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In a significant diplomatic move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu at <keyword id="20751669" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hyderabad-House" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Hyderabad House" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Hyderabad House">Hyderabad House</keyword> in Delhi on Monday. This visit is widely seen as an effort to reset ties between the two nations after a year of tense relations. <keyword id="20101322" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="President-Muizzu" source="keywords">President Muizzu</keyword>, who arrived in India on Sunday for a five-day visit, received a red carpet welcome. During a joint press briefing, President Muizzu expressed heartfelt gratitude to India, thanking President Droupadi Murmu, <keyword id="19899320" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="PM-Modi" source="keywords">PM Modi</keyword> and the people of India for their warm reception. He emphasised the Maldives' deep-rooted ties with India, noting that tourism — especially Indian visitors—remains a crucial pillar of the Maldivian economy. “India is our largest source market for tourists, and we hope to welcome even more Indian visitors in the future,” Muizzu remarked. Key areas of cooperation discussed included economic ties and maritime security, critical given the Maldives' position in the Indian Ocean. Following their talks, India granted the financially struggling Maldives a rollover of USD 100 million in Treasury bills, in addition to formalising a <keyword id="23458604" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="currency-swap-agreement" source="keywords">currency swap agreement</keyword> and a ₹3,000 crore currency swap. Prime Minister Modi characterised the "development partnership" as a key component of India-Maldives relations, asserting that India has consistently prioritised the needs of the Maldivian people. "Our development partnership is vital to our relationship with the Maldives, and we have always placed importance on the priorities of its people. This year, SBI rolled over USD 100 million in Treasury Bills, and a USD 400 million currency swap agreement was signed based on the Maldives' requirements," he explained. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="106837748" title="Withdraw troops by mid-March, Maldives tells India" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>In September, India announced that the <keyword id="19934368" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="State-Bank-of-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="State Bank of India" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="State Bank of India">State Bank of India</keyword> would purchase Maldivian government bonds worth USD 50 million, following a similar USD 50 million transaction in May 2024. Additionally, Prime Minister Modi and President Muizzu witnessed the first <keyword id="20563654" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="RuPay-card" source="keywords">RuPay card</keyword> payment transaction launched in the Maldives and virtually inaugurated the runway at Hanimaadhoo International Airport. Modi stated that India and the Maldives would soon be connected through UPI. "Recently, we launched the RuPay card in the Maldives, and in the future, we will link both countries via UPI," he said during a joint press briefing. Muizzu also expressed his desire to conclude a <keyword id="19945642" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Free-Trade-Agreement" source="keywords">Free Trade Agreement</keyword> with India, a step he believes will open the door to greater Indian investment in the Maldives. Modi emphasised India's commitment to supporting the Maldives through various initiatives, including supplying essential commodities and Covid vaccines, inaugurating airports, and constructing social housing. He noted that a new drinking water project is now operational on 28 islands, providing clean water to over 30,000 residents. The leaders also discussed the opening of consulates in Addu and Bengaluru. Tensions between India and the Maldives escalated following Muizzu's election last year, which saw a shift towards a pro-China stance and the promise to withdraw Indian troops stationed in the archipelago. His visit to China before India in January had raised eyebrows in New Delhi, as it was perceived as a slight. However, since attending Modi's swearing-in ceremony for a third term in June, Muizzu has moderated his anti-Indian rhetoric, signalling a thaw in relations. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has stated that the discussions provided "a new impetus" to the relationship. This meeting likely marks a positive turn in Indo-Maldivian relations, setting the stage for further cooperation between the two South Asian neighbours. (With inputs from agencies) <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112094153" title="Maldives President Muizzu thanks India for economic support, affirms hope of signing FTA" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

Maldives President Muizzu met with PM Modi in Delhi today. Here’s how it went!

<ul><li>The amendment to the <keyword id="95281" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Essential-Commodities-Act">Essential Commodities Act</keyword> was introduced as a part of the slew of reforms that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced in May 2020 as relief measures for COVID-19 pandemic.</li><li>Through the amendments, better price realisation will be made possible for <keyword id="45092" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="farmers">farmers</keyword> and cereals, edible oils, oilseeds, pulses, onions and potatoes will be deregulated. </li></ul>The monsoon session of the parliament will begin on September 14, and one of the amendments that will be up for discussion is for the Essential Commodities Act. Introduced as a part of the slew of reforms that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced in May 2020 as relief measures for the COVID-19 pandemic and the ₹20 trillion stimulus package, the government had said it was a landmark decision which would help India’s farmers. The amendment was a step towards creating ‘One India, One <keyword id="6355165" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="agriculture">agriculture</keyword> market’. The Essential Commodities Act (ECA) was passed by the Union Cabinet in June and is now an <keyword id="152892" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ordinance">ordinance</keyword>. The ECA will lapse if it doesn’t get cleared by the Parliament in this session. Amendments to the Essential Commodities Act Through the amendments, better price realisation will be made possible for farmers and cereals, edible oils, oilseeds, pulses, onions, and potatoes will be deregulated. Stock limits will be imposed only under exceptional circumstances like national calamities, famine with a surge in prices. No such stock limit shall apply to processors or value chain participants, or any exporter subject to export demand. According to PRS, a stock limit may only be imposed if there is: (i) a 100% increase in the retail price of horticultural produce; and (ii) a 50% increase in the retail price of non-perishable agricultural food items. What is referred to as Essential Commodity? Currently, essential commodities are defined as per the schedule within the act. The schedule entails drugs (fertilisers – inorganic, organic or mixed), petroleum and petroleum products, food products, raw jute and jute textiles, seeds of food crops, fruits, vegetables, and cattle fodder, jute seed, cottonseed. During this COVID-19 pandemic, face masks and hand sanitizers were added to the list. This was due to the scarcity of the products, and as there were cases of a price increase. However, deeming them essential the government notified that their prices cannot be increased. The notification was in force until June 30, and the two items <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/hc-rejects-plea-seeking-to-classify-masks-sanitisers-as-essential-commodities/articleshow/77611390.cms">aren’t classified</a> as essential anymore, once the availability in the market improved. What is the Essential Commodities Act initially implemented in 1955? The act was brought into place for the control of the production, supply and distribution of, and trade and commerce, in certain commodities. The act then allowed the government of India to control the price of essential commodities, and also decide to increase or decrease the supply of the product in the market. It also gives the government to regulate through licences, permits or otherwise the storage, transport, distribution, disposal, acquisition, use or consumption of any essential commodity. However, in recent years the Essential Commodities Act has come under a lot of debate. It has also been called ‘<a href="https://theprint.in/opinion/draconian-essential-commodities-act-needs-to-go-if-india-wants-to-raise-farm-incomes/183006/">draconian</a>’ by certain sections as it gives the government complete control. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/the-epidemic-diseases-amendment-ordinance-protecting-the-corona-warriors/articleshow/78038114.cms">The Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance — protecting the ‘corona warriors’</a>

Monsoon session of Parliament: All you need to know about the Essential Commodities ordinance

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The US <keyword id="6355284" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="senate">Senate</keyword> has rejected a compromise crypto-tax amendment to the $1 trillion <keyword id="1201214" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Infrastructure-Bill">infrastructure bill</keyword>.</li><li>It failed to pass by one vote on Monday, opposed by a lawmaker wanting $50 billion in military spending added.</li><li>Senators had argued over how broadly the <keyword id="11395440" type="AGENCY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Crypto-tax">crypto tax</keyword> rules should apply, but found a compromise. </li></ul>The US Senate rejected a <keyword id="2721952" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="crypto">crypto</keyword>-tax amendment to the $1 trillion infrastructure bill, put together in an eleventh-hour compromise between lawmakers battling over which crypto brokers should be subject to new tax-reporting rules.The compromise amendment, which needed unanimous approval to be adopted into the bipartisan bill, failed to pass by one vote late Monday. It was opposed by Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama, who had tried to attach his own unrelated amendment for a $50 billion increase in military spending, only to see this refused.Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania presented the crypto amendment, which was co-sponsored by Sens. Mark Warner of Virginia, Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, Rob Portman of Ohio, and Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming.The lawmakers had been in different camps about <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-senates-cryptocurrency-clash-delaying-biden-infrastructure-bill-2021-8">how broadly or narrowly to define the term "broker"</a> in the infrastructure bill, an argument essentially about which companies exactly would be subject to new <keyword id="6357017" type="DEFINITION" weightage="60" keywordseo="cryptocurrency">cryptocurrency</keyword> tax-reporting rules.The definition decides who must report cryptocurrency gains to the Internal Revenue Service under the new regulations, and the gains threshold where these kick in. The tax proceeds are expected to fund up to £28 billion in infrastructure investment. Sens. Warner, Portman and Sinema wanted to include software developers and so-called validators, such as miners and stakers, in the definition. Sens. Toomey, Lummis and Wyden's narrower proposal excluded various crypto-related companies and organizations. The compromise text, supported by Treasury Secretary Yellen, excludes software developers and validators.After the amendment failed to pass, crypto advocates reacted strongly once again, having already raised <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/currencies/infrastructure-bill-crypto-white-house-cryptocurrency-tax-reporting-regulation-2021-8">fears a wide scope would hurt their industry</a> and hinder it from developing."I think it's about time we get a rally going in Washington DC. I'm going to make some phone calls. More on this later," Charles Hoskinson, founder of the cryptocurrency Cardano, <a href="https://twitter.com/IOHK_Charles/status/1424853604955942917">tweeted</a>. Others went a step further, with crypto heavyweight Mike Novogratz saying that there should be a bill excluding anyone over the age of 80 from Congress. "The world is changing too fast to have a collection of 70-80 year olds making all the important decisions," he <a href="https://twitter.com/novogratz/status/1424839320633061377">said</a> on Twitter. Unless senators are able to introduce another vote on the compromise amendment, the bill will go to vote with the original, broader definition of a crypto '"broker".

Crypto tax amendment fails to pass in the Senate despite last-minute compromise in infrastructure bill

(Eds: Adds details ) New Delhi, Mar 13 () The government on Friday declared face masks and hand sanitizers as essential commodities for the next 100 days as it stepped up efforts to boost supply and prevent hoarding of these items in its fight to check spread of coronavirus disease. The Centre has also invoked Disaster Management Act to ensure price regulation and availability of surgical and protective masks, hand sanitizer and gloves. Both masks (2ply &amp; 3 ply surgical masks, N95 masks) and hand sanitisers have been brought under Essential Commodities Act, 1955, empowering States to regulate production, distribution and prices of these items and also crackdown on hoarding and blackmarketing. "Government has notified an order under the Essential Commodities Act to declare these items as essential commodities up to June 30, 2020, by amending the schedule of the Essential Commodities Act 1955," the Consumer Affairs Ministry said in a statement.The decision would empower the government and States/UTs to regulate production, quality and distribution of masks and hand sanitizers for smooth sale and availability of these items. It also empowers to carry out operations against speculators and those involved in over pricing and black marketing."It will enhance the availability of both the items to the general people at reasonable prices or under MRP (maximum retail price)," the ministry said. The government pointed out that masks and hand sanitizers are either not available in the market or are available with great difficulty at exorbitant prices, in view of the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19.The government has also issued an advisory under the Legal Metrology Act.Under the EC Act, state governments can ask manufacturers to enhance their production capacity of these items for augmenting supply, while States can ensure sale of both the items at MRP under the Legal Metrology Act.States can now notify the central order in their official gazette and also issue their own orders under the EC Act depending on the situation, the ministry said.They may take action against offenders under the EC Act and PBMMSEC Act (Prevention of Blackmarketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act) 1980. An offender under the EC Act can be punished with an imprisonment of up to seven years or fine or both. Under the PBMMSEC Act, one can be detained for maximum six months.Meanwhile, the Centre has also invoked Disaster Management Act to ensure price regulation and availability of surgical and protective mask, hand sanitizer and gloves.Amid reports of non-availability and black marketing of surgical and protective masks, sanitizers and gloves and as a measure of preparedness to address the challenge of outbreak of COVID-19, the health ministry has mandated the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) to notify these items as drugs. "In pursuance of directions conveyed by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare vide order dated 13.03.2020 under clause (I) of sub-section (2) of section 10 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority has been mandated to regulate the availability and prices of the Surgical and protective masks, Hand sanitizers and Gloves," the pharmaceuticals department under the Chemicals and Fertilisers Ministry said. The NPPA has directed all State /UT governments to take necessary steps to ensure sufficient availability of surgical and protective masks, hand sanitizers and gloves at prices not exceeding the MRP printed on the pack size. State/UT Governments have also been directed to monitor the production and distribution of above mentioned items by the Manufacturers/ Importers, Stockists and Retailers and ensure that hoarding, black marketing and profiteering may not happen.The EC Act was established to ensure the delivery of certain commodities or products, the supply of which, if obstructed owing to hoarding or black-marketing, would affect the normal life of people. This includes foodstuffs, drugs, fuels (petroleum products).The Act itself does not lay out rules and regulations but allows the states to issue control orders related to dealer licensing, regulate stock limits, restrict movement of goods and requirements of compulsory purchases under a levy system. MJH NKD ANZ MR

Govt notifies hand sanitizers, surgical masks, gloves as essential commodities

<ul><li>Earlier this week, the government reduced the base import prices of crude palm oil and soy oil.</li><li>Following this, edible oil companies have slashed prices of <keyword id="44868" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cooking-oil" source="Orion">cooking oil</keyword>.</li><li>Additionally, prices of household products like soaps, biscuits, noodles and even shampoo, lipsticks and detergents will also fall as palm oil is one basic ingredient here.</li></ul>One of India’s top FMCG companies, Adani Wilmar reduced the prices of one of the priciest of groceries in recent times – cooking oil. "We are passing on the benefit of the reduced cost to our customers. We are confident the lower prices will also boost demand," said Angshu Mallick, MD and CEO at Adani Wilmar after reducing the price of Fortune refined Sunflower oil's one-litre pack by ₹10 to ₹210. This comes after Hyderabad-based Gemini Edibles &amp; Fats and Mother Dairy both cut prices of cooking oil by ₹15 on one-litre pack – bringing relief to this household essential which has been on the receiving end of inflation for months now. This sentiment could spread across more packaged products, by more FMCG majors. “We expect consumer and retail companies to pause taking further price increases though sector valuations appear rich, with improving out‐of‐home consumption,” said a report by Centrum Broking firm. In the last few months as input costs rose, <keyword id="160413" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fmcg-players" source="Orion">FMCG players</keyword> have been resorting to reducing pack sizes while increasing pack prices. A reduction in base import of crude palm oil, soy oil could be passed on to other products in which it is used like — soaps, biscuits, noodles and even shampoo, lipsticks and detergents. It would mean a sharp reduction in household grocery bills, which have only been on the rise for consumers. Normal monsoon can aid the sector to remain green Lower prices would also mean the tapering demand for packaged products would also improve. Also, there are expectations that rural demand may recover on the back of higher government spending and normal monsoon. Rural demand has been hit after consumers <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/life-in-rural-india-hit-by-a-wilted-rabi-crop/articleshow/92333426.cms">traded down to cheaper and smaller packets </a>after inflation hit their doorsteps much harder than it did for urban consumers. If and when consumers shift to smaller pack sizes, most FMCG players tend to lose market share to local and regional players who cater more variety at those price points. However, if pack prices improve, FMCG majors’ volumes will improve – which have been losing revenue for the last eight months. Rural economy is key for FMCG players as a cool off in agricultural commodities inflation will also help reduce their own costs and improve margins. “If commodity prices witness correction from the current level, margins of consumer goods companies might witness a sequential improvement from Q3 FY2023. Commentary of most consumer goods companies suggests recovery in sales volume from Q2/Q3 of FY2023, if the inflation environment stabilizes in the coming months,” said analysts at Sharekhan. An FMCG bull run The optimism around the sector picking up soon is reflected in companies share prices as well. In a weak market sentiment, shares of FMCG players were among the biggest gainers as their fortunes will improve irrespective of worries about global interest rates and a possible recession in the US. “We are very bullish on the FMCG sector from here because we believe costs are coming down from previous highs and they are in a position to pass on incremental costs to consumers, which will help to increase these companies' margins,” said Ravi Singhal, vice chairman at GCL Securities. An FMCG bull run in a market would actually buck the trend of an overall lack of enthusiasm in stocks — proving the theory that no matter what happens, people will keep buying essentials albeit at the right price. <div type="image" title="color fmcg" height="900" width="1200" msid="92336486" hostid="261"></div> <div type="javascript" title="Custom" contenttype="Image"><cdata><![CDATA[]]></cdata></div> SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/life-in-rural-india-hit-by-a-wilted-rabi-crop/articleshow/92333426.cms">Vanished savings, trading down to cheaper essentials – life in rural India hit by a wilted Rabi crop</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/india-heads-into-the-thunderstorm-zone-right-after-the-heatwave-orange-alerts-issued/articleshow/92333863.cms">India heads into the thunderstorm zone right after the heatwave, orange alerts issued</a>

Cooking oil prices drop - soaps, noodles and detergents might follow suit

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The House passed a defense spending bill on Thursday that cuts Sec. Lloyd Austin's salary to $1.</li><li>That's thanks to an amendment from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.</li></ul>Democratic Rep. Jared Golden of Maine voted for a bill on Thursday that would reduce Defense Secretary <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/senate-confirms-lloyd-austin-americas-first-black-defense-secretary-2021-1">Lloyd Austin</a>'s salary to essentially nothing.But Golden — a centrist Democrat who represents a swing district and has a history of bucking his party — is standing by his vote."I doubt Lloyd Austin's spending much time thinking about that," Golden told Insider on Friday. "If he is, then he shouldn't be in that position."Austin currently makes over $235,000. Golden also noted that he previously <a href="https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-votes-against-waiver-biden-defense-secretary-nominee">voted against a waiver</a> to allow Austin, a former active-duty member of the military, to serve as the Secretary of Defense, a civilian position."I'm not particularly concerned about him," said Golden. "It's public service, I don't think he does it based upon the size of the paycheck that he receives."The provision was just one part of the Republican-led defense spending bill that passed the House on Thursday, which would fund the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2024. The bill is unlikely to become law in its current form — the Senate, which has drafted its own bipartisan bill to fund the Pentagon, is unlikely to accept the House-drafted legislation."I'm a veteran. I served in Afghanistan and Iraq, and I'm a member of the Armed Services Committee," said Golden, explaining his vote for the underlying defense bill.The salary cut was only added to the bill because of an <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/marjorie-taylor-greene-defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-salary-spending-bill-2023-9">amendment</a> from Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who cited the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and COVID vaccine mandates in the military as among the reasons she wanted to "fire" the nation's top military official.Perhaps in a sign that Republicans know the bill is unlikely to become law, Greene's amendment was tacked on via a simple voice vote earlier this week. Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/27/us/politics/house-republicans-lloyd-austin-salary.html">told the New York Times</a> that Austin is "focused on leading the Department of Defense and ensuring our service members worldwide have the resources and support the U.S. military needs to conduct our mission to defend the nation" when asked about Greene's provision.Nonetheless, all but two Republicans voted for the bill, and they were <a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2023502">joined by two Democrats</a> — Golden and Rep. Marie Gluesekamp Perez, whose office did not respond to Insider's request for comment on her vote.The duo also voted for House Republicans' version of the National Defense Authorization Act, a separate bill pertaining to the military that included provisions <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/which-house-democrats-voted-chip-roy-critical-race-theory-military-2023-7">targeting the teaching of race</a> and healthcare for transgender service members.

House Democrat defends voting for bill that would slash Defense Secretary's salary to just $1: 'I'm not particularly concerned about him'

<ul class="summary-list"><li>An Illinois bill could hold companies like Uber and Lyft liable for harm done to passengers.</li><li>Those rideshare companies are currently exempt from liability rules for other transportation services.</li></ul>Illinois legislators want to take away the special privileges of ride-hailing companies. Uber is pushing back.The Democratic-controlled state legislature passed a <a href="https://ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=2231&amp;GAID=17&amp;GA=103&amp;DocTypeID=HB&amp;LegID=146531&amp;SessionID=112#actions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bill</a> that would subject services like Uber and Lyft to the same safety standards as taxis, buses, trains, and other means of transport. The law would make it possible to sue the companies — not just the drivers — when passengers are harmed, whether intentionally or accidentally.If signed into law by Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, it would eliminate an exemption in Illinois law that has protected ride-hailing companies since 2015.But earlier this month Josh Gold, Uber's senior director of policy and communications, <a href="https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000187-feb5-d883-a797-fef525fa0000&amp;nname=illinois-playbook&amp;nid=00000150-1596-d4ac-a1d4-179e288b0000&amp;nrid=0000016e-41f6-d2e7-afee-f1feb0150000&amp;nlid=639163" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote a letter</a> to Jaime Harrison, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, warning that such a law would affect the 2024 Democratic National Convention, scheduled to be held next year in Chicago.The law "could lead to new barriers or eligibility requirements for drivers, which could in turn lead to fewer drivers on the road," Gold said. "Fewer drivers may mean higher wait times and less reliability. On extremely busy days, like during the convention, there might not be enough drivers to meet rider demand at all."Separately, according to the <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-uber-legislation-illinois-general-assembly-20230511-rkak2zh2vfcppnppzfs6533ehm-story.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chicago Tribune</a>, Gold wrote to the newly inaugurated Democratic mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, to warn that "less drivers and fewer trips means the city could lose tens of millions of dollars in projected revenue from ride-share taxes."The Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, the left-leaning consumer-protection group behind the bill, has dismissed the concerns as part of an Uber "pressure campaign" to get the state legislature or the governor "to not pass this bill or sign this bill," Patrick Salvi II, the ITLA's president, told Insider."These letters are somewhat veiled threats," Salvi added. Uber is "hinting at the possibility that they'll leave or have less drivers available in the event this bill passes, and that's going to be problematic for politicians that want to keep their voters happy."This isn't the first time the ride-hailing giants have pushed back against tighter regulations. In 2020, Uber and Lyft <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/uber-lyft-drivers-california-shut-down-effects-2020-8">threatened to suspend service</a> in California after a judge ruled they had to reclassify their drivers as employees instead of independent contractors based on state law. The companies spent nearly <a href="https://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_22,_App-Based_Drivers_as_Contractors_and_Labor_Policies_Initiative_(2020)#Campaign_finance" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$110 million</a> supporting a 2020 referendum — which California voters ultimately passed — to keep drivers as independent contractors. A California judge ruled the referendum <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/california-judge-rules-prop-22-unconstitutional-gig-worker-uber-lyft-2021-8">unconstitutional</a>, and an industry-backed PAC is appealing the decision.Neither Uber nor Lyft responded to requests for comment.<h2>Lyft is sitting out the fight while Uber pushes for exemption from the law</h2>The Illinois bill would define ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft as "common carriers" like taxi and bus operators, opening them to further liability in the event of accidents or other situations in which passengers are harmed, Salvi said. Being a common carrier means if a taxi driver tried to beat a yellow light and crashed, the passengers could sue the cab company, arguing that the company exercised enough control over its drivers to be held liable for the harm done, he elaborated. It would then be up to a court whether to hold the company liable based on the proof.Salvi said Illinois exempted ride-hailing companies from the state's common-carrier civil-liability doctrine in 2015 to "allow them to come to market" and "give them an ability to compete.""But that ship has sailed," Salvi said. "They've now essentially crushed the competition."He added, "The taxi cab industry in Chicago's been decimated." By 2017, revenue fell by 40% over the previous three years, and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/uber-and-lyft-are-destroying-chicagos-cab-drivers-2017-6">42%</a> of Chicago cabs weren't even operating.Moreover, the exemption has protected ride-hailing companies in even more extreme cases. In 2020, an Illinois court ruled Lyft was <a href="https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/7c086f56-1a9b-4e6b-94a6-756ea21997f7/Doe%20v.%20Lyft,%20Inc.,%202020%20IL%20App%20(1st)%20191328.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">not liable</a> for a driver who sexually assaulted a female passenger at knifepoint because ride-hailing companies were not considered common carriers under the law, even though the plaintiff <a href="https://www.tkklaw.com/news-publications/rape-victim-suing-lyft">alleged</a> that the driver "had been hired as a Lyft driver despite his criminal history, including charges of theft, driving under the influence, and possession of weapons."In 2021, <a href="https://assets.ctfassets.net/q8mvene1wzq4/4jxkFTH5YCQK8T96STULMd/4269e14dbcb8578ff64da45df08b8147/Community_Safety_Report.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lyft</a> reported that it had received more than 4,000 reports of sexual assault from its US users from 2017 to 2019, and <a href="https://www.uber.com/us/en/about/reports/us-safety-report/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Uber</a> said users reported more than 3,000 cases of sexual assault on its platform from 2017 to 2018. In its <a href="https://uber.app.box.com/s/vkx4zgwy6sxx2t2618520xt35rix022h?uclick_id=f7a3d194-8233-4bf3-832c-0467d9c8816c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2019-2020 report</a>, Uber said the rate of sexual assaults reported on the app decreased by 38% from its prior report, attributing that to the company's "safety and transparency efforts" and the "altered usage of the platform" during the COVID-19 pandemic.Salvi argued that if Pritzker signed the bill into law, ride-hailing companies would upgrade the security of their driver recruitment and review procedures "as to how passengers and drivers are interacting, that they have safeguards and a culture and just communications with their drivers that — that is safety-focused."As common carriers, Uber and Lyft would also be held to the "highest duty of care," which could make them liable if their drivers got into car accidents, he added.Uber, Lyft, and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce originally <a href="https://news.wttw.com/2023/03/07/illinois-lawmakers-eye-tougher-safety-standards-uber-lyft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">opposed</a> the bill on the grounds that the companies already had safety measures in place, that their services took drunk drivers off the road, and that regulation would reduce the supply of drivers and drive up prices.Salvi took issue with Uber's argument that higher standards for recruiting drivers would reduce its supply. "I don't think higher standards for background checks is going to scare away anybody," he said, adding that in his experience drivers "are almost invariably very good people."He also noted differences between Uber's reaction and that of Lyft, which he said "went neutral on the bill" when amendments made clear that drivers wouldn't automatically be considered Lyft's agents, the bill wouldn't take effect until a later date, and the bill would last five years instead of one before needing to be reenacted."Lyft would be all too happy" if Uber "left Chicago and left that market for Lyft," Salvi said, adding that so would taxi cabs, which he said had been "basically driven out of business in the city of Chicago as a result of rideshare companies who have an unfair market advantage not being considered common carriers."

Uber is trying to sway Chicago's mayor and Illinois Democrats against a bill seeking to make rides safer for customers

The Centre intends to amend the <keyword id="95281" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Essential-Commodities-Act">Essential Commodities Act</keyword> and Prevention of <keyword id="6735185" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Black-Marketing">Black Marketing</keyword> and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act to curb hoarding and black marketing of essential commodities. 
 “The Essential Commodities Act will be made more stringent by making offences under the Act non-bailable. We have been waiting for the response of the State governments to the proposal since their consent is required to amend the Act,” Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution <keyword id="973" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Ram-Vilas-Paswan">Ram Vilas Paswan</keyword> said. 
 
Paswan also said that his ministry has asked the state governments to give their views on the proposed amendments to the Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMC) Act. Perishable commodities like fruits and vegetables will not come under the ambit of the APMC Act. The amendment will enable farmers to sell their product directly to retailers or consumers, without any involvement of middlemen. 
 
The minister also emphasised on the need to set up scientific storehouses, particularly for items like onion and potatoes, to control food inflation. 
 Paswan further said that only two states – Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh – have fully implemented the National <keyword id="73138" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Food-Security-Act">Food Security Act</keyword>.

Centre Mulling To Amend Laws To Check
Hoarding, Black Marketing

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Democratic Montana Rep. Zooey Zephyr is the state's first openly transgender legislator.</li><li>She gave an impassioned speech on Tuesday admonishing Republicans for trying to ban gender-affirming care for children.</li></ul>A group of Republicans in Montana's House of Representatives are calling to censure state Rep. Zooey Zephyr for admonishing the legislature for attempting to pass a bill banning children from receiving gender-affirming care."If you are forcing a trans child to go through puberty when they are trans, that is tantamount to torture. This body should be ashamed," Zephyr said.Following Zephyr's comments, Montana House Majority Leader Sue Vinton rose in opposition."I speak on behalf of our caucus. We will not be shamed by anybody in this chamber. We are better than that," Vinton said."If you vote yes on this bill, I hope the next time there's an invocation, when you bow your heads in prayer, you see the blood on your hands," Zephyr responded. The GOP-led legislature passed the governor's requested amendments to the Youth Health Protection Act later Tuesday, barring children from receiving access to puberty blockers and other gender-affirming healthcare, though it hasn't been signed by Gov. Greg Gianforte just yet.Later that day, the Montana Freedom Caucus took to Twitter, demanding Zephyr be censured "For attempting to shame the Montana legislative body and by using inappropriate and uncalled-for language during a floor debate over amendments concerning Senate Bill 99."Additionally, the caucus also misgendered Zephyr, the first openly transgender member of the Montana legislature, in the letter.House Minority Leader Kim Abbott, in a statement to the <a href="https://helenair.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/caucus-of-21-gop-lawmakers-misgenders-colleague-in-call-for-censure/article_0443233e-dede-11ed-b1bc-f3cc22b6ea86.html#tracking-source=home-top-story">Helena Independent Record</a>, admonished the Montana Freedom Caucus for disrespecting her colleague."The language used by the so-called Freedom Caucus, including the intentional and repeated misgendering of Rep. Zephyr, is blatantly disrespectful and the farthest thing imaginable from the 'commitment to civil discourse' that these letter writers demand. I find it incredibly ironic that these legislators are making demands of others that they refuse to abide by themselves," Abbott said.Zephyr defended herself in a press release on Wednesday, standing by her comments."I stand by my accurate description of the devastating consequences of banning essential medical care for transgender youth," Zephyr wrote. "The recently passed Senate Bill 99 is part of an alarming trend of anti-trans legislation in our state."Despite the Montana Freedom Caucus' call to censure Zephyr, there's yet to be an official vote on the matter, and it's unlikely a censure vote would pass — the <a href="https://montanafreepress.org/2023/04/19/ban-of-medical-care-for-transgender-minors-clears-legislative-hurdle/">Montana Free Press</a> reported Abbott said there's a "zero percent chance" of it actually happening.

Montana Republicans are trying to censure a transgender legislator for castigating them about a bill banning gender-affirming care for minors

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The debt-ceiling bill includes reforms that aim to speed up construction on energy projects.</li><li>It also claims a West Virginia pipeline is in the national interest — and pushes through its completion.</li></ul>Folded into the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/did-senate-pass-debt-ceiling-bill-biden-mccarthy-default-bill-2023-6">debt-ceiling bill</a> that passed the Senate on Thursday are measures that could speed up the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-4-us-cities-invest-clean-energy-innovation-smart-infrastructure-2022-4">building of energy projects</a> in the US.They are an update of the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/nepa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Environmental Policy Act</a>, or NEPA — long a punching bag for critics on both sides of the aisle who say the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/manchin-big-win-debt-ceiling-bill-gas-pipeline-environmentalists-hate-2023-5">environmental permitting</a> process for new projects takes too long and requires too many bureaucratic steps."These changes will help us build more quickly and responsibly; build more solar, build more wind, EV chargers, transmission, and the other infrastructure we need to secure a clean energy economy," a White House official said in a <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2023/05/28/background-press-call-on-the-bipartisan-budget-agreement/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sunday media briefing</a>.It's a rare bipartisan issue on the Hill. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy <a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?528379-1/house-speaker-mccarthy-news-conference-debt-limit-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">on Sunday</a> described permitting as "a frustration with people all across this country on both sides of the aisle. Doesn't matter if you want to build a road, you want to build a renewable energy project, it all gets stopped and studied for years."The reforms in <a href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20230529/BILLS-118hrPIH-fiscalresponsibility.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the bill</a> include limiting the environmental permitting process to two years, along with requiring projects to name a single lead agency that would develop one master environmental review document. It also orders a study of US grid capacity to determine what upgrades are needed to strengthen reliability. While some climate activists and progressives have hailed the measures as <a href="https://community.citizensclimate.org/discuss/viewtopic/3318/30396?utm_term=In%20a%20post%20on%20CCL%20Community&amp;utm_campaign=WeeklyBriefing&amp;utm_content=email&amp;utm_source=Act-On+Software&amp;utm_medium=email" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a good start</a>, many are also concerned about the reforms weakening environmental protections. Arizona Rep. Raúl Grijalva, the top Democrat on the Natural Resources Committee, called the NEPA reforms <a href="https://democrats-naturalresources.house.gov/media/press-releases/ranking-member-grijalva-statement-on-environmental-rollbacks-and-mountain-valley-pipeline-provisions-in-budget-agreement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a "major blow"</a> to the environment and vulnerable communities."There is no room for compromise when it comes to our bedrock environmental laws, especially for communities that have been systematically targeted by polluters for decades," Grijalva said in a statement on Monday. "NEPA is these communities' strongest—and often their only—tool when it comes to protecting themselves against industry wrongdoing. Rather than strengthen that tool, this bill gives polluters a shield, inevitably worsening an already unacceptable status quo."Rep. Melanie Stansbury, who also serves on the Natural Resources Committe, said she "could not in good conscience vote for" legislation that proposed "gutting one of our most bedrock environmental laws.""I am grateful for our President's leadership in protecting the essential climate mitigation and resilience programs in the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, but will be working to restore the critical protections undermined by the passage of this bill," Stansbury said in a statement to Insider. Another measure in the bill that's attracted widespread condemnation, including from Democratic lawmakers, is a provision that would greenlight <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/manchin-big-win-debt-ceiling-bill-gas-pipeline-environmentalists-hate-2023-5">a West Virginia shale gas pipeline</a> championed by the state's Sen. Joe Manchin. A carve-out for the Mountain Valley Pipeline <a href="https://appvoices.org/2023/03/10/mountain-valley-pipeline-update/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sparked opposition</a> from environmentalists and some Democrats after five years of construction through national forest land has been slowed due to lawsuits and environmental reviews.Now, the permitting reforms included in the deal would force federal agencies to approve all remaining permits for the pipeline and allow it to bypass the courts and fast-track construction. A spokesperson for Virginia Senator Tim Kaine told Insider the senator is "extremely disappointed by the provision of the bill to greenlight the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline in Virginia, bypassing the normal judicial and administrative review process every other energy project has to go through. This provision is completely unrelated to the debt ceiling matter."While Kaine <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MirvmwramAs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">planned to file an amendment</a> to that provision, the Senate faced a June 5 deadline to pass a debt-ceiling deal before the country loses the ability to pay its bills and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/did-senate-pass-debt-ceiling-bill-biden-mccarthy-default-bill-2023-6">sped through votes</a> late Thursday night.And even after the debt-ceiling debates are finally concluded, the permitting reform push is just beginning. Manchin, who is also the chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, <a href="https://www.utilitydive.com/news/manchin-permitting-reform-hearing-transmission/650157/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">plans</a> to bring more comprehensive legislation to the Senate floor by the end of the summer.The debt ceiling legislation leaves many reforms — most notably building major electricity transmission lines — on the table. Democrats, in particular, have pushed efforts <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/power-transmission-deal-being-mulled-us-debt-limit-talks-sources-2023-05-25/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">to expand power transmission</a>, which would make it easier for solar and wind projects across the country to connect to the grid. One measure that didn't make it into the House bill would have required that all US grids be able to transfer at least 30% of their electricity demand to other grids. Instead, the bill requires the issue to be studied for two years.

The debt-ceiling bill that just passed the Senate eases the way for a new gas pipeline — and for clean energy projects like EV charging and solar panels

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Maldives President Muizzu met with PM Modi in Delhi today. Here’s how it went!

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House Democrat defends voting for bill that would slash Defense Secretary's salary to just $1: 'I'm not particularly concerned about him'

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Uber is trying to sway Chicago's mayor and Illinois Democrats against a bill seeking to make rides safer for customers

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Montana Republicans are trying to censure a transgender legislator for castigating them about a bill banning gender-affirming care for minors

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