In a move that's set to bring some festive cheer to government employees and pensioners in Bihar, the Nitish Kumar cabinet has approved a significant hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR). Just ahead of the state assembly elections, the government has announced a 4% increase, taking the DA from 50% to 54%.This decision will benefit around four lakh state government employees and approximately six lakh pensioners. The increased allowance will be effective from July 1, 2024, meaning employees and pensioners will also receive arrears for the preceding months. This pre-election announcement is being seen as a major move by the government to win the favor of a substantial voter base.Ladakh LG Assures Protesters, Cites "Internal Facts"Meanwhile, in the union territory of Ladakh, Lieutenant Governor BD Mishra addressed the ongoing agitation for statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Amidst continuing protests led by activist Sonam Wangchuk, the LG stated that he has conveyed the "internal facts" and the sentiments of the local people to the central government in Delhi.The Lieutenant Governor emphasized that there has been continuous dialogue between the administration and the protest leaders. He mentioned that he has communicated the core demands and the ground reality of the region to the central leadership, which is now considering the matter. This statement is seen as an assurance to the protesters that their concerns are being heard at the highest levels of government.SEBI Tightens Rules for Stock Market InfluencersThe Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has introduced new, stricter guidelines for social media influencers who provide financial advice, often referred to as "finfluencers." To operate legally, these influencers will now need to be registered with SEBI.The new rules aim to protect investors from misleading advice and to bring more accountability to the growing space of online financial guidance. Under the regulations, registered finfluencers will also be barred from offering any guarantees of returns on investments.The Ongoing Conflict in the Middle EastOn the international front, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah continues to escalate, with near-daily exchanges of fire along the border. The fighting, which began following the October 7 attacks by Hamas, has resulted in a significant number of casualties on both sides and has displaced tens of thousands of people from their homes in the border regions. The international community continues to monitor the situation with growing concern.
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