Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to participate in three post-Budget webinars on Tuesday through videoconferencing. These webinars will focus on critical areas of economic growth, such as the role of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), manufacturing, exports, nuclear energy, regulatory reforms, and ease of doing business. The sessions, titled ‘MSME as an Engine of Growth,’ ‘Manufacturing, Exports, and Nuclear Energy Missions,’ and ‘Regulatory, Investment, and Ease of Doing Business Reforms,’ will bring together government officials, industry experts, and trade leaders to discuss strategies for enhancing Indias industrial and trade landscape.

The primary objective of these discussions is to facilitate a seamless execution of the Budget’s key economic measures by ensuring better policy implementation, investment promotion, and technology adoption. The webinars will act as a platform for stakeholders to collaborate on solutions that drive economic growth, improve India’s business environment, and strengthen the countrys global competitiveness. The government aims to use these deliberations to refine policy frameworks and address challenges in key economic sectors, ultimately fostering a more business-friendly ecosystem.

In a separate political development, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has intensified its criticism of the Election Commission (EC) following the poll bodys acknowledgment that some voter ID numbers were duplicated. The EC clarified that while certain electors might have the same EPIC (Elector Photo Identity Card) number across different states, their other voter details—such as demographic information, Assembly constituency, and polling booth—remain distinct. Despite this explanation, the TMC accused the EC of being complicit in voter manipulation and electoral fraud. The party has demanded that the EC recognize these discrepancies within 24 hours and has threatened to release a document exposing the issue if corrective measures are not taken. The TMC alleged that voter fraud is being enabled in West Bengal, where state elections are scheduled for next year, claiming that individuals from other states are being brought in to cast votes using identical voter ID numbers. This controversy has sparked concerns about electoral integrity, with opposition parties raising questions about the effectiveness of the EC’s voter registration and verification process.

Following reports of identical voter ID numbers being issued to electors in different states, the EC has assured that it will rectify the issue and upgrade its technology-driven voter registration system. The poll authority has emphasized its commitment to ensuring free and fair elections and stated that measures will be taken to prevent such discrepancies in the future. However, the TMC remains unconvinced and continues to press for greater transparency and accountability from the EC.

Disclaimer: This Image is taken from The Indian Express.