Pakistan-Taliban Peace Talks Collapse; MGB Releases Bihar Manifesto; And More

Cabinet Approves Terms of Reference for 8th Central Pay Commission

The Union Cabinet on 28 October approved the Terms of Reference for the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC), tasked with revising pay structures and retirement benefits for approximately 50 lakh central government employees.

Announced in January 2025, the commission will be chaired by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, with Professor Pulak Ghosh of IIM Bangalore as part-time member and Petroleum Secretary Pankaj Jain as member-secretary. The panel must submit recommendations within 18 months.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted extensive consultations with ministries managing large employee bases—Defence, Home, Railways, and DoPT—along with cooperative state governments.

The commission must consider economic conditions, fiscal prudence, developmental expenditure needs, non-contributory pension costs, state finances impact, and compensation structures in public sector undertakings and private sectors. The panel can submit interim reports on specific issues as recommendations are finalized, marking a significant step toward comprehensive salary revision for central employees.

Cyclone Montha Makes Landfall on Andhra Pradesh Coast, Triggers Heavy Rainfall

Severe Cyclonic Storm Montha crossed the Andhra Pradesh coasts between 11:30 pm and 12:30 am on October 28-29, making landfall south of Kakinada near Narsapur, the India Meteorological Department reported.

The storm triggered very heavy rainfall, damaging crops across 43,000 hectares and affecting 83,000 farmers, with paddy and cotton worst hit. Power sector losses exceeded Rs 2,200 crore due to damaged substations, transformers, and power lines.

At least 35,000 people were evacuated to 401 relief camps in Kakinada district. Twenty trains and 32 Visakhapatnam flights were cancelled. An orange alert remains for 12 districts today, with continued heavy rainfall expected despite landfall completion.

Other developments

Pakistan-Taliban Peace Talks Collapse

Peace negotiations between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban ended in chaos in Istanbul after Pakistan admitted publicly for the first time that it permits US drone operations from its soil, NDTV reported citing diplomatic sources.

The talks, mediated by Qatar and Turkey, began with cautious optimism but collapsed when Pakistan's reportedly disorganised delegation clashed with Afghan representatives. Afghan negotiators demanded assurances against airspace violations, but Pakistani officials refused to alter the drone arrangement, calling it unbreakable.

Following an "unknown phone call" from Islamabad, Pakistan backtracked on earlier commitments, claiming no control over US drones. Major General Shahab Aslam of ISI's Special Operations Division dismissed Afghan concerns about drones and demanded Taliban action against TTP. Kabul responded that TTP members are Pakistani nationals beyond Afghanistan's jurisdiction.

The confrontation peaked when Aslam told Qatar's ambassador, "We have an agreement" with the US. Mediators from Qatar and Turkey were "stunned" by Pakistan's conduct, with sources calling it "sabotage by design."

Afghan officials warned any Pakistani airstrikes would trigger reciprocal action, including potential targeting of Islamabad.

Delhi's Cloud Seeding Trials Fail to Induce Rain, But Reduce Particulate Matter

The Delhi government conducted two cloud seeding trials on 28 October using Cessna aircraft fitted with salt-based and silver iodide flares to combat deteriorating pollution levels, but failed to produce significant rainfall.

IIT Kanpur Director Manindra Agrawal called the trials "not completely successful," explaining that 14 flares fired during sorties from Kanpur and Meerut produced no rain. He attributed the failure to low moisture content of 10-20 percent, far below ideal levels for cloud seeding.

The trials covered Khekra, Burari, North Karol Bagh, and Mayur Vihar in outer Delhi.

However, a government report showed promising results in pollution reduction. PM2.5 levels dropped from 221-230 to 203-207 at targeted locations, while PM10 decreased from 206-209 to 163-177. Minor precipitation was recorded in Noida (0.1mm) and Greater Noida (0.2mm) at 4 pm.

A third trial is planned for Wednesday, 29 October.

Actor Vijay Announces 28-Member Executive Committee for TVK

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam president and actor Vijay on Tuesday, 28 October, announced a 28-member executive committee to oversee the party's day-to-day operations under his guidance.

Among 18 district secretaries in the committee is V.P. Mathiyazhagan, Karur west district secretary, who faces charges as the first accused in the September 27 Karur stampede case that killed 41 people during Vijay's rally. The case, initially registered by Karur police, was transferred to CBI.

Karnataka High Court Stays Order Restricting Public Assembly of Over 10 People

The Karnataka High Court on 28 October stayed a state government order restricting unauthorised assembly of more than 10 people in public spaces, passed reportedly ahead of proposed RSS marches.

Justice M Nagaprasanna ruled the October 18 order prima facie infringed constitutional fundamental rights, particularly freedom of speech and peaceful assembly. The Court emphasized fundamental rights cannot be curtailed through government directives without proper legislative backing, as it violates Article 13(2) of the Constitution.

The stay came on a petition by Punashchethana Seva Samaste and others challenging the order. The Court issued notices to senior state officials including the Chief Secretary, DGP, and municipal authorities.

Bihar election corner

MGB Releases 'Tejashwi Pran Patra' Manifesto, Promises Jobs and Welfare Measures

The Opposition Mahagathbandhan released its joint election manifesto on Tuesday, titled "Tejashwi Pran Patra," with RJD chief and chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav declaring the promises as personal commitments rather than mere electoral pledges.

Unveiled in Patna alongside Congress and alliance leaders, the manifesto's headline promise ensures one government job for at least one member of every Bihar family. Other key commitments include 200 units of free electricity for poor and middle-class households and five decimals of land for landless families.

The document introduces the 'Mai-Bahini Yojana' for women, with details forthcoming.

The Mahagathbandhan—comprising RJD, Congress, Left parties, and regional allies—positions itself as a welfare-driven alternative to the ruling NDA, which plans to unveil its "Vikasit Bihar" manifesto on October 30.

Amit Shah, Rahul Gandhi Rallies Today

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi will address multiple rallies in Bihar today as campaigning intensifies for the two-phase Assembly elections scheduled for November 6 and 11, with results on November 14.

Shah will hold public meetings in Darbhanga, Samastipur, and Begusarai for the NDA, while Gandhi, accompanied by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, will campaign in Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga for the INDIA bloc.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will also address NDA rallies across Darbhanga, Begusarai, Samastipur, Saran, Siwan, Patna, Bhojpur, and Buxar districts, supported by Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, MP CM Mohan Yadav, and former Jharkhand CM Babulal Marandi.

The BJP-led coalition's campaign push precedes Prime Minister Modi's Thursday rallies in Muzaffarpur and Saran.