Pioneer in short
Synced polls panel’s tenure extended
The Lok Sabha on Wednesday extended the tenure of the parliamentary joint committee examining Bills to introduce simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, officials said. PP Chaudhary, chairman of the Joint Committee on the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, moved a motion seeking extension of the panel’s tenure until the last week of the 2026 Monsoon session. The motion was adopted by voice vote. Since its formation in December 2024, the 39-member multi-party committee has met constitutional experts, economists, Law Commission members, and several politicians, including Ghulam Nabi Azad. The Bills, introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 17, 2024, were referred to the committee for detailed scrutiny, with its first meeting held on January 8, 2025. Notable experts appearing before the panel include former IMF deputy managing director Gita Gopinath and former Chief Justices of India Sanjiv Khanna, UU Lalit, DY Chandrachud, and JS Khehar, reflecting the extensive consultation process.
Gangster Ravi Pujari arrested in Thane
Thane Police have arrested notorious gangster Ravi Pujari in connection with a 2017 extortion and firing case, officials said. The 57-year-old was produced before a special MCOCA court on Wednesday, which remanded him in police custody until March 27. The Anti-Extortion Cell of the Thane Crime Branch took Pujari from Parappana Agrahara Central Jail in Bengaluru on Tuesday and brought him to Thane. Originally from Udupi, Karnataka, Pujari had operated from abroad for several years and was extradited to India from Senegal in 2020. Police said Pujari demanded a ransom of ?10 crore from a construction businessman in 2017, threatening to kill him if the amount was not paid. He allegedly sent henchmen to fire at the victim’s office.
Saudi Arabia Sets date for Eid al-Fitr
Saudi Arabia announced on Wednesday, March 18, that Eid al-Fitr will begin on March 20, after the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted earlier. The moon-sighting committee convened and confirmed the new moon, marking the end of Ramadan after 30 days of fasting, in line with Islamic lunar tradition. Earlier this month, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development had announced that Eid holidays for employees in the private and non-profit sectors would start tonight, March 18, lasting four days. The move complies with Saudi Labour Law provisions. Mohammed Al Ruzaiqi, the ministry spokesperson, said the early announcement was intended to provide clarity for employers and employees, enabling organisations to plan work schedules, maintain operations in essential sectors, and ensure workers’ rights to the festive break.
