taxation are balanced for salaried employees.

Overcrowded boat sinks in Andaman Sea; 250 feared missing

Port Blair/Dhaka, Apr 15 (BNP): A major maritime tragedy has unfolded in the Andaman Sea after an overcrowded trawler carrying Rohingya refugees capsized, with around 250 people feared missing. The vessel, which departed from Teknaf in southern Bangladesh and was bound for Malaysia, is reported to have sunk due to heavy winds, rough seas and overcrowding, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Preliminary reports suggest the trawler was carrying nearly 280 passengers, most of them Rohingya refugees fleeing persecution and conflict in Myanmar. The passengers are believed to have come from the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, which host over a million displaced people from Rakhine state.

Rescue Operations Underway
The Bangladesh Coast Guard said one of its vessels rescued nine survivors, including a woman, on April 9. In a separate incident, the Bangladeshi-flagged vessel MT Meghna Pride spotted several individuals adrift on makeshift flotation devices and rescued them from deep waters near the Andaman Islands. Search and rescue operations are ongoing amid challenging sea conditions.

Survivor Accounts Reveal Ordeal
Survivors described harrowing conditions, alleging they were lured by traffickers with promises of employment in Malaysia. One survivor reported that several passengers died even before the capsizing due to inhumane conditions onboard. He also sustained burns from spilled fuel and drifted at sea for nearly 36 hours before being rescued.

Ongoing Rohingya Crisis
Thousands of Rohingya, a persecuted minority from Myanmar, undertake dangerous sea journeys each year to escape violence and dire living conditions. Many attempt to reach Malaysia, often relying on human trafficking networks. Meanwhile, Rakhine state continues to witness intense fighting between the military and the Arakan Army, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

UNHCR Raises Alarm
The UNHCR termed the incident a stark reminder of the “dire consequences of protracted displacement and the absence of durable solutions” for the Rohingya community. It called for urgent global efforts to address the root causes of displacement and ensure safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of refugees.

Recurring Sea Tragedies
The Andaman Sea, bordering Myanmar, Thailand and the Malay Peninsula, has frequently witnessed such incidents. Last year, at least 427 Rohingya were feared dead in two separate shipwrecks off Myanmar’s coast, underscoring the persistent risks associated with such perilous journeys.

Further details on the missing persons and rescue efforts are awaited as authorities continue operations in the region.

Praful Hinge, Sakib Hussain Shine as Odisha Duo Make IPL Impact

Apr 15 (BNP): Odisha’s fast bowlers Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain made a strong impact in the Indian Premier League while representing Sunrisers Hyderabad against Rajasthan Royals.

The duo shared eight wickets between them, with Sakib Hussain taking 4 for 24 and Praful Hinge claiming 4 for 34, effectively dismantling the opposition batting lineup with pace and accuracy.

Their performance, rooted in years of training in Bhubaneswar’s cricketing circuits, highlights the growing presence of Odisha talent on the national cricket stage.

The match has further underlined the rise of emerging players from the state, who are steadily making their mark in top-level competitions like the IPL.

Jhamu Yatra at Maa Sarala Temple: Odisha’s Sacred Fire Pilgrimage of Faith, Devotion and Living Heritage

Lok Sabha may expand to 850 seats; women’s reservation push by 2029

New Delhi, Apr 15 (BNP): The Centre has proposed a major expansion of the Lok Sabha, increasing its strength to up to 850 seats as part of efforts to implement 33% reservation for women from the 2029 general elections. The proposal forms part of a constitutional amendment aimed at operationalising the provisions of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

Under the proposal, around 815 seats would be allocated to states and 35 to Union Territories. This would require an amendment to Article 81 of the Constitution to revise the existing cap of 543 Lok Sabha seats.

Linked to Census and Delimitation
Seat allocation is proposed to be based on population data from the latest census, as determined by Parliament. The Centre is also expected to introduce a Delimitation Bill to redraw constituency boundaries in line with the revised seat structure.

Special Session of Parliament
The government is likely to table the constitutional amendment during a special sitting of Parliament scheduled from April 16 to 18. The session will focus on enabling the implementation of women’s reservation, which was passed in 2023 but remained contingent on a fresh census and delimitation exercise.

Faster Implementation Path
Sources indicate that the government may link the rollout of reservation to an earlier census dataset, such as 2011, to fast-track implementation ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

Significant Structural Reform
If approved, the proposal would mark one of the most significant structural reforms to India’s parliamentary framework, expanding representation while paving the way for greater participation of women in national politics.

Further details regarding the bill and its implementation timeline are awaited.

Early Season Wheat Procurement Shows Sharp 69 pc Decline: FCI Data

Apr 15 (BNP): Government wheat procurement has declined sharply in the ongoing 2026–27 rabi marketing season, reaching 15.30 lakh tonnes so far, according to data from the Food Corporation of India (FCI).

This marks a drop of over 69% compared to the same period last year.

Wheat procurement in India typically takes place between April and March, with the bulk of purchases carried out in the initial months of the season by the FCI and state agencies.

FCI data shows that total wheat arrivals so far stand at 34.74 lakh tonnes, while procurement operations began on April 1.

The significant year-on-year decline reflects slower procurement activity in the early phase of the current season.