THE CLIFF NEWS

In a major relief for pilgrims traveling to the Kumbh Mela, Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu has announced a 50% reduction in airfares for passengers flying to Prayagraj. The new fares came into effect today, following multiple discussions with airline operators. Government’s Intervention in Airfare Regulation To ensure affordable travel for devotees, the government held three meetings with airlines before enforcing the fare cut. Airlines were reminded of the historical significance of the Kumbh Mela, which occurs once every 140 years, and were urged to support the event. At the same time, the government has taken steps to protect airlines from financial losses resulting from the reduced ticket prices. DGCA’s Efforts to Control Rising Airfares Prior to this, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had already stepped in to regulate soaring airfares for flights to Prayagraj. On January 23, DGCA officials met with airline representatives, urging them to rationalize ticket prices for Kumbh Mela travelers. To accommodate the massive influx of passengers, 81 additional flights were approved for Prayagraj in January 2025, bringing the total number of flights operating to and from the city to 132. However, despite the increased capacity, airfare surged dramatically, with Delhi-Prayagraj ticket prices skyrocketing 21 times their usual rate, causing widespread concern. Unprecedented Footfall at Kumbh Mela 2025 The Maha Kumbh Mela, which commenced on January 13, is witnessing unprecedented attendance, with the total footfall surpassing 199.4 million visitors. The surge in devotees has led to extreme crowding, with a stampede earlier this week at key bathing ghats due to the overwhelming rush. The religious gathering will conclude on February 26, and with the new reduced airfare, more pilgrims are expected to benefit from affordable travel options.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is facing a major political setback ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, as eight of its sitting MLAs resigned on Friday, accusing the party of corruption and neglect. The timing of these resignations, just five days before the polls, has raised questions about internal dissent and the party’s leadership. MLAs Express Discontent with AAP Leadership The eight MLAs who resigned include: Several of them posted their resignation letters on social media, openly criticizing AAP’s leadership. Bhavna Gaur, a two-time MLA, wrote to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, stating, “I have lost faith in you and the party.” Meanwhile, Rohit Mehraulia claimed that AAP has abandoned its founding principles, stating, “They only need a photo of Baba Saheb, not his ideology.” AAP’s Response: Denies Allegations, Calls It ‘Opportunism’ AAP national spokesperson Reena Gupta dismissed the allegations, revealing that a party survey found these MLAs were inaccessible to the public, leading to their removal from the candidate list. “They were replaced due to poor feedback. Their resignations and shift to another party only prove their opportunism,” Gupta said. AAP also defended its candidate selection, emphasizing that it prioritizes “ordinary individuals from humble backgrounds” over non-performing incumbents. Was It Internal Rift or a Political Strategy? The controversy deepened after it was revealed that Naresh Yadav was initially given a ticket, but AAP revoked it following his conviction in a 2016 religious desecration case. His replacement by Mahender Chaudhary fueled speculation about selective candidate screening within the party. Some AAP leaders slammed the defectors, with Kirari MLA Rituraj Jha accusing them of betrayal. He declared, “History will never forgive them,” reaffirming his loyalty to Kejriwal. BJP Sees an Opening in AAP’s Troubles With AAP battling to retain power for a third consecutive term, the BJP sees an opportunity to end its 25-year absence from Delhi’s governance. The resignations could provide ammunition for the opposition to challenge Kejriwal’s leadership in the February 5 elections. As AAP faces a tough electoral battle, the impact of these defections on its poll performance remains to be seen.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has introduced revised income tax slabs under the new tax regime in the Union Budget 2025. These changes will take effect from the financial year 2025-26, starting April 1, 2025, subject to parliamentary approval. Revised Income Tax Slabs for FY 2025-26 The new tax regime introduces updated tax slabs as follows: Increased Tax Rebate Under Section 87A To provide relief to middle-income taxpayers, the government has increased the tax rebate under Section 87A. Now, individuals with net taxable income up to ₹12 lakh will not be required to pay any tax. This move aims to reduce the tax burden on lower and middle-income groups. New Tax Regime as the Default Option The new tax regime remains the default tax regime, offering a basic exemption limit of ₹3 lakh for all taxpayers, regardless of age. However, unlike the old tax regime, this regime provides limited deductions. Current Income Tax Slabs Under the New Tax Regime Before the revision, the new tax regime had five tax slabs: Previously, individuals earning up to ₹7 lakh benefited from a tax rebate under Section 87A of ₹25,000, along with marginal relief for slightly higher incomes. Deductions Available Under the New Tax Regime The new tax regime was initially introduced in FY 2020-21 to provide lower tax rates, albeit without exemptions. Over time, the government has expanded deductions to make the regime more attractive. Currently, salaried taxpayers can claim: Additionally, a lower surcharge of 25% applies to incomes exceeding ₹2 crore. Choosing Between the New and Old Tax Regime From April 1, 2023, the new tax regime became the default option. Taxpayers who wish to continue under the old tax regime must opt for it specifically while filing their Income Tax Returns (ITR). Salaried individuals (without business income) must choose between the old and new regimes each financial year. Those preferring the old tax regime should select “No” for opting under Section 115BAC (new tax regime) in the ITR form. These changes aim to simplify taxation and provide more relief to taxpayers while encouraging compliance with the new tax structure.

Shweta Rohira, Salman Khan’s Rakhi sister, recently met with a severe road accident, leaving her with multiple fractures, a bruised lip, and several bandages. The actress took to social media to share her ordeal from the hospital bed, reassuring her followers that she would emerge stronger from this harrowing experience. In an emotional post, Shweta narrated the incident using references from Bollywood, including a song from Kal Ho Naa Ho. “Life is full of surprises, isn’t it? One moment, you’re humming Kal Ho Naa Ho and planning your day. The next moment, life says, ‘Hold my chai,’ and sends a bike your way. For no fault of mine, I went from walking to flying (not the Bollywood slow-mo kind, sadly) and landed straight into a forced rest mode,” she wrote. Despite the pain, Shweta maintained a positive outlook, calling this phase of her life a test of patience and resilience. “Fractured bones, bruises, and endless hours in bed—this wasn’t in my to-do list. But maybe the universe thought I needed a lesson in patience or just wanted me to star in my own mini-soap opera, complete with hospital drama. Sometimes, life shakes us to break us, only to rebuild us stronger. After all, destruction paves the way for construction,” she reflected. Shweta Rohira’s Personal Life Shweta Rohira, apart from being Salman Khan’s Rakhi sister, was previously married to actor Pulkit Samrat. The couple tied the knot in 2014 but separated just a year later. Pulkit later married actress Kriti Kharbanda in an intimate ceremony last year. Despite the setback, Shweta remains determined to recover and return with renewed strength. Fans and well-wishers continue to pour in support and prayers for her speedy recovery.

New Delhi: AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal submitted his reply to the Election Commission (EC) on Friday, defending his controversial “poison mixed” remark regarding the water quality in the Yamuna. The EC had issued a notice earlier this week, seeking an explanation by 11 AM on Friday. Accompanied by Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Kejriwal reiterated that his comments referred to the “unprecedented and dangerously high levels of ammonia contamination” in the water supplied to Delhi from Haryana. In his response, Kejriwal clarified that his statement was solely about the rising ammonia levels, which peaked at 7 parts per million (ppm) in January, posing a serious public health risk. He denied any malicious intent behind his remarks. The Delhi CM detailed his multiple attempts to engage with Haryana’s chief minister, alleging that despite assurances, no action was taken. He accused the Haryana government of deliberately sending polluted water to Delhi to influence the elections and destabilize the AAP-led administration. Kejriwal also called for a criminal investigation into the Haryana government’s role in the crisis, claiming it was a politically motivated move to damage AAP’s reputation ahead of elections. The controversy continues to fuel tensions between the two state governments. 4o

New Delhi/Srinagar: Incarcerated Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid, 57, has announced an indefinite hunger strike at Tihar Jail, protesting his denial of the right to represent his constituency in Parliament. The decision, declared on the eve of the Budget session, was conveyed to the Lok Sabha Speaker through a letter. Arrested in August 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Rashid won the Lok Sabha elections last year but has been barred from attending Parliament sessions. His party, the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), decried the move as unconstitutional. AIP leader G.N. Shaheen stated, “Despite being an elected MP, Engineer Rashid is denied the right to attend Parliament. He will begin his hunger strike from January 31 at 10 a.m. in Tihar Jail. Party workers will also protest in Srinagar’s Pratap Park, Jammu, and Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.” Shaheen emphasized Rashid’s constitutional mandate and urged the government to allow his parliamentary participation. AIP spokesperson Inam Un Nabi condemned the authorities’ actions as a “mockery of democracy,” urging respect for Rashid’s elected role.

Hera Pheri 3 to Begin Filming in December 2025 with OG Trio & Priyadarshan at the Helm The wait is finally over! After years of anticipation and numerous ups and downs, Hera Pheri 3 is officially happening with the original trio—Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal—reuniting under the direction of Priyadarshan. The announcement took social media by storm, making Hera Pheri 3 a trending topic worldwide. According to exclusive sources, filming for Hera Pheri 3 is set to commence in December 2025. Priyadarshan, currently occupied with his ongoing project Bhooth Bangla, will complete post-production by June 2025. Following this, he will dedicate six months to fine-tuning the script before taking the film on floors. The storyline, character arcs, and core plot of Hera Pheri 3 are already in place, with the makers focusing on delivering a comedy experience that lives up to the franchise’s legacy. The shooting schedule is planned for a six-month period, wrapping up by May 2026, with a theatrical release expected later that year. Fans have long demanded a third installment, and Akshay Kumar played a key role in resolving all legal and IP-related issues to make it a reality. Deeply connected to the franchise, he is now fully committed to ensuring Hera Pheri 3 becomes an unforgettable laughter riot for audiences. Further casting details remain under wraps, but more updates will be revealed soon. Stay tuned!

The opening credits of Deva attempt to capture the essence of Mumbai and Amitabh Bachchan’s stardom. However, the film begins with an awkwardly shot green-screen sequence where the protagonist meets with an accident and loses his memory—instantly evoking Jab Tak Hai Jaan. Director Rosshan Andrrews structures the narrative like a whodunnit, piecing together a mystery scene by scene. While this approach is fair, the first half proves to be a tedious watch, with abrupt character introductions, particularly of Pooja Hegde and Kubbra Sait, who are both underutilized. At one point, their sudden appearances make you wonder, “Tum Kab Aaye?”—reminiscent of Welcome. The action sequences lack consistency, with key characters being eliminated too easily, bringing to mind Yudhra and Siddhant Chaturvedi. The film is a product of the current obsession with “mass” cinema, where flawed individuals are glorified for their exaggerated machoism. Shahid Kapoor, a consistently sincere performer, overplays his ‘intense’ and brooding expressions, which often substitute actual depth with quippy one-liners. His character is described as someone with sadupan (melancholy) and anger issues, but with a hidden innocence. In one scene, he even engages with a married woman—just for fun—bringing back memories of Kabir Singh, which remains his biggest hit. However, much of Deva feels hollow, failing to strike an emotional chord. When Hegde’s father is gravely injured in a blast, the film cuts to a hospital scene before even showing her reaction, diminishing the impact. The makers have insisted that Deva is not a remake of the Malayalam thriller Mumbai Police. While the setting and language differ, the soul remains nearly identical: a man investigates his officer friend’s murder after returning to duty post-accident. The film repeatedly hints at the protagonist’s admiration for Amitabh Bachchan, but apart from two brief shots of a Deewar poster, this supposed homage feels empty. Disappointingly, Deva also fails to capture the vibrancy of Mumbai, as most scenes are clearly shot on a green screen. The only moment of genuine humor comes when the protagonist interrogates an elderly woman with hearing issues—reminiscent of Coolie No. 1. The title Deva is explained in a rather forced manner: Kapoor’s doctor claims, “You were Dev-A before your accident, and now you’re Dev-B.” Hmm. The second half is relatively more engaging as the pace picks up, but it ultimately rushes toward an uninspired climax. The biggest letdown is the major twist, which replaces the vulnerability of the original film’s central character with a clichéd sermon. There are two possible reasons for this change: either the makers wanted to distinguish Deva from Mumbai Police, or the lead actor was hesitant to portray a queer character. Instead, the film leans into a highly stylized, glossy finish. Style hai babu Bhaiyaa, makers ka style! No points for guessing which film this line recalls. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

New Delhi: Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to make history as the first Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) on a private mission. He will embark on the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida as part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a joint venture between NASA and ISRO. NASA announced on Thursday that the spaceflight is scheduled for no earlier than spring 2025. Expressing his excitement, Shukla stated that he looks forward to sharing his experience with ‘Bharatvaasis’ and plans to carry items representing India while also performing yoga aboard the ISS. Who is Shubhanshu Shukla? Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Shukla was commissioned into the IAF Fighter Wing in June 2006. A highly skilled test pilot and combat leader, he has accumulated over 2,000 flight hours on aircraft such as the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, and Dornier. In 2019, Shukla began his astronaut training at Russia’s Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, completing a year-long rigorous program. Currently, he serves as the astronaut-designate for India’s Gaganyaan mission. Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4): A Historic Spaceflight Ax-4 is a private spaceflight that will see India, Poland, and Hungary collaborate on a mission to the ISS. The mission is significant as it marks the return of human spaceflight for Poland and Hungary after over 40 years. Shukla follows in the footsteps of Rakesh Sharma, who became the first Indian in space in 1984 aboard the Soviet Soyuz T-11 mission. His participation in Ax-4 highlights India’s growing presence in global space exploration.

Prayagraj: A tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh event in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj on Wednesday claimed 30 lives at the Sangam. Hours later, a second stampede at Jhusi, 3 km away from the Sangam nose, resulted in seven more deaths, taking the total toll to 37. According to Kalpvasi police station circle officer Rudra Kumar Singh, “Seven people were found dead at Jhusi due to excessive crowd pressure.” However, the Yogi Adityanath government initially remained silent on the second stampede, only addressing the first incident during a media briefing at 7 PM. District Magistrate Mahakumbh Nagar Vijay Kiran Anand and Mela DIG Vaibhav Krishna confirmed that the first stampede occurred between 1 AM and 2 AM on Wednesday. Meanwhile, before the UP government acknowledged the full scale of the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and President Droupadi Murmu extended condolences to the victims’ families. In response, the state government has taken safety measures, including scrapping VVIP passes and restricting vehicle entry. However, opposition parties have strongly criticized the administration over mismanagement, with the issue expected to be raised in Parliament as the session begins today.