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The just-announced <keyword id="22906567" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Unified-Pension-Scheme" source="keywords">Unified Pension Scheme</keyword> for central <keyword id="19933272" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="government-employees" source="keywords">government employees</keyword> will be available only for those who are currently subscribers of the New Pension Scheme (NPS), including retirees. The new scheme guarantees employees 50% of their average basic pay over the last 12 months before retirement, as a pension for a minimum qualifying service of 25 years against a market returns linked payout under the NPS. According to the scheme approved by the Union Cabinet, the pension will be proportionate for a lesser service period of up to a minimum of 10 years. Also, assured pension of Rs 10,000 per month on superannuation after a minimum of 10 years of service will be provided. The scheme has been brought out to address the concerns of government employees over NPS, which came into effect from January 1, 2004. Under the <keyword id="3246232" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Old-Pension-Scheme" source="Orion">old pension scheme</keyword> (OPS), effective before January 2004, employees got 50 % of their last drawn basic pay as pension. Unlike the old pension scheme, UPS is contributory in nature, wherein employees will be required to contribute 10% of their basic salary and dearness allowance while the employer's contribution (the central government) will be 18.5%. Under the NPS, the employer contribution is 14%, and the employee contribution is 10%. However, the eventual payout depends on the market returns on that corpus, mostly invested in government debt. Employees, under the OPS, were not required to make any contribution. They, however, contributed to the General Provident Fund (GPF). The accumulated amount, along with interest, was paid to the employee at the time of retirement. As the NPS was less attractive than the OPS, several non-BJP-ruled states decided to go back to the old pension scheme, which offered a DA-linked benefit. This prompted the Centre to constitute a committee in April 2023, under former Finance Secretary and now Cabinet Secretary-designate TV Somanathan to suggest improvement in the NPS architecture. Fulfilling the long pending demands of government employees ahead of assembly elections in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Cabinet on August 24 approved the UPS, which will provide assured pension to 23 lakh eligible central government employees. Those opting for the UPS will not be able to switch back. The UPS will put an additional burden of Rs 6,250 crore on the exchequer per year. The expenditure will vary every year according to variations in the number of employees. In addition, there will be an arrear of Rs 800 crore that has to be paid under the National Pension System (NPS) to employees retiring before March 31, 2025. If these retirees opt for UPS, they will receive arrears. "UPS is being implemented by the Central Government, benefitting 23 lakh central government employees," Information &amp; Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on X on Sunday. If states also adopt the UPS architecture, a total of over 90 lakh government employees, who are presently on NPS, would be benefitted, he added. On Sunday, Maharashtra, where assembly elections are due later in the year, became the first state to announce the adoption of the UPS for its employees. RSS-affiliate Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) said though the government has attempted to overcome the shortcomings of the NPS, there are still some issues compared to OPS. BMS will decide its future course of action only after a detailed study of the UPS after it is notified. All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) said it is nothing but an extension of the existing NPS. The trade union expressed apprehensions that UPS will have a lot of aberrations once implemented. AITUC reiterated that it will continue to fight for the restoration of the non-contributory OPS. ICRA Chief Economist Aditi Nayar said assured pensions will add to the government's committed expenditure in the future while reducing the uncertainty for employees. "This will have to be built into the fiscal consolidation roadmap going ahead," Nayar added. The UPS reflects a thoughtful approach to long-term social security, addressing concerns about the adequacy and sustainability of pension benefits in a rapidly changing economic landscape, said Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas &amp; Co Partner Dorothy Thomas. "This move signals the government's commitment to providing robust support for its workforce, enhancing financial stability for millions of government employees across the country," Thomas said.

Over 23 lakh govt employees under NPS get option to choose unified pension scheme

Union Minister of Labour and Employment <keyword id="19906409" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mansukh-mandaviya" source="keywords">Mansukh Mandaviya</keyword> and Chairperson of the Central Board of Trustees, EPF, have given the green light to the proposal for a Centralised <keyword id="23037839" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Pension-Payment-System" source="keywords">Pension Payment System</keyword> (<keyword id="23039389" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CPPS" source="keywords">CPPS</keyword>) under the Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995. According to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, this initiative represents a major advancement by establishing a national-level centralised system, allowing pension disbursement through any bank or branch across India. Commenting on this development, Mandaviya stated, "The approval of the Centralised Pension Payment System (CPPS) marks a significant milestone in the modernization of the <keyword id="19966712" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="EPFO" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="EPFO" meta.hostid="83" meta.entityid="EPFO">EPFO</keyword>. By enabling pensioners to receive their pensions from any bank, any branch, anywhere in the country, this initiative addresses the long-standing challenges faced by pensioners and ensures a seamless and efficient disbursement mechanism." He added, "This is a crucial step in our ongoing efforts to transform the EPFO into a more robust, responsive, and tech-enabled organisation, committed to serving the needs of its members and pensioners better." The CPPS is expected to benefit over 7.8 million <keyword id="21992385" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="EPS-Pensioners" source="keywords">EPS pensioners</keyword> of EPFO. By leveraging advanced IT and banking technologies, it aims to provide a more efficient and user-friendly experience for pensioners. The CPPS will also ensure seamless pension disbursement across India, eliminating the need to transfer Pension Payment Orders (PPO) when a pensioner relocates or changes their bank or branch. This will be a significant relief for pensioners who move to their hometowns post-retirement. This facility will be launched on January 1, 2025, as part of EPFO's ongoing <keyword id="23015602" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IT-Modernization" source="keywords">IT modernization</keyword> project, Centralised IT Enabled System (CITES 2.01). In the following phase, CPPS will enable a smooth transition to an <keyword id="20028363" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Aadhaar-based-Payment-System" source="keywords">Aadhaar-based payment system</keyword> (ABPS). The CPPS marks a significant departure from the current decentralised pension disbursement system, where each EPFO Zonal/Regional Office maintains separate agreements with only 3-4 banks. Pensioners will no longer need to visit branches for verification at the start of their pension, as it will be credited immediately upon release. Additionally, EPFO anticipates a significant reduction in disbursement costs with the new system.

EPS Pensioners to get pension from any bank, any branch, anywhere in India from January 1, announces Mansukh Mandaviya

<keyword id="22293284" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Minister-for-Road-Transport-and-Highways" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways">Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways</keyword>, <keyword id="19897455" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nitin-Gadkari" source="keywords">Nitin Gadkari</keyword>, said that the govt has implemented a scheme to provide <keyword id="20322976" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cashless-treatment" source="keywords">cashless treatment</keyword> to victims of road accidents. The minister informed the Parliament on Thursday that the <keyword id="19946335" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Transport-Ministry" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Transport Ministry" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Transport Ministry">Transport Ministry</keyword> has developed a scheme and begun implementing it on a pilot basis in Chandigarh and Assam. This initiative aims to provide <keyword id="20322976" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cashless-treatment" source="keywords">cashless treatment</keyword> to victims of road accidents. The minister explained that the scheme covers treatment for individuals involved in road accidents caused by motor vehicles, regardless of the type of road. The ministry is implementing this program in collaboration with the <keyword id="19904188" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Health-Authority" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="National Health Authority" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="National Health Authority">National Health Authority</keyword> (NHA). "Under this scheme, the eligible victims are administered <keyword id="22628782" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="health-benefits-packages" source="keywords">Health Benefits Packages</keyword> relating to trauma and polytrauma care at empanelled hospitals under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), up to a maximum of Rs. 1.5 lakh for a maximum period of 7 days from the date of the accident," said the minister in a written reply in the <keyword id="19895394" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lok-sabha" source="keywords">Lok Sabha</keyword>. The scheme is being administered under the aegis of the <keyword id="22628783" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="motor-vehicle-accident-fund" source="keywords">Motor Vehicle Accident Fund</keyword>, established under section 164B of the <keyword id="19916485" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Motor-Vehicles-Act" source="keywords">Motor Vehicles Act</keyword>, 1988. The sources of income and the utilization of funds are detailed in the Central Motor Vehicles (<keyword id="22628783" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="motor-vehicle-accident-fund" source="keywords">Motor Vehicle Accident Fund</keyword>) Rules, 2022. The NHA, under the Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare, is responsible for the program's implementation in coordination with local police, empanelled hospitals, State Health Agencies, the National Informatics Centre, and the General Insurance Council. Minister Gadkari stated that, in accordance with the <keyword id="19916485" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Motor-Vehicles-Act" source="keywords">Motor Vehicles Act</keyword>, of 1988, the pilot program for cashless treatment extends support to victims of road accidents caused by motor vehicles, regardless of where the accident occurs. The scheme will help in reducing deaths in road accidents and will help in providing better treatment to <keyword id="20292205" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="road-accident-victims" source="keywords">road accident victims</keyword>.

Road accident victims to get free cashless treatment: Nitin Gadkari

No expert committee has been set up for extending <keyword id="19923745" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="health-benefits" source="keywords">health benefits</keyword> to cover citizens aged 70 and above under <keyword id="19913233" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ayushman-Bharat" source="keywords">Ayushman Bharat</keyword>, <keyword id="22556022" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Minister-of-State-for-Health" source="keywords">Union Minister of State for Health</keyword> Prataprao Jadhav told the Lok Sabha on Friday. He was responding to a question on whether the government proposed to cover citizens aged 70 and above by expanding Ayushman Bharat through the launch of a <keyword id="21782708" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Health-Claims-Exchange" source="keywords">national health claims exchange</keyword> and if an expert panel had been set up to strengthen the format of the scheme for the planned expansion. Jadhav, in a written reply, said all members of eligible families, irrespective of age, were covered under Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. The scheme provides <keyword id="19894985" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="health-insurance" source="keywords">health insurance</keyword> cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation to 55 crore individuals, corresponding to 12.34 crore families, he said. "No expert committee has been set up for extending the health benefits to cover <keyword id="19894991" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="senior-citizens" source="keywords">senior citizens</keyword> aged 70 and above," he stated. Responding to another question, Jadhav said 34 insurers and third-party administrators were live and approximately 300 hospitals ramping up to start sending their claims on the National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX), which aims to streamline and fasten health <keyword id="35450" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Insurance" source="Orion">insurance</keyword> claim processing, as on July 21. Jadhav said the government built the NHCX gateway under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. It aims to streamline and standardise health insurance claim processing, enhance efficiency in the insurance industry and improve patient experience. It serves as a gateway for exchanging health claim information among insurers, third party audit, healthcare providers, beneficiaries and other relevant entities and ensures interoperability, machine-readability, auditability and verifiability, making the information exchange accurate and trustworthy, the minister said. This system will enhance efficiency and transparency in the insurance industry, benefiting policyholders and patients, he added. Supported by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India and the General Insurance Council, the NHCX will enable standardised and faster health insurance claim processing, Jadhav said.

No panel formed for extending benefits to cover citizens above 70 under Ayushman Bharat, says govt

London: Universities and student groups on Tuesday urgently lobbied British Prime Minister <keyword id="19906889" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rishi-Sunak" source="keywords">Rishi Sunak</keyword> to safeguard the country's <keyword id="21659184" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="post-study-visa" source="keywords">post-study visa</keyword> offer, which has been dominated by Indians to gain work experience for around two years at the end of their university degree. Amid reports that Sunak is considering either restricting or ending the <keyword id="20616105" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Graduate-Route" source="keywords">Graduate Route</keyword> to curtail soaring migration statistics ahead of a general election, a group of nearly 30 university vice-chancellors and the <keyword id="21760521" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="national-indian-students-and-alumni-association" source="keywords">National Indian Students and Alumni Association</keyword> (NISAU) UK have issued detailed letters of appeal to 10 Downing Street. They list a series of factors in favour of keeping the Graduate visa scheme unchanged, including the benefits that international students bring to the UK economy in a competitive global higher education marketplace. "Modelling by consultancy London Economics shows that a single cohort has a net economic benefit of GBP 37 billion to the UK economy; as well as through the soft power that Britain's international graduates generate for the country over time, including through furthering ties of trade and diplomacy," reads the NISAU UK letter addressed to Sunak. "Indeed, 70 per cent of <keyword id="19971660" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-students" source="keywords">Indian students</keyword> have told us that the ability to gain meaningful work experience is a critical element in their decision to choose between competing international destinations, of which the UK is one... the Graduate Route allows the opportunity to gain this work experience for a temporary period. It is non-extendable and does not count towards permanent settlement. This means that neither students nor Graduate visa holders should be considered 'immigrants' in the context of the long-term picture of migration," it notes. Their appeal comes a week after the influential <keyword id="20609895" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Migration-Advisory-Committee" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Migration Advisory Committee" meta.hostid="83" meta.entityid="Migration Advisory Committee">Migration Advisory Committee</keyword> (MAC) advised the government to let the scheme continue as it found no abuse of this post-study work offer. It also confirmed that Indians topped its tally, accounting for 89,200 visas between 2021 and 2023, or 42 per cent of the overall grants, and were likely to be "most affected by any restriction on the Graduate Route". In their letter to Sunak, universities in the north of England — from Sunderland to Sheffield, Leeds to Lancaster, Liverpool to Teesside, Bradford to Huddersfield, and York to Newcastle — said they will all be harmed by the removal or reduction of this visa as it is an "intrinsic part of the educational offer that has made the UK so attractive to brilliant students from all around the world". "The Graduate Visa Route is regarded by students in key markets like India as an integral part of their educational experience. The MAC review made clear that the removal of this route would make the UK less attractive and thus would cause considerable financial detriment to universities around the country," reads their joint letter. "International student tuition fee income has long cross-subsidised underfunded research and has increasingly become critical to cross-subsidise the teaching of UK undergraduate students because of the frozen tuition fee. Universities cannot continue to absorb the costs of teaching UK undergraduates without some form of alternative funding source," they caution. On top of their visa fees, international students who find work and start businesses contribute billions of pounds in income tax, national insurance and VAT annually. The university chiefs point out that they are also usually net contributors to the National Health Service (NHS) through the NHS surcharge. The Russell Group of the UK's leading universities issued its appeal over the weekend, with CEO Tim Bradshaw warning that there has already been a 10 per cent decline in international applications for post-graduate courses starting this September in the wake of the clampdown on students being able to bring dependant family members. "A further restriction on international students would not only be unnecessary — as numbers are already falling — but also damaging, resulting in less spending in local communities, fewer opportunities for domestic students and less UK research," he noted in a letter to Sunak. Members of his own Cabinet are believed to be opposed to any changes to the Graduate scheme, but the British Prime Minister is having to balance pressures from the right of the governing Conservatives who are single-minded in their demands to curb all forms of legal as well as illegal migration levels ahead of an election later this year.

Universities, student groups lobby PM Sunak to keep UK's post-study visa scheme unchanged

<keyword id="19955404" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="finance" source="keywords">Finance</keyword> Minister <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nirmala-sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> presented the Union <keyword id="19936553" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="budget" source="keywords">Budget</keyword> 2024-25 on Tuesday, outlining a detailed financial roadmap aimed at driving economic growth and ensuring fiscal stability. The budget reveals a comprehensive picture of government revenues and expenditures, highlighting major <keyword id="20439675" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="allocations" source="keywords">allocations</keyword> to key <keyword id="20353247" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sectors" source="keywords">sectors</keyword> and <keyword id="19915334" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="schemes" source="keywords">schemes</keyword>. The <keyword id="19945274" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="revenue" source="keywords">revenue</keyword> to the government is generated from multiple sectors. Income tax contributes 19 per cent, borrowings and liabilities stand as the largest source at 27 per cent, and <keyword id="19951327" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gst" source="keywords">GST</keyword> along with other taxes accounts for 18 per cent. Corporation taxes contribute 17 per cent, followed by non-tax receipts at 9 per cent, customs at 4 per cent, excise duty at 5 per cent, and non-debt capital receipts at 1 per cent. On the <keyword id="19936655" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="expenditure" source="keywords">expenditure</keyword> side, the budget outlines significant allocations to various public sectors. Interest payments consume 19 per cent of the total expenditure, central sector schemes account for 16 per cent, and states' tax devolution takes up 21 per cent. Subsidies represent 6 per cent of the spending, while defence expenditures stand at 8 per cent. The Finance Commission and other transfers take up 9 per cent, centrally sponsored schemes another 8 per cent, pensions 4 per cent, and other expenses 9 per cent. In terms of sector-specific allocations, defence receives the highest allocation at Rs 4,54,773 crore. Rural development is allocated Rs 2,65,808 crore, reflecting the government's focus on boosting rural economies. Agriculture is set to receive Rs 1,51,851 crore, while home affairs are allocated Rs 1,50,983 crore, underscoring the importance of internal security. Education, a critical sector for future growth, is allocated Rs 1,25,638 crore. The IT and Telecom sector, pivotal for digital transformation, receives Rs 1,16,342 crore. Health is allocated Rs 89,287 crore, emphasising the ongoing commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure. The energy sector is earmarked Rs 68,769 crore, social welfare Rs 56,501 crore, and commerce and industry Rs 47,559 crore. The budget also highlights significant increases in allocations to major schemes. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) sees an increase from Rs 60,000 crore in FY23-24 to Rs 86,000 crore in FY24-25, aimed at enhancing rural employment. Nuclear power projects receive a boost from Rs 442 crore to Rs 2,228 crore, while the development of semiconductors sees a substantial increase from Rs 3,000 crore to Rs 6,900 crore, underscoring the push towards technological advancement. Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG is allocated Rs 1,500 crore, up from Rs 180 crore, to support energy access. Solar power allocation doubles from Rs 4,970 crore to Rs 10,000 crore, reflecting the government's commitment to renewable energy. This budget, with its detailed allocations and revenue plans, underscores the government's strategy to foster economic resilience, technological advancement, and sustainable growth.

Fund allocations to key sectors and schemes hiked in budget

<keyword id="19896016" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="new-delhi" source="keywords">New Delhi</keyword>, The Delhi government on Tuesday appealed to citizens to not fall prey to misinformation being spread by "notorious elements" who are trying to "take advantage" of the situation arising from the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind <keyword id="19895701" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="kejriwal" source="keywords">Kejriwal</keyword>. A statement issued by the <keyword id="20097855" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="planning-department" source="keywords">Planning Department</keyword> said "speculations and rumours are being spread by notorious elements with vested interests in Delhi" that welfare schemes and subsidies will be stopped. "Even as the law takes its own course in the process of criminal investigation, it merits clarification that administration of schemes and governance are never specific to individuals and shall continue in normal course, as in the past," it read. Sources in the AAP dispensation said the statement was issued following directions from Kejriwal. All public services, social welfare schemes and subsidies currently given by the Delhi government will continue uninterrupted, it said, asking people not to be misled by "any fear-mongering and malicious disinformation in this regard". "Appeal to all citizens of Delhi to stay away from any rumour mongers, who would try to take advantage of situation arising from the arrest / remand of Hon'ble Chief Minister of Delhi by <keyword id="19895344" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="enforcement-directorate" source="keywords">Enforcement Directorate</keyword> on 21 March, 2024, by spreading misinformation," it said. Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate last week in connection with the money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. He is in ED custody till March 28. In the statement, Planning Secretary Niharika Rai said "such rumours create an atmosphere of fear within the general public". "There shall be no disruption of any kind in disbursement of admissible subsidies, pensions, welfare benefits etc. Social welfare schemes are funded with public money through the consolidated fund, backed by budgetary allocations." The statement clarified that social welfare funds are "neither the personal property of any individual or political entity nor funded by an individual or entity's personal money". "There is an architecture of civil services and processes laid down in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, which continues as usual. Hence, these public services, social welfare schemes and subsidies are not at all affected by the arrest/remand of Hon'ble Chief Minister," it stressed.

Don't fall prey to rumours about discontinuation of schemes: Delhi govt to citizens

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Prosecutors allege New York City Mayor Eric Adams solicited travel from foreign businesspeople.</li><li>Adams faces five criminal counts related to a federal corruption investigation.</li></ul>A grand jury indicted New York City Mayor Eric Adams on <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-york-city-mayor-eric-adams-charges-indicted-2024-9">five criminal counts</a> related to a federal corruption investigation this week.Federal prosecutors on Thursday <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/eric-adams-indictment-unsealed-read-the-charges-2024-9">unveiled a 57-page indictment against Adams</a>, who is the first sitting mayor of New York to be indicited while in office. Officials allege the Democratic politician solicited $100,000 worth of luxury travel from foreign businesspeople, including a Turkish official who spent nearly 10 years trying to "gain influence" over Adams.Prosecutors alleged Adams repaid the favors by approving paperwork for the Turkish House, a skyscraper in Manhattan that is home to Turkey's consulate. The then-Borough President of Brooklyn also agreed to refrain from commenting about the Armenian genocide, prosecutors alleged in the indictment.In a defiant Thursday press conference, Adams denied the charges against him and vowed to continue in his role as mayor, rebuking calls for his resignation.He is <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-york-city-mayor-eric-adams-indictment-timeline-corruption-investigation-2024-9">expected to be arraigned on Friday</a>, according to court records. If convicted, he could face up to 45 years in prison.Adams faces one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, federal program bribery, and to receive campaign contributions from foreign nationals; one count of wire fraud; one count of bribery; and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nyc-mayor-eric-adams-indicted-2024-9">two counts of solicitation</a> of a contribution by a foreign national."These upgrades and freebies were not part of some frequent flyer or loyalty program available to the general public," Damian Williams, the US attorney in Manhattan, said during a Thursday press conference. "As we allege, this was a multi-year scheme to buy favor with a single New York politician on the rise."As a city official, Adams should have disclosed the gifts and travel benefits, Williams said.These are the travel benefits and luxury perks federal prosecutors allege Adams has solicited since 2016.<h2 id="4d9034e1-1fc0-4f6b-a11d-2a2f28f3d2f8">Flight to India via Turkey</h2>In 2016, Adams flew from New York to India by way of Turkey and received two free round-trip upgrades for business class seats, prosecutors allege. Business is the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/flying-turkish-airlines-business-class-lounge-istanbul-review-2024">highest class on Turkey's national airline</a>, Williams said.The benefits were worth more than $12,000, according to the indictment. Adams failed to publicly disclose the perks, prosecutors said.<h2 id="b11a7c5e-42b9-48bc-a35d-84fd795d2c41">Flights to France, Turkey, and China</h2>In 2017, Adams accepted free business class tickets for himself and travel companions to France, Turkey, and China, per the indictment. While in Istanbul, Adams was put up in the Bentley Suite at the St. Regis Hotel, Williams said.These benefits were worth more than $41,000, prosecutors alleged in the indictment. Adams failed to publicly disclose them, according to prosecutors.<h2 id="76834ede-7f88-4f68-8045-9dbb25241401">Flight to China via Turkey</h2>Prosecutors allege Adams flew to China by way of Turkey in 2017. On the trip, he accepted two free business class tickets for himself and a companion worth more than $16,000, according to the indictment.Adams did not disclose the benefits, per prosecutors.<h2 id="9e00ebd5-bea5-4bd6-abbb-88be2cc59223">Flight to Hungary via Turkey</h2>In 2018, Adams flew to Hungary by way of Turkey and accepted two free roundtrip upgrades for business class seats worth more than $12,000, prosecutors allege.Adams did not disclose the benefits, according to officials.<h2 id="32658347-18e1-43d4-a7b0-6d66e705dc95">Flight to and accommodations in Turkey</h2>Prosecutors alleged in the indictment that Adams flew to Turkey in 2019 and accepted business class upgrades for himself and his companion, as well as a free stay in the St. Regis Hotel in Istanbul. Adams also enjoyed free meals, transportation, and entertainment while in Istanbul, according to the indictment.The travel benefits were worth more than $9,000 and Adams failed to disclose them, prosecutors said.<h2 id="d89c3f05-81c2-45db-9f73-f83d2d3c3170">Canceled trip to Turkey</h2>In 2021, Adams solicited and accepted a trip to Turkey worth more than $21,000 before canceling the travel at the last minute, prosecutors said.The canceled benefits included <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/eric-adams-indicted-corruption-turkey-airline-flight-tickets-2024-9">two business-class tickets to Istanbul</a>, free or steeply discounted luxury hotel and resort stays, transportation, including a yacht, and tours and meals, Williams said during the press conference.Adams did not disclose the travel, per the indictment.<h2 id="249eab4c-bede-45fc-a098-466e80ad27f0">Flight to Ghana via Turkey</h2>Prosecutors allege Adams flew to Ghana by way of Turkey in 2021 and accepted free business-class ticket upgrades and other gifts while on his layover in Istanbul.The perks were worth more than $12,000, and none of them were disclosed, according to the indictment.

Eric Adams indictment: All the travel benefits the New York City mayor is alleged by prosecutors to have accepted 

A day after <keyword id="19895371" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Congress" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Congress" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Congress">Congress</keyword> leader <keyword id="19895780" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi" source="keywords">Rahul Gandhi</keyword>'s remarks in the <keyword id="19895397" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Parliament" source="keywords">Parliament</keyword> created a political uproar, <keyword id="19905334" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shiv-Sena" source="keywords">Shiv Sena</keyword> (UBT) leader <keyword id="19905333" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sanjay-Raut" source="keywords">Sanjay Raut</keyword> backed his words stating that the leaders of the INDIA bloc do not align with the "fake <keyword id="19935821" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hindutva" source="keywords">Hindutva</keyword>" portrayed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (<keyword id="19894848" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="BJP" source="keywords">BJP</keyword>). "Yesterday, Rahul Gandhiji said that Hindutva is not equal to the BJP. Hindutva does not promote spreading hatred. We do not align with the fake Hindutva portrayed by the BJP", Raut said while addressing the media here in the national capital on Tuesday. Falling in line with Rahul Gandhi's remarks, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader further added that the former said in the Parliament that 'Hindutva' is a much wider term. "He did not say anything wrong about the Hindus. Those who consider themselves Hindus should hear again that Rahul Gandhiji had said that 'Hindutva' is a much wider term and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won't understand this", he said. On Monday, Rahul Gandhi's maiden speech in <keyword id="19895394" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha" source="keywords">Lok Sabha</keyword> as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha generated a lot of political heat with BJP leaders accusing him "of speaking lies, misleading the House and terming the entire Hindu community violent" and the Congress hitting back with counter allegations against the <keyword id="19916814" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Modi-government" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Modi government" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Modi government">Modi government</keyword>. The two Houses took up the debate on the motion of thanks on the President's address with PM Modi slamming Rahul Gandhi during his speech. "Calling the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious matter," PM Modi said. Home Minister Amit Shah demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi. While the BJP held a press conference later to denounce Rahul Gandhi's remarks, Congress also held an evening presser to slam the ruling party at the Centre. Rahul Gandhi launched a multi-pronged attack on the BJP targeting it over its remarks during the Lok Sabha campaign, the NEET-UG controversy, <keyword id="20611113" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Agniveer-scheme" source="keywords">Agniveer scheme</keyword>. Participating in the debate on the Motion Of Thanks on the President's Address, Rahul Gandhi targeted the BJP-led government over the Agniveer scheme and claimed that Agniveer is not called a 'jawan' and said that Agniveers serving for a period of four years will not get a pension. "One Agniveer lost his life in a landmine blast but he is not called a 'martyr'... 'Agniveer' is a use and throw labourer," Rahul Gandhi alleged, attacking the BJP-led NDA government over the scheme," he had said. He also called the Hindu symbol 'Abhayamudra' which gestures fearlessness, reassurance and safety, as the symbol of the Congress party. "Abhayamudra is the symbol of Congress...The Abhayamudra is the gesture of fearlessness, is the gesture of reassurance and safety, which dispels fear and accords divine protection and bliss in Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism and other Indian religions...All our great men have spoken about non-violence and finishing fear...But, those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence, hatred, untruth...Aap Hindu ho hi nahi," the Congress leader said. "It is written in the Hindu religion; do not shy away from the truth, stand with the truth", he added. Gandhi's remarks witnessed brickbats from the BJP leaders as they accused the Congress leaders of "spreading lies" and demanded an apology from his side. Meanwhile, PM Modi will deliver his reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President's address in the lower house of Parliament later today. JP Nadda, MoS Jadhav Prataprao Ganpatrao, Jitin Prasada, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, Ram Nath Thakur, Nityanand Rai, Satya Pal Singh Baghel, Shobha Karandlaje, BL Verma, L Murugan, Ajay Tamta, Kamlesh Paswan, Ravneet Singh will lay papers on the table in Lok Sabha today.

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