The Himachal Pradesh government has issued new guidelines requiring its employees to strictly follow the prescribed dress code and exercise responsible behaviour on social media, warning that violations could lead to disciplinary action. In an official order dated March 16, the Department of Personnel instructed administrative secretaries, department heads, divisional and deputy commissioners, and officials of boards, corporations, and autonomous bodies to ensure these rules are followed.

The guidelines state that employees must wear formal, clean, and modest clothing in subdued colours while at work or attending court. Casual or party wear is not allowed. Male employees are advised to wear shirts and trousers or collared shirts with pants, along with proper footwear. Female employees should wear sarees, formal suits, salwar-kameez, churidars, or kurtas with dupattas, paired with suitable footwear. The use of jeans and T-shirts in offices has been specifically prohibited to maintain professionalism and decorum. The government noted that despite earlier instructions issued in 2017, many employees have not complied with the dress code, and it emphasized the importance of proper grooming and hygiene.

Regarding social media, employees have been reminded to follow the Central Civil Services Conduct Rules, 1964, maintaining integrity, neutrality, and responsible conduct both on and off duty. They have been warned against making unauthorized remarks on government policies or sharing official information on personal platforms. The order also bans employees from expressing political or religious opinions publicly, including on social media, blogs, or vlogs, without permission. Sharing official documents with unauthorized individuals is strictly prohibited.

It further states that any public statements that could criticize government policies or harm intergovernmental relations may result in disciplinary action. Employees participating in public discussions must clarify that their views are personal. All departments have been directed to ensure strict implementation of these rules. Violations will be taken seriously and may lead to appropriate disciplinary measures. The government has also instructed that these guidelines be widely circulated and acknowledged by all employees.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

The Supreme Court on Monday held that money received through employer provided group insurance schemes or other social security benefits cannot be deducted from compensation granted under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The decision was reported by LiveLaw. A bench comprising Justices Pankaj Mithal and Prasanna B Varale delivered the ruling while hearing appeals challenging a Karnataka High Court judgment that had refused to allow the deduction of group insurance benefits from motor accident compensation awarded after a road accident death.

The appeals stemmed from two road accident cases in Karnataka in which victims died after being struck by buses driven negligently. In both instances, Motor Accident Claims Tribunals granted compensation to the victims families but reduced the amount by deducting the money received through employer provided group insurance schemes.

The Karnataka High Court later overturned these deductions. However, the transport corporation and the insurer approached the Supreme Court, arguing that such benefits should be adjusted against the compensation so that claimants do not receive double benefits from the same accident. The key question before the court was whether group insurance payouts could be deducted from compensation awarded under the Motor Vehicles Act. The Supreme Court ruled that amounts received by the dependants of the deceased under employer provided group insurance schemes or similar contractual or social security benefits cannot be treated as pecuniary advantages that can reduce compensation under the Motor Vehicles Act.

The court explained that such benefits arise from an independent contractual arrangement and have no direct connection with the statutory compensation awarded for death in a motor vehicle accident. Therefore, the principle of balancing loss and gain cannot be applied to reduce the compensation that claimants are legally entitled to receive. The court also stated that there was no reason to interfere with the Karnataka High Court decision that had set aside the deductions made by the tribunal.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.

Newly appointed West Bengal Governor RN Ravi met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday. The official Rashtrapati Bhavan account on X shared a photograph of their meeting. The interaction took place ahead of West Bengal's two phase Assembly elections scheduled for April.

Ravi assumed office as the Governor of West Bengal on March 12. A former IPS officer and previously the Governor of Tamil Nadu, he was administered the oath by Calcutta High Court Chief Justice Sujoy Paul. The ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee, senior minister and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, and Left Front chairman Biman Bose.

His appointment came as part of a wider reshuffle of Governors and Lieutenant Governors announced by Rashtrapati Bhavan before the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. The Election Commission of India announced that voting for the West Bengal Assembly elections will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, while the counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. On March 13, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu also met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Sandhu later shared on X that he felt honoured to meet the President and receive her guidance for his new role.

Sandhu had earlier taken the oath of office as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi in the presence of Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya. His appointment was also part of the recent administrative reshuffle, replacing VK Saxena, who has been appointed as the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh. Sandhu had also contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as a BJP candidate. President Droupadi Murmu hosted Members of Parliament from several states including Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Chandigarh, Ladakh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi for breakfast at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre on Friday.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@rashtrapatibhvn.

Amid the LPG shortage, the Uttar Pradesh Food and Civil Supplies Department carried out raids at 1,483 locations across the state on Friday to curb the black marketing of cooking gas cylinders, according to an official statement. The operation was conducted in coordination with district administrations and led to the arrest of six people and the registration of 24 FIRs.

The statement issued late Friday said the action followed directions from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to closely monitor LPG supply and prevent any shortage or irregularities. Chief Secretary S P Goyal has also instructed all district magistrates to take necessary measures to ensure the steady availability of petrol, diesel, and LPG cylinders. Enforcement teams inspected numerous sites during the drive, registering four FIRs against LPG distributors and 20 against other individuals involved in black marketing. Six people were arrested on the spot, while legal action was initiated against 19 others.

The government said LPG distribution is being maintained through 4,108 distributors across the state, ensuring deliveries to consumers as per their bookings. It also stated that adequate stocks are available and domestic refills are being supplied as needed. To monitor the supply system and address complaints quickly, a 24 hour control room has been set up at the Food Commissioner office, with officials deployed there. Similar control rooms have also been established in all districts across the state.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.

In spring 2003, the initial euphoria over Saddam Hussein’s fall quickly turned into deadly chaos across Iraq. Guardian reporters, whether working independently or embedded with military units, witnessed the violence and disorder firsthand, documenting the rapid shift from jubilation to conflict, looting, and unrest that marked the early days following the invasion and the collapse of Saddam’s regime.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Our system of mental health diagnosis and labeling has provided clear benefits, helping people access treatment and understand their conditions. However, as a practicing doctor, I am concerned that overdiagnosis and excessive labeling may be causing more harm than good, potentially stigmatizing patients and oversimplifying complex mental health experiences.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Under President Lee Jae Myung’s guidance, investor confidence in South Korea has surged, fueled by ambitious reforms—from proposed corporate governance improvements and regulatory adjustments to efforts aimed at revitalizing the stock market. His pro-market policies have shifted sentiment positively, attracting both domestic and international investors and pushing the Kospi to new highs. But is this surge sustainable, or merely a short-term spike? Hairianto Diman and Elakeyaa Selvaraji explore the outlook with Betty Wang, Head of Northeast Asia Research at Oxford Economics.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

The Barries have returned, and Angus Taylor has emerged victorious in the Liberal leadership contest, defeating Sussan Ley. Speaking on Friday afternoon, the newly elected leader stressed that he had no intention of becoming “One Nation lite,” but vowed to “close the door” to those who do not share “Australian values.” However, the leadership spill was not the only major development in Australian politics this week. Barrie Cassidy and Tony Barry also examine the challenges facing Taylor, the growing momentum of One Nation, and the recent visit by Israeli president Isaac Herzog.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.