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- Why in News?
- Nelco, a Tata Group company, has entered into a partnership with Eutelsat to deliver OneWeb low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity services across India.
- About Eutelsat OneWeb:
- A subsidiary of France-based Eutelsat, OneWeb operates a global broadband network using LEO satellites positioned at altitudes of 2,000 km or below. This configuration enables low-latency, high-speed internet access even in remote and geographically challenging regions. Notably, India’s Bharti Enterprises is a key investor and shareholder in OneWeb, underscoring the strategic importance of the venture for the country.
- Significance:
- The collaboration is expected to boost India’s digital infrastructure, improve national security communications, and provide dependable internet connectivity to underserved and rural areas. By integrating LEO satellite technology into India’s network ecosystem, the partnership aligns with the nation’s goal of bridging the digital divide and enhancing resilience against terrestrial network disruptions.
- Why in News?
- The Supreme Court’s August 11, 2025 order marks its strongest move yet on the street dog issue, instructing Delhi and nearby cities to capture all free-roaming dogs within eight weeks, house them permanently in pounds, and rapidly expand shelters.
- Key Provisions:-
- With about 30,000 dog bite cases annually and rabies still fatal for the urban poor lacking timely treatment, the Court’s directive challenges the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, which mandate “capture, neuter, vaccinate, release” and prohibit long-term confinement except for rabid or dangerously aggressive dogs. These rules, however, have failed to control populations, as sterilisation rarely reaches the critical 70% coverage. The clash highlights an outdated legal framework under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, ill-suited to today’s dense cities. A modern law should separate adoptable, euthanasia-eligible, and shelterable dogs, set municipal duties and pound standards, and secure steady funding, ensuring safety without replacing street chaos with underfunded kennels.
- Why in News?
- Two new Bills aim to consolidate, simplify, and update income tax legislation, replacing the complex Income-tax Act, 1961.
- Key Provisions:-
- Income-tax Bill, 2025 seeks to modernise the law after decades of piecemeal amendments. Key provisions include extending deductions to companies, and expanding family pension and gratuity benefits to family members. MAT and AMT are separated into distinct sections, with AMT applying only to non-corporates claiming deductions; LLPs earning solely capital gains and claiming no deductions are exempt. The Bill also mandates digital payment modes for professionals with receipts above ₹50 crore, refines tax language, improves cross-references, and updates definitions such as “capital asset” and “beneficial owner.”
- Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025 modifies the Income-tax Act, 1961 and Finance Act, 2025 to extend tax exemptions under the Unified Pension Scheme, offer direct tax relief to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and subsidiaries, and streamline pending block assessment procedures in search cases.