The Lok Sabha passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 by voice vote amid din from the Opposition on Wednesday. The bill prohibits all forms of online money gaming—whether based on skill, chance or a mix of both.

The Bill was approved through a voice vote following brief comments from Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, whilst the opposition MPs staged demonstrations. The proceedings of the lower house of Parliament were adjourned for the day after the passage of the Bill.

An online money game refers to digital activities where users stake money with the expectation of receiving monetary rewards or other benefits.

The proposed law prohibits all forms of internet-based wagering and gambling activities, encompassing online fantasy sports, digital gambling platforms (including poker, rummy and similar card games), and web-based lotteries.

After receiving approval from both Houses of Parliament, persons involved in online monetary gaming will face penalties of imprisonment for up to three years and/or monetary fines reaching Rs 1 crore.

Following the passage of the Bill in Lok Sabha, Ashwini Vaishnaw told media that the Bill aims to promote e-sports and educational & social games while regulating online money games.

“Online money games are causing addiction among people. Reports have surfaced that online gaming is wiping out family savings, and several cases of suicide have also been reported,” he said.

Citing media reports, he said that within just 31 days, 30 cases of suicide linked to online gaming have come to light.

Mumbai: With heavy rains over the past few days causing flood-like situation in parts of Maharashtra, state Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal has urged the Devendra Fadnavis-led government to declare a “wet drought” and provide urgent assistance of Rs 50,000 per hectare to the affected farmers.

Incessant rains over the past few days in various parts of the state, including capital Mumbai and its metropolitan region, threw life out of gear. Hundreds of people had to be shifted to safety due to flooding, which also damaged crops on a large scale.

In a letter addressed to CM Fadnavis, Sapkal said due to the recent downpour, floodwaters have entered agricultural lands, severely damaging standing crops.

“It is estimated that more than 15 lakh acres of farmland across the state has suffered extensive damages,” he said.

Around 17 districts in Marathwada, Vidarbha and Western Maharashtra regions have been worst hit, while North Maharashtra and Konkan regions have also reported significant losses, he said.

Major crops, such as jowar, bajra, urad, maize, soybean, moong, cotton, tur, fruits and vegetables, have suffered extensive damages, while sugarcane cultivated on thousands of hectares of land has also been affected, he added.

In some areas, farmers have even lost livestock, and Nanded district has reported loss of human lives, the Congress leader said.

“The already distressed farmers are now facing yet another natural calamity,” Sapkal said.

While the government has issued orders to conduct crop damage assessments (panchnamas), he urged the state to set aside all rules, conditions, and procedures in this time of crisis and immediately extend financial assistance to farmers.

He also demanded that the families of those who lost their lives be provided with compassionate support and relief.

On Tuesday, CM Fadnavis told reporters that crops spread across 12 to 14 lakh acres of land have been damaged due to heavy rains lashing different parts of the state.

Mumbai: The Central Railway Mumbai DRM shared the latest update regarding local train services in the city on Wednesday. According to the update, train services on the Central Main Line, Harbour Line, and Trans Harbour Line are running slightly behind schedule.

The delay in services has been attributed to the intense rainfall the city has been experiencing since Monday. Due to the heavy downpour, several trains were delayed and many services were cancelled on Tuesday. Although train operations have resumed today, some trains are still running slightly behind their usual timings.

In an X post shared by the Mumbai Central Railway DRM, they mentioned, “Train Services Update (Main Line / Harbour Line & Tran Harbour) Train services on both the Central Main Line/Harbour Line and Trans Harbour line are running slightly behind schedule time.”

In another news story from Maharashtra, a significant step toward upgrading Mumbai’s suburban railway system, the Maharashtra government on Tuesday approved the acquisition of 268 fully air-conditioned local trains, marking the largest single procurement of modern train sets for the city’s busy rail network.

The announcement came following a Cabinet infrastructure committee meeting led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He assured that fares for the AC local trains will remain equal to those of the existing non-AC general trains.

Speaking on the development, Fadnavis described the initiative as a “turning point” for Mumbai’s transport lifeline. The new air-conditioned rakes will come equipped with closed doors, automatic features, and metro-style amenities, progressively replacing the older open-door trains currently running on the Western and Central lines.

“This is about commuter safety, comfort, and speed. Most importantly, ticket fares will not increase,” the Chief Minister added. Procurement will begin once the Centre gives its approval.