Tamil Nadu's TVK government has presented its first-ever state budget, unveiling a series of welfare and development initiatives, including AI skill training, free breakfast expansion, EV charging infrastructure, education reforms, and support for brides and newborns.

However, the budget has triggered sharp criticism from opposition parties. DMK chief M.K. Stalin and AIADMK leaders accused Chief Minister Vijay's government of merely rebranding existing welfare schemes while failing to deliver on major election promises.

Tamil Nadu budget: TVK unveils first budget, DMK & AIADMK slam ‘copied’ welfare schemes

A heated debate is unfolding as Donald Trump faces criticism over prioritising military spending while freezing key welfare funds. His remarks dismissing welfare schemes have sparked backlash, especially as reports warn that hundreds of hospitals could be at risk of shutdown. The controversy is raising serious questions about government priorities and the impact on everyday Americans.


War Vs Welfare: What Is Trump's Priority? US President Calls Welfare Scheme a 'Scam'

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Thursday (Dec. 12) that the ‘Mahila Samman Yojana’ has been approved by the Delhi government. Under the scheme, which is aimed at women's empowerment, eligible women in the national capital will be granted a monthly financial aid of Rs 1,000 ($12 approx.).

Kejriwal also said that while the current amount is set at Rs 1,000 ($12 approx.), it will be increased to Rs 2,100 ($25 approx.) if the AAP wins the upcoming Delhi assembly elections that are likely to be held in February next year. The present assembly’s tenure will end on February 23, 2025.

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“I had promised ₹1,000 ($12 approx.) per month for women of Delhi. And I am happy to announce that CM Atishi's cabinet has approved this scheme today. Now women can register and avail this scheme,” Kejriwal said.

AAP is aiming to bag a third tenure in Delhi after securing two electoral wins in a row. In the 70-member assembly, the party secured a majority after claiming 67 seats in 2015 and 63 seats in 2020.

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AAP previously announced the ‘Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana’ in the 2024-25 budget, promising Rs 1,000 ($12 approx.) monthly aid for all eligible women in Delhi. A Rs 2,000 crore ($235K) allocation was also made by the government for the scheme. However, according to reports, the scheme faced a bureaucratic logjam due to the budget constraints raised by the Finance Department.

“I wanted to roll out this scheme earlier. But they put me in jail,” Kejriwal said.

As Delhi prepares for another electoral battle, Kejriwal's announcement highlights AAP’s focus on women and welfare schemes to gain support from voters.

(With inputs from agencies)

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Thursday (Dec. 12) that the ‘Mahila Samman Yojana’ has been approved by the Delhi government.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Thursday (Dec. 12) that the ‘Mahila Samman Yojana’ has been approved by the Delhi government. Under the scheme, which is aimed at women's empowerment, eligible women in the national capital will be granted a monthly financial aid of Rs 1,000 ($12 approx.). Kejriwal also said that while the current amount is set at Rs 1,000 ($12 approx.), it will be increased to Rs 2,100 ($25 approx.) if the AAP wins the upcoming Delhi assembly elections that are likely to be held in February next year. The present assembly’s tenure will end on February 23, 2025. Also read | Breathing kills! Air pollution claims 1.5mn lives every year in India: Study “I had promised ₹1,000 ($12 approx.) per month for women of Delhi. And I am happy to announce that CM Atishi's cabinet has approved this scheme today. Now women can register and avail this scheme,” Kejriwal said. AAP is aiming to bag a third tenure in Delhi after securing two electoral wins in a row. In the 70-member assembly, the party secured a majority after claiming 67 seats in 2015 and 63 seats in 2020. Also read | India: SC devises eight-point formula for deciding alimony amid outrage over techie’s death AAP previously announced the ‘Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana’ in the 2024-25 budget, promising Rs 1,000 ($12 approx.) monthly aid for all eligible women in Delhi. A Rs 2,000 crore ($235K) allocation was also made by the government for the scheme. However, according to reports, the scheme faced a bureaucratic logjam due to the budget constraints raised by the Finance Department. “I wanted to roll out this scheme earlier. But they put me in jail,” Kejriwal said. As Delhi prepares for another electoral battle, Kejriwal's announcement highlights AAP’s focus on women and welfare schemes to gain support from voters. (With inputs from agencies)

Kejriwal promises $25 monthly aid for women under ‘Mahila Samman Yojana’ if AAP wins Delhi election

India&#39;s status as a technological power house in the world would remain on paper if the state does not take advantage of its resources to benefit the children or track the missing ones, the Supreme Court has said.

The apex court, while stressing the need for use of technology in Juvenile Justice Boards (JJB) and Child Welfare Committees (CWC), said it was &quot;disheartened&quot; that there was an acute shortage of computers and peripherals in these bodies.

A bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta said the use of technology would help in dealing with crucial issues like tracing and tracking of missing children, rescuing those working in hazardous industries and victims of child sexual abuse.

&quot;It is well-known that our country is a technological power-house and if we are unable to take advantage of the resources available with us and fully utilise the benefits of technology through computers and the internet for the benefit of children, our status as a technological power house would be in jeopardy and would remain only on paper,&quot; the bench said.

It said the data regarding children could be easily collected by using computers and the internet.

&quot;This would be of great assistance in planning and management of resources and MWCD (Ministry of Women and Child Development) and others concerned with child rights must take full advantage of this,&quot; the bench said.

The apex court also said that the Centre and states needed to look into this aspect and provide necessary software and hardware to JJBs and CWCs for their functioning.

&quot;Similarly, the use of video conferencing could also be considered in appropriate cases where some inconvenience to the juvenile in conflict with law necessitates the use of video conferencing facilities,&quot; it said.

The top court complimented the MWCD for bringing out an online central monitoring system in this regard but said it was &quot;unfortunate&quot; that there was not much active cooperation of the states in updating the information on this system.

It asked the states to update the information on the online monitoring system &quot;once a quarter&quot;, adding &quot;surely that cannot be a difficult task&quot;.

&quot;Needless to say, updating information is extremely important so that there can be efficient planning which will ultimately lead to better management of issues concerning children,&quot; the bench said.

It directed the MWCD to continue to make creative use of information and communication technology not only for the purpose of collecting data but also for other issues connected with the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.

&quot;With the utilisation of technology to the fullest extent, administrative efficiency will improve considerably, which in turn will have a positive impact on the lives of children,&quot; it said.

The court said this in a judgement in which it passed a slew of directions for implementation of provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.

The verdict came on a PIL seeking implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act and its rules. The petition has raised the issue of alleged apathy by the governments in implementing the welfare measure.&nbsp;

India's status as a technological powerhouse will remain on paper if the state does not take advantage of its resources to benefit children, the court said

India's status as a technological power house in the world would remain on paper if the state does not take advantage of its resources to benefit the children or track the missing ones, the Supreme Court has said. The apex court, while stressing the need for use of technology in Juvenile Justice Boards (JJB) and Child Welfare Committees (CWC), said it was "disheartened" that there was an acute shortage of computers and peripherals in these bodies. A bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta said the use of technology would help in dealing with crucial issues like tracing and tracking of missing children, rescuing those working in hazardous industries and victims of child sexual abuse. "It is well-known that our country is a technological power-house and if we are unable to take advantage of the resources available with us and fully utilise the benefits of technology through computers and the internet for the benefit of children, our status as a technological power house would be in jeopardy and would remain only on paper," the bench said. It said the data regarding children could be easily collected by using computers and the internet. "This would be of great assistance in planning and management of resources and MWCD (Ministry of Women and Child Development) and others concerned with child rights must take full advantage of this," the bench said. The apex court also said that the Centre and states needed to look into this aspect and provide necessary software and hardware to JJBs and CWCs for their functioning. "Similarly, the use of video conferencing could also be considered in appropriate cases where some inconvenience to the juvenile in conflict with law necessitates the use of video conferencing facilities," it said. The top court complimented the MWCD for bringing out an online central monitoring system in this regard but said it was "unfortunate" that there was not much active cooperation of the states in updating the information on this system. It asked the states to update the information on the online monitoring system "once a quarter", adding "surely that cannot be a difficult task". "Needless to say, updating information is extremely important so that there can be efficient planning which will ultimately lead to better management of issues concerning children," the bench said. It directed the MWCD to continue to make creative use of information and communication technology not only for the purpose of collecting data but also for other issues connected with the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. "With the utilisation of technology to the fullest extent, administrative efficiency will improve considerably, which in turn will have a positive impact on the lives of children," it said. The court said this in a judgement in which it passed a slew of directions for implementation of provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. The verdict came on a PIL seeking implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act and its rules. The petition has raised the issue of alleged apathy by the governments in implementing the welfare measure.

Use technology for welfare of children, Supreme Court tells government

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