December 10th, 2024, brings a wave of significant developments across various sectors in India and internationally. From financial markets and political spheres to technology launches, here’s a comprehensive overview of the day’s top news.
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das Concludes His Tenure
Today marks the end of Shaktikanta Das’s term as the 25th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). His tenure, beginning in 2019, has been one of the longest in recent history, following the unexpected departure of his predecessor, Urijit Patel. Das’s leadership has been marked by navigating challenging economic landscapes. While facing calls for rate cuts from Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal amid slowing GDP growth (5.4% in the July-September quarter), Das and the monetary policy committee (MPC) prioritized the RBI’s inflation-targeting mandate, maintaining a steady repo rate. Among his notable early actions was establishing a committee under former RBI governor Bimal Jalan to review the central bank’s economic capital framework, leading to annual surplus transfers to the central government.
Kolkata Metro Implements Night Service Surcharge
Commuters using the Kolkata Metro’s night service will face a ₹10 surcharge per ticket starting today. This applies to the Dum Dum-New Garia corridor, regardless of distance, for both directions of the 10:40 PM service. The decision, according to officials, is a response to the low occupancy rates on these late-night trains.
Indraprastha Gas to Consider Bonus Share Issuance
The Indraprastha Gas board is scheduled to meet today to deliberate on a proposal for issuing bonus shares to its equity shareholders. While the specific bonus share ratio remains undisclosed, it will be subject to shareholder approval. The company will announce the record date following board approval, and the trading window for its shares has been closed since December 4th until 48 hours after the board meeting’s outcome is announced.
Motorola Launches Moto G35 in India
Motorola is launching its much-anticipated Moto G35 device in the Indian market today. Priced under ₹10,000, this 5G smartphone boasts a 6.7-inch Full HD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass 3 protection. Supporting 12 5G bands, the G35 5G will retain Motorola’s signature vegan leather design. Powered by the UNISOC T760 processor and featuring a 50MP primary camera, this budget-friendly device promises impressive features.
TRAI’s Traceability Rules Come into Effect – Ensuring Timely OTP Delivery
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has clarified that the implementation of its new message traceability rules, effective today, will not cause delays in essential services like Net Banking and Aadhaar OTP deliveries. Addressing concerns raised on social media, TRAI reiterated its commitment to ensuring the timely delivery of these critical messages. These rules, introduced on October 1st, require telecom companies to track the origin of bulk messages to combat fraudulent activities and enhance the security of communication.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Testifies in Corruption Trial
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will begin testifying in his ongoing corruption trial today. Following a court order from December 5th, he’s balancing his court appearances with his responsibilities as Prime Minister. Charged with bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, Netanyahu will testify three times a week. He denies all allegations.
