Government Planning I-T Like Refund Process For GST; SC To Hear Karur Stampede Case On 10 October; And More

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Bihar SIR: Supreme Court Seeks Details of 3.66 Lakh Excluded Bihar Voters

The Supreme Court on October 7 directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to provide details of 3.66 lakh excluded voters during Bihar's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls by October 9.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi heard petitions challenging the SIR exercise, one day after the ECI announced Bihar assembly election dates—voting on November 6 and 11, with results on November 14.

Bihar's final electoral roll shows 7.42 crore voters, down from 7.89 crore on June 24. About 47 lakh voters were deleted overall: 65 lakh removed for the August draft roll and another 3.66 lakh "ineligible" voters subsequently excluded. Meanwhile, 21.53 lakh new voters were added.

The ECI stated no complaints or appeals have been filed by excluded voters. 

Government Planning To Introduce Automated Refund System For GST: Report

The next upgrade in India's GST system is likely to be an automated refund processing, similar to the income-tax system.

According to a leading business daily, CBIC member Shashank Priya announced the initiative at a TIOL Knowledge Foundation event on October 6, 2025. The move aims to reduce delays caused by manual verification through Form GST RFD-01. The income-tax system's automation, which processes refunds using pre-filled data, will serve as a model.

Automated refunds using pre-filled returns are expected to improve compliance, reduce errors, and help cash flow for exporters and small businesses. 

No implementation timeline has been announced yet though. 

Other developments

Nobel Prize in Physics Awarded for Discovery of Macroscopic Quantum Tunnelling

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences on Tuesday awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics to John Clarke (UC Berkeley), Michel H. Devoret (Yale University and UC Santa Barbara), and John M. Martinis (UC Santa Barbara) for discovering macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in electrical circuits.

The laureates used chip-based electrical circuits to demonstrate quantum phenomena at scales large enough to hold. The Academy noted their work addressed a key question: the maximum size at which quantum mechanical effects occur.

In 1984-85 experiments, they built superconducting circuits with Josephson junctions—thin non-conductive layers between conductors. Their measurements showed charged particles behaved as a single entity, confirming macroscopic quantum effects beyond atomic levels.

Each winner receives a gold medal, diploma, and 11 million Swedish kronor (approximately $1 million) at a December 10 ceremony in Stockholm. Since 1901, 226 individuals have received the Physics Nobel.

Sitharaman Launches Foreign Currency Settlement System at GIFT IFSC

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the Foreign Currency Settlement System (FCSS) at GIFT International Financial Services Centre, Gujarat, on Tuesday, enabling real-time foreign currency transaction settlements, reducing delays from 36-48 hours.

Speaking at Global Fintech Fest 2025, Sitharaman noted GIFT City now joins Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Manila in settling foreign currency transactions locally. She emphasized fintech has "democratized finance" in India, with the country ranking third globally in fintech companies and handling half the world's real-time digital transactions.

Highlighting the $1.3 billion India AI Mission, she cautioned against technology misuse, citing deepfake videos of herself as examples of AI's darker side.

Sitharaman noted the government saved Rs 4.31 trillion through Direct Benefit Transfer, ensuring funds reach intended beneficiaries. She reaffirmed the government's commitment to enabling innovation while remaining on "the fringes" to help businesses without interrupting their progress.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved four railway multi-tracking projects worth Rs 24,634 crore, extending India's rail network by 894 km across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh.

The sanctioned projects include: Wardha-Bhusawal (314 km), Gondia-Dongargarh (84 km), Vadodara-Ratlam (259 km), and Itarsi-Bhopal-Bina (237 km). These will cover 18 districts, benefiting 3,633 villages with over 85 lakh population.

Planned under PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the projects aim to enhance multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency. The expansion will improve access to tourist destinations including Sanchi, Satpura Tiger Reserve, Bhimbetka rock shelters, and Nawegaon National Park.

The upgraded lines will handle vital freight traffic—coal, cement, containers, steel, and food grains—with capacity for an additional 78 million tonnes annually.

Supreme Court to Hear Plea for CBI Probe Into Karur Stampede

The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear on October 10 a plea challenging the Madras High Court's refusal to order a CBI investigation into the September 27 stampede at Karur, Tamil Nadu, during actor-politician C. Joseph Vijay's rally, which killed 41 people and injured over 60.

BJP leader Uma Anandan filed the appeal before a bench headed by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai.

On October 3, the Madurai Bench declined CBI transfer, stating the probe was nascent with no credible allegations of state interference. It banned political meetings on highways until SOPs are framed.

However, Chennai's principal bench sharply criticized TVK leaders for "abandoning innocent people" and ordered a Special Investigation Team under IG Asra Garg, calling it a "man-made disaster."

Death Toll from Contaminated Cough Syrup Rises to 19 in Madhya Pradesh

The death toll from contaminated Coldrif cough syrup in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district has reached 19. Two more children died during treatment in Nagpur, while nine others remain on life support with kidney failure.

Chhindwara ADM Dhirendra Singh confirmed the deaths, with five children in critical condition.

Tests revealed two additional Gujarat-manufactured syrups, ReLife and Respifresh TR, contain dangerous diethylene glycol levels—the same chemical found in Coldrif. Four samples failed government standards (maximum 0.1 per cent allowed), raising fears of kidney failure and brain damage. 

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced the state will cover full treatment costs for affected children in Nagpur hospitals, with magistrate and doctor teams stationed to assist families.

Opposition leader Umang Singhar accused the government of "criminal negligence and corruption," claiming authorities ignored early warnings. Congress MLA Sohan Lal Balmiki demanded accountability, asking: "When a poor man's house is demolished over small violations, why not run a bulldozer on the house of the health minister who is responsible for these children's deaths?"

State Congress Chief Jitu Patwari visited Chhindwara, demanding Rs 1 crore compensation and the health minister's resignation.

CM Mohan Yadav countered, asking Congress to avoid "frivolous remarks". 

No Manipulation in Air India Crash Probe: Aviation Minister

Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu on Tuesday, 7 October, stated there is "no manipulation or dirty business" in the investigation into the Air India crash in Ahmedabad that killed 260 people on June 12.

"There is no manipulation, or there is no dirty business, happening in the investigation. It is a very clean and very thorough process that we are doing according to the rules," Naidu said at a book launch event in the national capital.

The minister emphasized that everyone must await the final AAIB report to understand what exactly caused the crash.

You’re all caught up—until next time.