DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Wed, 10 Dec 2025 06:04:53 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/national/drone-show-at-telangana-global-summit-sets-guinness-world-record-652421.html Hyderabad Dec 9 Telangana Rising Global Summit made history as 3000 drones formed the worldâs longest airborne sentence The new Guinness World Record was created at the concluding session of the twoday event at the upcoming Bharat Future City on Tuesday nightThe drones formed what is claimed to be the worldâs longest airborne sentence âTelangana is Rising Come Join the RiseâA breathtaking spectacle lit up the sky and showcased the stateâs Vision 2047The drone show was held soon after Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy unveiled the document at the glittering eventEarlier a robot was the centre of attraction as it handed over the Vision 2047 document to the Chief MinisterThe document was released in the presence of former RBI Governor Duvvuri Subba Rao former Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India Arvind Subramaniam Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog Suman Bery Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra Telugu superstar K Chiranjeevi and othersFormer British Prime Minister Tony Blair virtually addressed the event âThe growth of Telangana from its formation in 2014 to a landmark day like today is itself a powerful promise to the future From its early struggles the State has reimagined itself as a powerhouse of technology agriculture and inclusive growth In many ways Telangana has become a model for other parts of the worldâ he saidFormer RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan who joined via conferencing noted that the vision document places strong emphasis on new technologies that will make governance more transparent inclusive and effectiveâImplementation continuous feedback and timely course correction form the next steps in operationalising this vision I look forward to being part of this transformative journeyâ he saidArvind Subramaniam stated that Telangana is not just on the map of India it is on the global map as a cradle of the countryâs IT revolution âThe Vision Document charts the next structural transformation moving from a dynamic ITdriven economy to a peoplecentric technological ecosystem This marks a significant evolution in the Stateâs development trajectoryâ he saidTelangana is rising as Indiaâs No1 growth state Hyderabad standing strong as the hub for Pharma Bio amp Services With exceptional progress skilled youth and a Viksit Telangana vision the state is truly unstoppable unbeatable said Subba RaoSuman Bery observed that Telangana has already reached the status of an uppermiddleincome economy as per World Bank classifications an aspiration India aims to achieve in the next five yearsâIn this context Telanganaâs ambition to position itself globally is both timely and appropriate NITI Aayog has been privileged to support the State in articulating this Vision and we stand ready to work with Telangana in every step of its development journeyâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/drone-show-at-telangana-global-summit-sets-guinness-world-record-652421.html Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bihar-businessman-robbed-of-rs-14-lakh-in-broad-daylight-in-vaishali-district-652422.html Patna Dec 9 In a daring daylight robbery unidentified bikeborne criminals snatched Rs 14 lakh from a businessman at Gandhi Chowk the busiest locality under Hariharnath OP in Vaishali district on Tuesday The crime executed in a dramatic and wellplanned manner has created panic in the areaThe victim has been identified as Subodh Kumar Singh a resident of Siddhnath ChowkAccording to police Singh withdrew Rs 14 lakh from the State Bank of India at 352 pm and was heading towards Registry Market on his motorcycle when the criminals targeted himThe criminals used a deceptive trick to trap himNear Gandhi Chowk a youth stopped Subodh and falsely claimed that currency notes were falling from his bike As Subodh stepped down to collect the scattered notes another youth arrived and began arguing claiming the money was hisAmid the confusion two more criminals on a Pulsar motorcycle swooped in grabbed the bag containing Rs 14 lakh from Subodhâs bike and fled towards Sonepur AdamsiteThe incident which occurred in the middle of the bustling market sparked immediate commotionUpon receiving the information Additional SHO Prince Raj and Sonepur SDPO Pritish Kumar reached the spotPolice promptly reviewed CCTV footage from cameras installed at the bank and Gandhi ChowkThe entire sequence of events and the criminalsâ coordinated strategy were clearly captured on video providing vital cluesSonepur SDPO Pritish Kumar confirmed that the accused have been identified through CCTV footageâMultiple police teams are conducting raids in the direction in which the criminals escapedâ he saidHe assured that all the criminals will be arrested soon and strict action will be taken against them as per the lawâAn FIR has been registered after the written complaint filed by the victim in the Sonepur police station against unidentified criminalsâ he saidEarlier on December 5 bikeborne miscreants looted lakhs of rupees from an oil refinery businessman in broad daylight in the Beur police station area in Patna IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bihar-businessman-robbed-of-rs-14-lakh-in-broad-daylight-in-vaishali-district-652422.html Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-heads-into-crucial-local-body-polls-as-three-fronts-eye-2026-momentum-652032.html Thiruvananthapuram Dec 8 Kerala votes on Tuesday in the first phase of the local body elections with districts up to Thrissur seven districts heading to the polls setting the stage for a politicallysignificant contest ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections The polling for the second phase remaining seven districts will be held on Thursday with counting scheduled for December 13For the ruling CPIMled Left Democratic Front LDF the Congressled United Democratic Front UDF and the BJPled National Democratic Alliance NDA the verdict will serve as a crucial midterm political barometerThe LDF enters the contest burdened by antiincumbency after nearly a decade in power amid controversies over governance financial stress and multiple political flashpointsHowever the Left continues to rely on its deep organisational base at the grassroots and its traditional dominance in local selfgovernment institutionsThe CPIM views the local polls as critical to arrest any erosion of cadre morale and to reassert its political narrative after setbacks in recent parliamentary and public opinion battlesFor the UDF the elections represent an opportunity to translate public discontent into electoral gains at the local levelThe Congress is seeking to regain the ground it ceded in the last round of local polls where the Left had retained a decisive edgeInternal factionalism remains a challenge but the Opposition is hoping that antigovernment sentiment rising cost of living and allegations of administrative failures will tilt urban and semiurban voters in its favourThe NDA meanwhile is fighting what it considers its most ambitious local poll campaign in Kerala so farThe BJP has been tasked by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to raise its vote share from 16 per cent to at least 25 per cent a target that if achieved would decisively alter the Stateâs bipolar political structureWhile the NDAâs organisational strength remains limited outside select urban pockets it is aggressively targeting young voters welfare beneficiaries and Ezhavadominated belts seeking to widen its base beyond traditional core supportersPolitical observers note that while no dramatic reversal of power equations is expected overnight even marginal shifts in vote share could signal the beginning of longterm realignmentsA consolidation of UDF gains would energise the Opposition ahead of 2026 while any significant NDA surge would mark a strategic breakthrough for the BJP in a state long resistant to saffron expansionWith grassroots governance political credibility and future Assembly ambitions all at stake the December 13 verdict is expected to redraw Keralaâs political mood boardâwell before the next big electoral battle begins IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-heads-into-crucial-local-body-polls-as-three-fronts-eye-2026-momentum-652032.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indigo-refunds-rs-827-crore-to-passengers-returns-4-500-bags-amid-stern-govt-warning-652033.html New Delhi Dec 8 Facing intense government scrutiny lowcost airline IndiGo on Monday said it has so far refunded Rs 827 crore to affected passengers and the rest is under process for cancellations up to December 15 IndiGo said it was set to operate over 1800 flights on Monday up from 1650 on Sunday adding that more than 4500 bags have been delivered to respective customers and we are on track to deliver the rest in the next 36 hoursToday we are all set to operate over 1800 flights connecting all stations that we operate to We have optimised our operations and managed to reduce the number of cancellations which are being notified to customers in advance and our ontime performance OTP has also improved to 91 per cent across the network said the airlineThe statement came as the government said it will take strict action against lowcost airline over the massive disruption of flights to set an example for all airlinesEarlier Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu said in the Parliament on Monday that the government has initiated a thorough inquiry into the matterIndiGo was supposed to manage the crew and roster Passengers faced a lot of difficulties We are not taking the situation lightly We will take strict action We will set an example for every airline If there is any noncompliance we will take action he said on the floor of the Rajya SabhaAccording to the airline all cancellations in Mondays schedule were executed on Sunday ensuring advance notifications being sent to customersWhile IndiGo is progressing further on the path to full recovery we remain committed to assisting our customers and addressing their queries and requests on a war footing To this end we have expedited several internal processes it addedThe airline said it is assisting over 2 lakh customers every day across various communications channelsWe regret this disruption and apologise sincerely to all our customers We would like to reiterate that all our operations are fully compliant with the relevant FDTL norms and safety regulations as they have been throughout the last two decadesâ IndiGo added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indigo-refunds-rs-827-crore-to-passengers-returns-4-500-bags-amid-stern-govt-warning-652033.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bjd-mla-raises-concern-over-malkangiri-violence-drawing-parallel-with-manipur-652289.html Bhubaneswar Dec 9 Senior BJD MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain on Tuesday raised serious concern in the Odisha Assembly over the deteriorating law and order situation in Malkangiri district describing it as rapidly turning into a âminiManipurâ Swain raised the issue of violence in Malkangiri district during the Zero Hour in the Odisha Assembly on TuesdaySpeaking to media persons outside the House Swain said the district was witnessing growing tribal and ethnic tensions among communities posing a grave threat to constitutionally guaranteed rightsHe urged the Speaker as the custodian of the House to direct the Chief Minister to apprise the Assembly about the prevailing situation in the district where incidents of arson looting and murders were allegedly taking place in broad daylightâThe situation is extremely volatile People are openly mobilising and it could explode at any moment Such acts must be controlled with a heavy hand and should not be allowed to continueâ Swain saidDrawing a parallel with the violence in Manipur the BJD legislator said Malkangiri being a farflung and border district of Odisha required urgent and focused attention from the government Swain demanded that the state government clearly outline the steps being taken to restore peace promote harmony among communities protect lives and livelihoods and prevent further escalationHe also called for the formation of peace committees at the local level Stressing the role of the Assembly Swain said that if the government fails to effectively handle the situation the House should step in He proposed that an allparty delegation led by the Speaker visit Malkangiri to assess the ground situation and help restore a semblance of peaceMeanwhile Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari on Tuesday said the situation in Malkangiri is now fully under control Clarifying the background the Minister said sporadic conflicts between tribal and nontribal communities have occurred in the region in the past mostly over landrelated issuesâThe Director General of Police and the Revenue Divisional Commissioner of the Southern Division were instructed to visit Malkangiri assess the ground situation speak to local residents and restore peaceâ he saidThe Minister informed that the DGP RDC Collector and Superintendent of Police are currently present in the affected area with adequate police deployment already in place Refuting comparisons with Manipur Pujari said the Malkangiri incident cannot be equated with largescale ethnic violence elsewhereNotably the murder of a tribal widow reportedly due to some landrelated dispute and the subsequent recovery of her body floating in a local river after four days has triggered widespread violence by the tribals of the Rakhalguda and adjoining villages of the Malkangiri district on Sunday and Monday Thousands of agitators ransacked burnt down houses vehicles and other properties of almost all the residents of the nearby MV26 village IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bjd-mla-raises-concern-over-malkangiri-violence-drawing-parallel-with-manipur-652289.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rbis-guidelines-for-bank-groups-balance-structural-strengthening-with-business-flexibility-652290.html New Delhi Dec 9 The Reserve Bank of Indias guidelines on commercial banks financial services businesses permitting overlapping lending activities within bank groups averted the need for major restructuring by 12 bank groups a report said on Tuesday The final guidelines aim to eliminate any regulatory arbitrage by aligning regulations across bank group entities thus contributing to structural strengthening while providing flexibility in business conduct the report from Crisil Ratings saidTogether these banks accounted for about 55 per cent of sectoral advancesEarlier draft guidelines released in October 2024 had proposed that only one bank group entity could carry out a specific form of business with no overlap in lending activities between the bank and its group entitiesThe central bank retained several draft proposals including the applicability of upperâlayer scaleâbased regulations for nonâbanking financial companies NBFCs regulatory restrictions on loans and advances and a 20 per cent ceiling on a bank groupâs holding in an asset reconstruction company ARCIf the draft guidelines had been implemented in toto 12 bank groups accounting for 55 per cent of sectoral advances would have needed restructuring of their lending businesses This would have impacted 26 per cent of consolidated advances of these individual banks Crisil Ratings Director Subha Sri Narayanan saidHowever with the final guidelines permitting bank group entities to maintain overlapping lending businesses subject to Board approval there will be no disruption to their operations More significantly banks and their group entities can continue to leverage their respective strengths and serve distinct customer segments in a costeffective mannerâ she addedCrisil Ratings Associate Director Vani Ojasvi said that there are currently 13 ARCs in which one or more banks hold stakes of over 20 per cent Wherever the shareholding exceeds this prescribed limit banks will have to partially divest by March 2028The guidelines have also applied restrictions on specific loan segments for bank group entities akin to those for banks to align risks across entities and curb regulatory arbitrage IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rbis-guidelines-for-bank-groups-balance-structural-strengthening-with-business-flexibility-652290.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/president-murmu-presents-national-handicrafts-awards-for-2023-2024-652291.html New Delhi Dec 9 President Droupadi Murmu presented National Handicrafts Awards for the years 2023 and 2024 on Tuesday highlighting that handicrafts are not only a part of our cultural identity but are also an important source of livelihood Speaking on the occasion the President said âThis sector employs over 32 million people Most of the people who derive employment and income from handicrafts live in rural or remote areas This sector promotes inclusive development by decentralising employment and incomeâShe said art reflects our memories of the past experiences of the present and aspirations for the futureHumans have been expressing their emotions through painting or sculpture since ancient times Art connects people to culture Art also connects people with each other she saidThe President said that if our centuriesold handicraft tradition has remained vibrant and preserved it is due to the commitment of our artisans generation after generation Our artisans have adapted their art and tradition to changing times while keeping the original spirit alive They have preserved the fragrance of the countrys soil in each of their artistic creationsThe President said that handicrafts are not only a part of our cultural identity but also an important source of livelihoodShe said that promoting handicrafts is important for social empowerment as this sector has traditionally provided support to people from weaker sectionsâHandicrafts not only provide a means of livelihood to artisans but their art also gives them recognition and respect in society She stated that the development of this sector will also strengthen womens empowerment as women comprise 68 per cent of the workforce in this sectorâ she saidPresident Murmu said that the handicraft industrys greatest strength is its reliance on natural and local resources This industry is ecofriendly and has a lowcarbon footprintâToday the need for an ecofriendly and sustainable lifestyle is being emphasised worldwide In such a context this sector can make a significant contribution to sustainabilityâ she saidThe President said that the Geographical Indication GI tag is strengthening the identity of the Indian handicraft products across the worldShe urged all stakeholders to work towards obtaining a GI tag for their unique products She said that the GI tag will give their products a unique identity and enhance their credibility at the national and international levelThe President said that the One District One Product ODOP initiative is also strengthening the international recognition of our regional handicraft productsShe said that on the strength of the knowledge dedication and hard work of our artisans accumulated over generations Indian handicraft products have established their identity across the worldThe President underlined that the demand for Indian handicrafts offers immense growth potential and this sector offers excellent opportunities for young entrepreneurs and designers to establish enterprises IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/president-murmu-presents-national-handicrafts-awards-for-2023-2024-652291.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bsf-trooper-found-dead-in-jampks-samba-652292.html Jammu Dec 9 A Border Security Force BSF trooper was found dead under suspicious circumstances in JampKâs Samba district on Tuesday officials said Constable Sukhdeep Singh a resident of Ferozpur in Punjab was found lying in a canal at Rehiyan village on Monday evening Locals shifted him to the district hospital in Samba where doctors declared him dead an official saidPreliminary police investigation suggests he was travelling on a motorcycle and may have accidentally fallen into the canal Police have initiated inquest proceedings to ascertain the exact cause of death the official addedIn a separate incident a Central Reserve Police Force CRPF constable died after collapsing inside a camp in the Nagrota area of Jammu on Monday His body was taken to the Government Medical College hospital for a postmortem examination and other formalities officials said adding he is believed to have died of cardiac arrestThe BSF guards the 240kmlong international border which runs through Jammu Samba and Kathua districts in the Jammu division of JampKThe army guards the 740kmlong Line of Control LoC running through Baramulla Kupwara Bandipora Rajouri Poonch and partly in the Jammu districtThe army and the BSF are deployed on antiinfiltration antidrone activities initiated from across the border and to check crossborder smuggling etcAntiterrorism duties are performed by JampK Police and other security forces in synergy with each other in the hinterlandIn their revised strategy police and the security forces carry out operations against terrorists their overground workers OGWs sympathisers drug smugglers and those involved in hawala money and other unlawful financial activitiesIt is believed that funds generated by drug smuggling drug peddling hawala money rackets and other unlawful financial activities are finally used to sustain terrorism in JampK IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bsf-trooper-found-dead-in-jampks-samba-652292.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/grandmother-daughter-kill-14-year-old-boy-commit-suicide-over-financial-distress-in-bengaluru-652037.html Bengaluru Dec 8 A tragic incident in which a mother and grandmother committed suicide after allegedly killing a 14yearold boy was reported from the Tavarekere area in Koramangala locality of Karnatakas Bengaluru on Monday within the limits of the SG Palya Police Station police officials said The deceased have been identified as Maunish 14 his mother 38yearold Sudha and his grandmother 68yearold MuddammaIt is suspected that they first poisoned the boy and then consumed poison themselvesPreliminary investigation indicates that the boys mother and grandmother took the extreme step due to mounting debtsBengaluru Deputy Commissioner of Police Southeast division Sarah Fatima visited the spot and examined whether a death note or any other evidence was presentSpeaking to the media on Monday DCP Fatima said that a call was received on emergency number 112 reporting the deathsWhen the police visited the spot and conducted an inspection they found three bodiesShe said the exact reason for the suicides would be known only after the postmortem examinationThe deceased were originally from Tamil NaduThey had visited a temple in Dharmapuri on SundayThe boy was studying in Class 7 at Christ School We are conducting further investigation to determine the exact cause of the deaths The bodies have currently been sent for postmortem examination DCP Fatima saidAccording to the police Sudha and Muddamma had earlier run a small hotel where they sold biryaniAfter suffering losses they switched to selling chips and milk and later began doing household workMounting debt is suspected to have driven them to take this extreme stepPreliminary investigations suggest that Sudha had separated from her husband a few years agoMaunish and Sudha were living with her mother MuddammaThe family consumed poison inside their residence and neighbours noticed family members lying unconscious and informed the policeFurther investigation is underwayOn September 15 a couple from Bengaluru Rural district allegedly strangled their two children to death before attempting to take their own lives due to mounting financial difficultiesThe incident occurred in Gonakanahalli on the outskirts of the cityAccording to police Shivakumar aged 32 killed his daughter and son aged 11 and 7 before hanging himselfHis wife Manjula aged 30 survived after being rescued in time by neighbours but she has since been arrested on charges of murderWhile the children were engaged in their daily chores in the familys flower plantation at the back of the house the couple first called their daughter inside and strangled herThey then called their son and strangled him in a similar manner police saidPolice said Shivakumar had sustained serious leg injuries in an accident some time ago leaving the family dependent on Manjulas meagre income from odd labour jobsThe couple had also borrowed money for his treatment and the financial pressure reportedly drove them to decide to end their lives and also kill their children to prevent them from becoming orphans IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/grandmother-daughter-kill-14-year-old-boy-commit-suicide-over-financial-distress-in-bengaluru-652037.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rs-4-322-croresdisbursedto-135crtb-patients-since-2018for-nutritional-support-govt-652293.html New Delhi Dec 9 A total of Rs 4322 crores has been disbursed to 135 crore patients with tuberculosis TB since 2018 under the Nikshay Poshan Yojana to strengthen nutritional support the government informed the Parliament on Tuesday In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel shared the steps taken to strengthen the TBMukt Bharat Abhiyan programme National TB Elimination Programme implemented under the aegis of National Health Mission NHM across the countryâUnder Nikshay Poshan Yojana since April 2018 Rs 4322 crores have been disbursed to 135 crores TB patientsâ Patel saidLaunched on April 1 2018 Nikshay Poshan Yojana aims to provide nutritional support to TB patients during treatment with financial assistance of Rs 1000 per month up from Rs 500 earlier to improve their nutrition and treatment The scheme is for all notified TB patients with the money transferred directly to their bank accountsâIn addition under the Nikshay Mitra Initiative since September 2022 a total of 4566 lakh food baskets has been distributed to 203 lakh TB patientsâ Patel saidThe Nikshay Mitra Initiative launched under Indias Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan is a communitydriven programme where individuals NGOs and organisations Nikshay Mitras adopt TB patients to provide crucial extra support including nutritional like foodsupplements diagnostic and vocational aid supplementing the free treatment provided by the government to help patients complete their treatment reduce outofpocket expenses and ultimately end TB in India by 2025The Minister noted that a renewed approach is being implemented under TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan to identify undiagnosed TB cases reduce TBrelated deaths and prevent new infections across the countryThis includes identification of vulnerable population screening with Chest Xray upfront Nucleic Acid Amplification Test NAAT for all presumptive TB cases prompt and appropriate treatment initiation differentiated TB care for managing highrisk TB cases nutrition support and preventive treatment to household contacts and the eligible vulnerable population IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rs-4-322-croresdisbursedto-135crtb-patients-since-2018for-nutritional-support-govt-652293.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-first-state-to-adopt-three-zone-model-for-economic-transformation-cm-reddy-652039.html Hyderabad Dec 8 Telangana will become the first state in India to adopt a threezone model for economic transformation Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said on Monday Addressing the inaugural session of Telangana Rising Global Summit at the upcoming Bharat Future City he outlined the stateâs development strategy with the goal to become a 1 trillion economy by 2034 and a 3 trillion economy by 2047He announced that Telangana will become Indiaâs first state to adopt a threezone model for economic transformation CURE Core Urban Region Economy for services PURE PeriUrban Region Economy for manufacturing and RARE Rural and Agri Region Economy for agriled developmentThe Chief Minister welcomed leaders and representatives from business corporate sectors public policy diplomacy government and academia for the twoday eventHighlighting Telanganaâs strong fundamentals he noted that the state despite having only about 29 per cent of Indiaâs population contributes nearly 5 per cent of the national GDPHe reaffirmed his aspiration that Telangana should contribute 10 per cent of Indiaâs GDP by 2047The Chief Minister cited Guangdong province in China as a case study of unprecedented growth noting that in just over two decades it became Chinaâs top economic powerhouse Telangana he said is ready to adopt global best practices and benchmark itself against the worldâs most successful regionsHe stated that the state has drawn inspiration from China Japan Germany South Korea and Singapore and is preparing to compete with them while also inviting these nations to collaborate invest and support Telanganaâs riseThe Chief Minister said that the roadmap for Telanganaâs future must be rooted in the spirit of consultation and collective wisdom which guided the drafting of the Constitution of IndiaReflecting on the long struggle for a separate Telangana state he stated that the dream became reality in 2014 under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan SinghâTelangana emerged as Indiaâs youngest state and today the goal is to make it Indiaâs most developed state and among the finest globally Following the Indian model of constitutionmaking the Telangana government has engaged in wideranging consultations to design the future of the state Experts were asked to envision what Telangana could achieve by 2047 when India completes 100 years of Independence This vision laid the foundation for Telangana Rising 2047â he saidThe Chief Minister said citizens were consulted to understand their expectations and aspirations The ambitious roadmap has been prepared with inputs from administrative officers experts from the Central Government the Indian School of Business and NITI AayogHe said the government would keenly listen over the next two days to ideas insights and feedback from all participantsAcknowledging the scale of the vision the Chief Minister affirmed that nothing is beyond reach with collective resolveâIf it is difficult let us do it immediately If you think it is impossible I will give you more time as a deadlineâ he remarkedâYesterday was a dream and a plan Today with all of you joining us I see partners and stakeholders in this journey With your support we can achieve all our goals Telangana Rising is unstoppable Come join the riseâ said the Chief Minister IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-first-state-to-adopt-three-zone-model-for-economic-transformation-cm-reddy-652039.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/actress-abduction-case-actor-dileeps-acquittal-triggers-divergent-reactions-652040.html Kochi Dec 8 Actor Dileeps acquittal in the 2017 highprofile actress assault case in which the verdict was announced on Monday has triggered sharp and emotionally charged reactions across Keralaâs political and cultural landscape even as the state government signalled its intent to challenge the verdict in a higher court Earlier on Monday the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court acquitted Dileep and three others holding that the prosecution had failed to establish the charge of criminal conspiracy beyond a reasonable doubtThe first six accused were found guilty in the caseAll 10 accused were present in the court as directed during the pronouncement of the judgmentLeading voices from the film fraternity and civil society expressed shock and disappointment at the judgmentActor Rima Kallingal said the survivor was in deep shock following what she described as a denial of justice adding that she would continue to stand firmly with herWriteractivist Bhagyalakshmi termed the verdict prewritten while feminist leader K Ajitha remarked that she had not expected a different outcome but noted that the period Dileep spent in jail itself was significantActor Parvathy Thiruvothu in a strongly worded Instagram post asked What kind of justice is this She added that the verdict marked the beginning of the unravelling of a âcarefully crafted and cruel scriptâResponding to the developments Law Minister P Rajeeve confirmed that the state government would file an appeal against the acquittalHe said he had discussed the judgment with Chief Minister Pinarayi VijayanEducation Minister V Sivankutty reiterated that the government has always stood with the survivor and would continue to do so adding that a clear and firm stand would be taken on pursuing legal remediesAt the same time support for Dileep has also emerged AMMA VicePresident and actor Lakshmipriya said she was personally relieved by the acquittal and maintained her firm belief that Dileep had not committed the crimeThe executive committee of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists AMMA met in Kochi on Monday with President Swetha Menon and senior members present to deliberate on the implications of the verdict and future organisational stepsParallel discussions are also underway within the Film Employees Federation of Kerala FEFKA on the possibility of reinstating DileepFEFKA General Secretary B Unnikrishnan said Dileep was expelled from the organisation within hours of his arrest and that following his acquittal he now has the right to seek reentryProducers Association President B Rajesh said now that the court has cleared Dileep of all charges he needs to give a letter and he would be reinstatedThe verdict has once again polarised public opinion reopening debates on justice accountability and institutional response in one of Keralaâs most closely watched criminal casesThe then top police official who led the investigation BSandhya said proving a conspiracy has always been a challenge This is certainly not the final verdict as there are higher courts the nowretired Sandhya said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/actress-abduction-case-actor-dileeps-acquittal-triggers-divergent-reactions-652040.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pli-auto-scheme-rs-1-35083-crore-worth-of-incentives-disbursed-to-5-applicants-652296.html New Delhi Dec 9 Under the productionlinked incentive PLI Auto scheme the incentive of Rs 135083 crore has been disbursed to five applicants as on November 11 the Parliament was informed on Tuesday The scheme was launched with a budgetary outlay of Rs 25938 croreThe eligible sales target till March 2028 over base year FY 201920 is Rs 231500 crore and sales of Rs 32879 crore have been achieved till 30092025 Minister of State for Heavy Industries Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma told the Rajya Sabha in response to a questionThe PLI Auto Scheme proposes financial incentives to boost domestic manufacturing of Advanced Automotive Technology AAT products and attract investments in the automotive manufacturing value chainAs EV adoption has been increased the Domestic Value Addition DVA requirement and localisation of the EV value chain are expanding across the AAT productsThe scheme proposes financial incentives to boost domestic manufacturing of AAT products with a minimum 50 per cent DVA and attract investments in the automotive manufacturing value chainThe government on May 12 2021 approved PLIACC in order to promote the manufacturing of ACC in the country with a budgetary outlay of Rs 18100 crore The scheme envisages establishing a cumulative ACC battery manufacturing capacity of 50 GWhThe PM EDRIVE scheme was notified on September 29 2024 The scheme has an outlay of Rs 10900 crore over a period of four years and aims to incentivise the sale of e2W e3W eAmbulances eTrucks and ebusesThe scheme also supports the development of charging infrastructure and the upgradation of vehicle testing agencies Under the PM EDRIVE Scheme the Phased Manufacturing Programme PMP mandates domestic manufacturing of specified EV components said the ministerThe PLI scheme has attracted Rs 176 lakh crore in committed investments since 2020 and created over 12 lakh jobs The scheme has approved 806 applications across 14 strategic sectors primarily with the goal of boosting manufacturing in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pli-auto-scheme-rs-1-35083-crore-worth-of-incentives-disbursed-to-5-applicants-652296.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/fan-murder-case-jailed-superstar-darshan-accused-of-harassing-co-accused-in-bluru-prison-652041.html Bengaluru Dec 8 Jailed superstar Darshan is facing charges of subjecting coaccused in the fan murder case to mental and physical torture in the Bengaluru Central Prison where they are currently lodged along with him sources stated on Monday According to authorities there has been a change in Darshans behaviour over a period of time in prison especially after authorities curtailed all facilities for him It is alleged that Darshan has been kicking coaccused in the case while they are sleeping and talking to them rudelyUnable to take the torture two of Darshans associates Jagadish and Anukumar have asked the authorities to shift them to Chitradurga prisonDifferences have also cropped up between Darshan and the coaccused regarding the appointment of advocates Following this coaccused Jagadish aka Jagga had a quarrel with Darshan two days agoSources state that Darshan has become restless following the tightening of rules in the prison premises after IAS officer Anshu Kumar took charge as the Chief Superintendent of the prisonAs a result Darshan now has to stand in line by himself to get food and is also compelled to clean the toiletThe jail authorities have put additional security measures in place at the barrack where Darshan and his associates are kept CCTV cameras have been installed and barricades have also been put in place sources statedDarshan Pavithra Gowda and 15 others were arrested on June 11 2024 on charges of kidnapping and brutally murdering Renukaswamy a fan from ChitradurgaRenukaswamy had allegedly sent derogatory and obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda angry that Darshan maintained a relationship with her despite being marriedDarshan was shifted to Ballari Prison after photos of his alleged royal treatment at Bengaluru Central Prison surfacedHe currently faces three FIRs related to the caseThe police submitted a 3991page chargesheet on September 4 2024 along with an additional chargesheet to the courtDarshan was released from prison on October 30 2024 after spending 131 days in custody Following the appeal by Karnataka Police the Supreme Court has cancelled the bail and Darshan his partner Pavithra Gowda and others were arrested againA Karnataka local court had fixed the charges against jailed Kannada superstar Darshan his partner Pavithra Gowda and 15 others in connection with the sensational fan murder case Darshan and all other accused denied all charges against themDarshan is facing the charge of murder under IPC Section 302 and for causing fatal injuries he has been booked under 355 120B for criminal conspiracy 204 for attempting to destroy evidence and 359 for kidnappingHe is also booked under Sections 143 147 148 and 149 for illegal gathering and other charges IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/fan-murder-case-jailed-superstar-darshan-accused-of-harassing-co-accused-in-bluru-prison-652041.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/parkash-singh-badal-was-a-true-nationalist-says-sukhbir-on-his-98th-birth-anniversary-652042.html Chandigarh Dec 8 Shiromani Akali Dal SAD President Sukhbir Badal on Monday paid tributes to fivetime Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal by referring to him as a true nationalist and the voice of Punjab even while vowing he would follow in the footsteps of his father and never compromise on the prestige of Punjab Punjabis the Khalsa Panth and the party Speaking at a religious function at Badal village to mark the 98th birth anniversary of the late leader the SAD President said âBadal Sahab was a true âVikas Purushâ who did more during his tenures as Chief Minister as compared to all the Chief Ministers of the stateââSee all around you you will see his projects He was also responsible for singlehandedly improving the livelihood of farmers and the poor through innovative schemes This is the reason why people from all walks of life and religions used to say Badal Sahab was one of themâAsserting that the Akali Dal was committed to taking forward Badal Sahabâs legacy Sukhbir Badal said he was ready to give any sacrifice to achieve this He also appealed to Punjabis to support him in this endeavour stating âwe cannot experiment any longer We need to save Punjab The SAD has the vigour and the will power to take the state out of its current mess and put it back on the track of development and prosperityâBadal also inaugurated a 125ft statue of the late leader in the village amidst slogans of âSardar Parkash Singh Badal Amar Raheâ by his followers and Shiromani Akali Dal workers The statue has been sculpted by Gurpreet Singh DhuriA huge 70ft tall flag of the Shiromani Akali Dal had also been installed alongside the statueThe SAD President said a museum depicting the late leaders life achievements and philosophy would be established in the village and that the same architect who had envisaged the VirasateKhalsa would be commissioned for this projectThe event witnessed a number of leaders paying glowing tributes to Parkash Singh Badal Indian National Lok Dal President Abhey Singh Chautala said Badal Sahab had done his utmost for the welfare of the poor and downtrodden and appealed that his birth anniversary be commemorated as âSadbhavana DivasâBJP leaders Manpreet Singh Badal and Surjit Kumar Jyani spoke on how the late leader had won universal appreciation from one and all including serving Prime Ministers They said Parkash Singh Badal did not only dream big but also realised his dreams by working tirelessly for the betterment of Punjab IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/parkash-singh-badal-was-a-true-nationalist-says-sukhbir-on-his-98th-birth-anniversary-652042.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/supriya-sule-says-eci-failed-to-uphold-neutrality-in-maha-panchayat-polls-652298.html New Delhi Dec 9 Nationalist Congress Party Sharad Pawar faction MP Supriya Sule on Tuesday strongly criticised the Election Commission of India ECI alleging that it has failed to uphold neutrality allowed corruption and violence during Maharashtra local panchayat elections and ignored systemic lapses that threaten democracy In her intervention during the discussion on the electoral reforms in the Lok Sabha Sule argued that public confidence in the Election Commission has eroded with many believing it no longer functions as an impartial body She accused the Commission of failing to curb hate speeches and of being unable to keep pace with digital manipulation deepfakes and targeted propaganda According to her the appointment process of election commissioners has become politically tilted undermining the institutionâs credibility She further highlighted that political parties routinely bypass expenditure limits while the Commission looks away and that electoral errors disproportionately affect urban poor migrants and marginalised groups Sule criticised the VVPAT verification process as too limited and opaque and alleged that transfer orders of officers appear politically motivated She said the Commission has not defended its own institution with firmness even once asking rhetorically âWill the Election Commission protect democracy or will democracy have to protect itselfâTurning to Maharashtra Sule painted a grim picture of the recent Panchayat elections She alleged that cash was openly distributed citing instances where hard cash was caught at the homes of MLAs linked to the BJP The NCPSP MP claimed that withdrawals and nominations were manipulated and that violence reached unprecedented levels with vehicles vandalised guns brandished and even EVM locks pried open In her words âThere is no Election Commission in Maharashtraâ underscoring her charge that the institution has abdicated its responsibility Her remarks came alongside Shiv SenaUBT MP Anil Desai who criticised the antidefection law as toothless while Sule focused on corruption violence and institutional failure Together their interventions highlighted a broader opposition narrative that the electoral process in Maharashtra has been compromised She insisted that the Election Commission must reclaim its role as a neutral guardian of democracy rather than appearing as an arm of the government IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/supriya-sule-says-eci-failed-to-uphold-neutrality-in-maha-panchayat-polls-652298.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sir-phase-2-eci-nears-completion-as-9995-pc-enumeration-forms-distributed-652043.html New Delhi Dec 8 The ECI has reported significant progress in Phase 2 of the Special Intensive Revision SIR of electoral rolls with most of the 12 states and Union Territories recording nearcomplete distribution and digitisation of electorspecific enumeration forms EFs official data showed on Monday Across all 12 states and Union Territories a total of 5095 crore forms have been distributed accounting for 9995 per cent of electors Digitisation of EFs stands at 5033 crore forms equivalent to 9869 per cent the Election Commission of India ECI said in its daily bulletinThe enumeration phase which began on November 4 and concludes on December 11 aims to update and verify the electoral roll across the country through Booth Level Officers BLOs and Booth Level Agents BLAs appointed by recognised political partiesAccording to the bulletin Lakshadweep Goa and Andaman and Nicobar Islands achieved 100 per cent distribution of EFsRajasthan excluding the 193Anta Assembly Constituency where the revision has been deferred due to a byelection also reported 100 per cent distribution Madhya Pradesh Chhattisgarh and Puducherry recorded distribution levels of 100 per cent 9999 per cent and 9998 per cent respectivelyOn the digitisation front as well Lakshadweep and Rajasthan achieved 100 per cent completionStates such as Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh followed closely with 9997 per cent and 9989 per cent digitisation respectivelyWest Bengal recorded 9964 per cent while Gujarat reported 9968 per cent digitisationTamil Nadu and Kerala showed comparatively slower progress in digitisation Tamil Nadu recorded 9927 per cent while Kerala stood at 9742 per centUttar Pradesh the state with the largest electorate of over 1544 crore completed 9995 per cent distribution of EFs but reported 9691 per cent digitisation of formsThe bulletin also noted that digitised figures include entries identified as absent shifted deceased or duplicateThe ECI urged recognised political parties to appoint additional BLAs where required to maintain the pace of verificationThe Commission also notified that the last date for submission of forms in Kerala has been extended till December 18 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sir-phase-2-eci-nears-completion-as-9995-pc-enumeration-forms-distributed-652043.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bihar-nitish-kumar-samrat-chaudhary-inspect-ethanol-plant-in-buxar-652044.html Patna Dec 8 Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary on Monday inspected the premises of the ethanol plant in Nawanagar Buxar district During the visit the plantâs CMD Ajay Singh welcomed both leaders and briefed them on the technical aspects of ethanol production the plantâs existing capacity and its future potentialAjay Singh informed the Chief Minister that the ethanol supply order issued by the state government currently accounts for only 50 per cent of the plantâs total capacityHe said this reduced supply is disrupting the plantâs production system putting financial pressure on operations and threatening the future of the industrySingh submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister urging the government to increase the supply order to match the plantâs full capacityHe said that if corrective steps are not taken Biharâs ethanol sector could suffer longterm setbacksEmployees of the plant also voiced their concerns regarding job securityThey submitted a collective application to the Chief Minister stating that the reduced supply orders were directly affecting production and creating uncertainty about the plantâs futureThey appealed to the government to ensure that the supply allocation reflects the plantâs actual production capacity which would help sustain operations and protect their livelihoodsChief Minister Nitish Kumar heard the concerns raised by both the management and employees and assured them that the government would examine the issue with seriousnessHe reiterated that promoting the ethanol industry is a key priority for the Bihar government and necessary steps would be taken soonThe visit of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister is seen as significant for Biharâs ethanol sector at a time when the state government is actively implementing policy reforms to boost ethanol productionThe unit in Buxar is considered one of the leading ethanol plants in the state and now looks forward to favourable government action following this highlevel inspection IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bihar-nitish-kumar-samrat-chaudhary-inspect-ethanol-plant-in-buxar-652044.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/expect-china-to-assure-that-indian-travellers-will-not-be-selectively-targetted-detained-or-harassed-mea-652045.html New Delhi Dec 8 India on Monday said that it expects the authorities in China to provide assurances that Indian citizens transiting through Chinese airports will not be selectively targetted arbitrarily detained or harassed The strong statement came after an Indian national from Arunachal Pradesh was arbitrarily detained by Chinese authorities at the Shanghai International Airport last month an incident which was termed by New Delhi as a clear violation of international norms and bilateral understandingWe expect the Chinese authorities to provide assurances that Indian citizens transiting through Chinese airports will not be selectively targetted arbitrarily detained or harassed and that regulations governing international air travel would be respected by the Chinese side Randhir Jaiswal the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs MEA stated during a weekly media briefing in New Delhi on MondayThe MEA would advise Indian nationals to exercise due discretion while travelling to China or while transiting through the country he addedPrema Wangjom Thongdok an Indian citizen hailing from Arunachal Pradesh had alleged that she was detained for 18 hours by the Chinese immigration officials during what was supposed to be a brief threehour layover while travelling from London to Japan on November 21She said that the officials refused to accept her Indian passport claiming her birthplace Arunachal Pradesh was part of ChinaFollowing the shocking incident India had strongly taken up the matter with the Chinese sideChinese authorities have still not been able to explain their actions which are in violation of several conventions governing international air travel The actions by the Chinese authorities also violate their own regulations that allow visa free transit up to 24 hours for nationals of all countries the MEA stated on November 25New Delhi has also continuously reiterated Indias consistent position that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of the countryThis is a fact beyond dispute No amount of denial or misrepresentation by China can alter this reality read a statement issued by the MEA IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/expect-china-to-assure-that-indian-travellers-will-not-be-selectively-targetted-detained-or-harassed-mea-652045.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/almost-146-lakh-msme-accounts-saved-from-slipping-into-npa-centre-652047.html New Delhi Dec 8 At least 146 lakh Micro Small and Medium Enterprises MSME accounts of which about 983 per cent of the accounts were in the Micro and Small Enterprises categories were saved from slipping into nonperforming asset NPA classification with the help of the emergency credit line guarantee scheme ECLGS the Parliament was informed on Monday A series of measures have been undertaken by the Union government to provide adequate financial support and technology and trade support to various MSMEs including the leather and textile sector Minister of State for MSMEs Shobha Karandlaje told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply to a question These include schemes such as the Prime Ministers employment generation programme for setting up new micro enterprises in the nonfarm sector by providing margin money subsidy on the bank loan and a special creditlinked capital subsidy scheme with a provision of 25 per cent subsidy to SCST MSEs on institutional finance for procurement of plant and machinery or equipment she added Credit guarantee scheme for collateralfree loans for micro and small enterprises with a guarantee coverage of up to Rs 10 crore collateralfree loans up to Rs 20 lakh for informal micro enterprises PM Vishwakarma Yojana and Mudra Loan are the other among the schemes that have been introduced by the Union government Karandlaje saidAdditionally the Centre has taken a number of steps to address the issues and challenges pertaining to the MSME sector in the countrySome of these steps are new revised criteria for defining MSMEs adopted in 2020 which have been further revised in April this year Udyam Registration for MSMEs for ease of doing business which is operational from July 2020 and the inclusion of retail and wholesale traders as MSMEsMoreover nontax benefits are extended for 3 years in case of an upward change in the status of MSMEs and the Udyam Assist platform was launched in January 2023 to bring Informal micro enterprises under the formal ambit for availing the benefit under priority sector lendingOperationalisation of the selfreliant India Fund for equity infusion into MSMEs and the launch of Rs 5 lakh crore emergency credit line guarantee scheme ECLGS for businesses including MSMEs operational till March 2023 were other steps the minister said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/almost-146-lakh-msme-accounts-saved-from-slipping-into-npa-centre-652047.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-cm-gupta-ministers-offer-prayers-at-golden-temple-in-amritsar-652048.html AmritsarNew Delhi Dec 8 Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta along with her Cabinet Ministers visited the holy city of Amritsar on Monday and offered prayers for the wellbeing of city residents an official said in a statement âIt is by Guruâs great grace that we have been given the opportunity to serve the people of Delhiâ she said as she bowed her head at Sri Harmandir Sahib and expressed gratitude at Darbar SahibThe Chief Minister believes that it was solely by Guruâs blessings that her government successfully organised the threeday âGurmat Samagamâ last month at the historic Red Fort lawns commemorating the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur the statement saidThe event witnessed the presence of lakhs of devotees who offered their respects to Guru Sahib and participated in every programme including Gurbani Kirtan and SankirtanDuring her spiritual visit the Chief Minister also paid her respects at the holy Durgiana Temple and the Valmiki Temple offering prayers for the nations prosperity and the wellbeing of DelhiitesChief Minister Gupta stated that the threeday âGurmat Samagamâ held at the Red Fort from November 23 to 25 has established itself as one of the most magnificent and historic religious gatherings of Independent IndiaThe Samagam jointly organised by the Delhi Government and the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee saw the participation of six lakh devotees an unprecedented recordThe Chief Minister said that with Guruâs grace the entire programme concluded peacefully seamlessly and beautifully without any difficulty âIt is for this reason that I have come here to Sri Harmandir Sahib today with my entire Cabinet to offer my gratitude at the feet of Guru Sahibâ she saidThe Chief Minister announced that the Delhi Government will organise various programmes throughout the coming year to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh BahadurArrangements are also being made for the publication of special books to convey Guru Sahibâs teachings and the story of his sacrifice to schoolchildren she saidShe added that governments and institutions across the country are commemorating Guru Sahibâs birth and martyrdom anniversaries with deep devotionAll these efforts she said are a medium to spread the universal teachings of Guru Sahib She further emphasised that the visit to Harmandir Sahib is not merely a formality for her and her government but an expression of deep reverence gratitude and devotion towards the Guru traditionThe Chief Minister described the visit to the sacred land of Amritsar as a profoundly spiritual experience Amritsar she noted is a city of faith and divine energy in every senseExpressing gratitude for the warmth and welcome extended by the local people of Amritsar the Chief Minister said that their love and blessings remain her greatest strengthShe added that she hopes Guruâs grace continues to remain upon all Inspired by this spiritual energy and public support she expressed confidence that the Delhi government will continue to serve the people with dedication and accelerate public welfare initiatives in the times to come IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-cm-gupta-ministers-offer-prayers-at-golden-temple-in-amritsar-652048.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-govt-tables-bill-to-amend-shops-and-establishments-act-to-reduce-compliance-burden-652049.html Nagpur Dec 8 The state government on Monday tabled a bill to amend the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service Act 2017 to reduce the compliance burden for small businesses and providing greater operational flexibility while maintaining worker protection The bill has proposed mandatory registration for establishments with 20 or more workers instead of present 10 or more workers establishments with less than 20 workers will now only need to submit a business intimation and not full registration requiredThe maximum daily working hours will be 10 hours including rest intervals subject to a maximum of 48 hours per week instead of 9 hours per day including rest intervalsQuarterly overtime limit has been increased to 144 hours from 125 hours so that establishments will be allowed to engage workers in overtime for an increased period per quarter to address exceptional work pressureThis is expected to increase workersâ earning potential and formalise overtime practices ensuring that all additional hours are properly recorded and compensated which will help in preventing exploitation of workersHowever the overtime working will not be mandatory for the workers The daily spread over of work has been extended to a maximum of 12 hours per day from maximum 105 hours per day span from start to end of duty including breaksIn the case of women employees in night shift the conditions for safety and security have been strengthened by subsequent Draft Rules including mandatory pickupdropoff welllit workplaces minimum two women workers on duty and CCTV surveillanceAccording to the bill Maharashtra is Indias most economically dynamic state which accommodates enormous industrial and service sectors employing large number of workers It is an endeavour of the state to reduce compliance burden for small businesses for their economic growth while ensuring continued protection of workers under various lawsThe regulatory reforms in operational flexibility and reductions in compliance burden Will eventually lead to economic growth of the state said the billTo align with the reform if regulations and procedures related to Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living it was considered necessary to reduce the compliance burden on smaller establishments It was also considered necessary to provide operational flexibility of working hours without changing the fixed limit of weekly 48 hours of work said the bill IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-govt-tables-bill-to-amend-shops-and-establishments-act-to-reduce-compliance-burden-652049.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/new-labour-codes-give-gig-platform-workers-portable-social-security-benefits-652305.html New Delhi Dec 9 Gig and platform workers in India will receive formal legal recognition portable socialâsecurity benefits and a national registration framework through eShram under provisions of the Code on Social Security 2020 of the new labour codes the government said on Tuesday Under the Social Security code aggregators are now required to contribute 1â2 per cent of annual turnover capped at 5 per cent of payments made or payable to gig and platform workers to a Social Security Fund an official statement saidThe fund finances a range of welfare schemes for these workers who erstwhile bore all risks themselves with no obligation on aggregators to contribute to their welfareThe enhanced provisions equip gig and platform workers with essential safeguards empower them with portable rights and transform informal work into a secure recognised and sustainable livelihood the statement saidGig amp Platform workers now become eligible for governmentnotified social security benefits such as accident insurance health and maternity benefits any other benefitsWorkers will register on the eâShram portal and receive a unique Aadhaarâlinked ID to enable portability of benefits when switching jobs or platforms and ensure continuity of coverage across multiple platforms the statement addedGig and platform workers can selfregister on the Government eShram portal creating a comprehensive national database that supports social security skill development targeted delivery of welfare delivery and policy making it saidThe new labour codes provide a formal recognition bringing them under the ambit of social security and legal protection by defining key terms such as âaggregatorâ âgig workerâ âplatform workerâ and âplatform workâFurther workers used to have zero access to formal labour laws and consequently unable to access structured grievance redressal mechanisms Under the new codes the government may setup a tollfree helpline call centre or facilitation centre to address worker grievances and ensure timely support the statement noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/new-labour-codes-give-gig-platform-workers-portable-social-security-benefits-652305.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-welcomes-steps-taken-by-uk-govt-to-sanction-khalistani-terror-entities-652050.html New Delhi Dec 8 India on Monday welcomed the actions taken by the United Kingdom UK government against antiIndia Khalistani extremist elements hoping that both countries will continue to work closely in further strengthening the counterterrorism and security cooperation While addressing a regular media briefing on Monday the Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the steps taken by the UK government strengthen the global fight against terrorism and help to curb illicit financial flows and transnational crime networksWhen asked about UK governments action against Babbar Khalsas Gurpreet Singh Rehal and Babbar Akali Lehar group Jaiswal responded We welcome the steps that have been taken by the UK government to sanction antiIndia extremist entities which strengthen the global fight against terrorism and extremism and help to curb illicit financial flows and transnational crime networks Such individuals and entities pose a threat not just to India and the UK but to people across the world We look forward to continuing to work very closely with the UK side in further strengthening our counter terrorism and security cooperationOn December 4 the UK Treasury announced an asset freeze and Director disqualification against Gurpreet Singh Rehal Rehal who is suspected of belonging to organisations involved in terrorism in India It also announced an asset freeze against a group Babbar Akali Lehar for promoting and supporting the same terrorist groupHM Treasury assesses Rehal is involved in Babbar Khalsa and Babbar Akali Leharâs terrorist activities including promoting and encouraging carrying out recruitment activities for providing financial services to as well as supporting and assisting those organisations including through purchasing weapons and other military materiel HM Treasury also assesses that Babbar Akali Lehar is associated with and involved in Babbar Khalsaâs terrorist activities by promoting and encouraging and carrying out recruitment activities for the group and itself read a statement issued by the UK governmentAccording to the statement all funds owned held or controlled by Rehal or Babbar Akali Lehar in the UK are subject to an asset freeze These sanctions will stop UK individuals and entities from dealing with any funds or economic resources owned held or controlled by Rehal or Babbar Akali Lehar or making funds economic resources and financial services available to or for their benefitEarlier in October Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart Keir Starmer discussed the Khalistani extremist issue during their discussions held in Mumbai during latters visit to IndiaWhile addressing a special media briefing on Starmers visit to India Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that PM Modi during the talks emphasised that radicalism and violent extremism had no space in democratic societies and the need to act against them in the legal frameworkWhen asked whether Khalistani extremist issue was raised during the talks between PM Modi and Starmer Misri responded Yes it is a subject that had come up in the discussions in July It was flagged again during the discussions held today and Prime Minister emphasised that radicalism and violent extremism had no space in democratic societies and in particular should not be allowed to use the freedoms or abuse the freedoms provided by democratic societies and there was need to move against them within the legal frameworks that are available to both sidesIndia has earlier too shared its concerns over the presence of Khalistani extremists in the UKDuring his visit to UK in July PM Modi said that forces with extremist ideology cannot be allowed to misuse democratic freedomWe thank Prime Minister Starmer and his Government for strongly condemning the Pahalgam terror attack We are united in the belief that there is no place for double standards in the fight against terrorism We also agree that the forces with extremist ideology cannot be allowed to misuse democratic freedom Those who misuse democratic freedoms to undermine democracy itself must be held to account said PM Modi while making a press statement alongside his UK counterpart StarmerPM Modis statement came amid growing concerns over the presence of Khalistani extremists in the United Kingdom who have in the past also created ruckus at the Indian High Commission in London IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-welcomes-steps-taken-by-uk-govt-to-sanction-khalistani-terror-entities-652050.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/a-personal-choice-ktaka-govt-to-intervene-only-if-done-intentionally-health-minister-rao-on-cesarean-deliveries-652051.html Belagavi Karnataka Dec 8 Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said on Monday that the state health department cant intervene unless its found that cesarean deliveries are being done intentionally across the state Minister Gundu Rao responded to a query from JDS Legislative Council member Govindaraju about the increase in cesarean deliveriesHe also added that malnutrition is not the only reason for increase in number of cesarean deliveries in the stateMLC Govindaraju said that doctors are allegedly misguiding patients in this regardIn Kolar Government Hospital 36 per cent of deliveries are cesarean whereas in private hospitals it is more than 76 per cent My demand is that the state government should take cognisance of the issue he addedAccording to doctors malnutrition is the main reason for cesarean deliveries in the Kolar region This percentage is higher in the KalyanaKarnataka region he saidI appeal to the state government to curb the increasing number of cesarean deliveries in the state and to regulate private hospitals in this regard he appealedMinister Gundu Rao said A pilot project was conducted in Tumkur on cesarean deliveries and the report is with us In some hospitals cesarean deliveries are as high as 7580 per cent We need to review this carefully This is a sensitive issue and the choice between normal delivery and cesarean delivery is personalThe department cant intervene unless its found that cesarean deliveries are being done intentionally We need to create medical and social awareness among pregnant women and their families the Minister addedHe also said Its not possible to say that malnutrition is the sole reason for the increase in cesarean deliveries Its one of the factors but educated middleclass women in urban areas are more likely to opt for cesarean deliveries due to fear social beliefs and the inability to bear labor painThere are multiple reasons for this Private hospitals also have reasons like higher billing and reduced risk Normal delivery requires more attention and care whereas cesarean delivery is sometimes unavoidable due to medical reasons which only doctors can decideMinister Gundu Rao responded to another query from BJP Legislative Council member HS Gopinath about whether the state government is aware of the issues of long waiting times and shortage of doctors nurses and paramedical staff at hospitals like Victoria Bowring and KC General hospitals in Bengaluru cityThe Minister said At KC General Hospital the waiting time has been reduced through QR codebased ticket system Victoria Hospital under Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute receives patients from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and necessary measures are being taken Currently there is no long waiting time at Victoria Hospital There are no issues at Bowring Lady Curzon Ghosha Hospital and Shivajinagars Charaka Hospital and treatment is being provided smoothlyAt Victoria Hospital doctors and paramedical staff are being hired on contract basis There is no shortage of doctors and paramedical staff at Bowing Hospital he clarifiedIn Bengaluru city district separate NCD units have been set up in nine hospitals under the noncommunicable diseases programme Screening for noncommunicable diseases is being done at all primary health centres in Bengaluru city Medicines supplied to hospitals are tested at the Karnataka State Medical Services and Supplies Corporation Limited quality control department through the Aushada QC module The Central and state government drug controllers regularly test random samples of medicines IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/a-personal-choice-ktaka-govt-to-intervene-only-if-done-intentionally-health-minister-rao-on-cesarean-deliveries-652051.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-cabinet-unveils-package-for-bundelkhand-roads-healthcare-new-cheetah-habitat-652307.html Khajuraho Dec 9 At the Maharaja Chhatrasal Convention Center in Khajuraho Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav chaired a cabinet meeting on Tuesday that marked a series of historic decisions aimed at accelerating development across Bundelkhand and other regions of Madhya Pradesh The meeting focused on industrial growth employment generation irrigation expansion road construction healthcare upgrades and wildlife conservationA major highlight was the approval of a special industrial incentive package for the Maswasi Grant industrial area in SagarTo attract investors land interest and annual rent have been fixed at just one rupee per square metre with development fees payable in 20 annual instalments and maintenance charges set at Rs 8 per square metreThe package also offers 100 per cent reimbursement of stamp and registration fees alongside a fiveyear exemption from electricity charges for new unitsLargescale industries will benefit under the Industrial Promotion Policy 2025 while MSMEs will be supported through the MSME Development Policy 2025 Cement units however are excluded This package will remain effective for five yearsThe cabinet also sanctioned administrative approval for the construction of a 7668km fourlane SagarDamoh road at a cost of Rs 205985 crore under the Hybrid Annuity Model Forty per cent of the expenditure will be borne by the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation while the remaining 60 per cent will be funded through the state budget in annuities for over 15 yearsAn additional Rs 32341 crore has been earmarked for land acquisition and related works The project will feature 13 underpasses three major bridges nine medium bridges one rail overbridge and multiple junctionsHealthcare received a significant boost with the approval of 990 regular and 615 outsourced posts for new medical colleges in Damoh Chhatarpur and Budhni Furthermore 12 health institutions across 11 districts will be upgraded including expansions of community health centres and civil hospitals with 348 new posts sanctioned for Rs 2717 crore the cabinet decidedAlso the cabinet on the environmental front in principle approved to develop the Veerangna Durgawati Tiger Reserve in Nauradehi as the stateâs third cheetah habitat complementing Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar SanctuaryAdditionally the Jhapan Nala Medium Irrigation Project in Damoh district was approved at Rs 165 crore set to irrigate 3600 hectares across 17 villages Together these decisions reflect a comprehensive vision for infrastructure industry healthcare and conservation underscoring the governmentâs commitment to balanced regional development IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-cabinet-unveils-package-for-bundelkhand-roads-healthcare-new-cheetah-habitat-652307.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ayushman-bharat-a-lifesaving-support-system-for-poor-families-in-chhattisgarhs-dhamtari-652052.html Dhamtari Dec 8 In Chhattisgarhâs Dhamtari district the Ayushman Bharat scheme has proven to be nothing less than a blessing for the poor and common people With the cost of treatment in private hospitals rising rapidly it has become increasingly difficult for ordinary citizens to afford quality healthcare In such a situation the Central governmentâs Ayushman Bharat scheme has provided major relief in the field of health servicesUnder this scheme beneficiaries receive free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh through the Ayushman card directly benefiting families in need The scheme is being effectively implemented in Dhamtari district as well and a large number of people are availing its benefits and saving their livesLocal Ayushman cardholders told IANS that earlier even thinking about treatment for a serious illness in private hospitals caused anxiety Many times the lack of timely treatment worsened patientsâ conditions and in some cases even resulted in loss of lifePoor families often had to spend their entire savings when admitted to private hospitals However the Ayushman Bharat scheme launched on the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greatly reduced these challenges enabling people to receive treatment without financial stressAyushman cardholder Dhalvendra Sahu told IANS that now he receives free treatment for any illness through his Ayushman card This has brought great relief to poor and lowerincome familiesHe said that Prime Minister Modi understood the healthrelated problems of the poor and launched this ambitious scheme which has given a new life to millions Sahu expressed gratitude toward Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai for the benefits received under this schemeSimilarly beneficiary Khemraj Sahu shared his experience saying that he was seriously injured in a road accident some time ago At that time he did not have the financial means for treatment in a major hospital Later he learned about the Ayushman card and immediately applied for one With the card he received complete and quality treatment in a good hospital Today he is fully healthyKhemraj said that without the Ayushman scheme receiving proper treatment would not have been possible Expressing gratitude towards the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister he said this scheme saved his life IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ayushman-bharat-a-lifesaving-support-system-for-poor-families-in-chhattisgarhs-dhamtari-652052.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sonia-gandhi-always-disregarded-indians-constitution-and-rules-kangana-ranaut-652308.html New Delhi Dec 9 BJP MP Kangana Ranaut on Tuesday alleged that former Congress President Sonia Gandhi has always disregarded Indians the Constitution and established rules This comes after a Delhi court issued a notice to Sonia Gandhi and the Delhi Police seeking their response to a criminal revision petition demanding the registration of a case against her for alleged cheating and forgery The petition claims that her name was added to the 1980 voter list before she officially acquired Indian citizenship in 1983Speaking to reporters outside Parliament BJP MP Kangana Ranaut said The Congress government is known for its corruption not for anything else It has been involved in numerous scams you are aware of cases like the Herald case among others They have faced charges of corruption and in terms of ethics they have repeatedly failed For instance they voted without proper documentation or citizenshipShe further added Despite belonging to such an old political party they always violated the law because they think that they are Babus and Sahab They always disrespect the Constitution Taking citizenship is not so difficult in the country if they could have done it so it would be a very easy process She was also having a lot of contacts and power Despite this she broke the rules This shows she has always disregarded the Indians the Constitution and the rules people So now the government should set an example no matter how powerful the person they should not do these thingsEarlier in the day a Delhi Court agreed to examine a criminal revision plea challenging an order that had declined to register an FIR against Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi over allegations that her name appeared in the electoral roll in 1980 three years before she became an Indian citizenSpecial Judge PC Act Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts issued notices to Sonia Gandhi and the Delhi Police after senior advocate Pavan Narang submitted that documents âmust have been forged fabricated and falsifiedâ to include her name in the voter listThe judge directed that the revision plea be listed for further hearing on January 6 2026The revision petition filed by Vikas Tripathi challenged the September 11 order of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vaibhav Chaurasia who had dismissed his complaint seeking an FIR into the alleged wrongful inclusion of Sonia Gandhis name in the voter listTripathi has said that Sonia Gandhis name was first included in the electoral roll of the New Delhi constituency in 1980 despite her acquiring Indian citizenship only in April 1983According to him the name was deleted in 1982 and then reincluded in 1983 after she became a citizenMeanwhile Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday questioned whether there was any evidence supporting the allegation She said the claims were completely falseSpeaking to reporters outside Parliament Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said Do they have proof This is completely false She voted only after becoming a citizen I donât understand why they are targeting her she is about to turn 80 and has devoted her entire life to serving the nation At this age they should let her beCongress MP Imran Masood also criticised the development and said They create new dramas every day Today is her birthday at least have some shame on this day Donât do so much Where are you taking the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sonia-gandhi-always-disregarded-indians-constitution-and-rules-kangana-ranaut-652308.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/haryana-cabinet-sets-age-limits-for-tourist-vehicles-clears-unified-municipal-bill-for-2025-652053.html Chandigarh Dec 8 The Haryana Cabinet presided over by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini here on Monday accorded approval to fix the age of tourist vehicles for operation under the Haryana Motor Vehicles Rules 1993 These rules may be called the Haryana Motor Vehicles Amendment Rules 2025 As per the amendment vehicles operating with allIndia tourist permits in the NCR region will be allowed to operate for 12 years if they run on petrol or CNG whereas diesel vehicles under this permit category will be permitted for a maximum of 10 yearsFor nonNCR areas allIndia tourist permit vehicles running on petrol or CNG and diesel will also have a maximum operational age of 12 yearsFor all other permits including stage carriage contract carriage goods carriage and school buses in the NCR region their maximum permissible vehicle age has been fixed at 15 years for vehicles operating on petrol CNG electric or other clean fuelsHowever for diesel vehicles operating under these permit types the maximum age has been fixed at 10 years only in the NCR regionFor nonNCR areas all other permits including stage carriage contract carriage goods carriage and school buses running on petrol CNG electric or other clean fuels and diesel will have a maximum operational age of 15 yearsThe Cabinet also approved a major reform in urban governance by introducing the Haryana Municipal Bill 2025 aimed at replacing the existing Haryana Municipal Act 1973 and the Haryana Municipal Corporation Act 1994The new unified Act has been drafted to bring all categories of municipalities municipal corporations municipal councils and municipal committees under a single legal frameworkAt present 87 municipalities function under two separate Acts causing administrative complexities inconsistent service delivery and challenges in interpretation of rules an official statement saidThe department has undertaken extensive consultations over the past two years to prepare the draft legislation incorporating relevant provisions from the Model Municipal Law circulated by the government of IndiaThe Haryana Municipal Bill 2025 aims to streamline governance remove ambiguities modernize municipal administration and strengthen financial autonomy of urban local bodiesKey provisions include empowering municipalities to determine taxes and fees between minimum and maximum governmentfixed rates and provisions for credit rating to facilitate market borrowings etcThe Act also introduces provisions for urban transport planning urban forestry and the prohibition of illegal colonies similar to the Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas Act 1975For municipal staff the Act proposes common service rules to reduce litigation arising from transfers and promotions under separate legal frameworks Additionally a provision has been made for the appointment of a municipal magistrate for the trial of municipal offences and penalties or fines for various violations have been enhanced The initiative marks a significant step towards establishing a modern uniform and efficient municipal governance system across Haryana aligned with current and future needs of urbanisation IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/haryana-cabinet-sets-age-limits-for-tourist-vehicles-clears-unified-municipal-bill-for-2025-652053.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-books-reliance-commercial-finance-its-promoters-in-rs-5747-crore-bank-fraud-case-652309.html Mumbai Dec 9 The Central Bureau of Investigation CBI on Tuesday said it has filed a criminal case against Reliance Commercial Finance Ltd RCFL and its promoters and directors over allegedly causing wrongful loss of Rs 5747 crore to Bank of Maharashtra The case has been registered against RCFL a company of Reliance ADA Group its promotersdirectors and unknown bank officials on the allegations of criminal conspiracy cheating and criminal misconduct and thereby the CBI said in a statementAccording to the statement the loan account of Reliance Commercial Finance Ltd was declared an NPA by the bank on March 25 2020 and also as fraud on October 4 2025 for causing wrongful loss of Rs 5747 crore to Bank of MaharashtraRCFL was availing loans to the tune of Rs 9280 crore from 31 banks FIsNBFCsCorporate Bodies etc including Bank of Maharashtra A thorough investigation will be conducted into the allegations of defrauding all the banksFIs etc by the accused company said the CBIThe probe agency obtained search warrants from the court of a Special CBI judge Mumbai and commenced searches at the official premises of RCFL at Mumbai and the residential premises of Devang Pravin Mody Director of the company at Pune on December 9Several incriminating documents have been observed and are being taken into possession during searches Searches are in progress the CBI saidMeanwhile the Enforcement Directorate ED has filed a supplementary charge sheet against Reliance Power Ltd and 10 others in the case of fake bank guarantees of Rs 68 crore submitted by Reliance Power Limited to the Solar Energy Corporation of India SECI for the purpose of securing a tender issued by it ED attached the proceeds of crime worth Rs 515 crore as wellReliance Power Ltd said in a statement that ED allegations have not yet passed through judicial scrutiny and the Company has not been held guilty of any wrongdoingAs per law settled by the Supreme Court the company will get an opportunity to put across its case and facts before the court even before cognisance so filing of this complaint does not affect the affairs of the company in any manner said the company in an exchange filing IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-books-reliance-commercial-finance-its-promoters-in-rs-5747-crore-bank-fraud-case-652309.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-nepal-dgmos-validate-exercise-suryakiran-xix-cementing-long-standing-military-brotherhood-652310.html New Delhi Dec 9 The Directors General of Military Operations DGMOs of the Indian Army Lt Gen Manish Luthra and Nepal Army Maj Gen Anup Jung Thapa jointly witnessed and validated the twoday Battalionlevel Validation Exercise conducted as part of Exercise SURYAKIRANâXIX marking the culmination of an intensive combined training cycle at the Foreign Training Node Pithoragarh defence officials said on Tuesday The validation exercise successfully demonstrated joint Tactics Techniques and Procedures TTPs for CounterTerrorism operations mandated under Chapter VII of the UN CharterAccording to the defence officials the drills integrated a range of niche technologies including ISR and precisiontargeting drones advanced daynight weapon sights AIenabled surveillance feeds unmanned operational and logistics platforms and secure battlefield communication systemsThe exercise highlighted seamless interoperability synchronised mission planning and coordinated execution of combined tactical operations in a CT environment at Battalion Company and smallteam levelsâTroops rehearsed Intelligencebased surgical operations across complex terrains including the employment of aerial insertion modes to enhance rapidresponse capabilityâ officials saidRecognising the importance of shared security and humanitarian preparedness in the strategic Himalayan region both DGMOs lauded the exercise for strengthening operational synergy deepening mutual trust and reinforcing the longstanding military brotherhood between the two ArmiesAs a symbol of this enduring partnership the DGMOs jointly planted a Tree of Friendship reaffirming the timeless bonds and strategic cooperation between India and NepalIt is pertinent to note here that the 19th edition of Joint Military manoeuvres Exercise SURYAKIRAN XIX 2025 commenced on November 25 at Pithoragarh UttarakhandThe exercise was being conducted from November 25 to December 8 2025The Indian contingent comprising 334 personnel was being represented mainly by troops from the Assam Regiment The Nepal side was being represented by 334 personnel mainly by troops from the Devi Datta RegimentExercise SURYAKIRANâXIX stands as a powerful demonstration of unity preparedness and partnership for regional peace and stability IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-nepal-dgmos-validate-exercise-suryakiran-xix-cementing-long-standing-military-brotherhood-652310.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/haryana-vidhan-sabha-winter-session-from-dec-18-652055.html Chandigarh Dec 8 The winter session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha will commence on December 18 said Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday Replying to a media query on the 48hour mass leave taken by the HCMS doctors the Chief Minister said doctors are regarded as lifesavers and their profession is dedicated to serving humanityHe said the government has already fulfilled several of their demands in the pastâAt present ministers and senior officials are in dialogue with them All their concerns will be heard and no oneâs rights will be compromisedâ he saidOn being asked about the low number of candidates passed for the Assistant Professor English recruitment conducted by the HPSC the Chief Minister said the examination results have been released strictly as per the cutoff listâIf any candidate has concerns they may seek clarification from the HPSC and have their results verified No wrongdoing has occurred with any candidateâ he saidThe Chief Minister said that the HPSC is an independent institution that functions without any external pressure adding that while various pressures existed during previous governments the commission is now functioning entirely free from such influencesHe reiterated that the governmentâs agenda is zero tolerance no irregularities have been found in the past nor will any be allowed in the futureThe Chief Minister further informed that 58 students from Haryana have been selected in the UPSC this yearâToday talented students from Haryana are also being selected in Uttar Pradesh Rajasthan and Punjab as candidates are free to apply for examinations anywhereâ the Chief Minister saidResponding to another question regarding the upcoming recruitment schedule the Chief Minister informed that the Haryana Staff Selection Commission has recently released the results of the CET examinationHe congratulated all the successful candidates and stated that the commission is an independent body that issues its own recruitment calendar IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/haryana-vidhan-sabha-winter-session-from-dec-18-652055.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sir-phase-2-eci-records-100-pc-distribution-in-ef-in-seven-statesuts-amongst-12-652311.html New Delhi Dec 9 The Election Commission of India ECI has reported significant progress in Phase II of the Special Intensive Revision SIR with data showing that most states and Union Territories have achieved neartotal distribution and digitisation of Electorspecific Enumeration Forms EFs The update was shared in the Commissionâs daily bulletin released on TuesdayThe enumeration phase for the ongoing revision began on November 4 and will conclude on December 11According to the bulletin a total of 5095 crore EFs have already been distributed amounting to 9997 per cent coverage of electors across the 12 reporting states and Union TerritoriesDigitisation has also kept pace with 5058 crore forms digitised reflecting 9918 per cent completionLakshadweep Madhya Pradesh Andaman amp Nicobar Islands Chhattisgarh Puducherry Gujarat and Goa are among the best performers achieving 100 per cent in distributionSimilarly West Bengal recorded 9999 per cent distribution while Rajasthan stands at 9958 per centLakshadweep and Madhya Pradesh have also recorded 100 per cent digitisation while the Andaman amp Nicobar Islands have digitised 9999 per cent of formsWest Bengal with more than 766 crore electors has reached 9999 per centage distribution and 9975 per centage digitisation Rajasthan where the revision in Anta Assembly Constituency began late due to a byelection has achieved 9958 per centage distribution and 9959 per centage digitisationTamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh have recorded distribution figures of 9995 per cent and 9997 per cent respectivelyHowever digitisation in these states stands at 9955 per cent for Tamil Nadu and 9814 per cent for Uttar PradeshKerala where the last date for submitting forms is December 18 has registered 9975 per cent distribution and 9804 per cent digitisationThe ECI noted that the digitised data includes electors marked as absent shifted deceased or duplicate entriesThe Commission has also urged recognised political parties to appoint additional Booth Level Agents to strengthen field verification IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sir-phase-2-eci-records-100-pc-distribution-in-ef-in-seven-statesuts-amongst-12-652311.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/punjab-finance-minister-questions-cong-bjp-on-corruption-allegations-of-navjot-kaur-sidhu-652056.html Chandigarh Dec 8 Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Congress and the BJP leaderships and challenged them to respond immediately to serious allegations of corruption leveled by Navjot Kaur Sidhu and Sunil Jakhar respectively Cheema told the media here I challenge the high command of the Congress and the high command of the BJP Why are you silent Are you silent because you are complicit in this corruption I challenge the Congress and the BJP high commands to answer within 24 hoursâ Minister Cheema questioned the silence of both the high commands regarding leaders who have switched allegiance but whose past actions and statements expose deeprooted corruption He recalled that the current Punjab BJP President who was formerly the Punjab Congress President served while two Chief Ministers Amarinder Singh allegedly became CM for Rs 500 crore according to Navjot Kaur Sidhu and Charanjit Singh Channi allegedly became CM following a Rs 350 crore deal as claimed by Sunil Jakhar were in power He questioned why Jakhar remained silent while he was in the Congress witnessing the selling of ministerial posts and assembly seats and only spoke up after joining the BJP He also pointed out the case of Channiâs relative from whom nearly Rs 10 crore was recovered a matter that is subjudice The Finance Minister highlighted how the character and conduct of the leaders of the parties that ruled Punjab from 1997 to 2022 are now being exposed by their own members He cited the recent revelation by Navjot Kaur Sidhu regarding how the post of Chief Minister in the Congress government was allegedly sold for Rs 500 crore Cheema estimated that the Congress Chief Ministers over a rough calculation may have spent Rs 2000 crore which in turn led to the looting of the people of Punjab to the tune of an estimated Rs 30000 crore The Finance Minister pointed out that the creation of the sand liquor and transport mafias along with the Scholarship Scam that defrauded the Scheduled Castes and massive scandals in drug deaddiction centers were all a result of a âsystemic structure of lootâ created within the Congress party which led to the constant exploitation of the states farmers labourers traders Dalit community and government employees IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/punjab-finance-minister-questions-cong-bjp-on-corruption-allegations-of-navjot-kaur-sidhu-652056.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sir-in-bengal-eci-appoints-five-more-special-roll-observers-to-strengthen-supervision-in-2nd-stage-652057.html Kolkata Dec 8 With just eight days left for the first stage of the threestage Special Intensive Revision SIR in West Bengal to end with the publication of the draft votersâ list on December 16 the Election Commission of India ECI on Monday appointed five additional special roll observers for the state With this fresh appointment the total number of special roll observers appointed to review the ongoing revision exercise stands at 17 All five new special roll observers are serving Indian Administrative Service IAS officersThese five newlyappointed special roll observers are Kumar Ravi Kant Singh Neeraj Kumar Bansod Krishna Kumar Nirala Aloke Tiwari and Pankaj YadavInsiders in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer CEO West Bengal in Kolkata said that the new appointment is aimed at strengthening the supervision process in the second stage of the revision exercise that will start after the publication of the draft votersâ listThe second stage of the SIR exercise will involve filing claims and objections and the notice phase which is issuance hearing verification and decision on enumeration forms and disposal of claims and objections to be done concurrently by the Electoral Registration Officers EROsAfter the second stage is over the third and final stage which is the publication of the final electoral roll will be on February 14 Soon after the publication of the final electoral roll the ECI is expected to announce the dates for the crucial Assembly elections in the stateIt is learnt that each of the five new special roll observers will be in charge of each of the five divisions in West Bengal namely Presidency Division Midnapore Division Burdwan Division Malda Division and Jalpaiguri DivisionWhile the Presidency Division will be overseen by Kumar Ravi Kant Singh Neeraj Kumar Bansod will supervise the Midnapore Division The Burdwan Division will be supervised by Krishna Kumar NiralaThe Malda and Jalpaiguri divisions will be supervised by Aloke Tiwari and Pankaj Yadav respectivelyWith the digitisation of the enumeration forms almost complete already over 56 lakh names have been identified as excludable from the votersâ list These include dead voters untraceable voters shifted voters duplicate voters and those deemed to be removed for other reasonsThe ECI had already directed the electoral officers in the state to focus on minute progenyâ mapping amid serious flaws being detected as regards to parentsâ identities in the current votersâ list as on October 27âProgenyâ mapping is done to determine whether the names of the parents of a voter on the current votersâ list match those on the 2002 list the last time the SIR was conducted in West BengalThe total number of voters as per the list on October 27 is 76637529 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sir-in-bengal-eci-appoints-five-more-special-roll-observers-to-strengthen-supervision-in-2nd-stage-652057.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-mohan-yadav-pushes-msme-drive-targets-major-industrial-expansion-in-bhopal-and-indore-652058.html Bhopal Dec 8 Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has instructed the MSME department of Madhya Pradesh to promote the developed industrial areas of the Indore and Bhopal metropolitan regions so that maximum industrial units are established He instructed that a grand programme for the foundation laying industrial plot allotment and inauguration of units amounting to nearly Rs 2 lakh crore should be organised in Gwalior by the end of this monthCM Yadav issued these directives while reviewing the work of the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises MSME department for the last two years underway in KhajurahoChief Minister Yadav stated that Madhya Pradesh has achieved up to 31 per cent growth in the MSME and startup sectors over the past two years He stated that the MSME units have been provided with an incentive amount of Rs 2780 croreSeveral lakh crore worth of investment has come to the state during this period and foundation laying and inauguration of new industrial units have taken placeIt is the responsibility of the MSME department to facilitate onsite inspections of these achievements for public representatives from both the ruling and opposition parties as well as the media CM Yadav statedDuring the review meeting a detailed discussion was held on the expansion of the MSME and startup ecosystem the development of industrial infrastructure and future action plansInvestments of Rs 39600 crore have been received in the manufacturing sector Over the past two years the department has undertaken significant initiatives in policy reforms the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister said in a statementDuring the meeting it was shared that the government has allotted a total of 1240 plots to industrialists Of them the construction of 13 industrial areas has been completed and approval has been given to 14 new industrial areas IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-mohan-yadav-pushes-msme-drive-targets-major-industrial-expansion-in-bhopal-and-indore-652058.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-relaxes-senthil-balajis-bail-conditions-in-cash-for-jobs-case-652059.html New Delhi Dec 8 The Supreme Court on Monday allowed a plea filed by former Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji seeking relaxation of the stringent bail conditions imposed on him in the money laundering case linked to the alleged cashforjobs scam A bench headed by Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant modified the bail conditions requiring Balaji to appear before the Deputy Director of the Enforcement Directorate ED in Chennai every Monday and Friday between 11 am and 12 noonOpining that his continued twiceweekly appearance before the ED was unnecessary at this stage the bench also comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi said The appellant Balaji shall appear before the Deputy Director as and when so required Advance notice shall be served if his presence is necessaryThe apex court also relaxed another condition requiring Balaji to remain regularly and punctually present before all courts hearing the scheduled offencesAs and when there is specific hardship and the appellant is unable to appear before the sessions court he shall apply and the court shall consider as per its own merits the CJI Surya Kantled Bench clarifiedOn November 14 the Supreme Court sought the EDâs response to Balajiâs plea for relaxation of these very conditions after senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Narendra Hooda appearing for Balaji argued that the conditions had outlived their purpose since the investigation was complete and the charge sheet had been filedMy client has appeared before the ED on 116 occasions There is no apprehension of absconding submitted SibalOpposing the plea the ED contended that the then Justice Abhay S Okaled Bench which granted Balaji bail was fully conscious of the nature of the conditions imposedIn April this year the Supreme Court had warned Balaji who was reinducted into the CM MK Stalinled Cabinet after being released on bail that he could not continue as a minister while facing allegations of influencing witnessesWe are giving him a choice Freedom or post the Justice Okaled Bench had said noting earlier findings that he attempted to settle matters with witnesses while in officeTamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi had accepted Balajis resignation on the recommendation of Chief Minister Stalin Balaji arrested by the ED in June 2023 after extensive searches in Chennai Karur and Coimbatore spent 450 days in custody before securing bail IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-relaxes-senthil-balajis-bail-conditions-in-cash-for-jobs-case-652059.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indigo-disruptions-may-cause-revenue-loss-penalties-to-company-report-652061.html New Delhi Dec 8 Widespread flight disruptions at IndiGo are credit negative and refunds and compensation could cause it significant financial damage credit rating agency Moodyâs warned on Monday In a note Moodys said that regulatory penalties from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA remain possible as the airline failed to plan for aviation rules communicated over a year earlierThe crisis struck as the airlines entered their peak winter schedule with significant lapses in planning oversight and resource management as the Phase 2 of the Flight Duty Time Limitation FDTL rules were introduced on November 1 2025 after being communicated more than a year earlier it notedThe rules reclassified midnightâ6 am duties as night duty and cut permissible landings in 24 hours from six to two or three The agency said that IndiGoâs lean operating model lacked resilience to integrate the change forcing a systemâwide schedule resetOver 1600 flights were cancelled on December 5 and over 1200 were grounded in November with cancellations beginning on December 2 Moodyâs said IndiGo is yet to fully restore normal operationsIndiGo said it was set to operate over 1800 flights on Monday up from 1650 on Sunday adding that more than 4500 bags have been delivered to respective customers and we are on track to deliver the rest in the next 36 hoursThe airline said it expects a return to full schedules by midDecember adding that it is working round the clock to normalise operationsIt has so far refunded Rs 827 crore to affected passengers and the rest is under process for cancellations up to December 15Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said in the Parliament on Monday that the government has initiated a thorough inquiry into the matterIndiGo was supposed to manage the crew and rosterâWe will take strict action We will set an example for every airline If there is any noncompliance we will take action he said on the floor of the Rajya Sabha IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indigo-disruptions-may-cause-revenue-loss-penalties-to-company-report-652061.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-govt-tables-bill-to-modernise-states-agricultural-trade-create-unified-market-ecosystem-652062.html Nagpur Dec 8 The state government on Monday tabled a bill to amend the Maharashtra Agricultural Produce Marketing Development and Regulation Act 1963 in a bid to modernise the states agricultural trade and create a unified market ecosystem It also focuses on simplifying trade licenses and boosting electronic commerce The government hopes the amendments will ensure that the farmers in the state will get maximum benefit from the competitive prices of agricultural produceThe most significant changes aim to dismantle the monopoly of traditional Agricultural Produce Market Committees APMCs and promote barrierfree trade across Maharashtra The bill proposes the Unified Single Trading Licence USTL a gamechanger for the trading community The USTL allows traders to conduct business in any market yard private market or electronic platform throughout the entire state of Maharashtra with a single common licenseThe amendment also recognizes Unified Single Trading Licenses issued by other States or Union Territories further enabling interstate trade subject to applicable market fees The government has introduced a new mechanism to designate specific market committees as Markets of National Importance MNI These markets are expected to handle a significant volume of agricultural produce over 80000 metric tons annually and attract produce from at least two other states thereby streamlining nationallevel tradeThe government has proposed an effective rollout of the National Agriculture Market eNAM platform aiming to integrate 133 APMCs into the panIndia electronic trading portal This move is designed to ensure price transparency and help farmers realize better value for their crops by connecting them to a wider pool of buyers To ensure a regulated environment even outside the APMC premises the government has made it mandatory for all private traders to secure a license from the marketing committee or the Director of Marketing before purchasing agricultural products directly from farmersAccording to the bill the reforms proposed through amendments mark a decisive step towards integrating Maharashtraâs markets into the larger National Agriculture Market vision promising greater choice and better price realization for the stateâs millions of farmers provided the administrative and operational challenges are successfully navigated IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-govt-tables-bill-to-modernise-states-agricultural-trade-create-unified-market-ecosystem-652062.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-bloc-initiates-impeachment-move-against-madras-hc-judge-over-thiruparankundram-order-652318.html Chennai Dec 9 The INDIA bloc has formally initiated steps to move an impeachment motion against Madras High Court judge G R Swaminathan following his controversial order permitting the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam lamp atop a stone pillar at the disputed Thiruparankundram Hill in Tamil Nadu As part of this process a memorandum seeking his removal has been submitted to the Lok Sabha SpeakerThe impeachment move comes amid sharp political reactions and allegations that the judicial order could disturb communal harmonyJudge Swaminathan had earlier directed that the traditional Karthigai Deepam be lit at the hilltop site during the festival a directive that triggered protests and heightened tensions in and around MaduraiFollowing the order access to the hill was restricted by the police citing law and order concerns further escalating the controversyThe matter remains under legal consideration even as political opposition to the judgeâs decision has intensifiedLeaders from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam DMK the Communist Party of India CPI and other parties within the INDIA alliance held multiple rounds of consultations on the implications of the orderThe issue was subsequently raised in the Parliament where opposition MPs accused the judge of judicial overreach in a sensitive matter involving public order and religious sentimentsA senior Tamil Nadu MP confirmed that the INDIA bloc is now preparing to introduce a formal motion in Parliament seeking the judgeâs removal Under constitutional provisions a removal motion against a High Court judge requires the signatures of at least 100 members of the Lok Sabha and 50 members of the Rajya Sabha before it can be admitted for considerationSources said the DMK has already begun coordinating the collection of signatures from the INDIA bloc MPs in the Lok Sabha marking a significant escalation of the standoff between the judiciary and the opposition allianceThe memorandum submitted to the Speaker is seen as the first formal step in what could become a rare and politically charged impeachment process While opposition parties maintain that the move is necessary to uphold constitutional propriety and social harmony voices from the legal fraternity have cautioned against politicising the judiciaryWith the legal case still pending and parliamentary action gathering momentum the controversy is expected to intensify in the days ahead IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-bloc-initiates-impeachment-move-against-madras-hc-judge-over-thiruparankundram-order-652318.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-free-food-grains-worth-rs-19-935-cr-distributed-under-pm-gkay-in-two-years-652065.html Khajuraho Dec 8 Over the past two years more than 525 crore beneficiaries have received 6637 lakh metric tonnes of free food grains worth Rs 19935 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana in Madhya Pradesh Similarly the state government has paid Rs 2955840 crore as MSP and Rs 1965 crore as bonus to wheat farmers selling during the rabi marketing years 202425 and 202526 the government said on MondayDetails were shared during the review of the progress in the Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department in the past two years under the BJP government in the stateNotably Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has started a special review meeting of all the departments and it will be concluded on Tuesday following which the Council of Ministers will discuss new targets for the next three years in KhajurahoThe review of the Food Civil Supply and Consumer Protection primarily covered the public distribution system procurement processes technological innovations and preparations for Simhastha 2028 according to the governments statementDuring the meeting CM Yadav directed that the benefits of foodgrain distribution must be ensured for every eligible beneficiary in a timely and seamless manner He stressed that the welfare of poor families labourers and farmers is the top priorityThe government shared that a largescale campaign of eKYC and rightful targeting was carried out under which after phased verification more than 34 lakh ineligible beneficiaries were removedThrough this process about 14 lakh beneficiaries from the waiting list were issued new eligibility slips and are now receiving free food grainsSimilarly under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana women beneficiaries have received 61697 lakh LPG refills over the past two years with a total subsidy disbursement of Rs 91132 croreIn the last two years the department has taken several innovative steps including SMS alerts at every stage of stock movement and distribution so that beneficiaries are informed when ration reaches and are issued from fair price shops the government said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-free-food-grains-worth-rs-19-935-cr-distributed-under-pm-gkay-in-two-years-652065.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-digital-economy-is-expanding-twice-at-pace-of-overall-economy-meity-secretary-652067.html Kohima Dec 8 Indiaâs digital economy which accounted for about 67 per cent of the countryâs GDP before 2010 and had doubled by 2014 is now expanding at twice the pace of the overall economy Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology MeitY Secretary S Krishnan said on Monday citing a ministry study Addressing the Nagaland Digital Entrepreneurship and Startup Fest Krishnan highlighted the abundant talent among Naga youth particularly their creativity and English proficiency and emphasised the role of institutions like the National Institute of Electronics amp Information Technology NIELIT in nurturing this potentialOut of 55 NIELIT centres in India he said 20 are located in the Northeast regionThe Nagaland Digital Entrepreneurship and Startup Fest was jointly organised by the NIELIT Kohima and the Department of Information Technology and CommunicationSharing impressions from his first visit to Nagaland Krishnan spoke about witnessing the Hornbill Festival visiting the World WarII Museum at Kisama and paying homage at the Kohima War CemeteryHe reflected on Kohimaâs historic significance and the potential Nagaland holds todayKrishnan noted that the digital economy is expanding at twice the pace of the overall economySpeaking on cyber security he stressed that India cannot depend on foreign technologies in this critical area He described the Cyber Security Lab at NIELIT Kohima as stateoftheart and among the best in the country contributing significantly to cyber policingHe also appreciated the strong impression made by NIELIT Kohima and NIELIT Mokokchung at a recent Artificial Intelligence AI event in New DelhiUnderlining the importance of entrepreneurship Krishnan said startups play a vital role in job creation He expressed hope that more startups and collaborations would emerge from the regionThe official also highlighted the importance of Software Technology Parks of India STPI in mobilising private equity and appreciated the functioning of STPI KohimaHe suggested exploring the possibility of setting up a Software Park due to space constraints at STPI Kohima He urged the state to capitalise on its servicesector potentialAn interactive session with S Krishnan followed during which participants raised various queries During the programme Krishnan launched the Digital Learning and Simulation Hub the Digital Delivery of Statutory Services initiative and the Pulse App an AIpowered news platformThe Conference Report of NCCDFI 2025 was also released The programme featured a presentation of the Nagaland Digital Startup Awards 2025 where Krishnan gave away the prizes to the winnersNagaland governmentâs Commissioner and Secretary PampAR and Power Mohammed Ali Shihab noted that as the state advances through a developmental phase with increasing engagement from development agencies institutions like NIELIT hold an important roleThe event concluded with a panel discussion on Nagalandâs Digital Opportunity From Labs to Scalable Startups IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-digital-economy-is-expanding-twice-at-pace-of-overall-economy-meity-secretary-652067.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-scientific-panel-set-up-for-elephant-translocation-after-recent-deaths-652068.html Chennai Dec 8 The Tamil Nadu government has constituted a highlevel State expert committee to prepare a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure SOP for the capture translocation release and postrelease monitoring of wild elephants and other wildlife species The move follows growing concerns after the death of two translocated elephants in recent months raising questions over the adequacy of the existing protocols In an official release the government reaffirmed its commitment to scientific wildlife conservation humane management of wild animals and public safety It reiterated that translocation is undertaken only as a last resort for mitigating humanwildlife conflict or for protecting human life The recent elephant deaths which are still under investigation triggered a detailed reassessment of prevailing procedures prompting the formation of the expert body The committee will be chaired by A Udhayan Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Director of the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation Other members include Anurag Mishra Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Special Secretary N Vengatesh Prabhu District Forest Officer Gudalur Division K Kalaivanan Forest Veterinary Officer at the Srivilliputhur Megamalai Tiger Reserve Rajesh Forest Veterinary Assistant Surgeon at the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and N Baskaran Assistant Professor at AVC College The panel has also been authorised to coopt additional specialists including behavioural ecologists and Geographic Information System GIS experts should the need arise According to the government the committeeâs mandate includes a detailed review of the recent elephant deaths an evaluation of current translocation protocols against national and international scientific guidelines and the identification of critical gaps that require urgent strengthening The panel has been tasked with formulating a clear detailed and implementable SOP covering every stage of wildlife translocation with special focus on elephants from sedation and transport to release strategies and longterm postrelease monitoring The new framework is expected to improve animal survival rates minimise stress and injury during translocation and enhance conflictmitigation outcomes Significantly the government said the SOP could serve as a model for other States and even at the national level A twomonth deadline has been set for the committee to submit its report along with the draft SOP after which it is expected to be reviewed for statewide implementation IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-scientific-panel-set-up-for-elephant-translocation-after-recent-deaths-652068.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-naidu-asks-nda-leaders-to-participate-in-atal-sandesh-yatra-652324.html Amaravati Dec 9 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday asked leaders of the ruling National Democratic Alliance NDA to participate in Atal SandeshModi Suparipalana good governance Yatra to be organised in the state from December 11 to 25 In a teleconference with NDA ministers MPs MLAs and MLCs Chandrababu Naidu asked them to actively participate in the programme and make it a successHe asked the leaders of TDP Bharatiya Janata Party BJP and Jana Sena to participate in the yatra aimed at spreading former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees message of good governance as part of his birth centenary celebrationsHe congratulated the BJP state executive for its decision to conduct the yatra across the state so that the youth are inspired by the late Prime MinisterStating that Atal Bihari Vajpayee was considered political Bhishma the TDP chief said organising the programme as part of his centenary birth celebrations is a matter of pleasureChandrababu Naidu stated that Vajpayee laid the foundation for good governance in the country and that the policies he implemented sowed the seeds of development in the countryMr Vajpayee was a leader with no enemies and gave the country a leadership that every Indian is proud of he saidThe Chief Minister noted that Vajpayee was born in an ordinary family and achieved the pinnacle of success in life with hard work He was elected to the Lok Sabha nine times and to the Rajya Sabha twice which shows his greatnessHe participated in the Quit India movement at the age of 18 In 1998 he conducted the Pokhran2 nuclear tests to demonstrate Indias power He gave a decisive reply to the enemy in the Kargil War he saidCM Naidu recalled that the Golden Quadrilateral Highway project which came up during Vajpayees tenure changed the countryâs directionI had a personal association with him He helped a lot in the development of the state He was not one to say no to anything asked for by the state He did whatever was useful for the people He took quick decisions in drafting the policies the Chief Minister saidThe TDP leader also mentioned that Vajpayee initiated reforms in the telecommunications and aviation sectorsIf you look at NTR and Vajpayee you can understand what good governance should be like NTR was also a leader with a unique personality He used to always think of doing good for the people he saidCM Naidu said that whether it was a nuclear test then or Sindoor operation now Chaturbhuji Golden Quadrilateral yesterday or Sagarmala today they are all successful programmes under the NDA regimePrime Minister Narendra Modi is also working to make the country number one by 2047 He is inspiring the youth added CM Naidu IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-naidu-asks-nda-leaders-to-participate-in-atal-sandesh-yatra-652324.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/odisha-law-and-order-breaks-down-in-malkangiri-internet-suspended-heavy-forces-deployed-652069.html Bhubaneswar Dec 8 Internet has been suspended in Malkangiri district as the lawandorder situation in the district particularly in MV26 village deteriorated further on Monday following fresh unrest linked to the recovery of a headless body of a woman from the Poteru river near Dudumetla âThis is to inform the general public that internet services will remain suspended across the entire district from 6 PM this evening for the next 24 hoursâ informed the District Collector on the official X handleThe district administration has also imposed prohibitory orders in the locality under Section 163 of the BNSS Act To restore normalcy the Malkangiri Police conducted a flag march The Superintendent of Police Malkangiri Vinodh Patil H has appealed to all residents to remain calm and refrain from any form of violenceNotably more than 5000 tribal people equipped with traditional weapons reportedly assembled at nearby MV25 village with parts of the gathering turning violent Reports said agitating groups began ransacking adding to the tension already prevailing between MV26 and Rakhalguda villagesThe violence is connected to the murder of Lake Padiami a resident of Rakhalguda village whose headless body was recovered from the river about four days ago The victim had earlier been reported missing at the Korukonda police station With the victimâs head yet to be recovered anger among locals continues to mount The protesting tribals alleged that one Suka Ranjan Mandal of MV26 village reportedly murdered the deceased Padiami over a dispute regarding landed propertyEarlier miscreants also allegedly damaged properties and set fire to haystacks and houses in MV26 village significantly worsening the situation on Sunday The ongoing unrest has raised serious concerns over public safety in the area In response the administration has deployed eight platoons of police along with two platoons of BSF to maintain law and order Malkangiri Superintendent of Police Vinodh Patil accompanied by senior police officials is present at the spot and is closely monitoring the situation Police have intensified patrolling and security arrangements in the sensitive villages while investigations into the murder are continuing Authorities have appealed to the public to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement agencies to restore normalcy IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/odisha-law-and-order-breaks-down-in-malkangiri-internet-suspended-heavy-forces-deployed-652069.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/poor-are-being-targeted-while-smugglers-go-free-manjhi-questions-enforcement-of-bihars-prohibition-policy-652325.html Patna Dec 9 Union Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha HAM patron Jitan Ram Manjhi has once again raised serious questions over the implementation of prohibition in Bihar stating that although prohibition itself is beneficial for society flaws in its enforcement are causing widespread injustice He added that while poor people are being targeted liquor smugglers go free Manjhi said that at his request Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar reviewed the prohibition law for the third time acknowledging inconsistencies in its executionâContainer after container of liquor containing millions of litres is being smuggled but the smugglers are never caught Meanwhile poor labourers who drink 50 or 100 grams of alcohol out of exhaustion are subjected to Breathalyzer tests and jailed This is not rightâ Manjhi said while interacting with the media persons in Gaya on TuesdayHe argued that prohibition should not apply harshly to the poorâIf someone is carrying alcohol as medicine for his wife he should not be arrestedâ he said adding that the policy is being misused against vulnerable sectionsManjhi also explained which liquor he considers less harmfulHe said Mahua liquor traditionally prepared by mixing natural herbs and ingredients over several days was once considered beneficialâEarlier it took eight days to prepare Mahua liquor Today it is ready in two hours mixed with harmful substances like sal ammoniac and urea The poor are consuming this and ruining their healthâ he saidThe Union Minister alleged that the elite face no consequences under prohibitionâDoctors MLAs engineers and officials all drink costly liquor They order bottles worth Rs 20000âRs 50000 and drink comfortably after 10 pm There is no transparency in enforcement Big smugglers should be caught but that is not happeningâ he saidHe further alleged that liquor smugglers are not only operating freely but are even contesting and winning electionsManjhi cited an incident from his own village âThere is a police station in my village and a large consignment of liquor was found right next to it It is shocking Will Nitish Kumar come himself to stop thisâHe added that despite being part of the government he would continue to speak the truthâA friend does not give wrong advice I am that friend I hold a mirror to the governmentâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/poor-are-being-targeted-while-smugglers-go-free-manjhi-questions-enforcement-of-bihars-prohibition-policy-652325.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-leader-navjot-kaur-suspended-from-party-for-rs-500-crore-cm-remark-652070.html Chandigarh Dec 8 Punjab Congress leader Navjot Singhâs namesake wife was on Monday suspended from the primary membership of the party for the âRs 500 crore CMâ remark His wife and Congress leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu claimed that it âcosts Rs 500 crore to become Punjab CMâShe was placed under suspension by PPCC chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring Her remark made while asserting that her husband Navjot Singh Sidhu would return to active politics only if the Congress declared him its CM face has triggered sharp political backlashSpeaking to reporters after meeting Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Saturday Kaur said they âspeak only for Punjabâ but lack the kind of money she alleges influences top political appointments âWe do not have Rs 500 crore to give to sit in the chief ministers chair she said adding no one had demanded money from them but âthe one who gives a suitcase of Rs 500 crore becomes the CMâOn former Punjab MLA Kaurâs statement Congress leader Sukhjinder Randhawa said âWhen she joined Congress from the BJP she was later promoted to minister First she mentioned how much money was given to become the number two minister next in line after the Chief Minister After that she was made PCC President and again how much money was givenâJoining the issue state Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema launched a scathing attack on the Congress and the BJP leadership and challenged them to respond immediately to serious allegations of corruption levelled by Navjot Kaur and Sunil Jakhar respectivelyCheema told the media here âI challenge the high command of the Congress and the high command of the BJP Why are you silent Are you silent because you are complicit in this corruption I challenge the Congress and the BJP high commands to answer within 24 hoursâMinister Cheema questioned the silence of both the high commands regarding leaders who have switched allegiance but whose past actions and statements expose deeprooted corruptionHe recalled that the current Punjab BJP President who was formerly the Punjab Congress President served while two Chief Ministers Amarinder Singh allegedly became CM for Rs 500 crore according to Navjot Kaur and Charanjit Singh Channi allegedly became CM following a Rs 350 crore deal as claimed by Sunil Jakhar were in powerThe Minister questioned why Jakhar remained silent while he was in the Congress witnessing the selling of ministerial posts and Assembly seats and only spoke up after joining the BJP He also pointed out the case of Channiâs relative from whom nearly Rs 10 crore was recovered a matter that is subjudice IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-leader-navjot-kaur-suspended-from-party-for-rs-500-crore-cm-remark-652070.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mud-huts-to-concrete-homes-pmay-brings-stability-to-chhattisgarhs-village-652072.html Gariaband Dec 8 Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana PMAY is proving to be no less than a boon for rural regions of Chhattisgarh A clear impact of this scheme can be seen in Sarkada village located in Chhura block of Gariaband district Here a large number of villagers have moved out of mud houses and now live in safe permanent homes Residents say the scheme launched by the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has transformed their livesBeneficiaries in Sarkada village said that their earlier homes were made of mud resembling temporary huts During the monsoon water seeped through the roofs and there was a constant fear of snakes and scorpions Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana they received Rs 120000 for house construction and an additional Rs 21000 as labour support With this financial assistance they have now built permanent houses and are living safelyExpressing their happiness to IANS villagers said they finally have strong and secure homes of their own Earlier they constantly feared theft snakes and scorpions and the possibility of their houses collapsing during heavy rains But after the construction of their new homes they can now focus on their daily work without worryVillage Sarpanch Kirti Lata Diwan said that almost all eligible families in the village are receiving the benefits of PMAY She added that the central governmentâs scheme has turned the dreams of poor families into reality Many who had never imagined owning a permanent house are today living happily and safely in their new homesAnother beneficiary shared âWe used to live in a mud house We never believed that we would ever stay in a proper concrete house But because of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana it became possibleâThe villageâs Aawas Mitra informed that a total of 120 houses have been sanctioned in Sarkada out of which 104 have already been completed He added that the government transfers the amount of Rs 120000 directly into the beneficiaryâs bank account in three instalments ensuring transparency and timely completion of constructionAnother resident mentioned that to build the house better he contributed some additional amount from his own savings Now that his permanent home is complete he is extremely happy âThis was possible because of Prime Minister Modiâs scheme I thank him from the bottom of my heartâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mud-huts-to-concrete-homes-pmay-brings-stability-to-chhattisgarhs-village-652072.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/scientists-students-responsible-for-promoting-innovations-manohar-lal-652074.html Chandigarh Dec 8 Union Minister for Power Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal on Monday addressed a panel discussion on âNew Age Technologies Vision 2047â on the third day of the India International Science Festival IISF in Panchkula He emphasised that it is now the responsibility of scientists and students to promote new technologies and innovations and to implement them for the greater good of society Manohar Lal expressed his delight that the India International Science Festival is being held in Panchkula allowing everyone to witness the event firsthand He said that Haryana had previously hosted the festival in Faridabad He further stated that the objective of the festival is to bring academia and industry together on a single platform fostering better coordination between them He said science has made tremendous progress in recent years noting that thanks to scientific advancements the world now feels much smaller âThrough telecommunications we can communicate using both wired and wireless technologies and even see people located anywhere in the world We are now entering the era of artificial intelligence AI which is regarded as a key technology of the future Effective solutions to many problems can be achieved by using AI tools correctlyâ he said He urged scientists to use AI responsibly and for the benefit of society so that its full potential can be harnessed meaningfully The Union Minister stated that AI is being utilised across all sectors today with special emphasis on its application in the energy sector He said AI can play a crucial role in smart metering and in operating electrical equipment as needed which can result in significant cost reductions In addition to the energy sector he highlighted the importance of AI in the housing sector Using AI houses can be designed to remain comfortably warm in winter and cool in summer demonstrating their potential to enhance efficiency and living standards Manohar Lal stated that the government of India has launched a Rs 1 lakh crore research development and innovation RDI fund a major initiative to promote private sector research and development in strategic and emerging technology areas such as AI quantum computing clean energy and biotechnology The fund aims to position India as a global innovation hub by financing deeptech projects and fostering selfreliance with professional fund managers overseeing it under the National Research Foundation NRF He added that India is now rapidly moving beyond 5G in communication technology advancing towards 6G On this occasion Manohar Lal also responded to questions from students In reply to a question about Haryana he said the state is making rapid progress in the field of science and technology and highlighted that special encouragement is being provided for innovation and research in its educational institutions Earlier he also visited the science exhibition IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/scientists-students-responsible-for-promoting-innovations-manohar-lal-652074.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/audit-follow-up-delhi-assembly-speaker-reviews-action-taken-on-cag-reports-652075.html New Delhi Dec 8 Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta said on Monday that incomplete or informal replies in response to audit comments were posing challenges in audit followup and preventing the Public Accounts Committee PAC from carrying out its work efficiently He was speaking at a meeting held with senior officials to assess the status of action taken on reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India ahead of the Assemblyâs Winter Session likely to begin in the third week of this monthThe Speaker observed that the adoption of the Audit Para Monitoring System APMS in the Delhi Assembly marks a significant step towards transparency procedural discipline and a more accountable audit followup mechanismâThe APMS is now fully operational within the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi and Delhi is arguably the first State Assembly in the country to implement such a comprehensive realtime audit monitoring portalâ said GuptaDuring the meeting the challenges in audit followup were discussed extensively It was noted that many replies uploaded by departments were not in the prescribed form and therefore could not be placed before the PAC said a statementGupta expressed concern while examining the status on the portal which showed that 142 audit paragraphs had been uploaded by various departments while only 30 Action Taken Notes had been submittedHe noted that such pendency is unsatisfactory and stressed that timely and complete responses are essential for enabling the Public Accounts Committee to discharge its mandate effectivelyThe Speaker stressed that incomplete or informal replies cannot be considered valid Action Taken Notes and must be returned for correctionThe remedial measures required to strengthen the audit response were also reviewed The Speaker directed that all departments must submit corrected and properly formatted Action Taken Notes within three weeksGupta instructed the Assembly Secretariat to circulate uniform guidelines specifying the required format signing authority and the way replies must address individual audit commentsThe Speaker directed that a comprehensive demonstration of APMS be organised so that the system is well understood at all levels and so that officers accessing the portal are thoroughly familiar with its features thereby expediting their processesHe noted that proper training strict adherence to the prescribed format and timely response to audit comments are essential for enabling the Public Accounts Committee to carry out its work efficientlyThe meeting was attended by Ajay Mahawar Chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts Gajender Drall Chairperson of the Committee on Government Undertakings Aman Deep Chatha Accountant General Audit Government of India Shurbir Singh Secretary Finance Government of NCT of Delhi senior officers of the Finance Department and officers of the Directorate of AuditA detailed presentation was given at the meeting on the functioning of APMS illustrating how the portal records each stage of an audit paragraph captures comments issued by the audit office tracks departmental replies reflects delays and provides complete realtime visibility of pendency and complianceThe APMS is a digital platform developed by the Ministry of Finance Expenditure Department and conceptualised by the Controller General of Accounts based on the Public Accounts Committees guidelinesThe system enables endtoend monitoring of audit paragraphs Action Taken Notes and Action Taken Replies It displays the original audit observation the deficiencies identified by the audit the comments recorded at each stage the responses uploaded by departments the acceptance or return of replies and the statutory timelines for finalisation IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/audit-follow-up-delhi-assembly-speaker-reviews-action-taken-on-cag-reports-652075.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/stalin-assures-landslide-return-for-dmk-in-2026-polls-calls-on-party-cadres-for-booth-level-push-652076.html Chennai Dec 8 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President MK Stalin on Monday exuded confidence that the party would return to power with an emphatic mandate asserting that its grassroots strength would decisively shape the electoral outcome In his address at a virtual meeting of DMK district secretaries titled My Polling Station â A Winning Polling Station Stalin underlined the importance of boothlevel organisation as the partyâs core election strategy He said that the DMKâs political structure at the pollingstation level must be deployed with discipline and precision to convert public support into electoral victory Lauding the ongoing efforts connected to the Special Intensive Revision SIR of electoral rolls the Chief Minister commended party workers and volunteers for their relentless commitment They are working without regard for hunger sleep or family life to safeguard the peopleâs voting rights Their dedication is the foundation of our democratic strength he said While expressing confidence in favourable political conditions Stalin cautioned party members against complacency Even if victory appears certain we must never underestimate our opponents Every cadre must continue to work with the same intensity until the very last momentâ he emphasised The Chief Minister also alleged that central investigative and regulatory agencies were being used as political tools to destabilise the DMK government He claimed that institutions such as the Central Bureau of Investigation Enforcement Directorate the Income Tax Department and even the Election Commission of India were being misused to obstruct the partyâs path to reelection They spread lies every single day and try to create false narratives through distorted images and misinformation Our responsibility is to counter this by using our organisational strength effectively and truthfully Stalin told the district secretaries Reiterating his call for unwavering commitment the Chief Minister said he expected every DMK member to work tirelessly matching his own pace and dedication Our strength lies in collective effort From the state leadership to the last boothlevel worker everyone must function with the same burning sense of purpose he said The meeting is seen as part of the DMKâs early mobilisation drive aimed at consolidating its organisational machinery well ahead of the next Assembly elections With a renewed focus on booth management voter outreach and narrative control the DMK leadership appears determined to convert administrative performance and political mobilisation into another decisive victory at the hustings IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/stalin-assures-landslide-return-for-dmk-in-2026-polls-calls-on-party-cadres-for-booth-level-push-652076.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-govt-steps-up-efforts-to-stop-women-children-fleeing-reform-homes-652332.html Nagpur Dec 9 Maharashtra minister of women and child welfare Aditi Tatkare on Tuesday told the state council that the government is working sensitively to prevent girls and women from running away from reform homes Priority is being given to take necessary measures for this She was responding to a question by BJP legislator Chitra Wagh regarding the escape of girls due to lapses in the security and management of women and childrens reform hostels in MaharashtraMinister Tatkare said that the safety of inmates of such hostels has been given a priority âCurrently the rate of escape of children from reform homes is 029 per cent and that of women is three per cent Special efforts will be made to bring the rate of escape from reform homes to zero per cent For this instructions have been given to provide proper training to the employees filled through external mechanisms Action will be taken within a month to fill the postsâ she addedGiving more information about the incident at Shanti Sadan hostel in Ulhasnagar Minister Tatkare said that a total of 12 women were admitted to the hostel and ran away âOut of them three were from Bangladesh one from Bihar one from Gujarat one from West Bengal and six from Maharashtra Although the hostel has a capacity of 100 only 21 women were living there at that time One security guard and one female police officer were deployed in the security arrangements According to the FIR the admitted women beat up both the security personnel locked them and escaped by crossing a sixfoot high wall This entire incident can be seen in the CCTVâ she addedOf the 12 women who escaped 11 were rescued from various places in the KalyanDombivli area and admitted to the hostel under the Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act ITPA One woman was admitted from the Thane area All the women were between the ages of 19 and 50âA proposal to increase the height of the wall to increase the security in the hostel in Ulhasnagar has been sent to the District Planning Committee A detailed meeting will be held regarding the security facilities and staff recruitment in the hostel Also necessary measures will be taken to prevent such incidents from happening again There are 12 sanctioned posts in the hostel seven of which are filled and five are vacant Four persons appointed through external mechanisms are workingâ said Minister TatkareShe further announced that the department has requested for the deployment of more police force for security arrangements IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-govt-steps-up-efforts-to-stop-women-children-fleeing-reform-homes-652332.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 17:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/do-not-use-ecis-logo-in-news-related-to-local-body-polls-maha-ceo-652334.html Mumbai Dec 9 The office of the Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer CEO S Chockalingam on Tuesday instructed the media not to use the Election Commission of Indias logo in news related to local body elections The polling for 264 local bodies during the first phase took place on December 2 while for the remaining it is slated for December 20 Counting will be taken up on December 21It has come to notice that some media reports concerning elections to local selfgovernment bodies in the state have used symbols related to the Election Commission of India visuals of its buildings or photographs of the Chief Electoral Officer Media should not use the ECI logo in local body elections said the office of the CEO in a statementThe Office of the Chief Electoral Officer stated that the responsibility of conducting Parliamentary Legislative Assembly and PresidentialâVicePresidential elections lies with the Election Commission of India and Chief Electoral Officers are appointed in the states to handle this workOn the other hand as per Articles 243K and 243ZA of the Constitution the supervision conduct direction and control of elections to local selfgovernment bodies rest with the State Election CommissionIn Maharashtra retired Principal Secretary Dinesh Waghmare is serving as the State Election Commissioner Since the jurisdictions of the two Commissions are separate and independent the Chief Electoral Officers office has clarified that using the logo officials buildings or similar visuals of the Election Commission of India in news reports related to local selfgovernment elections is incorrect said the statementThe Chief Electoral Officers office has also appealed to the media to promptly correct such errors in reports related to the State Election Commission and remove the concerned videos from social mediaIn the first phase of nagar parishads and nagar panchayat elections 6763 per cent polling was recorded according to the Maharashtra State Election Commission SEC The polling was marred by clashes IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/do-not-use-ecis-logo-in-news-related-to-local-body-polls-maha-ceo-652334.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 17:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indigo-is-back-on-its-feet-says-ceo-pieter-elbers-652335.html New Delhi Dec 9 IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said on Tuesday that the airlineâs operations have stabilised after days of widespread flight disruptions that left passengers stranded at major airports nationwide as the lowcost carriers planes were grounded due to an acute shortage of pilots under the new flight duty limitation norms Elbers claimed in a statement on X that âIndiGo is back on its feetâ with efforts to restore the network progressing on a âwar footingâHe said the airline is now flying more than 1800 flights a day restoring its full network of 138 destinations âAs of December 9 our operations are fully stabilisedâ the CEO remarkedElbers further stated that IndiGo has âstarted to focus internally on what led to the issueâ indicating a deeper review of processes and resource planningThe Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA has ordered IndiGo to reduce its daily flight schedule by 5 per cent It also directed the airline to share its revised schedule by 5 pm on December 10âIndiGo has not demonstrated the ability to operate its schedules efficientlyâ the DGCA order said It added that 64346 flights were approved for IndiGo in November but the airline flew only 59438 flights cancelling 951 flightsMeanwhile Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that the operations of lowcost carrier IndiGo are stabilising and all other airlines continue to operate smoothly across the countrySpeaking on the floor of the Lower House the minister said âAirports across the country are reporting normal conditions with no crowding or distressâHe further stated that DGCA has issued showcause notices to IndiGos senior leadership and commenced a detailed enforcement investigation Based on the report strict and appropriate action will be takenâNo airline however large will be permitted to cause such hardship to passengers through planning failures noncompliance the minister assured the HouseNaidu also made it clear that the revised pilot and crew rostering rules were nonnegotiableâRefunds for flights cancelled between December 5 to 15 baggage tracing and passenger support measures remain under the supervision of the Ministry of Civil Aviationâ the minister addedHe explained that as part of the measures to tackle the crisis âIndiGo was ordered to issue refunds promptly and as informed by them more than â¹750 crore has already reached the passengersâ Naidu said in the lower houseThe minister further stated that IndiGo assured full compliance with the flight duty norms and confirmed its preparedness for the winter schedule underlining that safety in civil aviation is completely nonnegotiable IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indigo-is-back-on-its-feet-says-ceo-pieter-elbers-652335.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 17:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bihar-dy-cm-samrat-choudhary-orders-major-traffic-overhaul-crackdown-on-rule-violators-652080.html Patna Dec 8 Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Samrat Choudhary has issued strict directives to overhaul the states traffic management system In a highlevel review meeting held on Monday he instructed officials to adopt strong systematic measures to reduce congestion and ensure smooth movement across Bihar Samrat Choudhary emphasised the need to enhance the efficiency of traffic personnel and directed officials to establish a dedicated Traffic Training InstituteHe said that scientific and modern training is essential to improve onground traffic managementThe Deputy Chief Minister instructed officials to increase the traffic police force and take strict action against habitual traffic rule violators He underscored that zero tolerance would be shown towards those who continuously break traffic rulesTo tackle the growing problem of illegal parking he ordered the deployment of private cranes in addition to departmental cranes These cranes will be used extensively to clear encroachments and ensure seamless vehicle movement in urban areasA major directive included establishing traffic command and control centres outside Patna Junction and other railway stations as well as at busy intersections and congested areas statewide He also instructed the Panchayati Raj and Urban Development Departments to install CCTV cameras at all entry and exit points of municipalities and panchayatsSamrat Choudhary stressed the need for a largescale traffic awareness campaign in schools colleges panchayats and urban bodies to promote responsible behaviour among citizensThe Deputy Chief Minister reiterated that ensuring a smooth safe and organized traffic system is among the governmentâs top priorities He said that stringent measures will be implemented at every level to address congestion and improve road safety statewideAfter Samrat Choudhary took over the charge as the Home Minister of Bihar postelection he has been in action mode and taking regular meetings with the department officers to improve law and order and traffic management in Bihar IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bihar-dy-cm-samrat-choudhary-orders-major-traffic-overhaul-crackdown-on-rule-violators-652080.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-group-invested-rs-10-000-crore-in-telangana-keen-on-more-projects-karan-adani-652081.html Hyderabad Dec 8 The Adani Group has invested Rs 10000 crores in Telangana during the last three years and looks forward to doing more projects in the state Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd APSEZ Managing Director Karan Adani said on Monday Addressing the Telangana Rising Global Summit at the upcoming Bharat Future City near here he said the Adani Group has so far invested nearly Rs 10000 crore in building infrastructure and manufacturing facilities and has contributed to the employment generation of more than 7000 peopleThe platform reflects the ambition and confidence with which Telangana is shaping its future Karan Adani saidUnder the leadership of Chief Minister Mr Revanth Reddy Telangana is experiencing clarity of vision and purpose that is rare in Indian public life Your focus on transparent governance rapid decisionmaking and longterm economic planning has created an environment where industries like ours can think boldly and invest with confidence he saidWhat stands out most is your commitment to building a state thatâs not just growing but growing with quality innovation and sustainability talent development and global competitiveness go handinhand he addedHe noted that over the last few years the Adani Group forged a strong and growing relationship with the state of Telangana In line with our earlier commitments we have initiated investments in sectors such as defence manufacturing green data centres renewable energy projects and cement manufacturing facilities across the state he saidKaran Adani mentioned that with the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat the Adani Group has developed a leading defence and aerospace park in Hyderabad This stateoftheart facility is the first UAV manufacturing facility in the country where longendurance UAVs are manufactured The UAVs manufactured at this facility are supplied to both the Indian armed forces and also cater to the global market Today it provides direct employment to more than 1500 youth and supports many more livelihoods in its wider ecosystemâHe stated that in the area of digital infrastructure the Adani Group is setting up a 48 megawatt green data centre in Telangana with an investment of Rs 2500 crore This facility will be at the forefront of cuttingedge AI cloud technology and highperformance computing and will play a crucial role in meeting the needs of rapidly digitising IndiaHe noted that in the last few years Telangana witnessed tremendous growth in capital infrastructure and logistic infrastructureThe Adani Group has played an important role in building road infrastructure that connects different parts of the state making logistics more efficient and positioning Telangana at the forefront of a logistics gateway With the total investment of Rs 4000 crore in road infrastructure the Adani Group has built over 100 km of highways connecting key districts such as Mancherial Suryapet Kodad and Khammamâ he saidHe also revealed that to support Telanganaâs rapid infrastructure growth Adani Cements has invested Rs 2000 crore to establish stateoftheart cement manufacturing facilities with a combined capacity of seven million tonnes per annum IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-group-invested-rs-10-000-crore-in-telangana-keen-on-more-projects-karan-adani-652081.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/italian-deputy-pm-tajani-to-visit-india-hold-talks-with-eam-jaishankar-652337.html New Delhi Dec 9 Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani will arrive here on Wednesday for a threeday official visit to India During his visit Tajani will hold talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi on Wednesday He will travel to Mumbai and attend official engagements on Thursday according to a media advisory issued by the Ministry of External Affairs MEATajani is scheduled to depart from Mumbai on Friday after concluding his engagements in IndiaOn November 23 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni held talks on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in South Africas Johannesburg and discussed deepening bilateral ties across various sectors including trade investment defence innovation AI space and educationFollowing the meeting PM Modi in a post on X wrote Had a very good meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni The IndiaItaly Strategic Partnership is growing from strength to strength greatly benefitting the people of our nationsIn another post on X PM Modi said We discussed further advancing our cooperation in sectors such as trade investment defence innovation AI space and educationIndia and Italy are announcing a Joint Initiative for cooperation in combating financing of terrorism This is a necessary and timely effort which will strengthen humanityâs fight against terrorism and its support networks he addedEarlier in September Jaishankar met Tajani on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly UNGA in New York and discussed bilateral ties developments in the Mediterranean Middle East Ukraine and IndoPacificDiplomatic ties between India and Italy were established in 1947 India and Italy celebrated the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2023 The two countries enjoy a strong peopletopeople connect with a large Indian diaspora according to the MEA Italy is Indias fourth largest trading partner in the European Union after Germany Belgium and the Netherlands IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/italian-deputy-pm-tajani-to-visit-india-hold-talks-with-eam-jaishankar-652337.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 17:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gangster-demands-rs-5-crore-extortion-from-patna-builder-fir-lodged-652082.html Patna Dec 8 A major extortion case has surfaced in Patna where a gangster has allegedly demanded Rs 5 crore from a prominent city builder The accused in the case is the infamous policemanturnedgangster Lali Singh alias Ved Nidhi known for his criminal activities after being dismissed from the Bihar PoliceAn FIR in this regard has been registered at Rupaspur police station The Rupaspur SHO confirmed that the FIR was lodged on December 6 and the matter is currently under investigationAccording to the FIR filed by the builder he received a call at 810 pm on December 4 2025When he asked for the callerâs identity the person introduced himself as Lali Singh alias Ved NidhiThe victim stated that the caller asked him whether he was purchasing land on the Rupaspur Canal from a person named Vivek alias Chhotu When the builder confirmed that the land registration was scheduled for the next day the caller allegedly demanded Rs 5 crore as extortionOn refusing to pay the builder said he was threatened with dire consequences He said that the way Deepak Mahato was gunned down in Digha he would carry out a similar attack on the builder and his partnerThe caller also allegedly said âDonât take this as a mere threat If you wish check my criminal historyâWhen the builder warned that he would inform the police the caller reportedly replied âI was a police officer myselfâHe then demanded either Rs 5 crore or that half of the land be registered in his name threatening action within two days if the demand was not metLali Singh alias Ved Nidhi a former Bihar Police officer later became an officebearer in the Bihar Police Menâs Association and was accused of conducting robberies while wearing a police uniformHe was dismissed from service over criminal allegations His name also appeared in the highprofile Deepak Mahato murder case in DanapurPatna Police have begun probing the call the extortion demand and the criminal activities linked to Ved NidhiOfficials said further action will be taken based on evidence collected during the investigation IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gangster-demands-rs-5-crore-extortion-from-patna-builder-fir-lodged-652082.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/no-electricity-or-water-connection-to-new-illegal-constructions-on-kolkatas-wetlands-calcutta-hc-652338.html Kolkata Dec 9 The Calcutta High Court has ordered that no new illegal construction will be allowed to be connected to electricity or water sources in the court said on Tuesday The High Court is strict on illegal construction by encroaching on wetlandsRecently a case was filed in the High Court opposing illegal construction by encroaching on wetlands in east Kolkata Justice Amrita Sinhas clear order in that case was that no new illegal construction would be allowed to be connected to electricity or waterThe court also directed that the authorities can take legal action against illegal construction as per the East Kolkata Wetlands Conservation and Management Act 2006While hearing the plea opposing illegal construction by encroaching on wetlands in East Kolkata Justice Sinha made strict observations At the same time the judge further ordered that the land mark numbers of the reserved land in the wetland area should be published on the authoritys website and in newspapersIn addition the High Court also said that the land marks and numbers of all the lands on which construction is prohibited in the wetland area should be posted on the East Kolkata Wetlands Authoritys websiteNot only that it is also been directed that information regarding this should be published in English and regional newspapers The court also ordered that a report must be submitted in this regard The steps taken regarding the illegal construction have to be mentioned in detail in that report The case will be heard again on February 23 next year It has been directed to submit the report on this matter on the same dayFor several years there have been widespread allegations of illegal construction being taken up by encroaching wetlands in eastern part of Kolkata These rampant illegal constructions over wetlands have also effected the drainage system of the city Rain water which used to be drained into these wetlands on the eastern part of Kolkata flows back to the city resulting in waterlogging IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/no-electricity-or-water-connection-to-new-illegal-constructions-on-kolkatas-wetlands-calcutta-hc-652338.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 17:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ex-bengal-education-minister-partha-chatterjee-hospitalised-after-bathroom-fall-652084.html Kolkata Dec 8 Former West Bengal Education Minister and suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Partha Chatterjee has been admitted to a hospital after he sustained an injury from falling in the bathroom of his Naktala residence in south Kolkata sources in his family said on Monday Last month Chatterjee returned home after being released from judicial custody after three years three months and 19 days Although he had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital on the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass in Kolkata for the last eight months it is learnt that he was recently admitted to the hospital again for treatmentSources in his family said Chatterjee injured his left hand after falling in the bathroom last weekChatterjees family doctor was quickly called to the houseThe doctor who arrived at the house administered initial treatment to Chatterjees injury But on Friday when the pain in his hand increased the family doctor advised him to be admitted to the hospital again Following his advice the former Education Minister was admitted to the hospital on the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass again on FridayAccording to Chatterjees family sources doctors have performed an Xray of his handAlthough his left hand is seriously injured his hand is not broken However the doctors want to keep him under observation in the hospital Therefore Chatterjee will not be discharged from the hospital right away as he will have to stay in the hospital for a few more daysIncidentally after returning home on November 11 Partha Chatterjee met his followers publicly for the first two days and also made a lot of statements in the mediaHe had said that he wanted to attend the winter session of the West Bengal Assembly He will also seek justice from the people of his assembly constituency Behala WestAs a strategy to seek justice he had published an open letter to the people of Behala Paschim constituency from where he was elected to the Assembly He also sent letters to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee state president of the party Subrata Bakshi and Trinamool AllIndia General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee raising questions about his suspensionHowever for some unknown reason Chatterjee completely withdrawn himself since November 13He has not even visited his Assembly constituency let alone meeting his followersMeanwhile a special CBI court expressed its strong dissatisfaction over Chatterjees absence from the hearing of the case recently and said that such negligence will not be tolerated The court also ordered that Partha must be present at the next hearing Along with this the court also ordered to keep a close watch on whether his bail conditions have been fulfilled IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ex-bengal-education-minister-partha-chatterjee-hospitalised-after-bathroom-fall-652084.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tiruppurakundram-contempt-case-madras-hc-directs-tn-chief-secy-adgp-to-appear-on-dec-17-652340.html Chennai Dec 9 The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday directed the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary and the Additional Director General of Police ADGP to appear through video conference on December 17 in connection with a contempt of court petition linked to the lighting of Karthigai Deepam atop the Thiruparankundram hill The order was passed by Justice G R Swaminathan while hearing a contempt plea filed over the nonimplementation of his earlier directive to permit the lighting of the ceremonial lamp at the Deebathun Pillar site on the hill during the recent Karthigai Deepam festival The controversy arose after the Tamil Nadu government led by the DMK declined to implement the single judgeâs order citing law and order concerns Following this Ram Ravikumar founder of the Hindu Tamil Party filed a contempt petition against the Madurai District Collector the Police Commissioner and the templeâs Executive Officer for failing to carry out the courtâs directions Earlier the state government had moved the Supreme Court of India challenging the single judgeâs order However the appeal is yet to be taken up for hearing When the contempt petition came up for hearing again on Tuesday Additional Advocate General Ravindran along with senior advocates Veerakathiravan and Vikas Singh appeared for the state The government submitted that since the matter was pending before the Supreme Court the High Court should wait for the outcome of the appeal The state argued that the appeal concerns the correctness of the order itself and questioned how interim compliance could be insisted upon when the legality of the direction was under challenge It further contended that templerelated actions cannot be mandated arbitrarily and that the issue also involved serious law and order considerations Rejecting the plea for adjournment on that ground Justice Swaminathan observed that the question before the court was why the earlier order was not implemented In his afternoon order he directed the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary and the ADGP to appear via video conference on December 17 The judge also ordered that the Union Home Ministry be impleaded as a respondent in the case Further the Madurai Deputy Police Commissioner was directed to file a detailed explanation on the steps taken and the reasons for noncompliance with the original court order The case is expected to come up for further hearing next week IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tiruppurakundram-contempt-case-madras-hc-directs-tn-chief-secy-adgp-to-appear-on-dec-17-652340.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 17:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-govt-schools-to-get-robotics-labs-as-state-rolls-out-hands-on-stem-training-652085.html Chennai Dec 8 Students studying in Classes 6 to 9 in government schools across Tamil Nadu will soon learn the basics of electronics robotics and drone operations through handson experiments as the School Education Department launches a new robotics education initiative to strengthen STEM learning at an early age As part of a pilot programme 15 robotics laboratories are being set up across an equal number of districts to spark student interest in science technology engineering and mathematicsThe syllabus for the new course is being prepared by the State Council for Educational Research and Training SCERT in collaboration with Anna University which is also serving as the knowledge partner for the projectAccording to a senior official from the department the course structure will be heavily practical in nature with 90 per cent of the sessions devoted to experiments and projects and only 10 per cent to classroom theoryStudents will perform 10 carefully designed experiments during the course covering realworld applications of electronics robotics and basic scientific principles Each student will receive two hours a week of dedicated lab timeEach robotics lab is being established at a cost of Rs 40 lakh and will be equipped with 11 types of advanced kits including robotics STEM workstations design and prototype virtual labs multifunctional robotics kits and a smart dustbin programmeApart from robotics students will also be introduced to foundational concepts in physics and electronics using reallife problemsolving modelsAt the end of the programme Anna University will conduct practical assessments and students who successfully complete the course will receive certificates issued by the universityThe robotics labs were originally planned under the centrally sponsored Samagra Shiksha scheme with a proposal to establish such facilities in 38 schools across all districts However the Union government later withheld the approved funds citing differences with the state over the threelanguage formula linked to PM SHRI schoolsFollowing this setback the Tamil Nadu government decided to fully fund the initiative on its own and implement it in phasesIn the first phase robotics labs are being set up in 15 districts including Chennai Kancheepuram Kanyakumari Pudukkottai Vellore Salem Thoothukudi Tirupathur Tiruvarur Dharmapuri Tiruchirappalli Kallakurichi Coimbatore Sivaganga and VirudhunagarAfter the syllabus and textbooks are finalised formal student training in these labs will begin marking a major step toward integrating futureready skills into government school education IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-govt-schools-to-get-robotics-labs-as-state-rolls-out-hands-on-stem-training-652085.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/private-equity-venture-capital-deals-count-reach-decade-high-of-1-761-in-2025-report-652341.html Mumbai Dec 9 Private equity and venture capital PEVC investments in India have surged to their highest levels in a decade with financial sponsors executing 1761 deals between January and November this year a report said on Tuesday The development signals renewed confidence in the countryâs longterm growth potential which surpassed the previous record of 1726 deals in 2021India has consistently recorded over 1000 PEVC deals every year for the past 10 years underlining the depth and maturity of its investment ecosystem Equirus Capital said in its reportAlongside the rise in deal count investment value has also climbed significantlyCalendar year 2025 to date has recorded 34 billion in PEVC investmentsâa 54 per cent increase over the 22 billion deployed in 2024 the report notedThis momentum is attributed not only to more deals but also to the rise in average deal size which grew from 344 million in 2024 to 416 million in 2025According to the report the number of PEVC investments stood at 1397 1364 in 2015 and 2016 respectively The numbers dropped sharply to 1073 and 1031 in 2017 and 2018 respectively However the investment picked up momentum in 2019 and 2020 with 1157 and 1130 deals respectivelyCalendar 2025 has already seen a 50 per cent jump in investments made by PEVC funds in the first 11 months as compared to the whole of calendar 2024 said Bhavesh Shah Managing Director and Head Investment Banking Equirus CapitalWith large new funds being raised by PE firms on the back of record exits in previous funds we believe India has shown its resilience as a market that offers financial investors multiple viable routes for exit once they have managed to scale up and grow their investee companies he addedSmaller deals continue to dominate activity with transactions up to 10 million accounting for over 30 per cent of total deal volume over the last five yearsMidmarket deals between 10â25 million and 25â50 million have expanded their share significantlyâfrom over 20 per cent in 2020 to over 40 per cent in 2025 so far reflecting investor appetite for scalable earlygrowth opportunities the report highlightedThe IT and consumer discretionary sectors remain the biggest beneficiaries attracting over 50 per cent of total PEVC investments in 2025 both by value and volumeTheir dominance underscores Indiaâs digital transformation and rising domestic consumption the report highlighted IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/private-equity-venture-capital-deals-count-reach-decade-high-of-1-761-in-2025-report-652341.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 17:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-l-g-says-nation-will-always-remain-indebted-to-soldiers-652086.html Jammu Dec 8 Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said on Monday that the nation will always remain indebted to soldiers for the sacrifices they have made LG Sinha also interacted with veterans of the Armed Forces at Lok Bhavan Jammu He expressed gratitude to the Armed Forces and paid tributes to the martyrs He stated that the nation will always remain indebted to the sacrifices made by the soldiersThe Lieutenant Governor made generous contributions towards the Armed Forces Flag Day FundHe said the Armed Forces Flag Day which was observed on December 7 2025 reminds the citizens of the nation that the wellbeing of the Armed Forces personnel is the collective responsibility of the nation and every individual must contribute to support the Armed Forces who safeguard the integrity of the nationThe Lieutenant Governor appealed to the people to contribute towards the Armed Forces Flag Day FundHe said that the fund will be used for the welfare of service personnel their families and exservicemen and their familiesBrig Pankaj Chib Retd Director Sainik Welfare Department Chandraker Bharti Principal Secretary Home veterans and officials of Sainik Welfare Department including Col BS Sambyal Retd Col Manjit Singh Bhau Retd Wg Cdr Tirath Singh Retd Capt IN Kapil Sharma Retd Tanvir Singh Pawan Anand Jagbir Singh Subash Chander and Ms Anshu Dogra were presentThe LG earlier laid foundation for the houses being made for those who suffered during Operation Sindoor due to the shelling from Pakistan He said the Human Resources Development Society HRDS has signed an MoU on Monday undertaking to build these houses for those whose dwellings were destroyed by Pakistan shelling on civilian facilities in Jammu and KashmirThe LG also announced that every family of these affected persons would be provided healthcare insurance cover and modern facilities in the houses made for themHe said an elaborate relief package has been submitted to the Centre for relief of flood victims and their rehabilitation remains top priority for the government IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-l-g-says-nation-will-always-remain-indebted-to-soldiers-652086.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-govt-appoints-administrators-as-panchayat-chiefs-term-ends-652087.html Jaipur Dec 8 The Rajasthan government has initiated a major administrative step as the tenure of Panchayat Samiti Pradhans and Zila Parishad chiefs begins to expire across the state Instead of extending the terms or appointing existing leaders as administrators the government has decided that SubDivisional Magistrates SDMs will take charge of Panchayat Samitis while District Collectors will serve as administrators of District CouncilsAccording to orders issued by the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department SDMs will be appointed in all Panchayat Samitis whose terms are ending by December 11 with District Collectors given the discretion to decide which officer will oversee each area A total of 222 Panchayat Samitis in 21 districts including Udaipur Tonk Rajsamand and Sikar are set to complete their terms this month Earlier the government had appointed Divisional Commissioners as administrators after the expiry of terms in Jaipur Jodhpur and Kota Municipal CorporationsMeanwhile District Collectors will assume charge in districts such as Jaisalmer Ajmer Banswara Churu Hanumangarh Jhalawar Jalore and others This move marks a departure from the previous policy in which outgoing Sarpanches were appointed as administrators after elections were delayed in several Panchayats and temporary committees were formed to continue governance Panchayat Samiti Pradhans had demanded an extension similar to Sarpanches and raised the matter with the Panchayati Raj Minister and the Chief Minister but the government rejected the request and reinstated the earlier procedure of appointing administrative officers The new system will remain in place until fresh elections are conducted IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-govt-appoints-administrators-as-panchayat-chiefs-term-ends-652087.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-bjp-announces-massive-farmers-protest-gherao-of-suvarna-soudha-652088.html Belagavi Karnataka Dec 8 Karnataka unit BJP President and MLA BY Vijayendra announced that farmers will hold a massive protest on Tuesday December 9 morning and gherao the Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi Speaking to the media after visiting the protest venue Malini City Ground on Monday Vijayendra said MLAs from Belagavi district MLCs and farmers from Belagavi and surrounding districts will participate in the protestResponding to a question he said at least 2025000 people will participate in the protestHe criticised the Congress governments antifarmer policies saying its acting like a blind and deaf person despite having eyes and earsThey blame the Centre when asked about compensation he addedVijayendra expressed disappointment that the state government has no accountability and hasnt resolved sugarcane growers issues The Centre has fixed a minimum support price of Rs 2400 for maize but farmers are selling it at Rs 15001600 due to the governments failure to open procurement centres on timeHe said they will discuss issues related to cotton and tur dal farmersThe internal conflict related to the position of the Chief Minister is having a negative impact on the state The state government continues to blame the Centre to cover up its failures he criticisedHe objected saying sugarcane growers maize farmers paddy farmers and tur dal cultivators are suffering due to the state governments neglectThe Congress party had promised to eradicate unemployment and provide jobs to lakhs of youth during the elections but it hasnt materialized he criticisedHe added that issues like weavers problems and the states development will be discussed in the assembly session Well also discuss irrigation projects in North Karnataka he saidResponding to a question he said Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are masters at deflecting attention They blame the Centre at every opportunity to cover up the state governments failures and are prolific in writing letters to the Prime Minister Meanwhile theyve forgotten theyre holding reins of governance in KarnatakaHe accused them of playing this drama to cover up their failures Well discuss all this in the assembly he saidOpposition Leader R Ashoka said they will raise their voice in support of the agitating farmersBJP and former CM B S Yediyurappa have always worked for farmers welfare BJP has grown through protests and will raise its voice in the assembly he saidOther leaders present included the Leader of the Opposition Chalavadi Narayanaswamy senior BJP leaders P Rajeev C T Ravi Vithal Halagekar Abhay Patil Anil Benake Sanjay Patil Sharannu Tallikeri Geeta Sutar Subhash Patil M B Jirali and Aravind Patil among others IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-bjp-announces-massive-farmers-protest-gherao-of-suvarna-soudha-652088.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jharkhand-has-huge-potential-investments-on-the-way-gautam-adani-652344.html Dhanbad Dec 9 Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Tuesday said that Jharkhand particularly Dhanbad holds significant potential and the state is poised for strong growth in the coming years Speaking to media on the sidelines of the Centenary Foundation Day celebrations of IITISM Dhanbad the Adani Group Chairman said that there are tremendous opportunities in Jharkhand and Dhanbad and the state will progress rapidly in the times aheadWhen asked specifically about the groupâs investment plans for Dhanbad the billionaire replied that âinvestments will come soonââPeople may call mining the old economy but without it there is no new economyâ the Chairman statedEarlier in the day Gautam Adani said the group will invest over 75 billion in energy transition over the next five yearsâAdani Group is investing over 75 billion in the space of energy transition over the next five years the Chairman notedThe billionaire businessman added that the Adani Group is consistently investing to build the worldâs fastestgrowing renewable energy companyAccording to him the global green energy transition is emerging as the largest industry of this era likely to be worth several trillion dollars in the coming decadesâThis transition will support electricitybased manufacturing green steel green fertilisers the hydrogen ecosystem and critical infrastructure that will power AI and digital economiesâ Gautam Adani notedAdani Group chairman reiterated that the group is committing more than 75 billion toward the energy transition initiative over the next five yearsGautam Adani also criticised a narrative from the recent COP30 conference in Brazil where a report downgraded Indiaâs sustainability ranking claiming the country lacked a timeline to phase out coal and was continuing coal block auctionsMeanwhile Prof Dheeraj Kumar Dy Director IIT ISM Dhanbad said that the Adani group chairman has announced 50 annual paid internships for thirdyear students and the setting up of an Adani 3S Mining Excellence Centre at the instituteHe also thanked Gautam Adani for encouraging students through his speech Dream boldly strive continuously embrace innovation and contribute to building a selfreliant India IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jharkhand-has-huge-potential-investments-on-the-way-gautam-adani-652344.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 17:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-set-to-be-global-ai-leader-by-2035-led-by-young-talent-data-rich-ecosystem-652089.html New Delhi Dec 8 Indiaâs strength in manpower data and scientific curiosity positions the country to become a global hub of semiconductor manufacturing officials said on Monday at the India International Science Festival IISF 2025 IISF 2025 which began on December 6 has emerged as one of the most impactful science events of the year inspiring young minds and strengthening Indiaâs pursuit of Viksit Bharat2047 an official statement saidIndia is preparing to become a global AI leader by 2035 powered by young talent and the countryâs datarich ecosystem IIT Ropar Director Prof Rajeev Ahuja saidAhuja underscored that the IndiaAI Mission aims to train one crore youth in AI build a national compute infrastructure develop indigenous AI models and promote responsible and ethical AIThe event brought leading voices from academia industry and research to explore how the evolution from Artificial Intelligence to Artificial General Intelligence will shape the future of science innovation and humanity the statement saidThe speakers stressed that AI will become integral to every profession and emphasised the need for Indiacentric data models and linguistic technologies to ensure equitable prosperity and digital inclusionSarvam AI CoFounder Pratyush Kumar showcased multilingual AI systems under the IndiaAI Mission including Indiaâs first sovereign foundational Large Language Model LLM for Indian languages Intels Data Centre Customer Engineering Director Gopal Krishna Bhatt described how India is rapidly advancing in server design chip development and highperformance computing hardwareHe noted that dozens of Indiabased server and datacentre hardware designs are currently underway reflecting the momentum created by the governmentâs semiconductor and digital infrastructure pushManish Modani from NVIDIA highlighted that Indiaâs rapidly expanding HighPerformance Computing HPC and Graphics Processing Units GPUbacked infrastructure is multiplying research output in fields ranging from climate modelling to language technologiesIndiaâs data scale linguistic diversity and scientific talent uniquely position the nation to lead the global transformation from AI to AGI he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-set-to-be-global-ai-leader-by-2035-led-by-young-talent-data-rich-ecosystem-652089.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/metro-railway-in-bhopal-to-start-from-dec-21-mp-cm-yadav-652090.html Bhopal Dec 8 The muchawaited first phase of the Bhopal Metro Rail service will be made operational on December 21 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Monday in a press conference in Khajuraho With this significant development Bhopal will become the second city in the state to run Metro rail service to provide a new and safe journey for the peopleThe metro rail service in Indore was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 31 this yearThe BJP government is working making all possible efforts to make Madhya Pradesh a developed state in this direction Bhopal Metro Rail will be made operational from December 21 On that day many other projects will also be announced CM Yadav saidThe announcement came days after the Bhopal Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety CMRS Nilabhra Sengupta carried out the final inspection of the Bhopal Rail Metro and gave its mandatory clearance before passenger services can beginOfficials from the Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited MPMRCL have confirmed that the necessary approvals have been obtainedThe 622kmlong first phase of the Bhopal Metro to be inaugurated will cover eight stations Subhash Nagar Kendriya Vidyalaya DB Mall MP Nagar Rani Kamlapati Railway Station DRM office Alkapuri and AIIMS BhopalWhile the construction for the second phase of the Metro in both Bhopal and Indore are underwayA senior official associated with MPMRCL has earlier said that immediately after the inauguration passenger services would begin the same day with a weeklong period of free travel to followOnce the free travel window closes fares will remain affordable starting at Rs 10 for short trips and Rs 20 for journeys of about eight kilometresIn the initial stage trains will operate between 8 am and 8 pm with one train every half an hour IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/metro-railway-in-bhopal-to-start-from-dec-21-mp-cm-yadav-652090.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/hm-amit-shah-writes-to-rs-chairman-detailing-nine-incidents-of-disrespect-to-vande-mataram-652346.html New Delhi Dec 9 IANS Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday submitted a formal factual record in a letter to the Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan concerning instances of unacceptable conduct toward Indias national song Vande MataramThe submission was made following a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the 150th anniversary of the songs composition during which HM Shah had referenced such incidents leading to a request from MP Jairam Ramesh for reliable information to be placed on the table of the HouseThe document dated December 9 2025 serves as a record of facts concerning questions raised during the debate Home Minister Shah requested the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha to include these facts in the official records of the Upper HouseThe enclosed record details nine specific incidents spanning from 2018 to 2025 involving members from various political parties including the Congress Samajwadi Party SP National Conference JKNC and Rashtriya Janata Dal RJD These incidents are categorised under unacceptable conduct concerning the national songThe submitted record outlines a series of incidents primarily focused on the refusal to sing or stand for Vande Mataram often citing religious groundsIn December 2025 both Imran Masood Congress MP and Agha Syed Mehdi National Conference reportedly refused to sing the song with Masood citing religious beliefIn 2019 SPs Shafiqur Rahman Barq stated he would not sing Vande Mataram during his Lok Sabha oath His grandson Ziaurrahman Barq SP supported this stance in 2025Other documented events include Congress MLA Arif Masoods 2019 refusal also based on religious doctrineIn a 2018 Congress rally the song was allegedly cut short with KC Venugopal instructing it to be finished in a single lineFurthermore Congress leader and Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah was reported in 2022 to have asked party workers not to sing Vande Mataram at a Constitution Day eventThe document also notes the Samajwadi Partys 2025 demand to cancel an order making the song mandatory in schools and RJD MLA Saud Alams refusal to stand for the song in the Assembly in 2025IANSsasdan https://dailyworld.in/national/hm-amit-shah-writes-to-rs-chairman-detailing-nine-incidents-of-disrespect-to-vande-mataram-652346.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 17:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/goatherd-turned-miner-in-panna-strikes-lucky-with-1534-carat-diamond-find-652347.html BhopalPanna Dec 9 In a remarkable turn of events a humble goatherd from Madhya Pradeshâs Panna district has stumbled upon a diamond of extraordinary size and value Satish Khatik a resident of the Raniganj area recently discovered a sparkling diamond weighing 1534 carats while working on his small plot in the diamondrich belt of the region Experts have confirmed that the diamond is of fine shape and quality estimating its market value between â¹25 to â¹30 lakhThe value may be more as the diamond in wellshapedâ a valuer has saidSatish Khatik who mostly earns his livelihood tending and selling goats has now become the talk of the townSpeaking to IANS Satish Khatik said âI discovered the diamond yesterday which is 1534 carat in weight I will soon place it in the district auction officeâHis discovery underscores the unique fortune that often befalls ordinary residents of Panna a district globally renowned for its diamond minesThe National Mineral Development Corporation NMDC and local authorities oversee mining activities here but individuals are also permitted to lease small plots for exploration It is in such plots that locals occasionally unearth gems of significant worth transforming their lives overnightHe was given an area of 6X6 metres in November this year According to diamond valuers the stoneâs clarity and cut make it highly desirable in the market Once deposited with the district diamond office it will be auctioned under government supervision ensuring transparency in the saleKhatik will receive the proceeds after deducting royalty and taxes a process that has previously enabled many small miners and labourers in Panna to achieve financial stability The discovery has sparked excitement in Raniganj with neighbours and fellow villagers celebrating Khatikâs good fortuneFor a man who has spent years herding goats to sustain his family the diamond represents not just wealth but also hope for a better futureLocal officials have lauded the find noting that such discoveries highlight the potential of Pannaâs diamond belt which continues to yield precious stones despite centuries of miningThis latest find adds to the lore of Panna where stories of ordinary people striking rich with diamonds are part of everyday lifeFor Satish Khatik the 1534carat gem may well be the turning point that reshapes his destiny offering him and his family a chance at prosperity far beyond the modest means of a goatherd IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/goatherd-turned-miner-in-panna-strikes-lucky-with-1534-carat-diamond-find-652347.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 17:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pocso-court-in-bengals-jalpaiguri-sentences-man-to-25-years-of-ri-for-raping-minor-652092.html Kolkata Dec 8 After nine months of registering the case the special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences POCSO court in West Bengals Jalpaiguri district on Monday convicted a man and sentenced him to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment RI for raping a minor girl At the same time the court imposed a fine of Rs 2 lakh to the convictIn default the court has sentenced the accused man to another two months of imprisonmentApart from this the judge has ordered a financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh to the family of the minor girlAccording to court sources the incident took place in a village under Dhupguri police station in Jalpaiguri district in October last yearThe man allegedly raped a minor girl by threatening herLater he again threatened the victim to keep the crime secretThe minor girl later became pregnant due to the act of the man who was her neighbourAs soon as the incident came to light a written complaint was filed with the local police station in March this yearAfter the incident the police arrested the accused and filed a case under the POCSO ActThe DNA test report of the minors child which was conducted following the arrest of the accused was submitted to the courtBased on the evidence and other relevant materials the court pronounced the judgmentJalpaiguri POCSO Court Assistant Public Prosecutor Debashish Daw said Based on the testimony and evidence of nine people the judge has convicted the accused and sentenced him to 25 years of rigorous imprisonmentSources said that following Mondays development the minors family is happy with the courts judgmentAccording to police sources the matter is being seen as a victory of the police investigation and the swift action that was taken following the registration of the case based on the written complaint from the family of the minor girl IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pocso-court-in-bengals-jalpaiguri-sentences-man-to-25-years-of-ri-for-raping-minor-652092.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/aap-punjab-questions-congress-over-sale-of-cms-post--652348.html Chandigarh Dec 9 Aam Aadmi Party AAP Punjab General Secretary Baltej Pannu on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress for not answering questions related to the alleged âsaleâ of the Chief Ministerâs chair for Rs 500 crore and Rs 350 crore in the party Pannu asked why the Congress âis refusing to answer what this game of Rs 500 crore and Rs 350 crore really isâ He said to divert the attention of the people the Congress first suspended Navjot Kaur from the party overnight Then Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa served a legal notice to her âWill this noticedrama give Punjabis an answer to the question of whether the CMâs chair was up for saleâ Pannu also asked the Congress what the real story behind this money is âFrom where was this money collected Was it extorted from industries private schools hospitals or was this collection done by creating âfilesâ the way Capt Amarinder Singh often talks about Why were there two different rates Was it Rs 500 crore for a full fiveyear term or was it Rs 350 crore for the remaining term after Capt Amarinder Singh was removedâ The AAP leader also demanded clarification from Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar on this issue He said since Jakhar himself has been the president of the Congress he would know who was receiving the Rs 350 crore and with whom the Rs 500crore deal was being negotiated âWhen Jakhar himself was in the race for the CM post he too must have been asked for Rs 350 crore Jakhar sahib should tell the public who demanded this money from himâ he saidPannu appealed to BJP Working President Ashwani Sharma that he should seat now his own partyâs leaders Jakhar and Capt Amarinder Singh together and reveal the truth to the people of Punjab He should ask Capt Amarinder Singh how much money he gave to whom when he became CM and in what form this collection happened Pannu said that instead of answering questions the Congress is issuing notices Questioning Randhawa for sending a notice to Navjot Kaur Pannu asked why he did not send a legal notice a few months ago when the mother of a gangster had levelled allegations against him IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/aap-punjab-questions-congress-over-sale-of-cms-post--652348.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 17:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/over-50-lakh-employees-69-lakh-pensioners-to-benefit-from-8th-pay-commission-govt-652093.html New Delhi Dec 8 Over 50 lakh Central government employees and nearly 69 lakh pensioners stand to gain from the rollout of the 8th Central Pay Commission CPC the Parliament was informed on Monday The Centre currently employs 5014 lakh personnel while pensioners number around 69 lakh all of whom fall under the purview of the upcoming pay revision exercise Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary told the Lok Sabha in a written reply to questions from members over the status of the timing of the implementation of the 8th CPC the status of its terms of reference ToR and on financial allocations for the scheme in the Budget of 2026â27The minister while allaying these apprehensions reiterated that the date of implementation of the 8th CPC would be decided by the government and that the Commission was bound to send its recommendations within 18 months from the date of its constitutionHe further assured that the government would earmark the necessary funds once the recommendations are vetted and approved The government will make appropriate provision of funds for implementing the accepted recommendations of the 8th CPC It will devise methodology and procedure for formulating its recommendationsâ Chaudhary notedThe Finance Ministry had already clarified that the 8th CPC will examine and recommend revisions related to pay allowances pensions and other service conditionsThis is in continuation of similar clarifications issued earlier in response to an unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha by members Javed Ali Khan and Ramji Lal Suman who sought to know whether the Centre planned to revise pensions or merge the existing Dearness Allowance DA and Dearness Relief DR with basic pay to provide immediate relief to staff and retireesChaudhary had earlier said that all such matters fall within the mandate of the newly constituted 8th CPC which was formally established through a government resolution on November 3 along with detailed Terms of Reference IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/over-50-lakh-employees-69-lakh-pensioners-to-benefit-from-8th-pay-commission-govt-652093.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-bjp-hails-ed-charge-sheet-against-aap-leader-ex-minister-satyendar-jain-in-stp-scam-652094.html New Delhi Dec 8 Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva on Monday welcomed the filing of a charge sheet by the Enforcement Directorate ED against AAP leader and former Delhi Water Minister Satyendar Jain and then Delhi Jal Board CEO Udit Prakash in a STP scam The charges relate to a scam of over Rs 1770 crore committed in the name of modernising 10 STPs of the DJB during the tenure of the Arvind Kejriwal government said SachdevaHe said that with the filing of this charge sheet against Jain and others in the STP scam there is renewed hope that the accused in this major scam under the Kejriwal government will be punished soonSachdeva further said that the case and the charge sheet filed in it are extremely strong because in this Rs 1770 crore embezzlement case related to the DJB assets worth Rs 1536 crore belonging to Jain and other accused have been attached and the court has been duly informedEarlier the ED said that charges have been filed against Jain and 13 others in a case involving the award of four tenders related to Sewage Treatment Plants STPs in exchange for a Rs 673 crore bribeThe ED through a provisional attachment order dated December 4 also provisionally attached movable and immovable properties amounting to Rs 1536 crore of the various persons connected to the money laundering case that involves Proceeds of Crime PoC totalling Rs 1770 croreThe federal probe agency started the investigation based on an FIR registered by the AntiCorruption Branch ACB GNCTD New Delhi against Euroteck Environmental Pvt Ltd EEPL and others under various sections of the Indian Penal Code 1860 and the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 alleging a scam in Delhi Jal Board in the name of augmentation and upgradation of existing 10 STPs at Pappankalan and Nilothi Package 1 Najafgarh and Keshopur Package 2 Coronation Pillar Narela and Rohini Package 3 and Kondli Package 4The Enforcement Directorate ED Delhi Zonal Office filed a Prosecution Complaint against Jain Udit Prakash Rai then CEO Delhi Jal Board Ajay Gupta then Member Delhi Jal Board Satish Chandra Vashishth then Chief Engineer Delhi Jal Board and other private personsentities under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act PMLA 2002The ED investigation revealed that Rajakumar Kurra Managing Director of EEPL had manipulated the terms and conditions of the DJB tender through officials of DJB and private persons Nagendra Yadav and othersKurra made the tender restrictive to the usage of âIFAS technology with fixed mediaâ only and thereby enabling EEPL to become the sole supplier of technology in the tenderThe Integrated FixedFilm Activated Sludge IFAS technology with fixed media combines traditional suspendedgrowth activated sludge with attachedgrowth biofilm media in one reactor adding extra surface area for microbes to grow boosting biomass without increasing sludge volume and allowing treatment plants to increase capacity IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-bjp-hails-ed-charge-sheet-against-aap-leader-ex-minister-satyendar-jain-in-stp-scam-652094.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/training-aircraft-crashes-in-madhya-pradesh-villagers-rescue-pilot-trainee-652095.html BhopalSeoni Dec 8 A major tragedy was averted on Monday evening in Madhya Pradeshs Seoni district when a training aircraft almost collided with a highvoltage power line during flight and crashed near Sukatra village in the Kurai police station area of Seoni district The incident according to police occurred at around 630 pm The incident triggered panic in the locality as villagers rushed to the spot and rescued both the trainer pilot and trainee safely A video of the crash quickly went viral on social media Speaking to IANS CS Tekam Investigation Officer at Kurai Police Station said Both the trainer and trainee are out of danger They have been taken to a private hospital One has sustained a head injury and the other has injuries on the face However as company officials informed us both managed to walk out of the plane to safety The police officer added that the aircraft was a twoseater trainee plane though the manufacturers name is not yet known The officer identified the trainer and trainee as Ajeet Anthony and Ashok Chhava respectively We are waiting for instructions from higher authorities regarding the investigationâ he said confirming that no human loss was reported despite one of the planeâs wheels getting stuck in a 33kV hightension line severing it from the tower before the aircraft landed on the ground âThe training company is operating in the area since 2023â the police official said According to eyewitnesses and preliminary investigation the plane suddenly began to descend due to a technical glitch âIt might have lost power and one of its wheels got entangled in the highvoltage line for a while The heavy load severed the wire causing a loud noise spark and panic Fortunately no major damage occurredâ the police officer explained Locals reported sparks as the aircraft struck the wires and within moments villagers realised the planeâs occupants were in trouble They rushed to the scene to helpVillagers also alleged this was not the first such incident claiming training aircraft had overturned twice earlier while operating on the runway They warned that had the plane remained stuck in the wires for a few more seconds the consequences could have been devastating IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/training-aircraft-crashes-in-madhya-pradesh-villagers-rescue-pilot-trainee-652095.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/one-killed-as-bus-collides-with-three-wheeler-in-bihars-vaishali-652352.html Patna Dec 9 One passenger was killed and eight others sustained serious injuries after a speeding bus and a threewheeler collided headon in Bihars Vaishali district on Tuesday The fatal accident occurred near Kanchanpur Dhanushi village under Lalganj police station limitsAccording to an official the bus was en route to Hajipur from Lalganj while the threewheeler was headed from Hajipur towards LalganjThe impact was so severe that the threewheeler was completely mangled All nine passengers on board sustained serious injuries They were rushed to Sadar Hospital in Hajipur where one of them succumbed during treatment an official saidFollowing the accident the Vaishali SP and District Magistrate visited the hospital and instructed the medical staff to prioritise treatment for the injuredAccording to the officials both vehicles were speeding and visibility on the road was low at the time of the crashEfforts are underway to identify the deceasedPolice are recording statements of the injured passengers to inform their familiesAn FIR has been registered against the bus driver The accused has been arrested and the vehicle seized police saidThe tragic incident has once again raised serious concerns about road safety and traffic management in BiharOn December 7 a road tragedy shocked Patna when an outofcontrol car ran over six pedestrians in the upscale Gola Road locality under the jurisdiction of the Danapur police station areaSixtyyearold Chansi Rai succumbed to his injuries while five others were critically injured and admitted to the Patna Medical College and Hospital PMCHThe incident occurred near Jhakri Mahadev Temple on Gola Road and disturbing CCTV visuals have now emergedThe video showed three young men standing at the roadside with a dog nearby Suddenly a speeding car ran over the dog and then hit four people in one sweepBystanders tried to stop the vehicle but the driver moved ahead crushing two other people to death IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/one-killed-as-bus-collides-with-three-wheeler-in-bihars-vaishali-652352.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 17:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradeshs-economic-growth-rate-showing-upward-trend-cm-652097.html Amaravati Dec 8 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu claimed on Monday that the overall economic growth rate of Andhra Pradesh is showing a strong upward trend outperforming the national average in the second quarter of the 202526 financial year He told a news conference that the stateâs Gross Value Added GVA growth rate increased to 1130 per cent against 1026 per cent in the second quarter last year Likewise the GSDP growth rate increased to 1128 per cent against 1017 per cent during the same period last year The AllIndia GDP growth rate stands at 87 per cent in the second quarter of 202526âI am glad to share that Andhra Pradeshâs economic growth continued to move strongly upward in the second quarter Q2 202526 with GSDP growth improving to 1128 per cent It is especially encouraging that the growth of our industry sector has surged to 1220 per cent and all sectors have shown positive and promising growth This is a result of our clear policies disciplined fiscal management and our collective commitment to developmentâ he posted on XEarlier making a PowerPoint presentation at the news conference CM Naidu said the NDA government was able to uplift the state from a crippled economy stage to a remarkable growth rate in all sectors He said several measures have been taken to achieve a good growth rate and instil confidence among investors which resulted in attracting investments to the tune of Rs 20 lakh croreHe pointed out that the average GSDP growth percentage of AP during 201419 registered a high of 1349 per centMeanwhile the GSDP during the previous governmentâs regime from 201924 stands at 1032 per cent If the growth rate of 135 per cent had continued without any break the state could have achieved an additional revenue of Rs 76195 croreOn per capita income he said the average per capita income in AP stands at Rs 266240 crore registering 1189 per cent growth rate while the national average growth rate stands at 87 per cent If the growth rate doubles from 75 per cent to 15 per cent GSDP and per capita income would witness a fourfold increaseThe Chief Minister said the industry sector witnessed growth of 1220 per cent in Q2 of 202526 while the allIndia growth rate stands at 85 per cent The mining and quarrying sector has registered the highest of 1843 per cent growth the construction sector 1181 per cent manufacturing sector 1166 per cent and electricity 1196 per centThe power generation registered growth of 1912 per cent from 22529 MUs to 26837 MUs keeping in view the increasing demand for power consumption which showed a moderate rise of 417 per centHe said the agricultural sector also witnessed an increase in growth rate which stands at 1143 per cent while the national average registered growth of 18 per cent The agriculture and allied sectors performance stands at 1070 per cent The Fishing and aquaculture sector registered a significant growth of 2627 per cent during Q2 of 202526 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradeshs-economic-growth-rate-showing-upward-trend-cm-652097.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-actor-dileeps-acquittal-is-not-the-final-verdict-says-artist-bhagyalakshmi-652353.html Kochi Dec 9 In a deeply emotional and powerful outpouring following the verdict in the 2017 actress abduction and assault case veteran dubbing artiste Bhagyalakshmi on Tuesday said that through the long and painful legal battle it was only the media and society at large that truly stood by the survivor Actor Dileep who was the eighth accused in the charge sheet was acquitted by the trial court on MondayBhagyalakshmi said the public receptions and celebratory words organised in favour of the accused after the verdict shattered the survivor emotionallyâWhat we have now is not the final verdict There are still higher courts Dileep is still only an accusedâ she said underscoring that the legal fight is far from overDescribing the accused as powerful wealthy and deeply influential she said the imbalance of power has been stark from the beginningIn protest against the move to reinstate Dileep into film organisations Bhagyalakshmi announced her resignation from the Film Employees Federation of Kerala FEFKA stating that she had nothing more left to do within such a systemâI went forward with hope believing one should not break down But I am devastated even nowâ she saidRecalling the night of the verdict Bhagyalakshmi said neither she nor the survivor could sleepâWe lay awake thinking about what to do nextâ she said adding that the film industryâs response felt like the return of a longlost relativeâI only want to call him what he still legally is an accusedâ she said firmlyLaunching a sharp attack on the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists AMMA she questioned how an organisation could claim to stand with both justice and injustice at the same timeShe revealed that no meeting was convened for the survivor but an emergency meeting was quickly called after the verdictâNot a single person from the organisation even called us to ask how she wasâ Bhagyalakshmi saidShe alleged serious concerns in the handling of evidence including changes in the memory cardâs hash value and shifting loyaltiesâToday I understood that even if women are at the helm of AMMA it makes no real differenceâ she said accusing the organisation of silently aligning with the accusedExpressing fear for actress Manju Warrier whose name resurfaced in the controversy Bhagyalakshmi said she had warned her that the opponent was extremely powerfulâPoliticians organisations and influence all stand with him No superstar stood with herâ she saidCondemning film bodies for treating the trial court verdict as final Bhagyalakshmi declared she would no longer be part of any organisationShe also criticised FEFKA for not even speaking to the survivorReferring to director B Unnikrishnanâs public statement that the accused would be readmitted into film bodies if he applied Bhagyalakshmi said her resignation was both a moral and technical protestBreaking down she revealed that she was beside the survivor when the verdict was deliveredâI have watched her pain up close for all these yearsâ Bhagyalakshmi said with her voice trembling with grief anger and unwavering solidarity IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-actor-dileeps-acquittal-is-not-the-final-verdict-says-artist-bhagyalakshmi-652353.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 17:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-cm-reviews-revenue-depts-pushes-target-based-action-plan-and-strict-enforcement-652098.html Jaipur Dec 8 Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma chaired a highlevel review meeting on Monday with the Excise Transport Commercial Tax and Registration and Stamps departments emphasising that revenue generation is central to the stateâs development and execution of welfare schemes He directed officials to prepare a targetdriven action strategy to meet the revenue goals for the financial year 2025â26 Officials briefed the Chief Minister that the state has set a revenue target of Rs 169627 crore for FY 202526 of which Rs 84746 crore has been collected up to NovemberThe Chief Minister instructed departments to accelerate efforts in the remaining months to ensure full achievement of the targetCalling revenue the backbone of development CM Sharma said the government remains committed to inclusive development and ensuring that the benefits of public schemes reach every section of society Reviewing the Commercial Tax Department the Chief Minister noted that GST reforms by the Central Government have significantly reduced the tax burden on citizensHe directed the department to ensure that the benefit of reduced GST rates is passed on to consumers He also called for a special drive against fraudulent taxpayers and stricter monitoring systems to prevent evasion and strengthen transparencyDuring discussions with Transport Department officials Sharma instructed that new permits for public transport buses be issued without delay to improve mobility and boost revenue He warned that overloaded vehicles pose safety risks and lead to financial loss and directed stringent enforcement against violatorsThe Chief Minister instructed the Excise Department to intensify surveillance along interstate borders and curb the inflow and sale of illegal liquorHe emphasised coordinated action between the Excise and Police departments Directing reforms in the Registration and Stamps Department Sharma called for simplifying property registration procedures to make services more transparent and citizenfriendly Chief Secretary V Srinivas and senior officials from the concerned departments attended the meeting IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-cm-reviews-revenue-depts-pushes-target-based-action-plan-and-strict-enforcement-652098.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/naveen-patnaik-questions-expenditure-voices-concern-over-odishas-development-652099.html Bhubaneswar Dec 8 Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition LoP in Odisha Assembly Naveen Patnaik on Monday targeted the state government alleging that it has failed to spend the money allocated in the budget for the people of Odisha and for the states development Speaking to media persons at the assembly the Biju Janata Dal BJD president said I am sad to say that there is no expenditure being made by the State Government for the people of this state and for their development This is a very sad thing to report Time and again this has been brought to the attention of the state Government that there must be some expenditure for the development of the people of the state but they seem to be totally neglectful about thisHe further alleged that every section of the society in the state is suffering for the policies of the state governmentEveryone is suffering Its not exclusive to any people it is everyone that is suffering Its like theyre playing on empty vessels and we all know that empty vessels make a good sound and thats what theyre satisfied by Patnaik further targetedEarlier the LoP took a dig at the state government while participating in the discussions on the appropriation bill tabled by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi who also holds the finance portfolio in the house on MondayEarlier CM Majhi presented a Rs 17440 crore supplementary budget for the 202526 financial year FY26 in the Assembly to support ongoing schemes in food security health education and urban infrastructure on November 28During the discussions on the appropriation bill the opposition leader in the house on Monday also slammed the state government for failing to spend the funds allocated for each of the departments in the annual budget in the current financial year The state government has recently revealed in the assembly that it has so far spent only 39 per cent of the total budget allocation by the end of October IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/naveen-patnaik-questions-expenditure-voices-concern-over-odishas-development-652099.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mou-signed-to-boost-marketing-and-export-of-mizorams-agri-produce--652100.html Aizawl Dec 8 In a landmark step the National Cooperative Exports Limited NCEL and the Mizoram State Cooperative Marketing amp Consumersâ Federation Limited MIZOFED signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding MoU on Monday to strengthen the marketing and export of the stateâs agricultural produce An official said that the states Minister of Cooperation P C Vanlalruata was present at the MoU signing ceremony He said that the MoU signing ceremony marks a pivotal step towards integrating Mizoramâs agricultural and allied sector into the international export ecosystem through the cooperative sector MIZOFED established in 1981 and functioning as a key state government agency operates across all districts managing POL LPG and essential consumer product divisions and plays a crucial role in the public distribution system The official said that this partnership signifies a new dawn for Mizoramâs agrarian community paving the way for its unique products to reach discerning consumers worldwide and fostering sustainable economic growth through cooperative enterprise Meanwhile NITI Aayog recently formally declared Mizoram as the Ginger Capital of India recognising the stateâs reputation for producing highquality ginger and its rapid growth in ginger production in recent years The Mizoram government earlier expressed its gratitude to NITI Aayog for declaring the state as the âGinger Capital of Indiaâ Chief Minister Lalduhoma last week chaired a meeting with the members of the Mizoram Agricultural Marketing Board MAMB where the panel expressed its gratitude to NITI Aayog for declaring the state as the âGinger Capital of Indiaâ The meeting reviewed ongoing initiatives and assessed reports of activities undertaken during the current year including the highlevel Stakeholdersâ Consultation for Mizoram Ginger Produce held recently in New Delhi As per a detailed annual MAMB report on procurement over 338 crore kg of ginger has been purchased this year and the entire support price amounting to Rs 13772 crore has been fully disbursed The official said that the MAMB is preparing to host a âGinger BuyerSeller Meetâ where buyers from across India are expected to participate The event is expected to facilitate new trade agreements for the upcoming ginger harvestMeanwhile the new ginger processing unit at Sairang is scheduled to be inaugurated on January 12 next year IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mou-signed-to-boost-marketing-and-export-of-mizorams-agri-produce--652100.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bihar-posing-as-cops-robbers-loot-jewellery-worth-rs-15-lakh-from-teachers-home-652102.html Patna Dec 8 In a shocking incident in the Simratala police station area of Jamui district of Bihar around six robbers dressed as policemen barged into the house of government school teacher Sanjeev Kumar and looted jewellery worth nearly Rs 15 lakh The broaddaylight robbery has triggered panic among local residents raising serious questions about law and order in the region The incident occurred on Monday morning around 635 am in Telwa BazaarSanjeev Kumar was at home when six individuals wearing police uniforms arrived armed with sticks and pistols Identifying themselves as police personnel they told him that a warrant had been issued against him from the Chakai police stationThe moment Sanjeev opened the door the fake policemen forcibly entered the house and began searching the premises They looted the wedding jewellery of Sanjeev Kumarâs daughter along with the jewellery of his wifeThe accused also threatened to take Sanjeev to the Chakai police station before fleeing the spot in a car Victim Sanjeev Kumar told the media that the stolen jewellery had been kept for his daughters upcoming wedding and that the incident had left his family devastatedUpon receiving the report the Simratala police team reached the location and launched an investigation CCTV footage from the area is being examined and one of the cameras has captured visuals of the robbers vehicleStation incharge Dhananjay Kumar said that the case is being probed from all angles and expressed confidence that the accused will be identified and arrested soon The police have assured that every possible effort is being made to trace and arrest the culpritsThis broaddaylight incident has created an atmosphere of fear in the area Shocked by the daring robbery local residents stepped out of their homes and demanded stronger police patrolling and immediate reinforcement of security in the regionMany villagers said that criminals openly committing such crimes in the morning hours show how fearless they have become Despite the formation of the new NDA government and Samrat Chaudhary taking charge as Biharâs Home Minister incidents of crime continue unabatedIncreasing cases of robbery and violence suggest that criminals are operating with growing confidence and fearlessness IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bihar-posing-as-cops-robbers-loot-jewellery-worth-rs-15-lakh-from-teachers-home-652102.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-hands-over-955-lakh-houses-to-poor-under-pm-awas-yojana-652362.html New Delhi Dec 9 The Centre has already handed over as many as 9554 lakh houses to beneficiaries under two schemes of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal has informed Parliament Replying to supplementaries in the Rajya Sabha during question hour the minister said that a 2020 slum survey showed that 65 crore people comprising 139 crore households were living in slums across the countryHe explained that land and colonisation are State subjects and policies and programmes related to slum rehabilitation rest with respective states and Union Territories Hence data related to slum rehabilitation or relocation is not maintained by the ministryHowever in the National Capital Territory of Delhi NCTD the slum rehabilitation and demolitions are done by various land owning agencies like Delhi Development Authority DDA Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board DUSIB etc under the provisions of various applicable ActsAs part of its Slum Rehabilitation programme DDA has carried out demolition after properly rehabilitating eligible slum dwellers It involves a total of 5158 households out of which a total of 3414 were found eligible for alternative rehabilitation as per the DUSIB policy the minister said in a written reply to a questionThe eligible dwellers have been provided with alternative rehabilitation with all modern facilities Implementing agencies execute slum rehabilitation projects based on their own land management policies and the slum rehabilitation policy of States and UTsDuring the slum rehabilitation and resettlement land owning agencies and implementing agencies and affected families may also seek assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana â Urban PMAYU and PMAYU 20 if beneficiaries are otherwise eligible the minister pointed outMinistry of Housing and Urban Affairs MoHUA is supplementing the efforts of States and UTs by providing central assistance under PMAYU since June 25 2015 for the construction of houses for eligible families including slum dwellers he addedFurther based on the learnings from the experiences of implementation of PMAYU MoHUA has revamped the scheme and launched PMAYU 20 Housing for All Mission with effect from September 1 2024 to support 1 crore additional eligible beneficiaries in urban areas PMAYU 20 is implemented through four verticals ie Beneficiary Led Construction Affordable Housing in Partnership Affordable Rental Housing and Interest Subsidy Scheme he saidUnder PMAYU and PMAYU 20 a total of Rs 205 lakh crore has been sanctioned as Central Assistance of which Rs 175 lakh crore has been released to States and UTs and Rs 165 lakh crore has been utilised by them Although slum dwellers have received benefits under all verticals of PMAYU Rs 1800 crore Central Assistance has been specifically released under InSitu Slum Redevelopment vertical the minister added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-hands-over-955-lakh-houses-to-poor-under-pm-awas-yojana-652362.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 18:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-mephedrone-factory-busted-drugs-valued-at-rs-192-cr-seized-652363.html New Delhi Dec 9 The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence DRI has successfully dismantled a clandestine Mephedrone manufacturing facility in Wardha Maharashtra during a targeted operation codenamed âOperation Hinterland Brewâ officials said on Tuesday The operation executed on December 78 led to the seizure of 128 kg of Mephedrone valued at approximately Rs 192 crore along with 245 kg of precursor chemicals raw material and a complete processing setupActing on specific intelligence DRI officers carried out discreet surveillance followed by a search operation in a remote shrubcovered area of Karanja Ghadge nearly 60 km from WardhaDuring the operation officers uncovered a fully functional synthetic drug processing setup including makeshift reactors vessels and other equipment used for the illicit manufacture of MephedroneThe seizure comprised both finished product and precursor chemicals essential for its synthesisAccording to the DRI press note âThe illicit factory had been deliberately set up and operated by local individuals to blend into the rural landscape and evade detection The manufacturing unit itself was a temporary modular nondescript structure concealed deep within the shrublandâThree persons operating the facility including the mastermind who also acted as the financier and chemist along with his two associates were apprehendedâAll three were found to be actively involved in the manufacturing and distribution network of Mephedrone and have been arrested under relevant provisions of the NDPS Act 1985â it saidWith this operation the DRI has dismantled five clandestine drug manufacturing facilities so far this year through intelligencedriven actionsThese sustained efforts underscore DRIâs continuous vigilance operational excellence and unwavering commitment to the Governmentâs Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan protecting citizens from the menace of narcotic and psychotropic substancesNotably DRI last month busted a major gold smuggling and melting syndicate in Mumbai under âOperation Bullion BlazeâThe operation exposed an organised network engaged in smuggling gold into India melting it in clandestine furnaces and offloading the refined bullion into the grey marketOfficers seized 635 kg of gold on the spot and detained those running the unitsFollowup searches at two shops linked to the mastermind used for receiving smuggled gold and selling melted bars to local buyers led to the recovery of an additional 553 kg of gold barsIn total 1188 kg of 24carat gold valued at Rs 1505 crore and 872 kg of silver worth Rs 1317 lakh were seized under the provisions of the Customs Act 1962 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-mephedrone-factory-busted-drugs-valued-at-rs-192-cr-seized-652363.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 18:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-hc-withdraws-stay-on-congress-govts-menstrual-leave-order-within-hours--652364.html Bengaluru Dec 9 The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday recalled its interim order staying the government notification that directed registered industrial establishments to provide oneday menstrual leave for working women The matter will be heard on Wednesday A Bench headed by Justice M Jyothi passed the order after Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty brought the issue to the courtâs attention just before the lunch break and requested the judge to review the earlier stay The Advocate General urged the court to recall the order and the court agreed to consider the plea and listed the matter for hearing tomorrowEarlier the Karnataka High Court issued an interim order staying the government notification directing registered industrial establishments to provide oneday menstrual leave for working women and directed the government to file objectionsThe order was passed while looking into the petition questioning the government order by the Bangalore Hotels Association and Management of Avirata AFL Connectivity Systems Limited The case will be relisted after the winter vacation The Bench has also allowed petitioners to seek modification of the order laterThe Bench asked whether the government had consulted or heard from the management before issuing the notification The counsel said it had not After that the court issued the interim orderThe government notification issued on November 20 mandated industrial establishments to provide paid menstrual leave to women employeesThe petitioners counsel argued that the government had issued an executive order directing establishments to grant menstrual leaveThe counsel pointed out that the laws governing industries already provide a complete leave policy and none of those laws contain any provision that requires employers to provide menstrual leaveThe petition seeking to quash the government order states the establishments are registered under different labour laws such as the Factories Act the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act the Plantations Labour Act the Beedi and Cigar Workers Conditions of Employment Act and the Motor Transport Workers Act Under these laws employees are allowed only 12 days of leave per yearThe laws mentioned above do not contain any clause that requires employers to give menstrual leave to female employees Therefore the government does not have the authority to force industrial establishments to provide menstrual leave through an executive order the petition saidThe petition further states that the government order is unconstitutional and against Article 14 of the Constitution of IndiaKarnataka recently announced oneday menstrual leave for working women under which women aged 18 to 52 years are allowed to get one day of paid leave each monthThe new policy proposed a paid holiday for women to rest during menstruation The policy applies to permanent contractual and outsourced employeesThe order was issued by the government on November 12 directing employers to provide 12 paid leaves IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-hc-withdraws-stay-on-congress-govts-menstrual-leave-order-within-hours--652364.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 18:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/assam-foreign-cigarette-racket-busted-in-cachar-2-arrested-652370.html Silchar Dec 9 Assam Rifles in coordination with Assam Police busted an illicit foreign cigarette racket in southern Assamâs Cachar district and recovered a large consignment of cigarettes valued at Rs 183 crore officials said on Tuesday Two drug peddlers were also arrested in connection with the recovery of the cigarettes smuggled from Myanmar A defence spokesman said that acting on specific intelligence inputs a team of Assam Rifles in coordination with Assam Police carried out an operation in the Tarapur areas of Silchar recovering 3060 packets of illegal Esse Lite cigarettes with an approximate market value of Rs 183 crore Two smugglers identified as Hanannan Husain Burnhuiya and Islamuddin Laskar were also apprehended in connection with the seizure Both are residents of the Cachar district A Scorpio vehicle was also seized The operation reaffirms the unwavering commitment of Assam Rifles towards curbing smuggling and safeguarding the region from illegal trade activities an Assam Rifles statement said Popular among certain groups including drug addicts Esse Lite foreign cigarettes are frequently sold illegally in India as part of a smuggled and untaxed black market largely because they do not comply with the countryâs packaging and healthwarning regulations Myanmars Chin state is a hub for the smuggling of varied drugs foreign cigarettes exotic wildlife animals and many other contraband through six Mizoram districts Champhai Siaha Lawngtlai Hnahthial Saitual and Serchhip Among the drugs smuggled into the Northeastern region highly addictive methamphetamine tablets popularly known as Yaba or âparty tabletsâ contain a mix of methamphetamine and caffeine and are often referred to as the âcrazy drugâ These tablets are widely abused by drug addicts and are banned in India After being smuggled in from Myanmar methamphetamine tablets and other contraband items are routed through Mizoram and transported to various parts of India as well as to Bangladesh and other neighbouring countries Mizoram shares 510 km and 318 km unfenced border with Myanmar and Bangladesh respectively IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/assam-foreign-cigarette-racket-busted-in-cachar-2-arrested-652370.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 18:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/odisha-assemblys-winter-session-cut-short-house-adjourned-22-days-ahead-of-schedule-652372.html Bhubaneswar Dec 9 The Odisha Legislative Assembly was adjourned and declared sine die on Tuesday bringing the ongoing winter session to an end 22 days ahead of its scheduled conclusion The fifth session of the 17th Odisha Assembly which commenced on November 27 was scheduled to conclude on December 31 with a total of 29 working days The winter session of the Assembly that came to an end on Tuesday functioned for 11 working days The House debated six adjournment motions tabled by the Opposition leaders during the session As many as seven official bills were passed in this sessionMeanwhile the Odisha Assembly on Monday approved the appropriation bill presented by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi authorising the state government to withdraw Rs 17440 crore from its consolidated fund for the 2025 26 financial yearCM Majhi who also holds the finance portfolio had tabled the Rs 17440 crore supplementary budget in the House on November 27 seeking its permission to utilise the additional fundThe House also passed an important bill substantially enhancing the salary and allowances of the Ministers MLAs Deputy Speaker former MLAs and Ministers The most landmark moment of the just concluded winter session is the historic address by President Droupadi Murmu in the House on the very first day of the session on November 27The president during her address called upon political leaders farmers labourers women bureaucrats intellectuals and the youths of Odisha to work together to build a prosperous State by 2036 saying this would be Odishaâs greatest contribution to Indiaâs goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047CM Majhi hailed President Murmus address saying that it will forever remain etched in golden letters in the democratic chronicles of OdishaApart the members of both ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and Opposition Biju Janata Dal and Congress held heated discussions over various burning issues like rising crimes against women and children unemployment distressed migration irregularities in the Mandi system and farmersâ woes IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/odisha-assemblys-winter-session-cut-short-house-adjourned-22-days-ahead-of-schedule-652372.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 18:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/us-india-ties-face-political-standstill-expert-warns-652118.html Washington Dec 9 India and the United States risk undermining more than two decades of strategic progress unless they urgently resolve growing political strains over tariffs and Washingtonâs renewed engagement with Pakistan policy expert Dhruva Jaishankar said in a written statement submitted to the House Foreign Affairs Committee ahead of a key hearing scheduled for Wednesday Jaishankar Executive Director of the Observer Research Foundation America told lawmakers in his written testimony that the USIndia partnership â built steadily through bipartisan effort in both countries â now faces âa political standstillâ driven largely by disputes over trade and the US outreach to Pakistanâs military leadershipHe said the relationship strengthened since 1998 through economic convergence and IndoPacific coordination is at risk of losing momentum at a time when both countries confront Chinaâs expanding footprint and instability across key regions The partnership he wrote has rested on âmutuallybeneficial economic opportunities in both countriesâ and âstrategic coordination particularly in the IndoPacific amid Chinaâs rise and growing assertiveness and more recently in stabilizing the Middle EastâBut progress on several fronts he cautioned is now jeopardized âThe present situation risks jeopardizing mutuallybeneficial cooperation on i the ambitious bilateral agenda outlined by President Trump and Prime Minister Modi in February 2025â and ii strategic cooperation between the two countries in the Quad in the Middle East and on global affairsâ he saidThe statement submitted Monday provides a detailed account of the advances in USIndia ties over nearly three decades â from the lifting of sanctions in 1999 to the 2008 civil nuclear agreement expanded defense interoperability the Quadâs revival and Indiaâs integration into USled coordination on space critical minerals and artificial intelligenceJaishankar pointed to Chinaâs increasingly assertive military posture as a fundamental driver of strategic convergence He cited Chinaâs incursions along the disputed land boundary with India the 2020 Galwan clashes its âlargest naval buildups in historyâ and a widening network of dualuse ports across the IndoPacific âChinaâs military capabilities now rival those of the United Statesâ he wroteJaishankar also stressed that India faces Chinese pressure on the maritime front noting that India has expanded naval patrols since 2017 and deepened cooperation with regional partners including through the Quadâs IndoPacific Maritime Domain Awareness initiativeTurning to the latest friction with Washington he said the bilateral relationship was jolted after Indiaâs retaliatory strikes on Pakistan following a deadly April terrorist attack and by Washingtonâs subsequent highprofile engagement with Pakistanâs military leadershipHe recalled Pakistanâs long record of supporting terrorist proxies saying âPakistanâs continued support for terrorism â and its contributions to conflict and instability in the broader region â still constitute a major political and security challengeâAnother major source of strain is trade Jaishankar said US tariffs imposed after talks on a Bilateral Trade Agreement stalled have become âamong the highest on any countryâ and now threaten exporters workers and investors on both sides He warned that the longer these duties remain in place the more they will be seen in India as âan act of political hostilityâYet he noted that cooperation has continued in several areas this year including a new 10year Defense Framework Agreement major defence sales expanded military exercises NASAsupported human spaceflight the codeveloped NISAR satellite launch and Indiaâs landmark 13billion LNG import deal with the United StatesJaishankar said the partnership still holds enormous potential across four pillars â trade energy technology and defense â and highlighted upcoming opportunities in artificial intelligence critical minerals semiconductor supply chains and defence coproduction under the USIndia TRUST initiative IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/us-india-ties-face-political-standstill-expert-warns-652118.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bjp-dares-cm-mamata-to-protest-against-dmk-mps-derogatory-remarks-about-vande-mataram-writer-652374.html Kolkata Dec 9 The Bharatiya Janata Party BJP on Tuesday challenged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to speak against the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam DMK MP A Raja for making baseless allegations linking Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay Vande Matarams composer and legendary Bengali writer to past communal tensions in the state BJP had raised the question whether Mamata Banerjee would dare to speak against Raja considering that both Trinamool Congress and FMK are part of the opposition Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance INDIAMamata Banerjee must speak up against the INDI Alliance of which she is a part as it continues to denigrate and defile the rich legacy of Rishi Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay Is TMCs alliance with the DMK and Congress more important than the pride of West Bengal Shame on her observed BJPs Information Technology Cell Chief and the partys central observer for West Bengal Amit Malviya in a social media statementEarlier the BJP had also issued a statement accusing Raja of irresponsibly linking West Bengals communal tensions to Bankim Chandras writings and thus twisting facts in an attempt to paint him as regressiveRajas accusation that Bankim Chandra opposed womens education and social reform is deeply misleading Bankim believed real reform must arise from a renewed and awakened Hindu society not just from superficial legislation a difference in approach not in values Through his novels Bankim Chandra introduced strong layered assertive female characters and consistently encouraged womenâs education the statement issued by the BJP readThe BJP also claimed that Mamata Banerjee should answer whether West Bengals pride was negotiable for powerIncidentally the BJPs observations come just a couple of hours after CM Mamata earlier in the day criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his inadvertent reference to Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay as Bankim Da during his speech in ParliamentThe Prime Minister immediately amended his words and said he would henceforth address Chattopadhyay as Bankim Babu IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bjp-dares-cm-mamata-to-protest-against-dmk-mps-derogatory-remarks-about-vande-mataram-writer-652374.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 18:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/denial-of-conjugal-relations-amounts-to-mental-cruelty-delhi-hc-652377.html New Delhi Dec 9 The Delhi High Court has upheld a decree of divorce granted to a husband on the ground of mental cruelty noting that the marriage had remained unconsummated from the very inception A Bench of Justices Anil Kshetrapal and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar dismissed the appeal filed by the wife challenging the Family Courts December 15 2023 judgment dissolving her marriage to her husbandThe Justice Kshetrapalled Bench noted that the wifes conduct including threats of false criminal cases refusal to cohabit and abrupt abandonment of the matrimonial home justified dissolution under Section 131ia of the Hindu Marriage Act 1955Noting that the couple had lived together barely 40 days after their May 6 2017 wedding the Delhi High Court recorded that they had been continuously separated since June 26 2017The husband alleged that the wife repeatedly avoided physical intimacy refused conjugal relations citing illness or depression and threatened to implicate him in rape or abetment to suicide if he insisted on cohabitationIn its order the Justice Kshetrapalled Bench said these allegations were supported by WhatsApp and email exchanges from the initial days of the marriageThe exhibited communications reflect reluctance hesitation and unwillingness on the part of the appellant wife to engage in conjugal relations during the crucial initial period of marriage the Delhi High Court observed adding that her written statement itself used the expression almost consummated which fortified the Family Courts conclusionAgreeing with the Family Courts finding that the denial of conjugal relations was wilful and persistent it held that such denial amounts to mental crueltyThe Delhi High Court rejected the wifes claim that she and her family had made several attempts at reconciliation in Dhanbad Noida and even at a mall in December 2017For all the reasons recorded above this Court finds that the Family Courts conclusion that the respondent husband had proved cruelty on a preponderance of probabilities is supported by the record and does not warrant appellate interference said the Justice Kshetrapalled Bench affirming the decree of divorce IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/denial-of-conjugal-relations-amounts-to-mental-cruelty-delhi-hc-652377.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/anbumani-has-no-role-in-pmk-affairs-ramadoss-will-lead-party-says-gk-mani-after-delhi-hcs-verdict-652379.html Chennai Dec 9 Senior Pattali Makkal Katchi leader GK Mani on Tuesday said that the recent verdict of the Delhi High Court had clearly gone in favour of party founder S Ramadoss and invalidated the claims of the rival faction led by Anbumani Ramadoss Speaking to reporters at Thailapuram near Tindivanam in Tamil Nadu Mani asserted that the courtâs ruling reaffirmed the leadership of Dr Ramadoss who would continue to head the party take decisions on political alliances for the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections and retain control over the partyâs official recognition and election symbolâThe founder alone will decide the future course of the PMK Anbumani Ramadoss has no role in the partyâs affairsâ he said GK Mani said the party would soon regain its traditional âmangoâ symbol and contest the forthcoming elections under itHe alleged that the verdict had brought to light serious irregularities committed before the Election Commission of India ECI According to him Anbumani Ramadoss was elected as party president only for a threeyear term which ended in May 2025However the rival camp allegedly submitted fabricated records before the poll panel by projecting the 2023 general council meeting as one held in 2022 thereby attempting to unlawfully extend his term till 2026Referring to the recent communications sent by the ECI to Anbumani Ramadoss at his Chennai address Mani clarified that this did not amount to recognition of his leadership âIt was only a technical change of address based on misrepresented facts The party will take up this issue legally before the Commissionâ he saidMani also urged the Election Commission to âremain neutral and vigilantâ and avoid what he termed as betrayal of political parties âThe ECI committed a grave mistake by recognising the Anbumani faction earlier The Ramadossled faction alone represents the true PMKâ he maintainedAppealing to party workers who had joined the rival camp to return Mani said âI call upon all PMK cadres to follow the path of truth and justice and unite under the leadership of our founderâExpressing confidence about the partyâs prospects he said the PMK would emerge stronger and more united ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/anbumani-has-no-role-in-pmk-affairs-ramadoss-will-lead-party-says-gk-mani-after-delhi-hcs-verdict-652379.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/spear-corps-felicitates-15-newly-selected-agniveers-at-pasighat-arunachal-pradesh-652380.html New Delhi Dec 9 The Indian Armyâs Spear Corps organised a felicitation ceremony at the Veterans Seva Kendra VSK Pasighat to honour the successful Agniveer aspirants from East Siang and Siang districts who recently cleared the rigorous selection process under the Agnipath Scheme officials said on Tuesday A total of 15 motivated youth from the region were felicitated for their perseverance dedication and commitment to national serviceThe ceremony was attended by senior civil and military dignitaries including officials from Spear Corps and the local administration along with veterans serving personnel and proud family members of the achieversThe Veterans Seva Kendra Pasighat functioning under the aegis of Spear Corps has played a pivotal role in shaping the success of these aspirants Through the Spearhead Empowering Veterans and Aspirants SeVaA initiative the centre has been providing structured guidance training support and documentation assistance to Agniveer aspirants while simultaneously working for the welfare of veteransAddressing the gathering the dignitaries lauded the consistent efforts of the Veterans Seva Kendra in empowering the youth of the region A senior official remarked âThe Agniveer scheme offers a golden opportunity to the nationâs youth to serve with honour and build a secure future We are proud of these achievers and are confident they will uphold the finest traditions of the Indian ArmyâDuring the ceremony the successful candidates were felicitated with certificates and mementoes acknowledging their hard work and achievement The event stood as a proud moment for the families and the local community reflecting the strong bond between the Army and the people of Arunachal PradeshThe Spear Corps continues to take pride in mentoring and training the driven youth of Arunachal Pradesh guiding them towards distinguished national service through the Agnipath Scheme The success of these 15 Agniveers stands as a testament to sustained efforts disciplined preparation and unwavering determinationThe ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks reaffirming the commitment of the Veterans Seva Kendra Pasighat to continue nurturing future warriors and serving those who have already dedicated their lives to the nation IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/spear-corps-felicitates-15-newly-selected-agniveers-at-pasighat-arunachal-pradesh-652380.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-revised-alignment-approved-for-nagpur-chandrapur-expressway-652383.html Nagpur Dec 9 The Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday approved the revised alignment for the NagpurChandrapur Express Highway The new alignment which spans a total length of 204 kilometres incorporates suggestions received from the Central governments Gati Shakti Portal The revised alignment will connect the Seldoh Interchange on the Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg to Navegaon Mor on the DurgHyderabad National HighwayThe committee also gave approval for an extension of the deadline for the privatisation and development of plots in Mumbai specifically at Ghatkopar East Chembur Andheri West Ambivali Mudran Kamgar Nagar and ChunabhattiCM Fadnavis stressed the governmentâs priority in resolving traffic congestion issues arising from the rapid pace of urbanisation He directed that various measures be undertaken to ease traffic congestion on the Hadapsar to Yavat route in Pune district He emphasised that any measures such as road upgrades and the construction of an elevated highway on this route must be implemented without causing inconvenience to citizens He also called for necessary and immediate steps to resolve the traffic jam near Bhairoba NalaFadnavis instructed that all ongoing and proposed infrastructure projects in the state must first receive approval from the Gati Shakti Portal He directed that every project should only be presented before the Committee meeting after securing Gati Shakti approvalMeanwhile the Chief Minister also unveiled the Zebru Mascot for the road safety awareness campaign saying that it will become more effective in preventing accidents He appealed to citizens to follow traffic rules and participate in the road safety campaign adopting the core mantra Road Safety is Life Safety Rasta Suraksha Jeevan RakshaIn his introductory speech Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said that the Zebru mascot is a messenger of road safety adding that the road safety campaign will be implemented with the understanding that pedestrians have the first right Pahila Hakka Padcharyancha He said that âZebru will be taken to every corner of the state adding that the campaign will be executed in a way that makes Zebru the living soul of road safety Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has also instructed the Urban Development Department to formulate regulations for removing encroachments on footpaths and not removing the railings there IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-revised-alignment-approved-for-nagpur-chandrapur-expressway-652383.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/insecure-pakistan-army-prepares-drastic-crackdown-as-imran-khan-remains-defiant-652384.html New Delhi Dec 9 The Pakistani Army which is becoming extremely insecure where former Prime Minister Imran Khan is concerned is planning a slew of actions against him and his party the PTI Since his ouster and subsequent arrest the army has tried deliberating with him on several occasions but Imran Khan has remained defiant Even in recent weeks several meetings have been held between representatives from the army and him but the outcome has been nil Further the army is becoming extremely jittery due to the growing support for Imran Khan from the people of PakistanOfficials say that the army may try talking to Imran Khan one more time and if he remains defiant they are likely to ban his party The army may even tell the government to try Imran Khan under charges of treasonThe army is trying to project that Imran Khan is a security risk and he is capable of divulging secrets relating to the country He has knowledge about Pakistanâs secret assets as he had served as the Prime Minister The army is trying to make out a case that Imran Khan is mentally unstable and hence cannot be trusted with national secretsDuring the many discussions that have been held Imran Khan was even offered a safe passage out of Pakistan He could settle abroad and he would be granted political asylum However the former Prime Minister has not agreed to any of these offers and this has been frustrating the army to no endThe army is also upset that Imran Khan supports the TehreekeTaliban TTP and the Afghan Taliban Under his leadership ties with the TTP as well as the Afghan Taliban were normal However today the TTP has become one of the biggest headaches for the Pakistan Army The army has faced huge as well as embarrassing losses at the hands of the TTPTo make matters worse ties with the Afghan Taliban have strained and the Pakistan Army remains engaged in a constant battle with AfghanistanStatistics show that with the TTPâs resurgence terror attacks have gone up nearly 500 per cent The army blames this on Imran Khanâs PTI government which had facilitated the return and settlement of TTP militantsPakistan watchers say that for the establishment Imran Khan has become an impossible case to deal with With talks failing on every occasion and the former prime minister remaining defiant the army is trying to take drastic measuresExperts however warn that trying Khan for treason or banning his party will not be a solution Imran Khan enjoys huge support from the public He is a cricketing icon who has won a cricket World Cup for his country All these factors are on peopleâs minds and hence any major action such as this would anger the people They would take to the streets in a big way and this would be hard for the establishment to curtailAn official said that despite being at odds the establishment would still go against Imran Khan They would cite instances such as the resurgence of the PTI and also speak about international pressure Many within the establishment associate Washingtonâs anger against Pakistan with Imran Khan The establishment says that the US was upset with Pakistan since Imran Khan had accused Washington of engineering his removal from the post of Prime Minister Today ties between the US and Pakistan have improved remarkablyHe is also blamed for briefly derailing ties with Beijing after he commented that there were some corrupt Chinese involved in the China Economic Corridor Project CPECAnother official added that the establishment has already started to build up a case against Imran Khan Before taking any major action the establishment would convey a couple of messages to the people They would accuse him of reviving the TTP running foreign policy and also label him as a mentally unstable person capable of leaking national secrets IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/insecure-pakistan-army-prepares-drastic-crackdown-as-imran-khan-remains-defiant-652384.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/college-of-defence-management-celebrates-56th-raising-day-652385.html New Delhi Dec 9 The College of Defence Management CDM celebrated its 56th Raising Day in Secunderabad Telangana with a Raising Day Run and Cycling Event an official said on Tuesday At an event organised on Monday Commandant CDM Major General G Srinivas extended his compliments to all ranks the Civilian Defence employees and other staff and reaffirmed CDMâs unwavering commitment to advancing defence management education in the true spirit of its motto âVictory Through ExcellenceâThe celebration witnessed enthusiastic participation from officers staff and their families said the official in a statementTo commemorate the day CDM collaborated with the Purple Pacers and Purple Pedallers clubs to organise a Raising Day Run and Cycling EventThe celebrations also featured the valedictory ceremony of the Developing Responsible Citizens by Investing in Women Empowerment DRIWE a certificate course in collaboration with Osmania University for developing leadership entrepreneurship social awareness and empowerment amongst spouses of the Higher Defence Management Course officer traineesAs part of the celebrations the Indian Navyâs Band âSymphonyâ gave a special performance adding musical splendour to the eventEstablished in 1970 CDM is a premier triservice institution for higher defence management education With its flagship course âThe Higher Defence Management Courseâ HDMC the institute has been instrumental in enhancing organisational effectiveness across the Services by integrating modern management principles into defence planning and decisionmakingThe CDM has trained more than 660 officers from friendly foreign countries contributing significantly to promoting global understanding and defence diplomacyLast month officers of the Higher Defence Management Course CDM visited the Andaman and Nicobar Command to study the synergy achieved among the three Services and the Indian Coast Guard in monitoring and coordinated executionDuring the Forward Area Tour the delegation was briefed on capability development projects of the IAF in the Island territory and capabilities of the Amphibious Brigade said Headquarters Integrated Defence StaffâAt the Joint Operations Centre officers were briefed on recent operational activities including the ongoing Op Castle Bay which has exemplified a high degree of jointness integration and synergy achieved among the three Services and the Indian Coast Guard in monitoring situational awareness and coordinated execution at ANCâ said the HQ IDS IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/college-of-defence-management-celebrates-56th-raising-day-652385.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/microsoft-to-invest-175-bn-in-india-to-scale-up-ai-pm-modi-says-will-leverage-it-for-better-planet-652386.html New Delhi Dec 9 IANS Global tech giant Microsoft announced on Tuesday that it is investing 175 billion in India over the next four years 20262029 to drive AI diffusion in the country with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that the countrys youth will harness this opportunity to innovate and leverage the power of AI for a better planetnbspToday we are announcing our largest investment in Asia 175 billion over four years CY 2026 to 2029 to advance Indias cloud and artificial intelligence AI infrastructure skilling and ongoing operations This investment builds on the 3 billion investment announced earlier this year which we are on track to spend by the end of CY2026 Microsoft said in a statementThe announcement came after Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadellas meeting here with Prime Minister ModinbspThank you Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an inspiring conversation on Indias AI opportunity To support the countrys ambitions Microsoft is committing US175Bour largest investment ever in Asiato help build the infrastructure skills and sovereign capabilities needed for Indias AI first future Nadella said in a post on XnbspResponding to Nadellas post PM Modi wrote When it comes to AI the world is optimistic about IndiaHad a very productive discussion with Mr Satya Nadella Happy to see India being the place where Microsoft will make its largestever investment in Asia The youth of India will harness this opportunity to innovate and leverage the power of AI for a better planet he postednbspMicrosoft said that India stands at a pivotal moment in its AI journey one defined by impact at scale determined to lead As technology becomes a catalyst for inclusive growth and economic transformation the country is emerging as a frontier AI nationNadella has arrived in India for an AI tour of the countrynbspIn the meeting with PM Modi both leaders discussed the countrys AI roadmap and growth priorities Microsofts investment in India focuses on three pillarsscale skills and sovereigntyaligned with the Prime Ministers vision of building a comprehensive ecosystem that drives AI innovation and access at a national scale according to the company statementnbspThe new investment will be used to continue to scale up Microsofts cloud and AI infrastructure skilling initiatives and ongoing operations across India This includes the companys workforce of more than 22000 employees across Bengaluru Hyderabad Pune Gurugram Noida and other cities representing the diversity of Microsofts businesses They drive every part of its product cycle from model development to engineering and product innovation Their work contributes to innovation across Microsofts AI stack from infrastructure to app platforms to products while operating hyperscale datacenters and delivering sales and support to customers nationwide These teams are not only powering Indias digital transformation but also delivering AI impact at scale globally Copilot Studio Azure AI Search AI agents AI speech and translation Azure Machine Learning and more Every day they collaborate closely with Indias leading enterprises developers and institutions to unlock the promise of AI for the country according to the Microsoft statementOne of the key priorities of the Microsoft investment is building secure sovereignready hyperscale infrastructure to enable AI adoption in India At the heart of this effort is the significant progress being made at the India South Central cloud region based in Hyderabad that is set to go live in mid2026 This will be our largest hyperscale region in India comprising three availability zones roughly equivalent in size to two Eden Gardens stadiums combined the statement saidnbspThe company said it will also continue to expand the three existing operational data centre regions in Chennai Hyderabad and Pune This expansion provides organisations across India greater choice and resilience enabling lowlatency missioncritical performance for enterprises startups and public sector institutionsUnion Minister of Electronics ampamp Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said As AI reshapes the digital economy India remains committed to innovation anchored in trust and sovereignty Microsofts landmark investment signals Indias rise as a reliable technology partner for the world This partnership will set new benchmarks and drive the countrys leap from digital public infrastructure to AI public infrastructurenbspMicrosoft India and South Asia President Puneet Chandok said Building on the 3 billion investment announced in January 2025 Microsofts new 175 billion commitment and deep partnership across Indias technology ecosystem are focused on turning Indias AI ambition into impact for every citizen This transformation is anchored on three pillars hyperscale infrastructure to run AI at scale sovereignready solutions that ensure trust and skilling programs that empower every Indian to not just join the future but shape it https://dailyworld.in/national/microsoft-to-invest-175-bn-in-india-to-scale-up-ai-pm-modi-says-will-leverage-it-for-better-planet-652386.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-working-on-multi-pronged-action-plan-to-boost-exports-minister-652387.html New Delhi Dec 8 The government has adopted a multipronged and integrated strategy to bolster Indias exports across all sectors with a special focus on addressing global market challenges and supporting exporters including MSMEs and small exporters the Parliament was informed on Tuesday The strategy combines enhanced infrastructure digital transformation financial support and targeted market initiatives to create a resilient and competitive export ecosystem Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada told the Lok SabhaIn a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha he said that in response to recent global trade headwinds the government is intensifying efforts through both flagship schemes and sectorspecific interventionsHe pointed out that the Union Budget provides a total outlay of Rs 25060 crore for FY 202526 to FY 203031 for a comprehensive flexible and digitallydriven framework for export promotion It aims to strengthen the competitiveness of key sectors like textiles engineering goods pharmaceuticals and agricultureThe minister said that the Central government has also introduced the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters CGSE to provide 100 per cent credit guarantee coverage by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited NCGTC to Member Lending Institutions MLIs for extending additional credit facilities up to Rs 20000 crore to eligible exporters including MSMEs It will strengthen liquidity ensure smooth business operations and reinforce Indias progress towards Aatmanirbhar BharatThe Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India ECGC has introduced several measures to support exporters including collateralfree cover to stimulate export credit among MSME exporters who are not in a position to offer any collateral or thirdparty guarantee he addedUnder the International Cooperation Scheme being implemented by the Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises financial assistance is provided on a reimbursement basis to the eligible Central and State government organisations and industry associations to facilitate participation of MSMEs in international exhibitions and buyerseller meets held abroad and for organising international conferences in India with the aim of technology upgradation modernisation and forming joint venturesFurther reimbursement is provided to firsttime micro amp small exporters for costs incurred on RegistrationcumMembership Certification RCMC with Export Promotion Councils EPCs Export Insurance Premium and Testing amp Quality Certification for exportBharat Trade Net BTN announced in the Union Budget 2025 is another flagship digital public infrastructure developed by DGFT under the Ministry of Commerce amp Industry It aims to digitise trade documents improve access to export finance and integrate Indias trade ecosystem with global standards the minister observedAdditionally the government is proactively working to diversify Indias export basket and reduce dependency on traditional markets by identifying and facilitating entry into new and emerging global markets Leveraging Free Trade Agreements the government aims to promote export diversification and has signed 15 Free Trade Agreements FTAs and 6 Preferential Trade Agreements PTAs with its trading partners The government is working with all stakeholders to enable exporters to better utilise the benefits of Indias FTAs with major markets such as Japan Korea and the UAE and effectively utilise the opportunities that have been created with the recently concluded FTAs such as with the EFTA countries and the UK The government is also engaged in negotiations for early conclusion of FTAs with countries and groupings such as the EU Peru Chile New Zealand and Oman the minister added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-working-on-multi-pronged-action-plan-to-boost-exports-minister-652387.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/national-conservative-party-likely-to-be-the-name-of-new-party-launched-by-suspended-trinamool-legislator-humayun-kabir-652389.html Kolkata Dec 9 National Conservative Party NCP will be the probable name of the new political party to be floated by Humayun Kabir the nowsuspended Trinamool Congress legislator from Bharatpur constituency in minoritydominated Murshidabad district of West Bengal said a Trinamool Congress leader from the district who continued to remain a confidant of Kabir However when asked by media persons Kabir himself neither denied nor confirmed the new name of the partyMy new political party will be floated on December 22 All this information will be provided to you then On that day the names of the office bearers of the new party will also be announced he told newspersons on TuesdayKabir had already announced that his new political outfit will be contesting from more than 100 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal in alliance with Asaduddin Owaisifounded All India MajliseIttehadul Muslimeen AIMIM and also with the Left Front provided the latter agrees to that allianceOn Tuesday Kabir claimed that he is confident that after the West Bengal Assembly elections scheduled next year his newly floated party will win so many seats that the number will be vital in determining who will form the new government in the stateWhoever will head the new state government after the elections will have to come for support to form the government Kabir claimedHe also said that the official floating of the new political outfit on December 22 will witness a gathering of more than 100000 peopleLast week Kabir was officially suspended from Trinamool Congress a few days before the stonelaying function of the Babri Mosque at Beldanga in Murshidabad district which will be in line with the original construction at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh which was demolished on December 6 1992On Tuesday Kabir had approached the Calcutta High Court seeking security cover claiming a threat to his lifeI had been receiving life threat calls since December 6 this year when the foundation stone for the proposed mosque at Beldanga was laid Although the Union government expressed a desire to provide me with the security cover I refused to accept that I will accept the security mandated by the court Kabir said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/national-conservative-party-likely-to-be-the-name-of-new-party-launched-by-suspended-trinamool-legislator-humayun-kabir-652389.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nia-arrests-eighth-accused-in-delhi-blast-case-652391.html New Delhi Dec 9 The National Investigation Agency NIA on Tuesday arrested another key accused in connection with last monthâs Delhi bomb blast case According to the NIA Dr Bilal Naseer Malla of Baramulla JampK is the eighth accused to be arrested in the case RC212025NIADLIHe was nabbed by an NIA team from DelhiâNIA found him involved in the conspiracy behind the terrorist attack that killed 11 persons and injured several others in the Red Fort areaâ the NIA said in a press noteAs per the agencyâs investigations Bilal had knowingly harboured the deceased accused Umar Un Nabi by providing him logistical supportHe is also accused of the destruction of evidence related to the terrorist attackThe agency further stressed that it is continuing with its investigation into the conspiracy behind the deadly terror actThe antiterror agency is working closely with various central and state agencies to unravel all the threads of the conspiracyNotably earlier in the day sleuths of NIA carried out searches in forests of JampKâs Anantnag district in connection with the Delhi terror blastOfficial sources said that the NIA team assisted by JampK Police started searches in the forest area of Anantnag district on Tuesday in connection with the November 10 terror blast near the Red Fort in which 11 civilians were killed and many others were injuredSources said the NIA team has brought along two accused namely Dr Adil Rather and Jasir Bilal Wani to pinpoint the exact spot for the ongoing searchA white collar terror module operated by local doctors was busted by JampK police and Haryana police in the Faridabad areaThis led to the arrest of two conspirators Dr Adil Rather and Dr Muzammil Ganai while the third conspirator Dr Umar Nabi evaded arrestDr Umar Nabi carried out the blast of his explosiveladen car near the Red Fort in which the bomber was killed while 11 innocent civilians also became victims of the explosion IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nia-arrests-eighth-accused-in-delhi-blast-case-652391.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/chugh-demands-cbi-probe-into-political-financial-corruption-in-punjab-652392.html Chandigarh Dec 9 BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh on Tuesday demanded a CBI inquiry into the alleged financial corruption in the Congress Taking a strong note of the claim made by Navjot Kaur Sidhu that former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Randhawa sold the Congress Assembly tickets in Rajasthan Chugh said such allegations needed to be investigated because they reflected gross financial corruption in the Congress led by the Gandhi family He said as it is some of the Gandhi family members are on bail in a corruption case the disclosures made by Navjot Kaur must be investigated thoroughly Chugh also referred to a fresh chapter of corruption in Punjab involving protected forest and government land in the Shivalik range He said people of Punjab want to know why the Congress leadership has chosen to suspend Navjot Kaur Sidhu at the very moment when she has flagged a major environmental and landgrabbing scandal that directly concerns powerful political interests Chugh said Navjot Kaur Sidhu has clearly alleged that thousands of acres of the Shivalik foothill land protected under the Punjab Land Preservation Act and forest regulations are under illegal occupation by VVIPs without legal registry Chugh said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is allegedly preparing to legalise these illegal holdings which would amount to legitimising environmental crime He said the Shivalik region is ecologically fragile and legally protected and any move to regularise unauthorised forest land must immediately be investigated at the highest level Chugh also demanded a comprehensive CBI enquiry into the entire Shivalik land encroachment and proposed regularisation saying the people of Punjab deserve full transparency on which VVIPs have grabbed protected land IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/chugh-demands-cbi-probe-into-political-financial-corruption-in-punjab-652392.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/raj-govt-to-celebrate-non-resident-rajasthani-day-tomorrow-652394.html Jaipur Dec 9 The âNonresident Rajasthani Dayâ event being organised on the initiative of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma will bring together nonresident Rajasthanis living in India and across the world More than 8700 participants have registered for the event The groundbreaking ceremony for investment proposals worth Rs 1 lakh crore will take place at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre JECC on December 10The Overseas Rajasthani Policy along with new investment promotion policies will also be unveiled The oneday event will begin at 10 AM with the inaugural session It will be followed by an interaction with the overseas Rajasthani community and sectoral sessions on industry energy water resources mining education tourism and healthExperts will discuss Rajasthanâs evolving industrial landscape and new avenues of collaboration The Pravasi Rajasthani Samman will be awarded to distinguished nonresident Rajasthanis for their exceptional contributionsThe evening will feature a vibrant cultural program highlighting Rajasthani heritage Representatives from 26 Rajasthan Chapters will participateâ12 international chapters including Munich Germany Nairobi Kenya Dubai UAE Singapore Doha Qatar Tokyo Japan Riyadh Saudi Arabia Melbourne Australia Kampala Uganda Kathmandu Nepal London UK and New York USA The 14 domestic chapters include Delhi Ranchi Guwahati Pune Bhubaneswar Mumbai Chennai Ahmedabad Surat Bengaluru Hyderabad Indore Kolkata and CoimbatoreUnder the leadership of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma the state government is working systematically to convert investment proposals into action A total of Rs 35 lakh crore worth of investment agreements were signed under Rising Rajasthan of which Rs 7 lakh crore MoUs have already materialised With the groundbreaking of Rs 1 lakh crore worth of projects on December 10 the total implemented investment will reach Rs 8 lakh crore More than 10 new policies including the NRI Rajasthani Policy will be launched to further position Rajasthan as a leading global investment destination A thematic exhibition titled âProgressive Pathâ will be set up at the venue to showcase Rajasthanâs development journey Display panels and video presentations will highlight key achievements of the state governmentThe exhibition aims to help NRIs understand the stateâs progress as they reconnect with their roots and the vision of âGrowing Rajasthan â Our Rajasthanâ Several new initiatives have been launched to enhance communication and cooperation with the Rajasthani diaspora These include the declaration of Pravasi Rajasthani Day the creation of a dedicated department for diaspora welfare and the implementation of the Pravasi Rajasthani Policy A singlepoint contact system has been established for migrant families in every district with the Additional District Collector designated as the nodal officer to address their concernsThe event will be attended by Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma Union Minister of Power Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav Union Minister of State Independent Charge for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary Industry and Commerce Minister Colonel Rajyavardhan Rathore as well as other ministers and public representatives Prominent industrialistsChief Minister Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma had first announced during the Pravasi Rajasthani Conclave at the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit that December 10 would be observed annually as Pravasi Rajasthani DayThis year marks the first celebration of this initiative Preevents have already been organised in Hyderabad Surat and Kolkata along with a dedicated tourism premeet IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/raj-govt-to-celebrate-non-resident-rajasthani-day-tomorrow-652394.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-cm-assures-full-support-to-set-up-film-studios-at-future-city-652397.html Hyderabad Dec 9 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Tuesday assured all support to set up film studios at the upcoming Bharat Future City He stated that the state government is ready to provide all facilities to filmmakers to complete the films if they come with scriptsThe Chief Minister met actors Chiranjeevi Ritesh Deshmukh Genelia Arjun Kapoor Akkineni Amala filmmakers Allu Aravind Suresh Babu and Dil Raju Amala and othersDeputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka and Minister for Cinematography Komatireddy Venkat Reddy were also presentThe Chief Minister told them that the government is ready to provide all kinds of facilities required for the development of the film industry in the stateHe explained that Skills University has already been set up in Future City He asked them to examine the possibility of training locals in 24 crafts to meet the needs of the film industryAkkineni Nagarjuna who participated in the event on Monday announced Annapurna Studio would be set up in Future CityBollywood actor Salman Khanâs Salman Khan Ventures Pvt Ltd also announced plans to develop a Rs 10000crore integrated township and film studioThe township will feature a championship golf course highend leisure amenities a race course curated nature trails and premium residential spaces According to an official release there will also be a stateoftheart film studio complex designed to support largeformat productions OTT content postproduction facilities and talent development programmesThe state government has also promised land infrastructure support for Film City proposed to be set up by Ajay Devgn Film StudioActors Arjun Kapoor Ritesh Deshmukh director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and others participated in the session on âThe Creative Century Indiaâs Soft Power and The Future of EntertainmentâHighlighting the rapid rise of Hyderabad as a global entertainment hub Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy said the city is home to worldclass film infrastructure including Ramoji Film City major VFX and gaming companies and a strong diverse creative workforceHe reiterated that the Telangana government is committed to strengthening this ecosystem through incentivebased film policy reforms international production facilitation AVGCXR innovation centres and global industry partnershipsThe Minister also stressed the importance of industry welfare and sustainable development announcing measures such as capital subsidies for large investments production reimbursements for companies using local resources and mandatory contributions from increased ticket pricing towards a film workersâ welfare fundHe said the Government aims to balance rapid expansion with fair working conditions for industry contributorsCalling the future of entertainment a convergence of cinema OTT gaming esports virtual production creator economy and immersive digital storytelling the Minister noted that technology will transform content creation but humancentred storytelling will remain the soul of entertainmentInviting global studios streaming platforms gaming companies and investors he positioned Hyderabad as the gateway to the Indian entertainment market and India as the gateway to the world IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-cm-assures-full-support-to-set-up-film-studios-at-future-city-652397.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 20:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-congress-demands-minister-pratima-bagris-resignation-after-her-brothers-arrest-652398.html Bhopal Dec 9 The Congress workers on Tuesday staged protests in several districts in Madhya Pradesh including in Bhopal demanding the resignation of BJP leader and Minister of State Pratima Bagri whose brother was arrested with ganja marijuana in Satna district on Monday Minister Bagris brother Anil Bagri along with his partner Pankaj Singh was arrested in Satna district Police claimed to have recovered 46 kg of marijuana from their possessionThe contraband was reportedly hidden in sacks of paddy at Pankajs residence in Marounha villageAccording to police the seized marijuana is valued at Rs 922 lakh According to the police the vehicle used for smuggling belongs to another accused Shailendra Singh Rajawat who is currently on the runThe arrests come just days after Minister Pratima Bagris brotherinlaw Shailendra Singh was held in Banda Uttar Pradesh with 105 kg of marijuanaShailendra is already lodged in Banda jail in another NDPS case and had earlier been arrested in Satna for allegedly trafficking narcotic cough syrup in a racket worth around Rs 55 croreWith both the ministers brother and brotherinlaw now linked to separate narcotics cases the opposition Congress demanded her resignation from the ministerial postState Congress president Jitu Patwari said that one after another BJP leader or their close relatives are being found involved in drug trafficking in Madhya PradeshMadhya Pradesh has become the centre point of drug trafficking under the BJP rule in the past 20 years Before Pratima Bagris relatives BJP minister Vishwas Sarangs involvement was found with the Bhopal Machhli gang but they are being shielded by the BJP Patwari saidWhen reporters questioned Minister Pratima Bagri during a review meeting in Khajuraho about her relatives alleged involvement in drug smuggling she appeared visibly upset and shot back Zabardasti ki baat kyun karte ho tumlog Why do you talk unnecessarilyHowever later talking to the media in Bhopal on Tuesday Bagri distanced herself from the issue saying that she has nothing to withdraw them She instead blamed the media for narrating their own story to defame herBefore creating a narrative media persons should know the truth I have no connection with those It is the media that made him my brother Bagri statedHowever when asked why she tied Rakhi to Anil Bagri and shared multiple photographs on her social media accounts if he is not her brother Minister Bagri didnât reply and fled from the spot IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-congress-demands-minister-pratima-bagris-resignation-after-her-brothers-arrest-652398.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 20:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/govts-7-working-groups-finalise-roadmap-for-bharat-6g-mission-652399.html New Delhi Dec 9 The seven dedicated Working Groups constituted earlier by the Centre under the Bharat 6G Alliance presented their progress and roadmap here at a quarterly review meeting chaired by Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia on Tuesday Highlighting the structure of B6GAâs seven working groups Scindia stressed that technology spectrum devices applications and sustainability verticals must align seamlessly for innovations to mature and scale He said monthly joint reviews between working groups are essential to ensure that breakthroughs in one domain translate into actionable outcomes in othersHe pointed out that spectrum policy will be central to Indiaâs 6G strategy and noted that India has already undertaken significant spectrum refarming with more planned aheadUnderstanding global trends he said will be vital for building a longterm national spectrum approach for 6G On devices he called for a holistic understanding of the value chain from design to manufacturing India must balance high volumes with affordability he said noting that Indiaâs market dynamics are fundamentally different from those of Europe or the United States He encouraged exploration of standardised device frameworks to accelerate scale and reduce costsScindia underscored the importance of joint innovation models noting that India must bring entrepreneurs academia and industry together drawing inspiration from collaborative development seen in countries like Germany and Japan after periods of major reconstructionHe emphasised that India must define 6G use cases rooted in Indian needs rather than relying solely on global templatesThe minister reaffirmed that Indiaâs 6G journey is not just about technological advancement but about building a selfreliant ecosystem that benefits citizens industry and the global community Indiaâs pursuit of 6G he said must not only deliver for the nation but must originate from Indian innovation With an expanding ecosystem of researchers startups and industry partners India is wellpositioned to shape the future of digital connectivityThe Bharat 6G Alliance a collaborative platform committed to driving indigenous design development and deployment of 6G technologies is central to Indiaâs ambition of becoming a global leader in advanced communications and a major supplier of IP products and solutions for affordable 5G and 6G systemsThe Working Groups focus on spectrum device technology components sensors and the manufacturing ecosystem core technology applications green and sustainability dimensions outreach and international engagement and 6G use cases and revenue systems ensuring that every critical pillar of the Bharat 6G Mission is addressed in a coordinated and comprehensive mannerThe minister laid out the core objectives of the Bharat 6G Mission defining clear phasewise goals close consultation with the Bharat 6G Alliance identifying priority research areas commissioning independent evaluations and ensuring quarterly progress reviews He stressed the need for India to build endtoend value chains break complex challenges into manageable components and track measurable progress every three months instead of annual cyclesScindia reiterated that India should not merely adapt to global standards but aim to shape them While aligning with international bodies such as 3GPP and ITU Indiancentric innovations must become globally relevant He highlighted that uniqueness and ubiquity are both essential for Indiaâs leadership in telecom technology IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/govts-7-working-groups-finalise-roadmap-for-bharat-6g-mission-652399.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 20:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/assam-emerging-as-new-hub-of-education-cm-sarma-652405.html Guwahati Dec 9 Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday asserted that the state has been emerging as a new hub for education as the state now has 25 medical colleges with an equal number of universities Giving a snapshot of the transformative journey in education that Assam is going through at the moment the Chief Minister said that Assam now has more than 25 medical colleges 15 colleges are already functional and 10 more are in their different stages of construction He also said that Assam now has 2526 universities that are either already functional or remain under construction He added that the state now has many engineering colleges including IIT Guwahati and NIT Silchar which people once could not even imagine Sarma mentioned that today Assam is a hub of new and emerging opportunities where educated youth can find avenues to workâWith all development initiatives like creating a startup ecosystem to industrialisation the state is witnessing a new era of growth and development From Skill University to the Semiconductor industry Assam is all set to become one of the five most developed states of the countryâ he added Sarma attended the 4th convocation of Cotton University and urged the graduates to lead Assamâs journey towards competence and selfreliance Addressing the 2804 graduates the Chief Minister while conveying his heartfelt congratulations to the students attributed their academic success to the outcome of their dedication as well as the sacrifices of the teachers and the families of the students He on the occasion congratulated all the faculty members as well as parents and family members of the students who have supported the graduates in their success Reminiscing about his own days in Cotton College now Cotton University Sarma said that for him personally the day is very special He said that the education he received on the campus of the erstwhile Cotton College shaped his life and helped him to march ahead He also said âAs a proud alumnus of Cotton College now Cotton University it is a matter of great honour for me to stand before you and address you on this memorable and dignified occasionâ The Chief Minister hailing the Cotton University said that the institution carries a very special energy that inspires young minds to dream bigger work harder and rise higher He said that when Cotton College was upgraded to Cotton University that same energy found a wider canvas He said that the students of the university not only honoured their glorious legacy but have also embraced the future with courage confidence and clarity of purpose He also said that convocations always open the doors to new ideas Convocations offer an opportunity to reflect deeply on the future Addressing the graduates the Chief Minister said âYou have earned your degrees from Cotton University an eminent institution of learning and a major centre of knowledge in the NorthEast At this moment you stand on the threshold of a promising future and a remarkable journeyâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/assam-emerging-as-new-hub-of-education-cm-sarma-652405.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 21:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-arrests-senior-passport-official-in-disproportionate-assets-case-652407.html New Delhi Dec 9 The Central Bureau of Investigation CBI has arrested a Senior Passport Superintendent currently posted at the Regional Passport Office in Mumbai and earlier stationed in Uttar Pradeshs Ghaziabad in connection with an ongoing disproportionate assets case the Central agency said on Tuesday Officials said the arrest was made late on December 8 after investigators found that the accused Deepak Chandra was attempting to influence witnesses and mislead the inquiryAccording to the CBI a case was registered against Chandra on March 24 2025 for allegedly possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of incomeInvestigators claim that during the check period from July 30 2018 to September 30 2024 he accumulated assets worth Rs 8506900 which amounted to 14643 per cent more than his legitimate incomeDuring the course of investigation search was conducted at residential premise of the accused which led to the recovery of huge unaccounted cash of around Rs 60 lakh details of investments in immovable properties as well as details of various expenses of high magnitude the CBI said in its press noteThe agency also documented details of investments in immovable properties and substantial personal expenditures that it believes could not be justified by his salary and official earningsIn September the AntiCorruption Court of the CBI in Ghaziabad issued an adinterim attachment order allowing the agency to provisionally attach properties linked to the accusedThese included a residential flat and a commercial shop both identified during the course of the inquiryFollowing his arrest Chandra was produced before the CBI court in Ghaziabad on December 9 The court granted the agency police custody of the accused until December 12 to facilitate further questioningThe CBI said the investigation into the alleged disproportionate assets and related financial trails remains ongoing IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-arrests-senior-passport-official-in-disproportionate-assets-case-652407.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 21:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vijay-to-address-tvk-supporters-in-puducherry-today-amid-police-restrictions-652153.html Chennai Dec 9 A public rally organised by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK is scheduled for Tuesday at the Uppalam Helipad Ground in Puducherry with party leader Vijay set to address supporters amid strict policeimposed regulations and elaborate security arrangements The rally is part of Vijayâs districtwise campaign across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Following the Karur incident last month the actorturnedpolitician addressed a public meeting at a private college in Kancheepuram Soon after the party formally announced his participation in the Puducherry rally which generated considerable excitement among TVK volunteers and supportersPolice permission has been granted for the event to be held between 10 am and noon on Tuesday at the Uppalam Helipad Ground However attendance has been restricted to a maximum of 5000 people and entry will be allowed only through QR codeenabled passesThe police have also imposed a ban on issuing these passes to participants from Tamil Nadu as part of additional crowdcontrol measures To ensure basic facilities organisers in coordination with the authorities have arranged 20 plastic water tanks with a capacity of 1000 litres each at various locations in and around the venue Temporary toilet facilities have also been set up at multiple points for the convenience of those attending the meetingAccording to the schedule Vijay will leave his residence at Panaiyur this morning and reach the rally venue by around 1030 am via the East Coast Road He is expected to address the gathering from his campaign vehicleEntry into the ground will be strictly limited to those carrying valid passes In a statement issued at the behest of Vijay TVK General Secretary Bussy Anand announced a set of strict guidelines for party volunteers and supporters Pregnant women mothers with infants senior citizens persons with physical challenges schoolchildren and persons with disabilities have been advised not to attend the rallySupporters have also been directed not to pursue Vijayâs vehicle either during his arrival or departure Referring to High Court directions the party has instructed that no cutouts banners decorative arches or flagwired structures should be erected on national highways or other public roads without proper permissionVolunteers have also been warned against climbing on government or private buildings compound walls trees vehicles and flagpoles near the venue Standing close to electric poles transformers and streetlight structures has also been prohibitedPolice have enforced a total of 11 safety and trafficrelated restrictions in the Uppalam area to ensure the smooth movement of ambulances public transport pedestrians and motorists particularly safeguarding women children the elderly and patientsAs a precautionary safety measure the governmentaided Mathias Higher Secondary School and the Bethany Seminary Primary School located near the Uppalam Helipad Ground have been declared closed on Tuesday IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vijay-to-address-tvk-supporters-in-puducherry-today-amid-police-restrictions-652153.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarats-jhopadi-electrification-scheme-brings-light-to-over-10-lakh-poor-households-652410.html Gandhinagar Dec 9 To improve the living conditions of the stateâs poorest families the Gujarat governmentâs Jhopadi Electrification Scheme continues to expand access to free electricity connections for hut dwellers across rural and urban areas According to the state government over 1009 lakh jhopadis have been provided free electricity connections under the scheme so far up to November 2025 In the last five years alone the government spent Rs 8499 lakh to electrify 152466 jhopadis significantly improving the quality of life for lowincome familiesFor 202526 Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has earmarked an additional Rs 1617 lakh to ensure the scheme reaches even more beneficiaries To ensure that more poor families qualify the state has steadily increased the annual income cap for beneficiaries A decade ago the limit was just Rs 27000 Today it has been raised to Rs 150 lakh covering both BPL households and other economically weak families regardless of casteIn 2018 the income limits were revised substantially Rural beneficiaries from Rs 47000 to Rs 120 lakh Urban beneficiaries from Rs 68000 to Rs 150 lakh This expansion has enabled thousands more hut dwellers to access free electricity connections The scheme launched in 199697 was originally implemented by the Gujarat Electricity Board GEB In 2003 then Chief Minister and now Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook major power sector reforms and restructured GEB into four distribution companies DGVCL MGVCL PGVCL and UGVCL Since then these four DISCOMs have been executing the Jhopadi Electrification SchemeThe current government led by CM Bhupendra Patel has continued this reformdriven approach accelerating electrification for the poorest households During 202425 the state provided 25939 free electricity connections under the scheme for Rs 161703 lakh This sustained investment officials say highlights the governmentâs commitment to improving ease of living and reducing povertyThe scheme is implemented under the Energy amp Petrochemicals Department Eligible BPL and lowincome families can apply as follows Rural areas Applications must be submitted to the Taluka Development Officer or the Taluka Panchayat office Urban areas Applications are accepted at the municipality or municipal corporation office Approved beneficiary lists are forwarded to the respective DISCOM regional offices which then issue free electricity connections after verifying eligibility norms IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarats-jhopadi-electrification-scheme-brings-light-to-over-10-lakh-poor-households-652410.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 23:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/lok-sabha-to-hold-crucial-debate-on-sir-today-652155.html New Delhi Dec 9 Lok Sabha is set for a highstakes debate on the Special Intensive Revision SIR of electoral rolls and wider electoral reforms today following a prolonged impasse that stalled proceedings The breakthrough came after intense negotiations between the government and Opposition culminating in an allparty agreement on Tuesday to bring the matter to the floor of both HousesAccording to the schedule finalised at the meeting chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla the Lok Sabha will hold a full debate on electoral reforms on December 9 responding to the Oppositionâs persistent demand for a structured discussion on the SIR processThe dispute over SIRâan exercise the Opposition claims has led to the disenfranchisement of marginalised communitiesâhad triggered heated exchanges and disruptions since the Winter Session began on December 1Meanwhile the Lok Sabha will resume a debate the Opposition has been pressing for since the sessionâs opening day Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi will spearhead the Oppositionâs intervention with Meghwal scheduled to respond on WednesdayThe debate follows repeated protests by senior Opposition leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi who staged demonstrations inside and outside Parliament holding placards reading âStop SIR â Stop Vote ChoriâParliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju confirmed the scheduling via a post on X noting that the discussions on Vande Mataramâs 150th anniversary and electoral reforms were finalised during the allparty meeting IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/lok-sabha-to-hold-crucial-debate-on-sir-today-652155.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/intense-cold-wave-continues-in-kashmir-no-forecast-for-snowfall-652157.html Srinagar Dec 9 Intense cold wave continued in Kashmir on Tuesday and the Meteorological MeT Department had no forecast for snowfall either in the plains or upper reaches A large number of locals especially children and elderly people have been suffering from flu and other chestrelated ailments which continue to be on the rise due to extreme cold and dryness aroundThe Air Quality Index AQI has deteriorated during the last fortnight due to an increase in the suspended particulate matter SPM according to a leading local Pulmonologist Dr Naveed Nazir ShahDr Shah said the number of patients reporting chestrelated problems at various hospitals had more than doubled during the last 15 daysAs night temperatures continued to remain below the freezing point across the Valley an advisory issued by the MeT Department had no good news at least for the next 10 daysThe advisory said shallow to moderate fog is likely to continue at many places in the Kashmir division and at isolated places in the Jammu divisionOn 9th December partly to generally cloudy weather on 1012th December partly cloudy On 1315th December partly to generally cloudy with the possibility of very light snow at isolated higher reaches of North amp Central Kashmir towards late nightearly morning hours On 1618th December partly cloudy On 1921st December partly to generally cloudy with the possibility of light snow at isolated higher reachesâ the advisory saidThe cloudy sky in the morning could not provide any relief to early risers as people covering their faces with woollen mufflers hurried to buy milk and bread for the morning tea in Srinagar cityThe 40day period of harsh winter cold called the âChillai Kalanâ begins each year on December 21 and ends on January 30During this period most water bodies in the Valley freeze either partially or completely as the gap between the minimum and maximum temperatures narrowsThe night temperature during Chillai Kalan usually drops to minus 7 degrees Celsius while the day temperature rarely rises above 7 degrees Celsius during this period IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/intense-cold-wave-continues-in-kashmir-no-forecast-for-snowfall-652157.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/iit-gandhinagar-gets-gujarats-first-gen-z-themed-post-office-652413.html Gandhinagar Dec 9 In a bid to bring Indiaâs postal services closer to the countryâs GenZ population the Department of Posts has unveiled Gujaratâs first GenZ themed post office at IIT Gandhinagar The redesigned facility is part of a nationwide initiative under which 46 such post offices will be launched across academic institutions by December 15Calling it a major milestone in the modernisation of the postal network officials said the new space has been developed to reflect youthful energy creativity and technologydriven expectations The IIT Gandhinagar centre marks a shift towards making post offices vibrant studentfriendly and digitally enabledSintu Kumar Jaiswal the SubPostmaster said the revamped space has been designed to make the postal system more accessible to young peopleStudents at IIT Gandhinagar played an active role in conceptualising the interiors Their ideas are reflected in murals decor and layout A highlight is the mural titled âThe Tree of Life at IIT Gandhinagarâ painted by students depicting the instituteâs lively ecosystem and diverse bird species adding a unique artistic touch to the post office âI love how this space feels like a part of our campus not just a government officeâ said IIT student Sikha Sharma expressing excitement over the youthful transformation Another student Siddhesh said the upgraded design and digital services make the post office far more engaging for GenZ usersThe post office now features WiFi a mini cafe a reading corner parcel packaging services QRbased digital payments philately products and postal life insurance facilities Students are also being offered special discounts on Speed Post making postal services more convenient and affordable for campus residents Students say the initiative has allowed them to reconnect with the postal system in a meaningful way âItâs not just cheaper to send parcels here itâs also a cool hangout space with cashless payments and modern facilitiesâ said one of themOverall the initiative aims to revitalise the Indian postal service by redefining the post office experience for the GenZ generation and the IIT Gandhinagar model is already being seen as a successful example of that transformation IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/iit-gandhinagar-gets-gujarats-first-gen-z-themed-post-office-652413.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 23:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/odisha-assembly-approves-major-salary-and-allowance-hike-for-mlas-652414.html Bhubaneswar Dec 9 The Odisha Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed legislation that significantly increased the salaries and allowances of its members marking a more than threefold rise According to the four bills passed on Tuesday the enhancement in salaries and allowances will be effective retrospectively from June 5 2024 The enhancement covers all key officebearers including the Chief Minister Deputy Chief Ministers ministers Speaker Deputy Speaker Leader of the Opposition Chief Whip and Deputy Chief WhipsFormer MLAs will also benefit from higher pensions and allowances under the new provisions Under the legislation the monthly basic salary of an MLA has been raised from Rs 35000 to Rs 90000 In addition members will receive a sumptuary allowance of Rs 98000 per month compared to Rs 40000 previously Other allowances including those for constituency visits Lok Seva Bhawan engagements transport and medical expenses have also been substantially increased ExMLAs are now entitled to pensions and additional allowances totalling approximately Rs 117 lakh per monthSpecifically the Chief Ministerâs monthly remuneration will amount to Rs 374 lakh comprising a basic salary of Rs 1 lakh a sumptuary allowance of Rs 183 lakh and Rs 91000 for car allowances Salaries for other officebearers range between Rs 350 lakh and Rs 368 lakh per month depending on the positionThe bills were tabled in the Assembly and passed without opposition on Tuesday Senior BJD leader and party chief whip Pramila Mallik welcomed the move stating it would support former MLAs in managing their social and financial needs BJP MLA Om Prakash Mishra also endorsed the decision calling it a necessary and longoverdue measure for the state legislature IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/odisha-assembly-approves-major-salary-and-allowance-hike-for-mlas-652414.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 23:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/three-critical-after-blast-at-balco-plant-in-chhattisgarhs-korba-652159.html Korba Chhattisgarh Dec 9 Three workers were seriously injured after an explosion at Bharat Aluminium Company Limiteds Balcos GAP Green Anode Plant in Chhattisgarhs Korba triggering panic among employees present at the site The blast took place late on Monday night Oil leakage is suspected to be the possible cause behind the explosion During the incident the workers suffered severe burn injuries and were immediately rushed to the hospital for treatmentEyewitnesses said there was a sudden loud noise inside the plant followed by heavy smokeThe explosion created panic across the facility prompting the arrival of the security team which moved swiftly to bring the situation under controlThe incident falls under the jurisdiction of the Balco police stationPolice have launched an investigation into the matter and are working to ascertain the exact cause of the explosionInitial information points towards a technical fault in the machinery as a possible reason behind the accidentSo far no official statement has been issued by the company management regarding the incidentThe latest blast comes barely two months after a major mishap was narrowly averted at the Balco plant on October 8 when a twodecadeold electrostatic precipitator ESP structure collapsed inside the production premisesThe ESP which was installed during 200405 suddenly gave way during operational hours sending a loud crash echoing across the unitThe electrostatic precipitator functioning as a dust and ash filter in the plants production system had been in continuous use for nearly 20 years Initial inquiries had suggested that agerelated weakening of the structure may have contributed to its sudden collapseThe recent explosion has once again brought Balcos safety practices under sharp scrutinyIt may be recalled that the plant had also witnessed a chimney collapse earlier which had raised similar concerns over compliance with inspection schedules and the effectiveness of response systems IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/three-critical-after-blast-at-balco-plant-in-chhattisgarhs-korba-652159.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-blue-flag-shivrajpur-beach-emerges-as-global-icon-of-coastal-tourism-652415.html Gandhinagar Dec 9 Gujaratâs tourism landscape is setting a new global benchmark with the remarkable transformation of Shivrajpur Beach in Devbhumi Dwarka now the stateâs first Blue Flag certified beach as shared by officials on Tuesday The prestigious international tag not only enhances Gujaratâs coastal identity but also reflects the stateâs strong commitment toward developing worldclass sustainable and modern tourism infrastructureAligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs âDekho Apna Deshâ vision the evolution of Shivrajpur Beach demonstrates Gujaratâs forwardlooking effort to provide an internationalquality beach experience within India itself Located along Gujaratâs 2340km coastline Shivrajpur Beach has long been admired for its cleanliness natural tranquillity and safe environment The Blue Flag certification elevates it into the league of the worldâs best beaches recognising high standards of environmental management safety protocols and sustainable touristfriendly facilitiesDeveloped by the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd TCGL with an investment of Rs 130 crore Shivrajpur has emerged as a model coastal development project This success will be prominently showcased at the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference VGRC in Rajkot where the KutchSaurashtra coastal and cultural tourism circuit will present a comprehensive investment roadmap for the first time The beach now features a comprehensive range of modern amenities that significantly enhance the visitor experienceThese include a stateoftheart arrival plaza a dedicated snorkelling plaza welldeveloped cycling tracks and a scenic promenade Essential infrastructure such as a sludge treatment plant and a newly developed 11km access road has further improved connectivity and sustainabilityTo ensure comfort and convenience for tourists the beach is also equipped with changing and shower rooms along with a childrenâs play zone that adds to its appeal as a familyfriendly coastal destination Upcoming attractions such as the proposed Beach Festival and themebased coastal events aim to position Shivrajpur as an international hotspot for beachbased tourism and cultural celebrationsMeanwhile the DwarkaOkha Urban Development Authority is preparing an integrated tourism plan for Dwarka Bet Dwarka and Shivrajpurâan effort expected to transform the entire belt into a major hub for tourism and investment Leading domestic and international investors along with key strategic partners will be invited to explore a wide range of highreturn opportunities across the KutchSaurashtra tourism circuit These include the development of premium coastal resorts in Devbhumi Dwarka largescale water sports and adventure tourism projects and ecotourism as well as heritage hospitality ventures across the culturally rich KutchSaurashtra belt The region also offers promising prospects for forestbased tourism in the Gir landscape and vibrant cultural and experiential tourism initiatives throughout the Rann collectively positioning the area as one of Indiaâs most attractive emerging tourism investment destinationsThe Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference VGRC scheduled for January 1012 2026 in Rajkot is set to become a turning point for coastal tourism development in the region With Shivrajpurâs transformation as the flagship model the Gujarat government plans to spotlight the vast investment potential across the KutchSaurashtra circuit With Shivrajpur Beach standing tall as Gujaratâs new global tourism symbol the state is poised to showcase its coastal ambitions on the international stage ushering in a new era of sustainable tourism worldclass experiences and transformative investments across western India IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-blue-flag-shivrajpur-beach-emerges-as-global-icon-of-coastal-tourism-652415.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 23:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/may-she-be-blessed-with-a-long-life-and-good-health-pm-modis-birthday-greetings-to-sonia-gandhi-652160.html New Delhi Dec 9 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended birthday greetings to Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and wished her a long life and good health PM Modi took to the social media platform X and posted âBirthday greetings to Smt Sonia Gandhi Ji May she be blessed with a long life and good healthSonia Gandhi who stepped down as Congress President in 2017 remains the longestserving president of the Indian National Congress the countrys oldest political party She was succeeded by her son Rahul Gandhi Born on December 9 1946 Sonia Gandhi is the daughter of Stefano Maino a building mason and Paola Maino She grew up in a Roman Catholic family in Orbassano a small town in Italy along with her sisters Nadia and AnoushkaIn 1964 she moved to Cambridge England to study English where she met Rajiv Gandhi who was pursuing engineering The two fell in love and in 1968 they married in a Hindu ceremony After marriage Sonia moved into the home of her motherinlaw then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi entering the complex world of Indian politics public scrutiny and national responsibilitySonia Gandhi first became Congress President in 1998 At that time the party was grappling with leadership crises internal conflicts and electoral defeats The Congress was in power in only three states Madhya Pradesh Odisha and Mizoram Under her leadership the party went on to win two consecutive general elections and governed as many as 16 states in the 2000s before its gradual decline after 2014She formally joined the Congress party in 1997 at the Calcutta plenary session In the 1998 general elections the Congress won 141 seats a slight improvement over its previous tally Within months of this result Sonia Gandhi was elected Congress president replacing Sitaram Kesri in what was often described as a bloodless coupHowever her rise was not without controversy In May 1999 senior leaders Sharad Pawar PA Sangma and Tariq Anwar questioned her foreign origin Sonia briefly offered to resign but overwhelming support within the party strengthened her position The dispute eventually led to the formation of the Nationalist Congress PartyOver the years Sonia Gandhi evolved from a reluctant political figure delivering speeches in heavily accented Hindi to a central face of the Congress and a key influence in national politicsHowever due to age and health reasons Sonia Gandhi announced that she would not contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and would instead guide the party under the leadership of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge She is currently a member of the Rajya Sabha IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/may-she-be-blessed-with-a-long-life-and-good-health-pm-modis-birthday-greetings-to-sonia-gandhi-652160.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/2-422-farmers-committed-suicide-under-cong-govt-cm-siddaramaiah-betrayed-farmers-karnataka-bjp-652416.html Bengaluru Dec 9 Attacking the Congressled government over showing apathy towards farmers in the state the Karnataka BJP on Tuesday has charged that during the twoandahalf years rule of the state government 2422 farmers have committed suicide and Karnataka stands second in terms of farmers suicides in the country Speaking in the state Assembly the Leader of the Opposition and senior BJP leader R Ashoka said In twoandahalf years 2422 farmers have committed suicide Among them 32 are sugarcane growers Karnatakas share in the entire country is 225 per cent ranking second Tamil Nadu has a share of 59 per cent and Andhra Pradesh eight per cent This is the scorecard of this Congress governmentThere are 8681 lakh farmer families in the state Nearly 70 per cent of the total population belong to farmer families The Agriculture Departments vision report states that food security will be maintained No matter whatever you question Chief Minister Siddaramaiah maintains that Rs 2000 is given to all woman heads of families in Karnataka every monthHe also said that money is being given to families by increasing the price of liquor in the stateThey are still not out of the guarantee illusion Due to the Treasury being emptied by the guarantees they deferred relief for drought without providing it BJP leader Ashoka addedChief Minister Siddaramaiah has not acted as he promised on matters related to north Karnataka and farmers This Congress government has no sensitivity he allegedHe said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah repeatedly claims that this is a government that acts as it promisesOn May 20 2008 Siddaramaiah had said that the price of farmers produce should be fixed based on production costs and a revolving fund of 5000 crore rupees should be established In the twoandahalf years of his tenure Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has not done this workIn the manifesto before the state Assembly elections it was said that a fund of Rs 5000 crore would be established for natural disaster management Even though there were floods in many parts of North Karnataka no funds were provided BJP leader Ashoka said while hitting out at the Congressled state governmentIt was said that loan repayments would be deferred It was said that the milk incentive would be increased to Rs 7 It was said that Rs 500 crore would be provided for grape growers in North Karnataka However this government has not stood in favor of farmers he addedCongress leaders have said that the Central government fixes the price of sugarcane The Supreme Court has ordered that the state government should provide additional amounts The state Ministers or the Chief Minister should appeal to the Prime Minister State Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao met the Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the airport as a courtesy and submitted an appeal They did this to prove that they have submitted the appeal BJP leader Ashoka saidMeanwhile Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday cautioned in the state Assembly that the Opposition must refrain as much as possible from making false statements and should base their criticism on factsHe advised that while giving replies Opposition members should not digress and must uphold the dignity of the HouseDuring the discussion on issues related to North Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka alleged that the state government had not provided compensation to farmers and that it lacked funds to do soIntervening at this point State Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda responded that compensation had been paid to 38 lakh farmers last yearHe added that although repeated appeals were made to the Union government not a single rupee had been released so far and that the state had provided compensation of Rs 2245 crore to farmersFollowing these remarks a heated exchange took place between the Treasury and opposition party leaders forcing the Speaker UT Khader to adjourn the House for 10 minutesWhen the House reconvened Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that it was inappropriate to interrupt when the Leader of the Opposition or the Leader of the House was addressing the state AssemblyHe noted that the people was already dissatisfied with the declining quality of legislative debatesAs per Constitutional norms speakers should not be interruptedHe emphasised that there should be no needless disruptions when opposition members are speaking and members must speak only after they have finishedNo one should obstruct the proceedings of the House CM Siddaramaiah stressed IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/2-422-farmers-committed-suicide-under-cong-govt-cm-siddaramaiah-betrayed-farmers-karnataka-bjp-652416.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 23:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-unveils-vision-2047-to-become-3-trillion-economy-652417.html Hyderabad Dec 9 The Telangana government on Tuesday unveiled the Vision 2047 document with the ambitious goal to transform the state into a 3 trillion economy by 2047 with an interim milestone of 1 trillion by 2034 The document has laid down the roadmap to achieve the targets with a set of key strategies with the principal strategy of dividing the state into three sectorspecific zones CURE Core Urban Region Economy PURE Peri Urban Region Economy RARE Rural Agri Region EconomyChief Minister A Revanth Reddy released the vision document during the valedictory session of Telangana Rising Global Summit at the upcoming Bharat Future CityAccording to the document the boundary of CURE is defined as the 160kilometre Outer Ring Road ORR inside which shall be a Net Zero services sectoronly metropolisThe upcoming Regional Ring Road RRR is a larger 360kilometre ring to connect all key periurban areas and many Tier 2 towns of the State Between the ORR and RRR connected with radial roads shall be the PURE region a manufacturing focus zone Beyond the RRR till the final frontier boundary of the State the government will develop agriculture green economy and agribased enterprises the RARE regionThe vision document is also aimed at ensuring that growth benefits all sections of society including youth women farmers and marginalised communitiesEmbedding sustainability in all sectors and pursuing a NetZero pathway by 2047 is another key goalHyderabad and Telangana will undertake several gamechanger projects to ensure we meet our goal to compete not with our neighbouring States or fellow Indian cities but the best in the world Some of these projects are Bharat Future City Musi River Rejuvenation Dry Port 12lane expressway connecting Dry Port to Krishnapatnam Sea Port Andhra Pradesh Bullet train corridors connecting Hyderabad with Bengaluru and Chennai via Amaravati Andhra Pradesh Manufacturing zones between ORR and RRR Regional Ring Road Radial Roads linking RRR and ORR Regional Ring Railway Green power for agricultural farms Integrated townships Green energy hubs and Mass adoptions of electric vehiclesThe Congress government which completed two years in office stated that during this period the state had transitioned from adhocism and exceptionbased decisionmaking to a comprehensive policyled decisionmakingExcellence in governance guaranteeing delivery knowledge hub inclusive and sustainable welfare resources for growth environment and sustainability and culture are the other strategies to be adopted to achieve the visionAccording to the document this Rising of Telangana is grounded in one of the most extensive citizen consultation exercises undertaken in the state covering all 33 districts across urban periurban and rural areas with over 65 per cent of responses coming from youthChief Minister Revanth Reddy said that four lakh people gave their suggestions online for the vision documentHe said that the documentâs main objective is the empowerment of the underprivileged and the poorer sections in the stateâWe are moving forward with a determination to eradicate poverty by providing quality education and employment to the youth in Telangana societyâ the Chief Minister said adding that the main focus is on education irrigation and communicationHe said the state government was building Young India Integrated Schools to provide education to SC ST BC OC and minorities in one place aiming to eradicate caste discrimination at the student stageâFor some leaders poverty is like an excursion I am aware of the plight of the poor since I came from a rural area and studied in government school I also knew the struggles of the poor Dalits and Adivasis As someone who knows the hardships of the poor my aspiration is to provide welfare to every poor personâ the Chief Minister saidExpressing concern over increasing unemployment due to lack of quality education and skills the CM said that Skills University is established to hone the skills of the youth and compete with the world in getting jobs A Sports University is also being established with the aim of winning medals in the Olympics IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-unveils-vision-2047-to-become-3-trillion-economy-652417.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 23:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/armed-man-arrested-at-vijays-puducherry-rally-venue-security-tightened-652162.html Chennai Dec 9 David a resident of Sivaganga district in Tamil Nadu was arrested by Puducherry Police on Tuesday after he was found carrying a weapon while attempting to enter actorturnedpolitician Vijayâs campaign rally venue The incident led to an immediate tightening of security at the venue with police intensifying checks and surveillance as a precautionary measureThe rally being held at the Uppuveli Port complex in Puducherry marks Vijayâs first major public appearance after the tragic stampede at Karur that claimed the lives of 41 people In the wake of that incident Puducherry police imposed stringent safety and crowdcontrol measures to avoid any recurrence of such a tragedyAs part of the restrictions only 5000 people have been permitted to attend the rally Entry is allowed strictly through QR codeenabled passes issued by the party The police have also advised that children pregnant women and senior citizens should not attend the programme due to safety concerns In addition only residents of Puducherry have been allowed to attend while people from neighbouring districts of Tamil Nadu are barred from entryDespite these strict restrictions David attempted to enter the venue during the volunteer screening process He was intercepted during routine checking at a metal detector gate where police detected the weapon in his possessionDuring preliminary questioning it was confirmed that he had travelled from Sivaganga district in Tamil Nadu Since the entry of Tamil Nadu residents was already prohibited police are now questioning him to establish the motive behind his presence at the rally and how he managed to reach the venueFollowing his arrest security at the venue was further strengthened with the deployment of additional police personnel Intensive frisking document verification and electronic surveillance have been introduced at all entry points to prevent any further security breachesMeanwhile confusion prevailed among a section of attendees after false information circulated that one QR code token would allow two people to enterReports indicated that some party administrators had initially conveyed this message However police clarified that only one person is permitted per QR code and that the rule is being enforced strictly without any exceptionTo manage traffic and crowd movement three designated parking zones have been arranged at the Pondy Marina area behind the stadium and in the old harbour regionOrganisers have also been instructed to ensure the availability of drinking water toilet facilities and ambulance services at the venue Police officials stated that all precautionary measures are in place to ensure that the rally proceeds peacefully without compromising public safety IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/armed-man-arrested-at-vijays-puducherry-rally-venue-security-tightened-652162.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/hospital-staffer-held-for-molesting-medical-student-in-bengals-north-24-parganas-652418.html Kolkata Dec 9 A temporary staff of a rural hospital in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal has been arrested on charges of molesting a medical student the police said on Tuesday The incident took place at the rural hospital of Gaighata police station in Bangaon of North 24 Parganas districtThe incident has created a stir in the hospital premises since the matter came to lightAccording to police sources the incident took place on MondayThe woman medical student who is studying pharmacy went to Chandpara Rural Hospital to take trainingThe accused Ratan Malakar is a temporary worker who is employed in the hospital for a long timeHis house is located in Habra area of the same districtThe medical student went to the toilet on MondayThe accused allegedly blocked the victims path while returning from the toiletThe accused also made an indecent proposal towards her which she refusedSomehow the medical student escaped from thereLater she filed a written complaint with the Gaighata police stationBased on the complaint the police arrested the man on Monday night after investigating the incidentThe accused was also subjected to preliminary interrogationThe accused was produced before the Bangaon district court where the police sought his police custodyA senior officer of North 24 Parganas district police said A medical student lodged a complaint yesterday against a temporary staff of Chandpara Rural Hospital It was alleged that she was molested Based on her complaint the accused was arrested last night He was produced in a court today Further investigation into the incident is underwayFollowing the development questions have also been raised about the safety of female patients and medical students in the hospitalThe hospital authorities however did not issue any official statement regarding the incidentEarlier this year several incidents of nurse doctors and even medical students being beaten up and molested surfaced from various places across the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/hospital-staffer-held-for-molesting-medical-student-in-bengals-north-24-parganas-652418.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 23:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/president-droupadi-murmu-likely-to-visit-manipur-on-december-11-12-652419.html Imphal Dec 9 President Droupadi Murmu is likely to undertake a twoday visit to Manipur on December 1112 and will participate in the 86th Nupi Lal Day observance at the Nupi Lal Complex in Imphal sources said on Tuesday Though the officials are yet to announce the schedule and programme of the President hectic preparations are underway in Manipurs capital Imphal for Murmus likely twoday visit from December 11A senior Manipur government official said that they have yet to get any official itinerary from the Presidentâs secretariat in Delhi but have been advised âto make security and otherrelated arrangements for the visit of a VVIPâ Both sides of the 7km road from Imphalâs Bir Tikendrajit International Airport to the Nupi Lal Memorial Complex are being repaired repainted and adorned with colourful flags and other materialsA big banner welcoming the President has also been put up near the Keishampat Junction on the road towards the airportA few militant outfits have reportedly called for a âtotal shutdownâ to oppose the Presidentâs visit to the Northeastern stateBesides attending the Nupi Lal Day observance Murmu is likely to visit the memorial complex on December 12 to pay tribute to the women freedom fighters Commemorated on December 12 every year Nupi Lal refers to two womenled movements held in 1904 and 1939 protesting British colonial policiesSources said that the President is also expected to travel to the Naga tribal inhabited Senapati district to attend a programme on December 12Meanwhile Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Manipur visit on September 13 had said that the Union government is constantly making efforts for the states development as Viksit Bharat will be further reinforced with Viksit Manipur He said that any kind of violence in Manipur is unfortunate as it has rich and historic traditions for fighting against injusticeIn Imphal from the historic Kangla Fort the Prime Minister inaugurated 17 infrastructure projects with a total investment of Rs 1200 croreThose 17 projects the Prime Minister virtually inaugurated in Imphal include Manipur Bhawan at New Delhis Dwarka and Salt Lake city in Kolkata Civil Secretariat New Police Headquarters and Special Economic Zone SEZ building at Mantripukhri in Imphal West district Ima Markets all women markets at four locations Tengnoupal Noney Pallel MoirangThe Prime Minister also laid foundation stones for 19 development projects worth Rs 7300 crore for different parts of Manipur from the Peace Ground in Churachandpur a tribal inhabited district IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/president-droupadi-murmu-likely-to-visit-manipur-on-december-11-12-652419.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 23:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-tribal-bharewa-craftsman-receives-national-handicraft-award-from-president-murmu-652420.html New DelhiBhopal Dec 9 President Droupadi Murmu honoured Baldev Waghmare a Bharewa craftsman from Madhya Pradeshs Betul district with the National Handicraft Award at a ceremony in New Delhi on Tuesday The award marked the national recognition of Madhya Pradeshâs traditional Tribal Bharewa craft which has also recently been granted the GI Geographical Indication tagIn the local dialect âBharewaâ means âthose who fillâ Bharewa artists belong to a subtribe of the Gond community spread across India particularly in Central India Their skill in metal casting is passed down from one generation to the nextThe tradition of Bharewa metal craft has evolved in harmony with the rituals and customs of the Gond tribal community It represents a unique blend of tradition and craftsmanshipBharewa artisans create symbolic depictions of deities and also make ornaments such as rings and daggers which are essential for marriage rituals in Gond families Some ornaments such as wristbands and armlets are crafted specifically for spiritual leaders or traditional healersA wide range of decorative artworks and utilitarian items including bullock carts peacockshaped lamps bells and anklets and mirror frames have gained recognition in the international craft marketThe Bharewa community is primarily concentrated in certain regions of Betul district about 180 km from the state capital Bhopal Baldev has made significant contributions to reversing the decline in the number of Bharewa craftsmenThrough his dedicated efforts he has transformed Tigriya village in Betul district into a âCraft Villageâ where Bharewa families continue to preserve and practice this unique traditional art formThe Bharewa people possess deep knowledge of the religious customs and traditions of the Gond community Among the deities whose idols they create the principal ones are Lord Shiva and Goddess ParvatiAnother is Thakur Dev believed to ride a miraculous horse and protect the village from disasters There are also other deities associated with peace prosperity happiness and healthIn the small village of Tigriya Baldev Bharewa has kept this tradition alive He learned the craft from his father and has earned recognition as a master artisan His family sustains itself through its traditional knowledge artistic vision and skills honed through hard work IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-tribal-bharewa-craftsman-receives-national-handicraft-award-from-president-murmu-652420.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 23:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/strong-winds-bring-slight-relief-to-delhi-ncr-but-air-quality-remains-poor-652169.html New Delhi Dec 9 The residents of DelhiNCR experienced some relief on Tuesday morning after days of highly polluted air According to the India Meteorological Department IMD surface winds blowing at speeds between 15 and 25 km per hour have helped reduce air pollution levels slightly The increased wind speed has allowed suspended pollutant particles to disperse into the upper atmosphere directly impacting the Air Quality Index AQI Pollution levels in the city have consistently been recorded in the âvery poorâ to âsevereâ category but several monitoring stations reported readings below 300In Noida the AQI has also shown signs of improvement with levels close to 255 at some stations According to the CPCB and UP Pollution Control Board monitoring points Sector 62 recorded an AQI of 255 Sector 125 recorded 313 and Sector 116 recorded 307Some locations in Delhi showed improvement as well As per available data Pusa recorded an AQI of 270 Shadipur 239 Vivek Vihar 323 Wazirpur 320 and RK Puram 313According to the IMD forecast for December 9 light fog is expected with a maximum temperature of 24 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 9 degrees Celsius Wind speeds are expected to remain between 15 and 25 kilometres per hour in the morningOn December 10 shallow fog is likely with temperatures expected to remain around 24 degrees Celsius maximum and 8 degrees Celsius minimum Dense fog is expected on December 11 with temperatures forecast at 24 degrees Celsius and 7 degrees CelsiusThe IMD officials said fog intensity is expected to increase from Wednesday morning potentially affecting visibility Pollution levels are also expected to rise again as wind speed decreasesAn AQI between 0 and 50 is classified as good indicating little to no health impact Levels from 51 to 100 fall under the satisfactory category where air quality remains acceptable though sensitive groups such as children the elderly and individuals with respiratory issues may experience slight discomfortThe moderate category ranging from 101 to 200 indicates pollution levels that can trigger breathing difficulties among individuals with asthma lung conditions or heart diseaseAn AQI between 201 and 300 is considered poor where prolonged exposure may cause breathing discomfort to most peopleLevels between 301 and 400 are marked very poor posing a risk of respiratory illness even for healthy individuals The most hazardous range severe includes AQI values from 401 to 500 where air quality becomes dangerous for all IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/strong-winds-bring-slight-relief-to-delhi-ncr-but-air-quality-remains-poor-652169.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/chennai-corporation-calls-for-volunteers-to-manage-cattle-sheds-pet-licensing-sees-sharp-uptick-652172.html Chennai Dec 9 Greater Chennai Corporation GCC has invited volunteers and nongovernmental organisations NGOs to submit letters of willingness to take up the responsibility of feeding and maintaining cattle housed at the cityâs existing and upcoming sheds spread across all 15 zones The move is part of the civic bodyâs broader efforts to address the growing menace of roaming cattle and to improve public safety on city roads A GCC survey conducted in 2024 revealed that nearly 22875 cattle are being reared within the city limits Due to space constraints in residential localities many of these animals are frequently left to roam on busy streets often leading to traffic disruptions accidents and safety hazards for both motorists and pedestrians Following the survey the civic body intensified enforcement by deploying one cattlecatching vehicle and five catchers in each zone The corporation also announced a strict penalty of Rs 10000 on owners whose cattle are found roaming on public roads Between 2021 and 2025 the GCC impounded 16692 cattle and collected fines totalling Rs 443 crore officials said in a release As a longterm and sustainable solution the corporation has begun constructing 17 modern cattle sheds across the 15 zones of Chennai At present cattle sheds in Tiruvottiyur Madhavaram Royapuram and Teynampet are operational These facilities are intended to serve as designated spaces where owners can safely house their cattle instead of allowing them to wander on the streets Officials said the initiative aims to strike a balance between safeguarding public safety and ensuring the livelihood of cattle owners Meanwhile pet registration and licensing across the city have also seen a significant rise ahead of the December 14 deadline The GCC has till Monday evening recorded 96056 pet registrations on its online portal and issued 49347 pet licences an increase of 5703 licences compared to November 30 The corporation vaccinated 956 pets on last Sunday alone implanted microchips and issued licences across its six pet clinics located in different parts of the city along with the Animal Birth Control Centre at Sholinganallur Officials reiterated that pet owners who fail to obtain a licence by the December 14 deadline will be liable to pay a fine of â¹5000 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/chennai-corporation-calls-for-volunteers-to-manage-cattle-sheds-pet-licensing-sees-sharp-uptick-652172.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-crime-branch-files-charge-sheet-in-rice-diversion-scam-652185.html Srinagar Dec 9 Jammu and Kashmir Polices Crime Branch said on Tuesday that it has filed a charge sheet in the court of law against the accused persons in the rice diversion scam in Baramulla district A statement by the Crime Branch Kashmir said âThe Economic Offences Wing EOW of Crime Branch JampK has filed a chargesheet in case FIR No 072020 under Sections 409 420 120B RPC before the Honâble Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Sopore against three officers of the Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs FCSampCA DepartmentThe accused include SirajudDin Bhat then TSO PEG Baramulla son of Mohd Sideeq Bhat a resident of Waripora Safapora Ganderbal Mohd Hussain Bhat then TSO Storekeeper Hygam Granary son of Abdul Rahim Bhat a resident of Kichloo Qazipora Handwara and Mohammad Shafi Rather alias Shafi Kanda then TSO Hygam Granary son of Mohd Sultan Rather and a resident of Wanigam PattanThe case originated from a communication received from the Directorate of FCSampCA indicating suspected misappropriation of rice from the Hygam and Baramulla Centre D granariesâActing upon these inputs a probe was initiated and the SSP Crime Branch Kashmir ordered a Joint Surprise Check JSC to verify the authenticity of dispatches and receipts of food grain consignments The JSC uncovered glaring discrepancies Seven truckloads of rice were shown as dispatched from PEG Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee Scheme Baramulla under the supervision of FCI officials and the TSO PEG Baramulla The challans falsely recorded these consignments as received at Hygam Granary and subsequently distributed to sale centres at Wagoora Nowpora Kathigan Jathiar Kalantra and Dandmoh However all these sales centres categorically denied receiving any such stocks and their official records corroborated this denial the statement readFurther investigation revealed that the challans had been fraudulently procured by Assistant Storekeeper Palhallan Pattan Mohammad Shafi Rather from SirajudDin Bhat and subsequently managed through TSO Hygam Mohd Hussain BhatâThe investigation established that the accused officers in criminal conspiracy with each other and with certain officials of FCI Baramulla misappropriated a large quantity of rice causing a substantial pecuniary loss to the state exchequer Based on extensive oral and documentary evidence the offences against the accused stand substantiatedConsequently the charge sheet under Section 173 CrPC has been submitted before the competent court for judicial determination the statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-crime-branch-files-charge-sheet-in-rice-diversion-scam-652185.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/let-everything-be-good-shivakumar-on-yathindra-siddaramaiahs-remarks-on-ktaka-cm-post-652188.html BengaluruBelagavi Dec 9 Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President DK Shivakumar has reacted to the remarks made by MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah on the CM post issue saying that he was very happy and wished for everything to be good Yathindra Siddaramaiah stated on Monday that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would complete his full term and that the high command had turned down DK Shivakumarâs claims to the postSpeaking in Bengaluru before leaving for Belagavi on Tuesday Shivakumar said âVery happy Let everything be good let it be good for the stateâ when asked about Yathindraâs remarksAfter his arrival at the Sambra Airport in Belagavi to participate in the winter session of the state legislature his supporters raised slogans in his favour shouting âShivakumar next CMâParty sources said the development was a response to Yathindraâs statement made in Belagavi on Monday asserting that Siddaramaiah would complete his fiveyear tenure as Chief MinisterMeanwhile Congress MLC Channaraj Hattiholi posted a message on social media welcoming the Deputy Chief Minister to Belagavi referring to him as âChief Minister DK Shivakumarâ which drew public attention Channaraj is the brother of Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar a close associate of ShivakumarSpeaking to the media on Tuesday MLC Channaraj said that at a time when both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar have stated that they will abide by the high commandâs decisions and senior leaders have echoed the same Yathindraâs statement was unnecessaryâWhen the high command has said it will take an appropriate decision we need to wait until thenâ he addedReacting to the developments Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said there was no confusion within the party and that the high commandâs decisions would be final When asked why no action was being taken against Yathindra for repeatedly commenting on leadership matters the minister said leaders must be cautious and responsible when making public statementsIt can be recalled responding to questions about an alleged leadership tussle within the ruling Congress Yathindra Siddaramaiah said on Monday that those predicting a change in the Chief Ministerâs position were âdreamingâHe said the Congress high command has made it clear that there will be no change in leadership in the stateYathindra said âDeputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has said he is an aspirant for the CMâs post In response the high command has clarified that this is not the appropriate time and also made it clear that there will be no change in the Chief MinisterâHe added âThe matter ends there Hence there is no tussle anymore Opposition parties are unnecessarily spreading rumours and creating perceptionsâWhen asked about speculation that CM Siddaramaiah would be asked to resign after the Belagavi session Yathindra said âThey have been saying this for many years They keep claiming the CM will be changed this year or that year They must be dreamingâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/let-everything-be-good-shivakumar-on-yathindra-siddaramaiahs-remarks-on-ktaka-cm-post-652188.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/after-courts-acquittal-in-kerala-actress-assault-case-dileep-mulls-legal-action-652193.html Kochi Dec 9 Malayalam actor Dileep has indicated that he will initiate fresh legal action following his acquittal by the trial court in the sensational 2017 actress assault case even as the Kerala government announced its decision to challenge the verdict before the High Court In a strong reaction after the judgment Dileep said he would seek a probe into what he described as a âconspiracyâ behind his implication in the caseHe alleged that the investigation team had misled even the Chief Minister and claimed that he was made a scapegoat by certain officials for their personal gainsDileep said further legal steps would be taken after he receives a copy of the court verdictIn a controversial claim Dileep alleged that the conspiracy to implicate him was initiated by actor Manju Warrier his former wifeHe referred to her speech at the AMMA Association of Malayalam Movie Artists gathering at Durbar Hall Ground where she had said the conspiracy behind the attack on the actress must be exposedDileep claimed that it was soon after this speech that he was made an accused in the caseManju Warrier has not responded to these allegationsBacking Dileep his counsel B Raman Pillai alleged that a senior police officer had conspired to falsely implicate the actorHe specifically targeted ADGP B Sandhya who had supervised the investigation accusing her of leading the conspiracyDileep also claimed that certain criminal elements within the police fabricated false narratives using prison inmates with the intention of destroying his life and careerMeanwhile the state government has made it clear that it will file an appeal in the High Court against the trial court verdict that acquitted Dileep after nearly eight years of legal proceedingsMinisters reiterated that the government stands firmly with the survivor and is not willing to accept the trial court verdict in a case that had wide political and social ramificationsLeader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan remarked that without the intervention of the late PT Thomas there was even a possibility that the case might not have survived at allFormer state Police chief TP Senkumar pointed out that he had stated as early as 2017 that Dileep was not made an accused on the basis of proper evidenceâThis is not the correct way to investigate cases Is an investigation supposed to proceed by first arresting a person then trying to manufacture evidence against him and even creating false narratives for that purposeâ said Senkumar IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/after-courts-acquittal-in-kerala-actress-assault-case-dileep-mulls-legal-action-652193.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-approves-rs-6867-crore-for-25-new-road-projects-in-tripura-652194.html New Delhi Dec 9 The Ministry of Rural Development on Tuesday approved 25 new road projects in Tripura under the Road Connectivity component of the PMJANMAN scheme These projects cover a total length of 6538 kilometres and will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 6867 croreThe move is expected to significantly boost infrastructure and connectivity in the state especially in remote tribal regionsâThe Ministry of Rural Development has sanctioned 25 road projects measuring 6538 km length under the Road Connectivity component of PMJANMAN with an estimated investment of Rs 6867 crore for Tripuraâ the ministry statedAccording to the ministry the new roads will provide allweather connectivity to 30 habitations belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups PVTGsBetter roads are expected to improve the daily lives of these communities by making travel easier and safer throughout the yearâEnhance connectivity in rural areas bridging the gap between remote villages and urban centresâ it addedThe initiative is aimed at strengthening rural connectivity and linking remote villages with nearby towns and urban centresOfficials believe that improved transport links will support economic activity help local trade grow and create more job opportunities for people living in these areasThe project is also expected to make essential services more accessible With better roads residents of tribal regions will find it easier to reach hospitals schools and local marketsThis in turn can help improve health outcomes boost education levels and support income growthThe ministry said these developments align with the governmentâs broader vision of building a stronger Northeast and working toward a developed India under the Viksit Bharat missionThe PMJANMAN projects are expected to play a transformative role in the region and reaffirm the governmentâs commitment to inclusive growth for all tribal communities in the NortheastOfficials added that the improved connectivity would bring longterm benefits helping tribal groups integrate more closely with mainstream economic activities and supporting overall development across Tripura IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-approves-rs-6867-crore-for-25-new-road-projects-in-tripura-652194.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-revanth-reddy-unveils-telangana-thalli-statues-at-all-district-collectorates-652196.html Hyderabad Dec 9 Telangana Chef Minister A Revanth Reddy on Tuesday unveiled Telangana Thalli mother Telangana statues at all district Collectorates across the state He virtually unveiled the statues from the Telangana Rising Global Summit venue at the upcoming Bharat Future City near hereThe event was organised as part of Praja Palana peoples governance celebrations to mark the second anniversary of the Congress government in the stateAs part of the celebrations the Telangana Thalli statue has been installed at a cost of Rs 58 crore at all 33 district CollectoratesThe Chief Minister Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and ministers offered floral tributes to the statue of Telangana Thalli at the Global Summit venue Telangana state song Jaya Jayahe Telangana was also played on the occasionOn the occasion of the unveiling of Telangana Thalli statues Chief Minister Revanth Reddy extended his greetings to the people of the stateHe recalled that on December 9 2009 the then Congress government under the leadership of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced that the process for the formation of Telangana would be initiated He said this fulfilled the sixdecadelong aspiration of four crore people of TelanganaHe said recognising the importance of December 9 the Congress government decided to celebrate it as Telangana Thalli AvatharanotsavamThe Chief Minister said on this day last year Telangana Thalli was installed at the state Secretariat to bring a new inspiration in the administrationHe recalled that it was in 2004 that Sonia Gandhi at a public meeting in Karimnagar had promised to fulfil the aspirations of the Telangana people and she stood by her word despite all oddsHe pointed out that December 9 is also the birthday of Sonia Gandhi He said the state government will continue its welfare and development programmes with the inspiration from Sonia Gandhi and the vision of Manmohan SinghEarlier the Chief Minister took to X to greet people Telangana Thalli is not just a concept It is the emotion of 4 crore children That emotion finds its full embodiment in our Telangana Thalli the Chief Minister postedTelangana Thalli is the embodiment of the power that united and led all sections of society during the long struggle for statehood Telangana Thalli is the maternal figure who infused life into the sense of Telangana identity by bringing together the thoughts actions and efforts of four crore people Our Telangana Thalli is the great inspiration that continuously awakens us and guides us toward our goals he stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-revanth-reddy-unveils-telangana-thalli-statues-at-all-district-collectorates-652196.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ladli-behna-scheme-women-beneficiaries-to-receive-another-instalment-of-rs-1-500-today-in-mp-652197.html BhopalKhajuraho Dec 9 Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday will release the 31st instalment of the Ladli Behna Yojana marking another milestone in the state governments flagship welfare initiative for women On his twoday visit to Chhatarpur district the Chief Minister reached Khajuraho on Monday He is scheduled to transfer Rs 1500 each into the accounts of all eligible beneficiariesThis instalment covering December 2025 will benefit over 126 crore women across Madhya Pradesh with a total transfer amount of Rs 1857 croreThe event will take place at Sati Ki Madhiya in Rajnagar where Dr Yadav will personally oversee the deposit of funds and interact with the Ladli Behna sistersIn Chhatarpur district alone 324433 women are set to receive the benefit amounting to nearly Rs 50 croreThe scheme launched in 2023 has already seen 30 instalments credited to womens accounts and todays release marks the 31st coinciding with the final month of the yearSignificantly this is the second time that the enhanced amount of Rs 1500 is being transferredUntil October beneficiaries received Rs 1250 per instalment but the government raised the sum to strengthen financial support for womenThe move has been welcomed as a step toward empowering women economically and ensuring their participation in household decisionmakingAt the Rajnagar conference the Chief Minister is expected to highlight the impact of the scheme which has become one of the largest direct benefit transfer programs in the stateThe Ladli Behna Yojana has consistently aimed to provide financial stability to women particularly in rural and semiurban areas thereby improving their quality of lifeAhead of the release beneficiaries have been advised to verify their names and payment status online The official portal of the scheme cmladlibahnampgovin provides access to details for women to confirm their eligibility and track the credited amountThe Chief Ministers interaction with the women today is expected to underline the governmentâs commitment to sustaining the scheme and expanding its reach in the future IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ladli-behna-scheme-women-beneficiaries-to-receive-another-instalment-of-rs-1-500-today-in-mp-652197.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/opposition-stages-protest-over-farmers-distress-during-maha-winter-session-652199.html Nagpur Dec 9 The second day of the Maharashtra Legislatureâs Winter Session on Tuesday saw the opposition staging a forceful protest over what they termed the state governmentâs âcontinued neglectâ of farmers Accusing the MahaYuti government of apathy opposition leaders said that despite repeated assurances the situation on the ground has worsened with farmer suicides reportedly averaging eight per dayLeaders including Vijay Wadettiwar and Aaditya Thackeray said the government had âmisledâ farmers with promises of a comprehensive loan waiver that remains unimplementedThey also criticised the administration for failing to ensure a fair Minimum Support Price MSP for key cropsThe opposition further alleged that the governmentâs decision to reduce import duty on cotton to zero has triggered a surge in foreign cotton imports severely hurting domestic growersThey said soybean procurement centres are yet to start operations this season adding to farmersâ distress They also hit out at the government for the delay in disbursing bonus payments for paddySoybean farmers have said that they are compelled to sell their produce in the open market below the MSP level which hardly covers their costs This they say has deepened their financial crisis in rural householdsRaising slogans such as âDeceitful Governmentâ âWaive Farmersâ Loansâ and âEnsure Fair Prices for Cotton and Soybeanâ opposition MLAs accused the government of making announcements without delivering meaningful reliefThey also pointed to rising cases of farmer suicides to argue that the administration lacks seriousness in addressing agrarian distressThe opposition claimed the governmentâs lack of urgency became evident when the Union Agriculture Minister recently stated that the Centre had not yet received any proposal for aid for rain and floodhit farmers from the stateThe state government later clarified that it had submitted the proposal on November 27 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/opposition-stages-protest-over-farmers-distress-during-maha-winter-session-652199.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cold-wave-in-bihar-westerly-winds-intensify-chill-652200.html Patna Dec 9 Bihar is reeling under an intense cold wave with icy winds sweeping across the state According to meteorologists complex atmospheric conditions are pushing cold winds toward Bihar drastically lowering temperatures and disrupting daily lifeThe Bihar Meteorological Centre has reported severe cold conditions in several districts including Patna Gaya Saharsa and KatiharFor the past several days the minimum temperature has remained below 10 degrees Celsius while in the last two nights it dipped to around 5 degrees Celsius significantly below normal for this time of yearAlthough the weather is expected to remain dry across the state light fog and morning mist may cause difficulties for commutersThe Met Department has urged travellers to remain cautious especially during early morning hoursCold winds blowing at 15â20 kmh are adding to the chill factor particularly during mornings and eveningsDense fog is also likely in the next two to three days reducing visibility in several districtsNo major temperature change has been predicted for nowIn Patna the maximum temperature was recorded at 24 degrees Celsius and the minimum at 13 degrees Celsius both below normal on TuesdayAs temperatures fall sharply people are turning to bonfires warm clothing and indoor heatingThe administration has advised citizens to avoid going outdoors early in the morning unless necessary and to take extra precautions for children and the elderlyAdding to the cold wave westerly winds have further intensified the chill causing the mercury to drop rapidlyThe Meteorological Department has expressed concern that dense fog may persist in districts such as West Champaran East Champaran Patna Gaya and Kaimur for the next two days significantly affecting visibilityHowever there is some relief during the day as bright sunshine provides warmth and comfort amid the ongoing cold spellWeather experts said that while there will be no major change in maximum or minimum temperatures for the next four to five days the mercury may start falling again after December 15Until then minor fluctuations are expected Authorities and health experts emphasise that vigilance and precaution are crucial to safeguarding against the harsh effects of the winter season IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cold-wave-in-bihar-westerly-winds-intensify-chill-652200.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/historic-day-for-assam-says-cm-sarma-as-over-three-lakh-houses-sanctioned-under-pmay-652209.html Guwahati Dec 9 While more than three lakh families have received the letters for sanctioning of houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana â Gramin PMAYG in Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted that dreams of many people in getting their own homes are set to be fulfilled in a few months Speaking at a function in Boko CM Sarma said âToday is a historic day as more than 3 lakh families in Assam will receive sanction letters for their PMAYG homes taking them another step closer to becoming home owners and having their dreams fulfilledâ According to the Chief Minister 325234 families are now nearer to fulfilling their dream of a safe and dignified home âThe PMAYG sanction letter distribution stands as a promise of a stronger and more secure Assamâ Sarma added Notably the state government has accelerated the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana PMAY with a renewed push to complete pending housing units and expand beneficiary coverage across rural and urban pockets A senior government official said that the state has stepped up monitoring fund release and fieldlevel coordination to ensure that eligible families receive pucca homes within the revised timelines laid down by the Centre According to state government data Assam has recorded one of the highest uptakes of PMAYGramin in the Northeast with lakhs of houses sanctioned under various phases The Assam government has also linked PMAY progress with wider socioeconomic objectives such as improved sanitation water supply electricity connectivity and access to social security schemes Officials said the transition to pucca housing has been particularly significant for economically weaker families living in floodprone or erosionaffected belts where permanent structures enhance safety and resilience The Chief Minister has repeatedly emphasised that housing for all remains a central priority for his administration noting that the state is committed to fulfilling the Prime Ministerâs vision of ensuring dignified shelter for every household Review meetings held over the past month have focused on clearing bottlenecks including limited contractor availability in remote areas and logistical hurdles in transporting construction materials IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/historic-day-for-assam-says-cm-sarma-as-over-three-lakh-houses-sanctioned-under-pmay-652209.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/disruptions-continue-indigo-cancels-58-flights-at-hyderabad-airport-652212.html Hyderabad Dec 9 Flight operations remained disrupted at Hyderabads Rajiv Gandhi International Airport RGIA for the eighth consecutive day with IndiGo cancelling 58 services for Tuesday The airline cancelled 14 arrivals and 44 departures on key routes including Delhi Mumbai Goa Cochin Visakhapatnam Varanasi Patna Srinagar Kolkata Ahmedabad Prayagraj Lucknow Chennai and JodhpurFor the first time since December 4 the number of daily cancellations has fallen below 100On Monday the airline had cancelled 112 flights The daily tally of cancellations has been coming down since December 6However the passengers continued to face the inconvenience due to cancellations More than 600 IndiGo flights have been cancelled at Hyderabad airport since December 2On Tuesday IndiGo cancelled six flights at Visakhapatnam airportAuthorities have made alternate arrangements for stranded passengers SpiceJet is operating additional services to clear the rushSouth Central Railway SCR and Telangana State Road Transport Corporation TGSRTC are operating special servicesThe SCR is operating special trains to various destinations including Mumbai Delhi Pune and HowrahThe TGSRTC is running special buses to Chennai Bengaluru Vijayawada Rajahmundry Kakinada and VisakhapatnamIndiGo said in a statement on Monday that it operated over 1800 flights on Monday up from 1650 on Sunday The airline announced that it has fully restored the network coverageIt said the ontime performance OTP across the entire network also improved to 90 per cent on Monday This was 75 per cent on MondayIndiGo also announced that it has already refunded Rs 827 crore while the rest is under process for cancellations up to December 15The airline said it facilitated stranded customers and arranged over 9500 hotel rooms and nearly 10000 cabsbuses between December 1 to 7Over 4500 bags have been delivered to respective customers and we are on track to deliver the rest in the next 36 hours it said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/disruptions-continue-indigo-cancels-58-flights-at-hyderabad-airport-652212.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-govt-receives-719-complaints-over-alleged-use-of-fake-disability-certificates-652213.html Nagpur Dec 9 The Maharashtra government has received complaints against 719 government employees for allegedly using fake disability certificates to avail benefits under various welfare schemes Divyang Welfare Minister Atul Save informed the Assembly on Tuesday Minister Save said the verification of disability certificates has been made mandatory following directives from the central government as well as the state Divyang Welfare DepartmentHe assured that strict action would be taken wherever irregularities are detected The Minister was responding to a question raised by NCP SP MLA Bapu Pathare in the Maharashtra Legislative AssemblyUnder government rules any employee found using a fake certificate or possessing a certificate showing disability below 40 per cent will face action under Section 11 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 in addition to disciplinary proceedingsA government resolution issued on October 9 2025 had directed all departments to complete verification of disability certificates and submit detailed reports within three months by January 8 2026âSo far complaints related to fake UDID Unique Disability ID certificates have been received from 719 employees and the concerned departments have been instructed to verify these cases and initiate action as per rulesâ Minister Save saidOnly individuals with benchmark disabilities of 40 per cent or above are eligible for benefits such as reservation in government jobs promotions and other government schemes he addedThe Minister also noted that the government recently issued Standard Operating Procedures SOPs aimed at strengthening protections for Divyang differentlyabled persons against exploitation abuse and violenceThe SOPs empower District and SubDivisional Magistrates to act swiftly to ensure immediate and effective intervention in such cases in line with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-govt-receives-719-complaints-over-alleged-use-of-fake-disability-certificates-652213.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-local-body-elections-bjp-candidate-shares-pre-poll-survey-result-lands-in-trouble-652216.html Thiruvananthapuram Dec 9 A controversy erupted on polling day in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation after BJP candidate from Sasthamangalam the former Director General of Police R Sreelekha on Tuesday allegedly shared a prepoll survey result on social media in violation of the Model Code of Conduct The post which claimed that the BJPled NDA had an edge in the corporation drew sharp criticism from political circles with State Education Minister V Sivankutty calling it a clear breach of election rulesSivankutty said that publishing prepoll survey results on polling day is explicitly prohibited by the Election Commission and termed the act âa serious violationâFollowing the backlash Sreelekha later deleted the controversial post from her social media pageThe survey poster shared in the name of a prepoll survey claimed an advantage for the BJPled NDA in the Thiruvananthapuram CorporationThe issue has now assumed serious proportions with the State Election Commission reportedly treating the matter gravely and referring it to the Cyber Wing of the Kerala Police for further actionMounting a political counterattack Sivankutty rubbished Sreelekhaâs claim that the BJP could win up to 60 seats in the corporation calling it a sign of âpolitical ignoranceâHe alleged that during the previous election there was vote trading between the UDF and the BJPâNone of these developments will affect the LDFâs victory prospectsThe LDF will retain power in the corporationâ he claimed This is not the first time Sreelekha has landed in controversy during the campaign Earlier complaints were raised against the use of the designation âIPSâ on her campaign boards which also allegedly violated election normsThe incident has intensified political tensions on a crucial polling day in the capital city with opposition parties alleging that the BJP is attempting to influence voters through prohibited campaign tactics even as voting is underwayIn the outgoing Thiruvananthapuram Corporation of the 100 wards the CPIMled Left Front had 51 seats the BJPled NDA 35 and the Congressled UDF and Independents sharing the remaining IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-local-body-elections-bjp-candidate-shares-pre-poll-survey-result-lands-in-trouble-652216.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-three-die-of-food-poisoning-in-chhatarpurs-resort-probe-underway-652218.html Chhatarpur Dec 9 In a shocking incident at least three employees of a resort in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh died due to food poisoning after taking a meal Soon after having the meal they complained of stomachache and uneasiness sources saidWhile five others who were earlier admitted at Chhatarpur district hospital have been referred to Gwalior district hospital due to their critical health The incident occurred at a resort late on Monday night as per the initial informationThose killed have been identified as Girja Rajak 35 Roshani Rajak 35 Hardik Soni 25 and Ramshwaroom Kushwaha 47The condition of five others admitted to hospitals in Jhansi and Gwalior was said to be critical the police saidChhatarpur district administration has announced a compensation of Rs 20 lakh to the kin of each deceasedChhatarpur District Collector Parth Jaiswal has ordered an investigation into the matter Food samples have been collected and sent for testing the district administration wrote on X on TuesdayConfirming the report Dr Roshan Dwivedi head of Chhatarpur district hospital said that nine people were brought to the hospital for treatment They all were suffering from food poisoningTheir health condition deteriorated during treatment and four of them died While five patients have been referred to Jhansi and Gwalior district for advanced treatment Dr Dwivedi told IANS on TuesdayUpon receiving information Chhatarpur district police swung into action and started an investigation after collecting food samples from the resortSenior officials from the district administration have also joined the investigationThe shocking incident occurred when the entire team of the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet including Chief Minister Mohan Yadav was camping in Khajuraho Chhatarpur district for a special review of the departments in view of the completion of two years of the government IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-three-die-of-food-poisoning-in-chhatarpurs-resort-probe-underway-652218.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-fadnavis-warns-mlas-against-casual-mention-of-ladki-bahin-yojana-652219.html Nagpur Dec 9 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday sternly cautioned both ruling and opposition MLAs against making offhand references to the stateâs flagship Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana while raising unrelated issues during Question Hour in the Assembly Visibly displeased after multiple references to the scheme CM Fadnavis told the House that members must refrain from using the programme as a casual political reference and added that such behaviour could invite strict consequencesâIf this continues you will have to sit at homeâ he remarked prompting a brief silence in the HouseThe exchange took an interesting turn when BJP MLA Abhimanyu Pawar the former personal assistant to Fadnavis raised the issue of alleged illegal liquor distribution and made a passing reference to the Majhi Ladki Bahin schemeThe Chief Minister immediately interrupted him and reiterated his warning âI have already asked members not to randomly mention the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana while raising unrelated concernsâ he said in a firm tone making it clear the caution applied to all legislators including those from the ruling benchesEarlier Congress MLA Jyoti Gaikwad had mentioned the scheme while debating a separate issue triggering the first visible sign of the Chief Ministerâs frustrationFadnavis asserted that the programme was a major state initiative and should not be dragged into unrelated subjects for political point scoring âThis scheme will continue It will not take away funds or resources from any other programme But no one should make unnecessary remarks about itâ he saidFollowing the warning no legislator referred to the scheme for the remainder of the Question HourEarlier on Monday Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar tabled supplementary demands in the State Assembly which included a provision of Rs 610320 crore specifically earmarked for the Ladki Bahin Yojana highlighting the governments commitment to continuing the paymentsEligible women receive Rs 1500 per month transferred directly via DBT Direct Benefit Transfer into their Aadhaarlinked bank accounts The government has extended the eKYC deadline till December 31 2025 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-fadnavis-warns-mlas-against-casual-mention-of-ladki-bahin-yojana-652219.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/yellow-alert-for-cold-wave-in-five-rajasthan-districts-652224.html Jaipur Dec 9 Rajasthan is bracing for a harsher winter as the India Meteorological Department IMD has issued a yellow alert for cold wave conditions in five districts including Sikar Churu Jhunjhunu DidwanaKuchaman and Nagaur Cold conditions were already being felt across the state and the weather office has warned that the next 48 hours may bring an even sharper dip in temperaturesIn the last 24 hours Fatehpur shivered at 37 degrees Celsius becoming one of the coldest spots in eastern Rajasthan while Nagaur touched 43 degrees Celsius in the westIMD officials said that although a layer of cloud cover over Shekhawati in recent days slightly softened the impact of icy winds the relief is temporaryWith clearer skies from December 10 onwards the cold wave is expected to strengthen pulling down minimum temperatures further across the alert zonesFrom December 10 to 14 Rajasthan is expected to witness clear skies dry weather and sharp morning and night chills even if the sun warms up afternoonsEarlier on Monday light fog wrapped Sikar in the morning and piercing winds made the early hours bitterly coldThe bright sunshine that followed brought brief comfort but the IMD has cautioned that the chill is far from overMinimum temperatures on December 10 and 11 are likely to fall furtherIn the Hadoti region the weather played seesaw on Monday warm sunshine in the day cold air sweeping in at nightMeteorologists said similar patterns will continue this week with slight fluctuations in temperatures but no major relief from the coldAs Rajasthan heads into a colder stretch the Health Department has urged caution especially for children the elderly and those with chronic health issuesOfficials have advised people to stay layered during mornings and evenings and to take preventive steps against seasonal illnesses that thrive amid fluctuating temperatures IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/yellow-alert-for-cold-wave-in-five-rajasthan-districts-652224.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-dismisses-contempt-plea-on-senior-advocate-designation-in-delhi-hc-652225.html New Delhi Dec 9 The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a contempt plea alleging noncompliance with its April judgment on the process of designating senior advocates in the Delhi High Court The petition filed by advocate Sanjay Dubey claimed that despite âmandatory directionsâ issued by the apex court nine months ago the Delhi High Court had not reprocessed the cases of advocates who were rejected or placed in the deferred list during the 2024 senior designation cycleDuring the hearing a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant remarked that members of the Bar must not âgenerate litigationâ on such issues âWe do not expect members of the Bar to generate litigation Donât file these kinds of petitions The Chief Justiceâs committee is aware of itâ the Bench also comprising Joymalya Bagchi told the petitioner The apex court said that most High Courts have already adopted or are in the process of amending their rules for senior designations in accordance with the Supreme Courtâs judgments Dismissing the contempt petition the CJI Kantled Bench said âWe have no reason to believe that there will be inordinate delay by the High Court to comply with the judgmentâ According to the petitioner the Delhi High Court has taken no steps to comply with the Supreme Courtâs April 15 judgment which directed the reconstitution of the Permanent Committee and reconsideration of all deferred and rejected applications under the 2024 Senior Designation Rules The contempt petition maintained that no action has been initiated by the Delhi High Court to reconsider the cases of 302 applicants from the 2024 cycle It also referred to the resignation of senior advocate Sudhir Nandrajog from the Permanent Committee The petition stated that although Nandrajogâs name appeared on the recommendation sheet he neither signed nor approved the final list meaning that âno committee in the eyes of law existed in terms of the rules for designationâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-dismisses-contempt-plea-on-senior-advocate-designation-in-delhi-hc-652225.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/raj-cm-approves-action-against-6-officers-in-jal-jeevan-mission-irregularities-case-14-now-under-scrutiny-652227.html Jaipur Dec 9 In a strong message against corruption the Rajasthan government has intensified action in the alleged Jal Jeevan Mission scam by approving a detailed investigation against six officials including the then Additional Chief Secretary of the Public Health Engineering Department The decision follows ongoing proceedings by the AntiCorruption Bureau ACB and the Enforcement Directorate ED which are probing suspected fraud and collusion in the tendering process of the water supply schemeChief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma granted prior approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Amendment Act for a detailed probe into irregularities related to technical and financial evaluations of tendersThe officers under scrutiny include senior engineering officials such as a Chief Engineer Executive Engineer and Superintending Engineer as well as Secretarylevel personnel who were part of tender committeesThe government stated that the move reflects its commitment to transparency accountability and zero tolerance for corruption in public service In addition to the six officers now cleared for investigation the Chief Minister has also approved fresh disciplinary proceedings under Rule 8 of the All India Services Classification Discipline and Appeal Rules 1969 against another IAS officer for alleged misconductMeanwhile review petitions filed by five officers under Rule 34 of the Rajasthan Civil Services Classification Control and Appeal Rules have been rejected confirming previously imposed penaltiesThe government has also approved the certified investigation report against two retired officers under CCA Rule 16 paving the way for punitive measuresWith these actions the total number of officers facing investigation or disciplinary action in the case now stands at 14Recently former Minister Mahesh Joshi was granted bail by the Supreme Court in the Jal Jeevan Mission scam case Joshi who had been lodged in Jaipur Central Jail walked out after nearly seven months of incarceration The Supreme Court had reserved its order on his bail plea during the hearing held on November 21On December 3 a bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and AG Masih pronounced the order allowing bail Joshi was arrested on April 24 in connection with the alleged Rs 900 crore Jal Jeevan Mission JJM scam The Rajasthan High Court had dismissed his bail plea on August 26 prompting Joshi to move the Supreme Court through a Special Leave Petition SLP IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/raj-cm-approves-action-against-6-officers-in-jal-jeevan-mission-irregularities-case-14-now-under-scrutiny-652227.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-to-host-statewide-13-day-sashakt-naari-mela-in-december-652229.html Ahmedabad Dec 9 Gujarat is set to launch a major statewide initiative celebrating womens leadership and grassroots entrepreneurship with the Sashakt Naari Mela scheduled from December 11 to 23 Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will inaugurate the event in Palanpur Banaskantha marking the start of a 13day programme aimed at showcasing womens contributions across sectorsOrganised in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat womenled development and indigenous empowerment the districtlevel melas will highlight the work of women entrepreneurs Lakhpati Didis Drone Didis selfhelp groups SHGs women farmers cooperatives startups and professionals driving transformative change at the grassrootsLarge districts will host 100 exhibition stalls while smaller districts will set up 50 stalls creating a platform for women to exhibit their products skills and innovationsThe initiative aims to strengthen womenled economic and social empowerment by promoting local handicrafts SHG products food processing units milletbased items and indigenous enterprisesDedicated information counters will offer guidance on government schemes financial inclusion startup support digital literacy nutrition and skill developmentThe mela will also feature inspirational talk shows with women political leaders senior officials entrepreneurs and influencers on swadeshi entrepreneurship leadership and digital opportunitiesA districtlevel felicitation ceremony will honour Lakhpati Didis Drone Didis progressive women farmers and women achievers from diverse fields Networking sessions including buyerseller meets ecommerce linkages and bankNBFC assistance will help women entrepreneurs access wider markets and credit opportunitiesAligned with Good Governance Week the Har Ghar Swadeshi campaign and the Viksit Gujarat 2047 roadmap the Sashakt Naari Mela aims to build a strong ecosystem of womenled microenterprises scale up indigenous brands deepen awareness of welfare schemes and strengthen digital and financial empowermentThe statewide initiative is expected to create a districtwide network of emerging women leaders reinforcing Gujaratâs commitment to inclusive development driven by women IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-to-host-statewide-13-day-sashakt-naari-mela-in-december-652229.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/foreign-currencies-including-dollar-and-saudi-riyal-pour-into-donation-boxes-for-kabirs-proposed-babri-masjid-652234.html Kolkata Dec 9 Foreign currencies from multiple countries including US dollars Saudi riyals and Bangladeshi takas have been deposited in the donation boxes set up by suspended Trinamool Congress leader and Bharatpur MLA Humayun Kabir for the proposed construction of the Babri Masjid in West Bengalâs Murshidabad district Till Monday evening currency notes from several countries including US dollars Saudi Arabian riyals Malaysian ringgits and Bangladeshi takas were found in the donation boxesAssociates close to the TMC rebel leader said that even the team counting the money could not identify every foreign currency that they received By Monday evening a little over Rs 210 crore had been credited to Kabirâs bank accountHis followers also said that Rs 3733 lakh was recovered after counting the money stored in six donation boxesOn Tuesday Kabir stepped back amid the growing criticism over naming the proposed mosque after Babri stating Not every brick or rod will be built with the name of Babur After the mosque is built a gate will be built in the name of BabarHowever there is still no clarity on the planned size or overall scale of the mosquePeople associated with Kabir said that donations have so far been gathered in 12 trunks and bags Around 30 people have already been engaged for the counting work which has continued since Sunday nightSources said that one of the moneycounting machines stopped working midway prompting the team to bring in more machines All foreign currency has been kept aside New donation letters reached Kabirâs residence on Tuesday as wellSupplies such as bricks and sand continue to arrive at the siteLast week Kabir was suspended from the Trinamool Congress after he went ahead with plans to lay the foundation stone for a Babri Masjid styled mosque in Beldanga in Murshidabad district The event was held on Saturday despite objections raised by the Trinamool Congress leadership IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/foreign-currencies-including-dollar-and-saudi-riyal-pour-into-donation-boxes-for-kabirs-proposed-babri-masjid-652234.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/criminal-justice-system-cannot-be-used-as-tool-to-settle-personal-scores-delhi-hc-652236.html New Delhi Dec 9 The Delhi High Court has deprecated the growing trend of lodging criminal cases with âexaggerated allegationsâ arising out of neighbourhood or personal disputes observing that the criminal justice system cannot be used as a tool to settle personal scores A singlejudge Bench of Justice Amit Mahajan made the observations while quashing an FIR registered in 2016 under Sections 323 341 354 and 509 of the IPC and Section 8 of the POCSO Act against two neighbours after both sides admitted that the case stemmed from a misunderstanding and prior animosityThe FIR was lodged by a woman who alleged that the petitioners had inappropriately touched her and assaulted her and her aunt during an altercation near their homesIn its order the Delhi High Court noted that the complainant who appeared in person âcandidly admittedâ that the allegations were exaggerated and made under âilladviceâ at the time of the incidentShe said she had no remaining grievance and did not wish to pursue the caseThe petitioners also acknowledged that they had filed a crossFIR as a âcounterblastâ likewise containing exaggerated assertions arising from the same neighbourhood disputeTerming the practice of filing FIRs with inflated allegations a âstrongly deprecatedâ tendency the Delhi High Court said âThe criminal law machinery was invoked with more passion than prudence This Court finds it necessary to reiterate that the criminal justice system cannot be used as a tool for settling personal scores Lodging FIRs with inflated allegations particularly invoking serious sections without adequate basis not only undermines the purpose of criminal law but leads to prolonged hostility avoidable litigation and wastage of judicial timeâJustice Mahajan reiterated that offences such as those under Section 354 IPC or Section 8 of the POCSO Act are âheinous in natureâ and ordinarily cannot be quashed on the basis of compromiseTaking note of the admitted exaggerations the complainantâs age the absence of any grave allegation and the bleak prospect of conviction the Delhi High Court held that continuing the prosecution would amount to âsheer abuse of the process of Courtâ and serve no useful purpose particularly since both sides had chosen to âlive peacefullyâ in the futureInvoking its inherent powers under Section 528 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita BNSS the Delhi High Court quashed the FIR and all consequential proceedingsâNo useful purpose would be served by keeping the dispute alive and continuation of the proceedings would only cause ill will to fester between the parties and undue harassment especially since the parties have now settled their disputes In view of the above FIR No 7632016 and all consequential proceedings arising therefrom are quashedâ it said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/criminal-justice-system-cannot-be-used-as-tool-to-settle-personal-scores-delhi-hc-652236.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-must-define-its-own-development-path-resist-external-pressuresgautam-adani-652238.html New Delhi Dec 9 India must define its own development path and resist external pressures said Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Tuesday Speaking at the centenary celebrations at the Indian Institute of Technology Indian School of Mines Dhanbad Adani Group Chairman said that sovereignty in the 21st century will depend on a nationâs command over its natural resources and its energy systemsâMaster the resources below our feet and master the energy that fuels our riseâ Gautam Adani said calling these the twin foundations of Indiaâs economic independenceGautam Adani urged the need to resist external pressures that seek to define its development priorities and do only what is best for IndiaâIf we do not control our own narrative our aspirations will be delegitimised and our right to improve our standard of living portrayed as a global offenceâ the Adani Group Chairman saidThe industrialist also warned of what he described as ânarrative colonisationâ arguing that the very countries responsible for historic emissions are now attempting to influence how developing nations pursue growthCiting global data Gautam Adani said India remains one of the worldâs lowest percapita emitters even as it has achieved more than 50 per cent nonfossil installed capacity ahead of scheduleThe industrialist said attempts to downgrade Indiaâs sustainability performance without accounting for percapita metrics or historical responsibility reflect biases embedded in global ESG frameworksCalling this period Indiaâs âSecond Freedom Struggleâ this time for economic and resource sovereignty Gautam Adani said mining minerals and earth sciences would define Indiaâs future capabilitiesâPeople may call mining the old economy But without it there is no new economyâGautam Adani also highlighted that the IIT Dhanbad was born from a moment of national foresight Over a century ago under British rule the Indian National Congress had recommended the establishment of an institute to build Indiaâs critical capabilities in mining and geologyThe Adani Group Chairman said this vision reflected a deep civilisational understanding that a nation cannot rise without mastering the strength of its own soil while announcing two initiatives for IIT ISM Dhanbad a yearly programme offering 50 paid internships with preplacement opportunities and the Adani 3S Mining Excellence Centre in partnership with TEXMiN featuring metaverse labs drone fleets seismic sensing systems and precision mining technologiesThe industrialist urged students to âdream fearlessly act relentlesslyâ embrace innovation and help build a confident selfreliant India by becoming âcustodians of the coreâ who build Indiaâs sovereign capabilities IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-must-define-its-own-development-path-resist-external-pressuresgautam-adani-652238.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sir-in-bengal-five-additionally-appointed-special-roll-observers-to-pinpoint-deliberate-errors-in-data-entries-652243.html Kolkata Dec 9 The main responsibility of the five additional special roll observers appointed to review the ongoing Special Intensive Revision SIR in West Bengal will be to pinpoint instances of deliberate data entry errors in the second stage of the exercise that will start after the publication of the draft voters list on December 16 Sources in the Chief Electoral Officer CEO office West Bengal said that besides identifying specific and deliberate data entry errors the task of the five additional special roll observers will also be to pinpoint people within the system responsible for such deliberate errors and recommend disciplinary action against themSources in the CEOs office said that in the second stage of the revision exercise there will be performance evaluation of boothlevel officers BLOs Electoral Registration Officers EROs and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers AEROs during the first phase of the SIRThe second stage of the SIR exercise starting after December 16 will involve filing claims and objections and the notice phase which is issuance hearing verification and decision on enumeration forms and disposal of claims and objections to be done concurrently by the EROsAfter the second stage is over the third and final stage which is the publication of the final electoral roll will be on February 14 Soon after the publication of the final electoral roll the ECI is expected to announce the dates for the crucial Assembly elections in the stateMeanwhile till Monday afternoon the number of booths in West Bengal identified as not having a single deceased voter or a duplicate voter with names in two places or any voter who has shifted elsewhere has undergone a drastic revision and dropped to just two from the abysmal figure of 2208 reported on December 1 eveningThe ECI has also scrapped the idea of setting up polling booths within housing complexes having multiple highrise towers in the state amid the failure of the District Magistrates as well as the district electoral officers to identify an adequate number of such housing complexes that would be ideal for setting up polling boothsThe DEOs have been able to identify only two such housing complexes till Monday morning IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sir-in-bengal-five-additionally-appointed-special-roll-observers-to-pinpoint-deliberate-errors-in-data-entries-652243.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/actress-kolla-hema-cleared-in-2024-rave-party-case-blames-media-trial-for-mothers-death-652247.html Bengaluru Dec 9 Tollywood actress Kolla Hema released an emotional video on Tuesday after the Karnataka High Court cleared her of all charges in the 2024 rave party case In the video she said that her mother had died unable to bear the distress caused by the case âCarrying that pain in my heart I want to share this good news The High Court has dismissed the caseâ she said as she broke downIn her message Hema said âHi all I am your Hema I stand before you with the grief of losing my mother The Karnataka High Court has quashed my case The verdict came on November 3 I was told not to share the news until the certified copy of the judgment was availableâShe said her mother suffered a stroke days after the verdict and did not recoverâIn the meantime my mother suffered a stroke and passed away She was my strength and source of courage Whatever I am today is because of her She could not cope with what happened to me My mother could not bear the social media posts and the media trial carried out by news channelsâ Hema saidThe actress added that she repeatedly pleaded with social media users and media outlets to stop spreading unverified allegationsâI had already shared that my mother was unwell Who gave social media users and media outlets the authority to troll me From the beginning I have been pleading with them not to broadcast false information To cover up one false report they kept spreading more incorrect news and stooped to lower levels I repeatedly said that I had done nothing wrong and would come out clean Today I stand before you with a clean image God is beside meâ she saidShe said the long legal ordeal cost her both peace and work âI won the case but lost my mother forever Will you bring my mother back How am I supposed to cope Do I have to struggle endlessly I have come out clean with the blessings of my mother and God For the past one and a half years my life has been hell I had not contacted any director or anyone from the film industry You the media carried out propaganda and continued with itâ Hema said in the videoIn a major relief the Karnataka High Court quashed the drug case registered against her in connection with the May 2024 Hebbagodi rave party The single judge bench allowed her petition seeking dismissal of the case noting the absence of standard testing methods and legally sustainable evidence The bench headed by Justice Mohammad Nawaz passed the orderHema was among the 88 people detained after the Central Crime Branch raided a rave party at GR Farms on May 19 2024 Police had alleged that MDMA pills and cocaine were used at the event and booked the group under the NDPS Act She later underwent a medical test at a private hospital but the High Court held that the report could not be considered reliable in the absence of standardised forensic parameters in the countryThe court pointed out several gaps in the process including a lack of a national nodal drug testing laboratory the absence of approved protocols for analysing blood and urine samples and the unreliability of tests conducted without uniform scientific standards Given these shortcomings the bench ruled that the proceedings against the actress could not continueThe CCB had filed a chargesheet against all 88 people arrested in the party Hema then approached the High Court seeking its dismissal IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/actress-kolla-hema-cleared-in-2024-rave-party-case-blames-media-trial-for-mothers-death-652247.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarats-gaam-no-nirdhar-sahkaare-sakar-campaign-gathers-steam-boosts-child-nutrition-652253.html Ahmedabad Dec 9 Gujaratâs Kheda district is witnessing enthusiastic community participation in its innovative nutrition initiative âGaam No Nirdhar Sahkaare Sakarâ launched on November 14 to combat child malnutrition through collective action Spearheaded by District Collector Amit Prakash Yadav and supported by Amul Dairy the campaign encourages dairy farmers to voluntarily donate small quantities of milk each day for undernourished children enrolled in anganwadisAwareness meetings have already been held with milk cooperatives in Matar Nadiad Vaso Mahemdavad and Kathlal where local MLAs and Amul officials have urged villagers to strengthen the driveAt village dairy centres contributing farmers set aside 10 ml 30 ml 50 ml or more into a dedicated container known as the âAashirwad Patraâ The collected milk is distributed daily to malnourished children by anganwadi workers providing vital nutritional support to some of the districtâs most vulnerableResidents are also being encouraged to celebrate birthdays anniversaries and festivals by donating nutritious items such as jaggery pulses peanuts and dates to their nearest anganwadiâMalnutrition is a challenge even more complex than cancerâ Collector Yadav told villagers stressing that child nutrition must be treated as a shared social responsibilityHe appealed for full cooperation with anganwadi workers and urged government employees to participate to set an exampleDistrict Development Officer Jayant Kishore added that nurturing a healthy future generation is not just the responsibility of parents but of the entire community including village leaders talatis and teachersSo far the campaign has collected 477195 litres of milk benefitting over 3000 children every day With strong backing from dairy cooperatives and villagers the administration aims to expand the initiative across all talukas moving Kheda closer to the goal of becoming a malnutritionfree districtThe district administration and Amul Dairy have expressed gratitude to villagers milk unions and livestock farmers for their overwhelming support to this humanitarian effort IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarats-gaam-no-nirdhar-sahkaare-sakar-campaign-gathers-steam-boosts-child-nutrition-652253.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 14:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sonia-gandhi-is-guiding-force-for-telanganas-ambitious-vision-cm-revanth-reddy-on-cpp-leaders-79th-birthday-652254.html Hyderabad Dec 9 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Tuesday called CPP leader Sonia Gandhi the fountainhead for the success of Telangana and said that she continues to be the inspiring and guiding force for the stateâs ambitious vision On the occasion of Sonia Gandhiâs 79th birthday he said that her greatest contribution was to ensure separate statehood for Telangana after decades of struggleâShe is the fountainhead for the success of Telangana and continues to serve as an inspiring and guiding force for achieving all our goals and the ambitious vision â Telangana Rising 2047â he saidWhile greeting Sonia Gandhi he prayed that she continues to âbless amp guide us so we may serve the people of Telangana better every day in every wayâDeputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka greeted Sonia Gandhi on her birthday He said that she breathed life into the dreams of four and a half crore Telangana peopleHe stated that the political resolve she demonstrated and the fact that the state of Telangana was made possible through her inspiration stands eternally etched in the heart of every person in TelanganaThe Deputy CM said with the blessings of Sonia Gandhi Telangana is racing further along the path of development âWe must all strive together to achieve a Telangana of social justice equality and peaceful prosperityâ he saidTelangana state Congress president Mahesh Kumar Goud also conveyed his birthday greetings to Sonia Gandhi and said that her leadership and unwavering values remain a guiding light for millions âWishing you a year filled with peace strength and joyâ he posted on XâHeartfelt greetings to Smt Sonia Gandhi ji on her birthday Your leadership resilience and deep conviction in inclusive peoplecentric governance remain guiding forces for all of us in the Congress family Wishing you a year filled with good health and peaceâ posted IT and Industry Minister D Sridhar BabuâFulfilling the sixdecadelong aspiration of our peopleâ Breathing life into the hopes of four crore citizens of Telanganaâ Forever honoured in our hearts as the cherished architect of our Stateâ Our respectful birthday greetings to Smt Sonia Gandhi ji whose unwavering commitment moral courage and profound compassion made the formation of Telangana a reality May she be blessed abundantly with good health peace and enduring strength to continue inspiring the nation with her serviceâ wrote Transport Minister Ponnam PrabhakarMinister for Minority Welfare Mohammed Azharuddin also greeted the former Congress president âWarm birthday wishes to Sonia Gandhi ji May Allah bless you with health peace and strength Your steadfast commitment to protecting our democracy and the rights of every Indian continues to inspireâ he posted on XMeanwhile Andhra Pradesh state Congress president YS Sharmila has also greeted Sonia Gandhi âOn this special day I extend my warmest 79th birthday wishes to Smt Sonia Gandhi ji Madam your unwavering commitment to democratic values social justice and inclusive growth continues to inspire millions across the nation May you be blessed with good health strength and happiness always I wish you many more years to guide us all with grace wisdom and compassionâ she wrote IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sonia-gandhi-is-guiding-force-for-telanganas-ambitious-vision-cm-revanth-reddy-on-cpp-leaders-79th-birthday-652254.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 14:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/2026-assembly-polls-tn-govt-fast-tracks-welfare-schemes-appointments-652255.html Chennai Dec 9 With the Assembly election on the horizon the Tamil Nadu government has put its administrative machinery into overdrive prioritising the rollout of flagship welfare schemes and the filling of longpending vacancies across departments The renewed push covers everything from the restart of the free laptop distribution scheme for students to the expansion of the Kalaignar Mahalir Urimai Thogai assistance for women besides expedited recruitment at the grassroots levelChief Minister M K Stalin is set to formally kickstart the fresh phase of free laptop distribution to college students officials saidUnder the first phase of the muchawaited programme around 10 lakh students from arts and science colleges engineering institutions agricultural universities and medical colleges will receive laptopsAnother 10 lakh students are expected to be covered in the second phase The scheme announced in the 2025â26 State Budget has been allocated a substantial outlay of Rs 2000 croreSources in the Higher Education Department said procurement has been largely completed and final quality checks are currently underwayAn expert committee comprising faculty from Anna University and IIT Madras along with officials from the National Informatics Centre is overseeing the implementation processHeads of government colleges have been directed to identify eligible beneficiaries and submit the details without delayIn another major move the Chief Minister will launch the expanded Kalaignar Mahalir Urimai Thogai scheme on December 12After relaxing certain eligibility criteria the government expects to bring more women under its ambit Of the 28 lakh fresh applications received 15 lakh women will be newly added as beneficiaries taking the total coverage to about 130 crore women across the StateThe pace of implementation of this scheme had earlier drawn criticism from the Opposition Alongside welfare measures the government is also fasttracking appointments to vacant posts Apart from recruitments through the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission district administrations are being tasked with filling lowerlevel posts such as watchmen and office assistants through direct recruitmentAccording to officials in the Revenue Administration Department around 1500 village administrative officer posts will be filled by the end of this month with call letters already uploaded on the government portalOther districtlevel appointments are expected to be completed within the next 20 days signalling a broad administrative push before the election code comes into force IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/2026-assembly-polls-tn-govt-fast-tracks-welfare-schemes-appointments-652255.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 14:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/production-of-heavy-engineering-equipment-other-machinery-cross-rs-569-lakh-crore-in-2024-25-652256.html New Delhi Dec 9 The production of heavy engineering equipment and various sub sectors of the capital goods sector increased from Rs 266672 crore in 202021 to Rs 569900 crore in 202425 the Parliament was informed on Tuesday Heavy electrical equipment saw a total production worth Rs 364706 crore in 202425 up from Rs 167706 crore in 202021 Minister of State for Heavy Industries Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma informed the Lok SabhaWhile earthmoving and mining machinery saw production worth Rs 80750 crore in 202425 up from Rs 29021 crore in 20221 printing machinery saw production of Rs 29716 crore in 202425 compared to Rs 10058 crore in 202021 he notedThe minister also said that at present there is no proposal under consideration in the Ministry of Heavy Industries for disinvestment of BHELHowever the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs CCEA in its meeting on October 27 2016 interalia accorded its âinprincipleâ approval on certain aspects in respect of the Central Public Sector Enterprises CPSEs under the Ministry of Heavy Industries MHIThe disinvestment of Bridge amp Roof Co India Ltd BampR units of Cement Corporation of India Ltd CCI where it is legally permissible be disinvested disinvestment by merger of Engineering Projects India Ltd EPIL with similarly placed CPSEs and expression of Interest EoI were invited in respect of BampR and EPILâHowever no bids were received Disinvestment process of units of CCI could not be started as not found fit for strategic saleâ said VarmaMeanwhile the growth rate of Indiaâs industrial production stood at 04 per cent in October this year which could be attributed to the fewer working days because of a number of festivals in the month including Dussehra Dipawali and Chhath according to a recent statement issued by the Ministry of StatisticsThe countryâs industrial growth rate based on the Index of Industrial Production IIP had accelerated to 4 per cent in September and August from a fourmonth high of 35 per cent in July which in turn had surged from 15 per cent in JuneThe manufacturing sector recorded a positive growth of 18 per cent during October compared to the same month of the previous year Within the manufacturing sector 9 out of 23 industry groups have recorded positive growth during the month IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/production-of-heavy-engineering-equipment-other-machinery-cross-rs-569-lakh-crore-in-2024-25-652256.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 14:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/hc-stays-cat-order-on-ias-officers-allotment-to-telangana-652002.html Hyderabad Dec 8 The Telangana High Court on Monday stayed the order of the Central Administrative Tribunal CAT allotting IAS officer Amrapali Kata to the Telangana cadre The stay was granted on a petition by the Department of Personnel and Training DoPT challenging the CAT orderThe court directed the IAS officerâs counsel to file the counter and adjourned the hearing for six weeksIn June 2025 the Hyderabad branch of CAT allowed the petition of the 2010batch IAS officer to direct the authorities to allot her to the Telangana cadreThe CAT pulled up the government for adopting a selective approach in applying the Pratyush Sinha Committee guidelines describing the inconsistency as discriminatoryKata currently serving as the Managing Director of the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation had approached the tribunal after the Union government rejected her request to be allotted to the Telangana cadre last yearThe CAT noted that while the guidelines framed by the Pratyush Sinha Committee were being strictly applied in some cases they were relaxed arbitrarily for others without valid justification Holding that such selective implementation amounts to discrimination it found merit in Katas argumentsObserving that the authorities failed to provide a rationale for denying her request while accommodating others the tribunal allowed her plea and directed the government to take appropriate steps for her cadre transfer to TelanganaKata was one of the four IAS officers who were directed by DoPT in October last year to join duties in Andhra PradeshRonald Rose Vani Prasad Kata and Karuna Vakati had to join the duties as the High Court had declined to pass any orders The CAT while hearing the petitions challenging the DoPT order had also asked the officers to join duties as directed by the DoPTThe DoPT on October 10 2024 issued orders relieving the five IAS officials including one officer currently serving in Andhra Pradesh from their current postings and directing them to join their respective state cadresIt had rejected the claim of eight All India Service AIS officers to allocate them to the Telangana cadreThe request of five IAS and three Indian Police Service IPS officers was rejectedThese officers were allocated to the Andhra Pradesh cadre following the bifurcation of the state in 2014 but they had challenged the same and had requested that they be allocated Telangana cadreThe decision was taken by the DoPT following a recommendation by a singlemember committee comprising former DoPT Secretary Deepak Khandekar which was constituted to reconsider the final allocation of AIS officersFollowing the bifurcation of united Andhra Pradesh in 2014 the union government had reallotted IAS and IPS officers working in the undivided state to the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh and the newly created Telangana stateSome of the officers had challenged their reallocation and approached the CAT which had ruled in their favour The DoPT had challenged the CAT orders in the High CourtThe Telangana High Court in its order of January 3 2024 had ruled that the cases of the AIS officers should be reconsidered for final allocation in accordance with the guidelines framed on the basis of the recommendations of the Pratyush Sinha committee between the states of Telangana and Andhra PradeshActing on the High Court the DoPT had constituted the Khandekar committee in March 2024 for reconsideration of the final allocation IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/hc-stays-cat-order-on-ias-officers-allotment-to-telangana-652002.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-has-15-crore-nomadic-communities-minister-virendra-kumar-in-ls-652258.html New Delhi Dec 9 Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that nearly 15 crore people in India belong to denotified nomadic and seminomadic communities These groups which include lohgadia ironsmith snake charmers and banjaras often lead itinerant lives without permanent employmentThe minister emphasised that the government has set up a dedicated board to facilitate their integration into mainstream developmentThe minister during Question Hour was responding to a question raised by Advocate Chandrashekhar Azad of the Azad Samaj Party Kanshi Ram representing Nagina in Uttar Pradesh who pointed out that states such as Punjab Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have a higher concentration of these communities and that many of them have been classified under Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes yet they continue to face challenges in accessing welfare benefitsLok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also intervened during the discussion suggesting that Members of Parliament should organise camps in collaboration with local communities to directly engage with nomadic tribes particularly for education and ensure that government schemes reach them effectively He said he was making efforts in his constituencyHighlighting the governmentâs initiatives the minister said that the Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs SEED launched under the Ministry of Social Justice amp Empowerment is the primary programme aimed at their upliftmentThe scheme focuses on education through free coaching health insurance via Ayushman cards livelihood support through selfhelp groups and housing benefits linked with the Pradhan Mantri Awas YojanaThe Development and Welfare Board for DNTs DWBDNC constituted on February 21 2019 oversees these effortsHe added that students from these communities are also being linked with the National Overseas Scholarship scheme to expand opportunitiesThe minister noted that only Madhya Pradesh has already provided residential benefits to 3047 families of such communities other state governments are being urged to extend similar support However challenges remain particularly in the issuance of caste and birth certificatesKumar admitted that the absence of certification prevents many from availing benefits Currently only seven states Maharashtra Madhya Pradesh Haryana Uttar Pradesh Tamil Nadu Gujarat and Rajasthan issue caste certificates to DNT communities while states like Andhra Pradesh have yet to do soBhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure of Shiv SenaUBT representing Shirdi in Maharashtra raised concerns about this gap stressing that without proper documentation government certificates these marginalised groups remain excludedThe minister assured the House that the Centre has requested all states to begin issuing certificates to ensure that nomadic and denotified tribes are not left behind in the countryâs development journeyWhile responding to a question of Kanimozhi Karunanidhi DMK Thoothukuddi Tamil Nadu the minister said a committee has been constituted to extend benefits to the identified 1262 communities and also 268 nonclassified as Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe The government is making every effort to extend the benefits of the government IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-has-15-crore-nomadic-communities-minister-virendra-kumar-in-ls-652258.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 14:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-hands-over-955-lakh-houses-to-poor-under-pm-awas-yojna-652259.html New Delhi Dec 9 The Centre has already handed over as many as 9554 lakh houses to beneficiaries under two schemes of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal has informed Parliament Replying to supplementaries in the Rajya Sabha during question hour the minister said that a 2020 slum survey showed that 65 crore people comprising 139 crore households were living in slums across the countryHe explained that land and colonisation are State subjects and policies and programmes related to slum rehabilitation rest with respective states and Union Territories Hence data related to slum rehabilitation or relocation is not maintained by the ministryHowever in the National Capital Territory of Delhi NCTD the slum rehabilitation and demolitions are done by various land owning agencies like Delhi Development Authority DDA Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board DUSIB etc under the provisions of various applicable ActsAs part of its Slum Rehabilitation programme DDA has carried out demolition after properly rehabilitating eligible slum dwellers It involves a total of 5158 households out of which a total of 3414 were found eligible for alternative rehabilitation as per the DUSIB policy the minister said in a written reply to a questionThe eligible dwellers have been provided with alternative rehabilitation with all modern facilities Implementing agencies execute slum rehabilitation projects based on their own land management policies and the slum rehabilitation policy of States and UTsDuring the slum rehabilitation and resettlement land owning agencies and implementing agencies and affected families may also seek assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana â Urban PMAYU and PMAYU 20 if beneficiaries are otherwise eligible the minister pointed outMinistry of Housing and Urban Affairs MoHUA is supplementing the efforts of States and UTs by providing central assistance under PMAYU since June 25 2015 for the construction of houses for eligible families including slum dwellers he addedFurther based on the learnings from the experiences of implementation of PMAYU MoHUA has revamped the scheme and launched PMAYU 20 Housing for All Mission with effect from September 1 2024 to support 1 crore additional eligible beneficiaries in urban areas PMAYU 20 is implemented through four verticals ie Beneficiary Led Construction Affordable Housing in Partnership Affordable Rental Housing and Interest Subsidy Scheme he saidUnder PMAYU and PMAYU 20 a total of Rs 205 lakh crore has been sanctioned as Central Assistance of which Rs 175 lakh crore has been released to States and UTs and Rs 165 lakh crore has been utilised by them Although slum dwellers have received benefits under all verticals of PMAYU Rs 1800 crore Central Assistance has been specifically released under InSitu Slum Redevelopment vertical the minister added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-hands-over-955-lakh-houses-to-poor-under-pm-awas-yojna-652259.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 14:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/division-over-vande-mataram-not-created-by-muslims-dmks-a-raja-cites-nehru-bose-correspondence-652005.html Chennai Dec 8 A sharp political and historical debate unfolded in Parliament on Monday as DMK MP A Raja questioned the legacy and interpretation of Vande Mataram citing a letter written by Jawaharlal Nehru to Subhas Chandra Bose to argue that opposition to the national song had deeper historical roots than is often acknowledged Participating in a discussion on the national song Raja said Nehru had observed in his letter to Bose that the public outcry against Vande Mataram was âmanufactured by communalistsâ but also accepted that there was âsome substanceâ in the grievances expressed by sections of peopleRaja argued that these concerns particularly among communities with religious sensitivities had a historical context and could not simply be dismissed as antinational sentimentTaking his argument further Raja claimed that there was enough historical evidence to suggest that Vande Mataram was not directed solely against British colonial rule but also carried connotations that were perceived as exclusionary by Muslims during the freedom struggleHe said such perceptions contributed to the unease surrounding the song even during the preIndependence eraResponding to remarks made earlier by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on national unity and division Raja accused the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP of politicising the issueâThe division over Vande Mataram was not created by Muslims but by your forefathersâ he said in a direct attack on the ruling party triggering sharp reactions from treasury bench membersRaja also questioned the Prime Ministerâs assertion about divisions in the country today He asked whether the national song had played any role in the Partition of India and what the âoriginal dreamâ of Vande Mataram truly representedWhile acknowledging that the song is deeply connected to the freedom movement and is widely regarded as a unifying force the DMK leader insisted that ignoring historical disagreements would not help in addressing presentday sensitivitiesThroughout his speech Raja maintained that discussion on national symbols must be rooted in historical facts rather than political narrativesHe reiterated that the intention behind his remarks was not to undermine the freedom struggle but to highlight that differing interpretations had existed even among the leaders of the independence movementThe speech triggered sharp reactions across party lines reflecting how the legacy of Vande Mataram continues to evoke strong emotions and ideological divides in contemporary Indian politics IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/division-over-vande-mataram-not-created-by-muslims-dmks-a-raja-cites-nehru-bose-correspondence-652005.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-group-to-invest-over-75-bn-in-energy-transition-space-over-next-five-years-652261.html New Delhi Dec 9 Adani Group will invest over 75 billion in energy transition space over the next five years said Chairman Gautam Adani on Tuesday At the 100th anniversary of the Indian Institute of Technology Indian School of Mines Dhanbad the businessman noted that Adani Group has invested to become one of the worlds fastestgrowing renewable energy companiesGautam Adani shared that the global green energy transition is emerging as the largest industry of our time worth several trillion dollars over the coming decadesIt will fuel the rise of electricitybased manufacturing green steel green fertilisers hydrogen ecosystems and the critical infrastructure that AI and digital economies depend on said Gautam AdaniAdani Group is investing over 75 billion in the space of energy transition over the next five years the Chairman addedFurther Gautam Adani also called out a âweaponised narrativeâ at the recent COP30 in Brazil where a report downgraded Indiaâs sustainability ranking The report argued that India lacks a coalexit timeline and continues to auction coal blocksIndias per capita carbon dioxide CO2 emissions are among the lowest in the world and the country is driving the fastest energy transition in human history the Adani Group Chairman saidâBharat did not heat this planet Yet much of the developed world now expects Bharat to cool the earthâ Gautam Adani said while sharing the number that defined Indiaâs sustainability progressThe Adani Group Chairman citing that more than 50 per cent of Indiaâs installed electricity generation capacity came from nonfossil sources hit an important globally agreed number a full five years before its targetSimilarly under the Paris Agreement adopted in 2015 signed by 195 countries no other major nation has been able to change its energy mix in such a dramatic fashion as India could the industrialist saidBharat with one of the lowest CO2 emissions per capita is also driving the fastest energy transition in human history Gautam Adani saidBased on his own experiences and reflections the industrialist also shared personal advice to the students that success is never granted It is mined It is extractedGautam Adani urged the students to become Bharats freedom fighters and help the country achieve economic and resource independenceYou my young friends are the next generation of Bharats freedom fighters And in this struggle â You are not just extracting resources you are extracting sovereignty You are not just mining minerals you are mining dignity the Adani Group Chairman said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-group-to-invest-over-75-bn-in-energy-transition-space-over-next-five-years-652261.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 14:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/biometric-registration-of-myanmar-and-bangladeshi-refugees-underway-in-mizoram-652007.html Aizawl Dec 8 Various district authorities in Mizoram have so far recorded the biometric details of around 66 per cent of the nearly 31000 Myanmar refugees taking shelter in the Northeastern state after fleeing their country in different phases following the military coup in February 2021 officials said on Monday An official of the Mizoram Home Department said that biometric data of around 20335 of around 31000 refugees from Myanmar have been collected so far across 11 districtsSimilarly the biometric details of around 14 per cent of the 2375 Bangladeshi refugees was recorded so far in different districtsOn the advice of the Ministry of Home Affairs MHA the biometric enrollment process has been underway through the Foreigners Identification Portal and Biometric Enrollment systemOut of Mizorams 11 districts the Serchhip district administration first launched the biometric enrollment drive for the refugees on July 30 and subsequently 10 other districts commenced the enrollment processAccording to the official the electronic registration process has faced several hurdles including technical glitches and poor internet connectivity in remote areasDespite these challenges the district authorities have managed to continue the enrollment drive though progress remains slow he saidBesides the Myanmar refugees around 2375 migrants from the Chittagong Hill Tracts CHT of southeastern Bangladesh have taken shelter in three districts of Mizoram over the past two yearsMost of the Bangladeshi refugees around 2000 are staying in Lawngtlai district in southern Mizoram which borders both Myanmar and BangladeshTribal refugees from Bangladesh have also been accommodated in Lunglei and Serchhip districtsBoth the Myanmar and Bangladeshi refugees are sheltered in designated camps as well as in relatives and rented houses across all 11 districts of mountainous MizoramIt is troublefree to collect biometric details from refugees living in camps but it is more challenging for those staying in relatives and rented houses spread across hundreds of remote villages the Home Affairs Department official saidTo tackle this problem the authorities concerned in the districts have sought the help of village councils and civil society organisations especially the Young Mizo Association he addedAlong with biometric data the enrollment process also includes the collection of biographical details such as names addresses parents names and any employment history both in Myanmar and in MizoramBefore initiating the biometric data collection the Mizoram government provided extensive training to districtlevel officials to collect biometric and biographical data from refugees taking shelter in the stateFollowing the military coup in Myanmar in February 2021 refugees including women children and elderly persons began entering Mizoram in search of shelterTheir numbers have since grown to nearly 31000 nowMembers of the Bangladeshi Bawm community from the CHT have also been staying in Mizoram for more than two years after fleeing ethnic troubles triggered by a crackdown by the Bangladesh ArmyThe Myanmar refugees mostly from the Chin state share close ethnic traditional and cultural affinities with the majority Mizo community of MizoramThe Bawm also known as Bawmzo are a small ethnic group primarily residing in Bangladeshs Chittagong Hill Tracts and also share cultural similarities with the MizosMyanmars Chin state shares a 510 km mountainous border with six Mizoram districts Champhai Siaha Lawngtlai Hnahthial Saitual and Serchhip while three districts Mamit Lunglei and Lawngtlai share a 318 kmlong border with BangladeshThere is no fencing along Mizorams mountainous international border with Myanmar and BangladeshMizoram has also given shelter to a few thousand displaced tribals after ethnic violence broke out between the Meitei and KukiZo communities in neighbouring Manipur in May 2023 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/biometric-registration-of-myanmar-and-bangladeshi-refugees-underway-in-mizoram-652007.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/no-change-in-leadership-in-the-state-cm-siddaramaiahs-son-652008.html Belagavi Karnataka Dec 8 Responding to questions on the leadership tussle within the ruling Congress party MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah son of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that those predicting a change in the CMâs position are âdreamingâ He said the Congress high command has made it clear that there will be no change in leadership in the stateSpeaking to the media in Belagavi on Monday before attending the session Yathindra said âDeputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has said he is an aspirant for the CMâs post In response the high command has clarified that this is not the appropriate time and also made it clear that there will be no change in the Chief MinisterâHe added âThe matter ends there Hence there is no tussle anymore Opposition parties are unnecessarily spreading rumours and creating perceptionsâWhen asked about speculation that CM Siddaramaiah would be asked to resign after the Belagavi session Yathindra said âThey have been saying this for many years They keep claiming the CM will be changed this year or that year They must be dreamingâOn whether CM Siddaramaiah will complete his fiveyear term Yathindra said âPersonally I have full faith that he will complete the full term There is no discussion of leadership change in Delhi The high command has not called CM Siddaramaiah and there is no leadership crisis in the stateâSenior Congress leader and MLC BK Hariprasad also told reporters that there are no factions within the Karnataka Congress âThere are no factions in the Congress party There is only one faction the faction of Mallikarjun Kharge Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhiâ he saidDefending Minister Satish Jarkiholiâs efforts to organise backward classes Hariprasad said âHe is someone who raises his voice for the oppressed and there is nothing wrong with that Groupism is more prevalent in the BJP A group of BJP leaders has gone to Delhi to complain against the state President and MLA BY Vijayendra and Leader of the Opposition R Ashokaâ Minister Satish Jarkiholi is a close associate of CM SiddaramaiahHealth Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao added âGroupism and differences are far greater in the BJP There are groups working against the Leader of Opposition R Ashoka and the state president BY Vijayendra trying to unseat them Let BJP leaders set their own house in order before commenting on internal matters of the Congress partyâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/no-change-in-leadership-in-the-state-cm-siddaramaiahs-son-652008.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-govt-inaugurates-new-staff-housing-block-in-ahmedabad-652009.html Ahmedabad Dec 8 The Gujarat government on Monday reinforced its push for inclusive urban development with the inauguration of newlybuilt government staff housing in Navrangpura The project comprising 44 ClassC quarters constructed by the Roads and Buildings Department was launched in the presence of Minister of State for Urban Development Darshana Vaghela Speaking at the ceremony Vaghela said the government is committed to ensuring that employees have access to safe dignified and secure housing She emphasised that providing quality accommodation is not just an administrative responsibility but a priority linked to the welfare of employeesâ familiesVaghela also highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs vision of âhousing for allâ is being realised through various state and central schemesShe pointed out that multiple housing projects recently inaugurated in Ahmedabad by Union Home Minister Amit Shah have helped fulfil the longpending housing needs of lowincome families giving them a stable foundation for a better futureThe newlyinaugurated Navrangpura staff housing complex has been equipped with essential facilities safety measures and basic amenities aimed at improving the living standards of government employees At the event housing allotment orders were formally distributed to eligible beneficiariesMLA Amit Shah RampB Department Executive Engineer Riya Modi municipal corporators and other senior officials were present during the ceremony which marked another step in the stateâs ongoing efforts to expand affordable housing infrastructure across urban GujaratGujaratâs housing infrastructure has expanded rapidly over the past decade driven by a push for affordable resilient and wellplanned urban developmentThe state has focussed on providing quality housing for both lowincome citizens and government employees through schemes like PMAY PPPbased projects and statesupported rental optionsMajor cities like Ahmedabad Surat Vadodara and Rajkot have seen largescale redevelopment of old colonies construction of EWSLIG units and integrated townships supported by improved roads water supply and public transportWith new digital monitoring systems stricter building standards and steady investment in urban amenities Gujarat is positioning housing as a core pillar of its broader Viksit Gujarat 2047 agenda aiming to create safer more inclusive and futureready living spaces across the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-govt-inaugurates-new-staff-housing-block-in-ahmedabad-652009.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-gdp-growth-outperforms-expectations-led-by-strong-consumption-capital-formation-652010.html New Delhi Dec 8 Indiaâs economy outperformed expectations in Q2 FY26 as income tax cuts GST rationalisation an early festive season and easing inflation supported the acceleration of private final consumption expenditure PFCE to 79 per cent in the quarter a report said on Monday Despite some moderation gross fixed capital formation grew at an encouraging rate of 73 per cent in Q2 supported by public capital expenditure said the report from CareEdge RatingsIt forecasted that growth momentum is expected to moderate to roughly 7 per cent in the second half of FY26 after averaging at about 8 per cent in the first half estimating FY26 GDP growth at 75 per centThe low base of the previous year and the low deflator also pushed up the GDP growth rate the report saidRegarding the global economy the agency said that global deflationary trends have created monetary space for rate cuts in most advanced and emerging economiesThe policy rates were increased in Japan and Brazil to combat higher inflation Meanwhile policy rates were cut in the UK and the US despite inflationary pressure in the respective countries to support growth the report saidThe Dollar Index DXY weakened due to a mix of factors including heightened uncertainty around US trade policy rising fiscal concerns and growing expectations of Fed rate cutsFurther structural shifts such as increased global central banks demand for gold also added downward pressure on the dollar it notedConsequently several major currencies strengthened YTD against the dollar supported by lower US yields and investors diversifying into nonUSD assetsThe central banks policy was dovish as it lowered inflation forecasts for FY26 and the first half of FY27 by 60 bps and 50 bps respectively and raised its GDP projection for FY26 to 73 per centA report earlier this month projected emerging markets to be the primary engine of global economic growth in 2026 contributing about twothirds of global GDP growth Emerging markets are expected to grow at 44 per cent versus 15 per cent for advanced economies IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-gdp-growth-outperforms-expectations-led-by-strong-consumption-capital-formation-652010.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-polls-first-phase-witnesses-brisk-polling-antony-baby-make-big-claims-652266.html Thiruvananthapuram Dec 9 The first phase of Keralas local body elections witnessed brisk polling across seven districts on Tuesday with long queues of voters seen at booths from early morning Polling began at 7 am after mock polling and will continue till 6 pmBy noon the overall turnout had crossed 47 per cent across the seven districts voting in the first phase reflecting strong voter participationVoting is underway in 595 local selfgovernment institutions across Thiruvananthapuram Kollam Pathanamthitta Alappuzha Kottayam Idukki and Ernakulam districtsThe elections cover three municipal corporations 39 municipalities seven district panchayats 75 block panchayats and 471 gram panchayats spread across a total of 11168 wardsFormer Defence Minister AK Antony arrived at his polling booth in the state capital along with his wife to cast his voteSpeaking after voting Antony predicted a major political turnaroundDrawing parallels with the 2010 local body elections when the Congressled UDF secured a resounding victory Antony said the results this time would come as a shock treatment for the ruling LeftHe added that the outcome would lay a strong foundation for the upcoming Assembly elections which he claimed the UDF would win handsomelyCountering the UDFs optimism CPIM General Secretary MA Baby asserted that the LDF would repeat its massive victory in the local body pollsHe said the Left had consistently delivered strong performances in previous elections and that the current results would further consolidate that trend with an even larger number of seatsCalling the election a crucial one being held during an era of uninterrupted LDF governance in Keralas political history Baby said the governments continuity welfare schemes and development initiatives would work decisively in the LDFs favourHe also said the people would recognise and reject what he termed the UDFs antipeople and antidevelopment approach and the BJPs communal politicsWith polling progressing steadily and highprofile leaders making bold and contrasting predictions the first phase of the local body elections has set the stage for an intense political battle whose outcome is now keenly awaited across KeralaMeanwhile the remaining seven districts will vote on Thursday and all the results will be out on Saturday IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-polls-first-phase-witnesses-brisk-polling-antony-baby-make-big-claims-652266.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 14:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jharkhand-hc-raps-govt-over-non-payment-of-pension-gratuity-to-madrasa-teachers-orders-top-officials-to-appear-in-person-652013.html Ranchi Dec 8 The Jharkhand High Court has pulled up the state government for failing to pay pension and gratuity benefits to retired madrasa teachers despite clear judicial directions issued nearly a decade ago Taking a stern view of what it termed a serious lapse the court has summoned two senior officers to appear in person at the next hearingA bench of Justice Ananda Sen while hearing a contempt petition noted that the state had not complied with its earlier order dated June 13 2024The bench directed the Principal Secretary School Education and Literacy Department Rahul Purwar and the Director of Secondary Education and Literacy to be physically present in court at the next hearingThe court further asked the officers to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for âwilful and deliberateâ violation of judicial ordersJustice Sen observed that ignoring court directives amounts to undermining the judicial process itself The matter will be heard again after eight weeksDuring the proceedings the petitioners argued that the state government had issued a resolution in 2014 denying pension and gratuity to madrasa teachers who retired after that year When this resolution was challenged the High Court on October 24 2014 struck down the decision and directed the government to release postretirement benefits to all eligible teachersHowever the petitioners alleged that the government never implemented the ruling So they were compelled to file a contempt petition following which the state submitted an affidavit claiming that the payments had been madeThe petitioners countered this claim stating that no such payments had been received Subsequently Mohammad Aijabul Haque and several other affected teachers again moved the High Court accusing the authorities of misleading the court and delaying justiceTaking cognisance of the conflicting statements the court has asked the summoned officials to submit a clear status report at the next hearing IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jharkhand-hc-raps-govt-over-non-payment-of-pension-gratuity-to-madrasa-teachers-orders-top-officials-to-appear-in-person-652013.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/shivakumar-tells-bjp-to-target-centre-not-state-over-karnataka-farm-crisis-652269.html Belagavi Karnataka Dec 9 Responding to the plan of the state unit of Bharatiya Janata Party to organise a mega protest Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president DK Shivakumar said on Tuesday that the protest should be against the Centre rather than the state government He said farmers were under severe strain due to the Centreâs decisions on maize sugarcane and ethanol and added that none of the pending grants owed to Karnataka had been releasedHe said that the Centre had not resolved issues linked to the Mahadayi project which would have helped farmers in the stateâWe secured justice in the Mekedatu issue only after a long struggle They claimed they could obtain the necessary clearances in a single day but nothing has been done Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman promised Rs 5400 crore in the budget but not a single paisa has been releasedâ he saidShivakumar accused BJP leaders of showing no responsibility on such matters âBJP leaders have no shame None of the BJP MPs have uttered a word on these issuesâ he saidSpeaking to reporters at the Belagavi airport he said that the ongoing winter session would take up matters involving farmers the Minimum Support Price and the need to press the Union government for the release of pending duesWhen asked about the broad agenda of the session he said âI am confident that both the ruling and opposition parties will discuss the burning issues of the state Why is the Centre not intervening in farmersâ issues Why is it not providing support Why is the MSP money not being released Why is the central government not purchasing crops Several issues including sugar prices need to be discussed We must put pressure on the Union government on all these mattersâHe said development needs in North Karnataka also required urgent attention and that the state would again press the Centre for funds âSeveral works need to be taken up especially in North Karnataka and we must exert pressure on the Centre to release the pending funds These matters will be discussed in the sessionâ he saidAsked about the BJPâs decision to protest alongside farmers against the state government he criticised the standâDid the BJP government ever take such bold decisions in favour of farmers during its tenure We have decided to buy maize We have stood with farmers on the sugarcane issue Sugar factory owners say they will incur losses and may have to shut down But it is the central government that fixes prices for these crops For the last 10 years the Centre has not increased sugar prices Even then why is the Union government not helpingâ he askedHe said that the government was insisting that even if factories suffer losses farmers must survive The fight should be against the central government adding the BJP has no other issue to talk about which is why they are making such statements IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/shivakumar-tells-bjp-to-target-centre-not-state-over-karnataka-farm-crisis-652269.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 14:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/dgcas-tariff-monitoring-unit-keeping-airfares-on-78-routes-in-check-minister-652015.html New Delhi Dec 8 The Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA has set up Tariff Monitoring Unit TMU that monitors airfares on selected 78 routes on a random basis by using airlines websites on monthly basis to ensure that the airlines do not charge airfares outside the range declared by them the Parliament was informed on Monday This covers about 27 per cent of the domestic traffic By doing so the TMU plays a critical role in maintaining airfare levels within the boundaries of the airlines prescribed tariffsDGCA ensures that the airfare charged by the airlines remain within the boundaries of the established tariff sheets However in exceptional circumstances of nonadherence to Sub Rule 2 of Rule 135 of The Aircraft Rules 1937 necessary directions are being issued to all concerned airlines said Murlidhar Mohol Minister of State for Civil Aviation in the Rajya SabhaAirfares are not subject to regulation by the government and airlines have the flexibility to determine their airfares based on their operational needs while adhering to Rule 135 of the Aircraft Rules 1937The pricing of airfares is subject to dynamic fluctuations influenced by the fundamental economic forces of supply and demand Various determinants such as current seat occupancy fuel costs aircraft capacity seasonal fluctuations and other relevant factors significantly impact airline ticket pricingâFurther the government proactively engages with scheduled airlines and advises them to augment capacity by deploying additional flights during festival seasons or during events causing surge in demandIn October 2025 to meet high festive demand airlines responded by augmenting flight capacities by announcing 1750 additional flights across 100 sectors As a result of capacity increase a general moderation in fares was observed across most of the sectors informed the ministerWhile the government generally refrains from regulating airfares to maintain market competitiveness however it remains vigilant oversight role intervening in exceptional circumstances such as during the pandemic Maha Kumbh festival and Pahalgam terror attack in order to ensure air travel affordable for passengers said the minister IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/dgcas-tariff-monitoring-unit-keeping-airfares-on-78-routes-in-check-minister-652015.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/no-differences-with-cm-siddaramaiah-says-dy-cm-shivakumar-652271.html Belagavi Dec 9 Amid the leadership tussle Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President DK Shivakumar has said that there is no confusion within the party and that he has no differences with CM Siddaramaiah âThere was no disagreement earlier there is none now and there will not be any in the futureâ he claimedHe made the statement while responding to questions from the media on whether the remarks made by CM Siddaramaiahâs son MLC Yathindra had once again created confusion within the ruling partyReacting to Yathindra Siddaramaiahâs comments that the high command had rejected Shivakumarâs bid to become Chief Minister and that Siddaramaiah would continue for the full term the Deputy CM said âI have not been able to understand what he has said I will speak to him regarding thisâWhen asked when the party high command would summon him to Delhi Shivakumar responded that he did not know âI cannot disclose matters such as when the high command will call me to Delhiâ he addedOn whether he would issue a notice to Yathindra for repeatedly making statements regarding the Chief Ministerâs post Shivakumar said he would discuss the matter laterEarlier in the day Shivakumar reacted to the remarks made by MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah on the CM post issue saying that he was very happy and wished for everything to be goodYathindra Siddaramaiah stated on Monday that CM Siddaramaiah would complete his full term and that the high command had turned down DK Shivakumarâs claims to the postSpeaking in Bengaluru before leaving for Belagavi on Tuesday Shivakumar said âVery happy Let everything be good let it be good for the stateâ when asked about Yathindraâs remarksAfter his arrival at the Sambra Airport in Belagavi to participate in the winter session of the state legislature his supporters raised slogans in his favour shouting âShivakumar next CMâParty sources said the development was a response to Yathindraâs statement made in Belagavi on Monday asserting that Siddaramaiah would complete his fiveyear tenure as Chief MinisterMeanwhile Congress MLC Channaraj Hattiholi posted a message on social media welcoming the Deputy Chief Minister to Belagavi referring to him as âChief Minister DK Shivakumarâ which drew public attention Channaraj is the brother of Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar a close associate of ShivakumarMLC Channaraj afterwards maintained that it was a mistake of the social media handler and he had withdrawn the post His sister Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar also reiterated that it was a mistake of the social media handlerMy brother and I are disciplined soldiers of the party and we will not violate any orders of the high command she statedSpeaking to the media on Tuesday MLC Channaraj said that at a time when both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar have stated that they will abide by the high commandâs decisions and senior leaders have echoed the same Yathindraâs statement was unnecessaryâWhen the high command has said it will take an appropriate decision we need to wait until thenâ he addedReacting to the developments Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said there was no confusion within the party and that the high commandâs decisions would be final When asked why no action was being taken against Yathindra for repeatedly commenting on leadership matters the minister said leaders must be cautious and responsible when making public statementsYathindra Siddaramaiah said on Monday that those predicting a change in the Chief Ministerâs position were âdreamingâHe said the Congress high command has made it clear that there will be no change in leadership in the stateYathindra said âDeputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has said he is an aspirant for the CMâs post In response the high command has clarified that this is not the appropriate time and also made it clear that there will be no change in the Chief MinisterâHe added âThe matter ends there Hence there is no tussle anymore Opposition parties are unnecessarily spreading rumours and creating perceptionsâWhen asked about speculation that CM Siddaramaiah would be asked to resign after the Belagavi session Yathindra said âThey have been saying this for many years They keep claiming the CM will be changed this year or that year They must be dreaming IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/no-differences-with-cm-siddaramaiah-says-dy-cm-shivakumar-652271.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/birthday-wishes-pour-in-for-former-congress-president-sonia-gandhi-as-she-turns-79-652274.html New Delhi Dec 9 IANS Birthday wishes poured in for the Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party CPP Sonia Gandhi as she turned 79 on Tuesday with the Congress stating that she has remained a symbol of grace meeting every challenge with courage resilience sacrifice and selfless dedicationnbspCongress President Mallikarjun Kharge took to social media platform X and said Extending warm birthday greetings to Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Smt Sonia Gandhi ji A steadfast champion of the rights of the marginalised she has remained a symbol of grace meeting every challenge with courage resilience sacrifice and selfless dedication I wish her a long and healthy lifeKarnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said Warm birthday wishes to Smt Sonia Gandhi a leader whose grace resilience and quiet strength have always stood out in public life She embraced India as her home with deep commitment upheld its democratic values faced hatred and abuse with dignity and remained steadfast even after enduring unimaginable personal tragedies within the familynbspFor the Congress Party she has been a steady moral guide carrying forward a historic legacy with unwavering resolve Under her leadership the UPA era brought transformative rightsbased laws like MGNREGA Right to Education Right to Information and the National Food Security Act giving millions jobs hope education voice and dignity he addedHer lifelong commitment to womens empowerment social justice and inclusive growth continues to inspire the partys path and purpose Wishing her good health strength and a long life he saidnbspKarnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar wrote Wishing a very happy birthday to our constant pillar of support Smt Sonia Gandhi avaru Your selfless service wisdom and vision have shaped the Congress and strengthened our resolve to serve the people I am deeply grateful for your guidance and the trust you have shown me throughout my journey May you be blessed with good health and continued strength to work for the welfare of the people and inspire us all to serve the nation with dedicationTelangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also extended wishes on X and said Today we celebrate the birthday of our great leader Smt SoniaGandhi whose greatest contribution was to ensure separate statehood for Telangana after decades of struggle She is the fountainhead for the success of Telangana and continues to serve as an inspiring and guiding force for achieving all our goals and the ambitious vision nbsp TelanganaRising2047nbspHappy birthday Soniamma may you continue to bless ampamp guide us so we may serve the people of Telangana better every day in every way he addedAll India Congress Committee AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal also posted birthday greetings on X He wrote I join millions around the world in conveying my best wishes to Smt Sonia Gandhi ji on her birthday today Through the last 3 decades her role in public life has been inspirational As UPA Chairperson during PM Manmohan Singh jis tenure she played a pivotal role in driving a welfare agenda that expanded Indias social security net and led to over 23 crore Indians escaping poverty within a decadeHer vision was for India to have a strong rightsbased governance framework which compelled the state to deliver welfare to the last mile For us Congress karyakartas she has always been a guiding light and someone who steered the party through various turbulent periods of Indian politics Her ideological conviction combined with her deft organisational management made her an extremely effective President in this dynamic period he addednbspEven today as CPP Chairperson she remains our lodestar who gives us guidance and continues to be a fierce voice speaking boldly with clarity on issues of national importance Wishing her the best of health and happiness for many years to come he saidCongress leader Supriya Shrinate also paid tributes and wrote There are some people we admire some we idolise And then there are those we simply love with all our heart Smt Sonia Gandhi ji is that rare person Her sense of duty her grace and her fortitude in the face of adversity are an inspirationnbspHappy Birthday Maam Thank you for being you our courage our compass and our leader Wish you good health and boundless joy always she addednbspTamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also extended greetings and wrote Birthday greetings to Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Smt Sonia Gandhi Her life reflects sacrifice a selfless public journey and a steady resolve to uphold secularism and constitutional values May her principled path and guidance continue to strengthen our collective efforts for a progressive and inclusive INDIA https://dailyworld.in/national/birthday-wishes-pour-in-for-former-congress-president-sonia-gandhi-as-she-turns-79-652274.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cost-of-home-cooked-veg-non-veg-thalis-falls-13-pc-in-november-due-to-ease-in-input-prices-652019.html New Delhi Dec 8 The cost of preparing both vegetarian and nonâvegetarian thalis at home fell 13 per cent yearâonâyear in November driven mainly by declines in vegetable and pulse prices a report said on Monday The report from Crisil Intelligence said that tomato prices declined 17 per cent onyear due to higher supplies while potato prices were down 29 per cent on a high baseOnion prices plunged 53 per cent owing to larger rabi stocks from previous seasons and subdued exportsPrice of pulses declined 17 per cent amid increased stocks and heavy imports of Bengal gram yellow pea and black gram the report saidOn a monthly basis however the cost of a vegetarian thali rose 2 per cent while that of a nonvegetarian thali dipped 1 per cent in November it saidâOver the medium term onion prices are expected to firm up because of delayed kharif harvesting and lower yields Potato prices however are likely to moderate further as coldstorage stocks are released into the market said Pushan Sharma Director Crisil IntelligenceThe firm forecasted that prices of pulses are expected to remain rangebound in the near term due to the 30 per cent import duty on yellow pea Further unrestricted imports of black gram which limit steep price increases will also keep the price of pulses rangebound Sharma saidAny additional policy intervention such as extending or raising import duties could exert more upward pressure on the prices of pulses he addedVegetable oil prices surged 6 per cent onyear due to higher demand during the festival season Additionally a 6 per cent onyear increase in prices of liquefied petroleum gas cylinders limited the decline in the overall cost of thalisThe cost of a nonvegetarian thali fell due to a 12 per cent onyear drop in broiler prices which account for 50 per cent of the costThe average cost of preparing a thali at home is calculated based on input prices prevailing in North South East and West India The monthly change reflects the impact on the common manâs expenditure the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cost-of-home-cooked-veg-non-veg-thalis-falls-13-pc-in-november-due-to-ease-in-input-prices-652019.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/is-siddaramaiahs-son-yathindra-new-congress-high-command-asks-karnataka-bjp-652275.html Belagavi Dec 9 A day after Chief Minister Siddaramaiahs son Yathindra Siddaramaiahs assertion that the Congress leadership has turned down Deputy CM DK Shivakumars demand to become CM the Karnataka BJP unit questioned whether the grand old party MLC was the new Congress high command Taking to social media X the Leader of the Opposition in Assembly R Ashoka said on Tuesday While BJP has no interest in the Congress endless internal power games as a responsible Opposition we are worried about one thing Karnatakas development coming to a grinding halt and governance collapsing to a standstillThe Assembly has shifted from Bengaluru to Belagavi for the Winter Session But the Congress leadership tussle has not moved even an inchForced breakfast meetings staged photoops scripted smiles nothing is hiding the truth The State Government is paralysed Ashoka statedKarnatakaâs governance is frozen Development is derailed But the Congress high command is busy managing egos instead of managing the State Karnataka is paying the price for this Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar cold war and their neverending powersharing soap opera Ashoka chidedCongressâ internal circus must end The people of Karnataka deserve stability not daily confusion And now the big question was Is Yathindra Siddaramaiah the new High Command of the Congress partyCongress leader Rahul Gandhi and AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge owe an answer to the people of Karnataka he statedIt can be recalled responding to questions about an alleged leadership tussle within the ruling Congress Yathindra Siddaramaiah said on Monday that those predicting a change in the Chief Ministers position were dreamingHe said the Congress high command has made it clear that there will be no change in leadership in the stateYathindra said Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has said he is an aspirant for the CMs post In response the high command has clarified that this is not the appropriate time and also made it clear that there will be no change in the Chief MinisterResponding to Yathindras remark Shivakumar said that there is no confusion within the Congress party and that he has no differences with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah There was no disagreement earlier there is none now and there will not be any in the future he claimed IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/is-siddaramaiahs-son-yathindra-new-congress-high-command-asks-karnataka-bjp-652275.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/contempt-case-over-tirupparankundram-hilltop-lighting-to-be-reheard-by-madurai-bench-today-652277.html Chennai Dec 9 The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court is set to hear afresh on Tuesday a contempt of court petition linked to the controversial lighting of the ceremonial lamp atop the Tirupparankundram hill during the Karthigai Deepam festival The case will once again come up before Justice GR Swaminathan The contempt petition was filed alleging willful disobedience of the High Courtâs earlier order that permitted the lighting of the ceremonial lamp at what was described as an unusual location on the hilltop at Tirupparankundram during the Karthigai Deepam celebrationsThe petitioner has contended that despite clear judicial directions the authorities failed to implement the order on the groundWhen the matter was taken up earlier the petitioner submitted before the court that devotees were not allowed to proceed with the ritual and that adequate security arrangements were not provided by the policeIt was further alleged that several devotees were taken into custody and that access to the temple premises was denied effectively preventing compliance with the High Courtâs directiveThe State government however sought a deferment of the proceedings informing the court that an appeal related to the issue had already been filed before the Supreme CourtCiting the pendency of the matter at the apex court the government requested that further action in the contempt proceedings be kept in abeyanceTaking note of the developments Justice G R Swaminathan had earlier directed the Commandant of the Central Industrial Security Force CISF to file a response clarifying who had prevented the provision of security for the lighting of the ceremonial lamp at the hilltop siteThe judge sought an explanation on whether the obstruction if any had emanated from within the security establishment or from other agencies Following this direction the court adjourned the hearingWith the matter now listed again for consideration today the case is expected to focus on the issue of accountability for the alleged nonimplementation of the earlier court order and the role played by various authorities in the events that unfolded during the festivalThe case has drawn considerable public attention due to the sensitive religious context of Tirupparankundram and the larger questions it raises about the enforcement of judicial orders during highprofile religious events The outcome of todayâs hearing is likely to determine the next course of action in the contempt proceedings IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/contempt-case-over-tirupparankundram-hilltop-lighting-to-be-reheard-by-madurai-bench-today-652277.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-notice-to-eci-on-plea-seeking-sir-instead-of-special-revision-of-electoral-rolls-in-assam-652278.html New Delhi Dec 9 The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Election Commission of India ECI on a writ petition challenging the poll panelâs decision to conduct only a Special Revision of the electoral rolls in Assam instead of undertaking a more rigorous Special Intensive Revision SIR ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections A bench of Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi sought the ECIâs response and posted the matter for further hearing next Tuesday The petition filed by senior advocate and former Gauhati High Court Bar Association President Mrinal Kumar Choudhury argued that Assam has been singled out for a diluted revision exercise even though the ECI had earlier informed the apex court that SIR would be conducted panIndia Appearing for the petitioner senior advocate Vijay Hansaria termed the ECIâs approach arbitrary and discriminatory Assam has been singled out Nothing is required in Assam No document required Hansaria submitted referring to the fact that under the Special Revision process electors are not required to furnish any proof of citizenship age or residence unlike in an SIR where electors must submit supporting documents along with their enumeration forms The senior counsel relied on the Supreme Courtâs observations in multiple judgments including the Constitution Bench verdict in In Re Section 6A of the Citizenship Act which recognised largescale demographic changes in Assam due to infiltration He pressed for an immediate stay on the ongoing revision process in Assam However the CJIled bench remarked that the ECI might have adopted a different approach for Assam because of the special laws applicable in the state the constitution of foreignersâ tribunals etcâThey might have done it so Might beâ said the apex court declining to pass interim orders without hearing the ECI According to the petition while Bihar was the first to undergo Special Intensive RevisionSIR beginning June 24 2025 during which a significant number of ineligible voters were removed twelve other states and Union Territories including Chhattisgarh Gujarat Kerala Madhya Pradesh Rajasthan Tamil Nadu Uttar Pradesh West Bengal Goa Andaman amp Nicobar Islands Lakshadweep and Puducherry are currently undergoing the same stringent process The petitioner has referred to the ECIâs own orders and sworn affidavits including its June 24 directive stating that the âSpecial Intensive Revisionâ was intended to be conducted across the entire country to ensure the integrity of electoral rolls The petition further noted that in its July 21 affidavit filed before the top court the ECI reiterated its intent to conduct SIR nationwide However on November 17 the poll body issued a separate order directing that Assam would undergo only a Special Revision under which Block Level Officers merely verify details of existing voters during housetohouse visits without requiring submission of documents or crossverification with the last intensive revision undertaken in 2005 No reason has been furnished by the ECI for conducting only a Special Revision in Assam whereas Special Intensive Revision has been carried out in Bihar and is being carried out in twelve other states the petition stated adding that Assamâs demographic profile and history of infiltration make it a state where an intensive revision is constitutionally necessary The matter will be heard next week after the ECI files its response IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-notice-to-eci-on-plea-seeking-sir-instead-of-special-revision-of-electoral-rolls-in-assam-652278.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cases-against-srinagar-hotels-home-stays-houseboats-for-foreigner-norms-violations-652023.html Srinagar Dec 8 Cases have been filed against many hotels homestays and houseboats in Srinagar under the Immigration and Foreigners Act for violating the rules police said on Monday In view of strengthening security measures in the city Srinagar Police has taken stringent legal action against several hotels and a homestay for violating mandatory FormC reporting norms required under the Immigration amp Foreigners Act a police statement saidIt said that during routine checking and scrutiny of hotels homestays and houseboats the following were found to be in violation of the rules under the Immigration amp Foreigners Act In the Rajbagh area it was found that Hotel Blossoms Hotel Grand MS and Hotel Golden Forest had allowed foreign nationals to check in without submitting FormC to the Foreigners Registration Office FRO Accordingly FIR No 652025 US 8 amp 23B of the Immigration amp Foreigners Act was registered at Police Station RajbaghâIn the Khanyar area Hotel Khyber located in Khayam was also found violating FormC reporting requirements Despite repeated instructions the management failed to produce any proof of FormC submission As a result FIR No 572025 was registered under relevant sections of law at Police Station KhanyarâIn the Lal Bazar area IMY Home Stay Nowabagh Bagwanpora owned by Mohammad Aslam Baktoo son of Late Habibullah Baktoo was found operating without FormC compliance for Mr Starobinsky Lior a foreign national from Israel along with others The management had deliberately concealed the stay of the foreign guest and failed to submit the mandatory online FormC reporting Accordingly FIR No 602025 US 8 and 23b of the Immigration amp Foreigners Act was registered at Police Station Lal BazarâIn the Nishat area a house owner namely Mohammad Ashraf Zargar son of Mohammad Ramzan Zargar resident of Vakeel Colony Brein was found in noncompliance of the mandatory reporting of Form C to FRO In this connection FIR No 1012025 US 823b of the Immigration and Foreigners Act was registered in Police Station NishatâIn RamMunshi Bagh area House Boats Floating Castle owned by Farooq Ahmad Guroo son of Late Gh Nabi Guroo resident of Ghat No 15 Nehru Park boarded by Ms Lee Ya Hui of Taiwan Best View Houseboat owned by Farooq Ahmad Kutroo son of Ali Mohd Kutroo resident of Ghat No 09 Dal Lake boarded by Mr Maistruik Sergel of Russia House Boat Crystal Palace owned by Gh Hassan Karnai son of Haji Gh Mohammad resident of Abi Karpora Dal lake boarded by Mr Naum Silviu of Romania and Houseboat Lake Palace owned by Mohammad Altaf Gunna son of Mohammad Gunna resident of Abi Karpora Dal Lake boarded by Mr Eduardo Tejerina Gonzalee of Spain were found in violation of the norms for mandatory reporting rules In this connection FIR no 942025 US 714 and 16 of the Immigration and Foreigner Act was registered in Police Station RM BaghThe police said that further investigation into the cases is underway to uncover forward and backward linkagesSrinagar Police reiterates that all hotels guest houses houseboats and homestay operators must strictly comply with FormC submission norms when accommodating foreign nationals Noncompliance with the same is a serious offence and will invite strict legal action Srinagar Police remains committed to safeguarding the security and integrity of the nation and protecting its citizens from activities prejudicial to peace and public order the statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cases-against-srinagar-hotels-home-stays-houseboats-for-foreigner-norms-violations-652023.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/more-than-1575-crore-or-8137-pc-rural-households-have-tap-water-supply-govt-652024.html New Delhi Dec 8 More than 1575 crore 8137 per cent rural households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes â an increase of around 1252 crore after the Jal Jeevan Mission JJM was launched in August 2019 Minister of State for Jal Shakti V Somanna said on Monday Data shared by the MoS showed that while several states have achieved 100 per cent coverage of rural households for tap water supply the worst performers are Kerala 5477 per cent Jharkhand 5509 per cent West Bengal 5645 per cent and Rajasthan 5755 per centâAt the start of the Mission only 323 crore 167 per cent rural households were reported to have tap water connections So far as reported by StatesUTs as on December 3 2025 under JJM around 1252 crore additional rural households have been provided with tap water connectionsâ said SomannaâThus as on December 3 2025 out of 1936 crore rural households in the country more than 1575 crore 8137 per cent households are reported to have tap water supply in their homesâ Somanna said in a written reply to a question in Rajya SabhaSharing details on the funding of the JJM the MoS said the total outlay for the Mission was estimated at Rs 360 lakh crore out of which the Central share was Rs 208 lakh crore âThe approved Central outlay has almost been utilised till 202425â said SomannaHe said that considering the progress achieved so far and ongoing works the Finance Minister has announced extension of the JJM till December 2028 with enhanced total outlay through budget announcements 202526 focusing on the quality of infrastructure and Operation and Maintenance of rural piped water supply schemes for longterm sustainability and citizencentric water service delivery IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/more-than-1575-crore-or-8137-pc-rural-households-have-tap-water-supply-govt-652024.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/leadership-row-resurfaces-in-ktaka-cong-after-yathindras-renewed-stand-652281.html Belagavi Karnataka Dec 9 The infighting within the Congress in Karnataka widened after Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah son of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reiterated that he stands by his controversial statement that the High Court did not entertain Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumarâs claim to become Chief Minister and that his father would complete the full term Speaking to reporters at Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi Yathindra said âI am committed to my words I have conveyed whatever I had to convey I will not react to those statements any further There is nothing more to say now I cannot keep responding to every reaction Let anyone say whatever they wantâUrban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh a close associate of Siddaramaiah was asked whether there had been any conversation within the party on future leadershipHe responded âThere is no such discussion Our leader is Siddaramaiah He will decide who the future leader should be The high command will make a decision based on its report In particular Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will have to decide on the future leadershipâHe added a remark aimed at reinforcing the leadership structure âThere is a high command and we will abide by its decision The king is alive I say though it may not be proper to make such a statement in a democratic system Our leader will decide who the future leader should be and the high command will decideâResponding to Yathindraâs controversial statement the Minister said âEveryone has the freedom to express their personal opinions Both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar have stated that they will abide by the high commandâs decision We also say that our leader Siddaramaiah and all of us will abide by the high commandâs decisionâCongress MLA Belur Gopalakrishna criticised the ongoing exchange and advised restraint He said leaders should âzip their mouthsâ until the Assembly session concludesâThey can let their tongues wag afterward Senior leaders themselves are talking about peace and unity In this situation making statements on leadership is wrong Those who make such statements should be issued notices by the party I urge central leaders to take actionâ he saidAnother MLA HC Balakrishna supported Gopalakrishna âI endorse the statement made by Belur Gopalakrishna Unnecessary matters are being discussed The high command should give the issue a final shapeâThe recent tensions began after Yathindra said on Monday that those predicting a change in the Chief Ministerâs post were âdreamingâ He said the Congress high command had already made it clear that there would be no change in the stateâs leadershipYathindra said âDeputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has said he is an aspirant for the CMâs post In response the high command has clarified that this is not the appropriate time and also made it clear that there will be no change in the Chief MinisterâHe added âThe matter ends there Hence there is no tussle anymore Opposition parties are unnecessarily spreading rumours and creating perceptionsâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/leadership-row-resurfaces-in-ktaka-cong-after-yathindras-renewed-stand-652281.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/starlink-fixes-rs-8-600-monthly-tariff-in-india-promises-999-pc-service-uptime-652026.html New Delhi Dec 8 Elon Muskâs Starlink has inched closer to its longawaited commercial debut in India with the company displaying complete residential pricing on its local website The satellitebased internet service is priced at Rs 8600 per month and new subscribers have to purchase a hardware kit for Rs 34000The residential plan is designed to help users assess service quality in their area before committing to it longterm with unlimited data and a 30day trial periodStarlink emphasises features like plugandplay installation more than 999 per cent uptime extreme weather resistance and no data caps for its push to reach those consumers in regions where terrestrial broadband remains unreliableWhile the residential package is now publicly detailed the company has yet to make an announcement on how much pricing will be for its businesstier offerings Starlink is expected to unveil its full commercial plans once ongoing consultations with government authorities progress furtherRecent hiring activity by the company hints at a rampup in operations in preparation for launch At the end of October SpaceX opened four Bengalurubased positions Payments Manager Accounting Manager Senior Treasury Analyst and Tax Manager describing recruitment as part of a wider international expansion strategyEarlier the Maharashtra government signed a Letter of Intent LoI with Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited to formally collaborate with Starlink to deploy satellitebased internet services for government institutions rural communities and critical public infrastructure across remote and underserved regions and aspirational districts in Maharashtra such as Gadchiroli Nandurbar Dharashiv and WashimThe LoI signing was done in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and state Information Technology Minister Ashish ShelarIt was wonderful to welcome Lauren Dreyer Vice President Starlink in Mumbai where the Government of Maharashtra signed an LoI with Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited marking Maharashtra as the first Indian state to formally collaborate with Starlink Elon Musks Starlink is one of the largest companies in the ICT industry holding the largest number of communication satellites in the world It is our honour that the company is arriving in India and partnering with Maharashtra CM Fadnavis had posted on his official X handle IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/starlink-fixes-rs-8-600-monthly-tariff-in-india-promises-999-pc-service-uptime-652026.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-crime-branch-busts-factory-producing-counterfeit-oil-filters-of-top-auto-brands-652283.html New Delhi Dec 9 The Delhi Police Crime Branch has busted a factory allegedly involved in manufacturing counterfeit oil filters of wellknown automotive brands including Bosch Tata and JCB the Delhi Police said on Tuesday The operation led by the ARSC unit of the Crime Branch resulted in the recovery of 1917 duplicate oil filters along with dyes printing equipment and branded packaging materialAccording to Delhi Police the raid was conducted on December 4 in the Anand Parbat Industrial Area after a specific tipoff was received by SI Imran Khan about the ongoing manufacture of duplicate auto partsA team comprising SIs Imran Khan Devi Dayal and Gurmeet along with other staff and led by Inspectors Mangesh Tyagi and Robin Tyagi carried out the operation under the supervision of ACP Sanjay Kumar NagpalPolice said factory owner Manmeet Singh a resident of Delhi was apprehended from the spot The raid was conducted in the presence of authorised representatives of Tata Motors Bosch Ltd and JCB IndiaâA total 1917 duplicate Oil Filters of Bosch Tata amp JCB Brand and 05 Dyes of Tata brand 04 Dyes of JCB brand 01 Dye Printing Machine JCB stickers holograms and card boxes were seized from the factoryâ the police said in its press noteâIn this regard a case under Sections us 6365 Copyright Act amp 103104 Trademark Act PSCrime Branch Delhi was registered and investigation was taken up accordingly Sections 3184336 3 of BNS pertaining to cheating and forgery were also added in the caseâ it saidPolice said the investigation now focusses on identifying the supply chain and other individuals who may be involved in the illegal manufacturing activityDuring interrogation Manmeet Singh reportedly told police that he had been producing and supplying duplicate auto parts for the past yearHe sourced raw material from multiple vendors finished the auto parts at his factory and supplied them back to the vendors or sold them in the market based on demandPolice stated that the accused had no previous criminal record His background indicates he grew up in Delhi completed higher secondary education and previously worked in the business of manufacturing local auto partsâInvestigation in the case regarding the syndicate involve in manufacturing duplicate auto parts is in progressâ said DCP Sanjeev Kumar Yadav IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-crime-branch-busts-factory-producing-counterfeit-oil-filters-of-top-auto-brands-652283.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mekedatu-row-kumaraswamy-says-cong-misled-people-tells-ktaka-govt-to-talk-to-tn-allies-652028.html New DelhiBengaluru Dec 8 Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H D Kumaraswamy responding to the Congressled Karnataka governments demand that he secure clearances from the Centre for the controversial Mekedatu project accused the Siddaramaiahled dispensation of misleading the public by organising padayatras under slogans like our water our right to gain power while the project remains stalled The Supreme Court has asked the state to present its case before the Central Water Commission CWC Those ruling Tamil Nadu are your political partners Why dont you go and hold talks with them Kumaraswamy questionedAddressing a press conference in Delhi on Monday he further noted that about 12000 acres of forest land would be submerged in the Mekedatu region causing environmental damageNot only the Centre but the state government also has rights and responsibilities Why run away from it How long will you evade accountability It has been over 75 years since Independence For nearly 50 of those years the Congress ruled both at the Centre and in the state What did you do about Mekedatu during that time The people deserve an answer he saidKumaraswamy also criticised the state government for repeatedly blaming the Centre for lack of cooperationIf that is the excuse what exactly is the state government doing Immediately after I became a Union Minister I signed the file providing financial guarantees for the Kudremukh iron and steel plant Deodari mining project in the interest of the stateFrom the very next day the state government began creating obstacles Today one of their partys representatives is instigating daily protests in Ballari mobilising people and blocking the project purely for personal gain from NMDC If this is how things function how can development take place Is this what cooperation means he questionedKumaraswamy further launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over remarks questioning his contribution to Mandya Responding strongly Kumaraswamy challenged the CM to first list his own achievements during his tenureI will clearly enumerate what I have given to Mandya Before that let the Chief Minister explain what he delivered during his five years in office Kumaraswamy assertedThe Union Minister said I will speak about my contributions Mr Siddaramaiah tell me what have you contributed for farmers What is your contribution to Mandya During your previous fiveyear tenure 20132018 over 200 farmers in Mandya district ended their lives Is that your contribution When I came to power during that crisis I waived Rs 900 crore of farmersâ loans in the same district Is that not a contribution Under your rule farmers lost their lives under my government lives were saved Please remember thisKumaraswamy further criticised the state government for its handling of agrarian distressLook at the condition of farmers today When floods and heavy rains devastate peopleâs lives you are indulging in festivities What is the situation of red gram tur farmers in Kalyana Karnataka Prices have crashed What action have you taken You have not even opened procurement centres so far The state government should have intervened in time to support farmers Why did it not do so he questionedReferring to the delayed request for a central inspection team he added After four months they have suddenly woken up If a central team visits the state now what report will it submit IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mekedatu-row-kumaraswamy-says-cong-misled-people-tells-ktaka-govt-to-talk-to-tn-allies-652028.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bihar-speeding-car-mows-down-six-in-patna-1-dead-5-injured-652029.html Patna Dec 8 A road tragedy shocked Patna when an outofcontrol car ran over six pedestrians in the upscale Gola Road locality under the jurisdiction of the Danapur police station area in Biharâs Patna Sixtyyearold Chansi Rai succumbed to his injuries while five others were critically injured and admitted to the Patna Medical College and Hospital PMCHThe incident took place near Jhakri Mahadev Temple on Gola Road and disturbing CCTV visuals have now emergedThe video shows three young men standing at the roadside with a dog nearby Suddenly a speeding black sedan appears runs over the dog and then hits four people in one sweep The dog is seen writhing in pain under the wheelsThe car halts briefly revealing a man trapped under the front wheel As two men approach the driver the driver accelerates again crushing the trapped man a second timeBystanders can be seen trying to stop the vehicleâsome even strike the car with their handsâbut the driver moves ahead recklessly runs over another person and then speeds toward JP Ganga Path also known as Marine DriveCritically injured Chansi Rai was rushed to the Military Hospital and later shifted to a private hospital in Raja Bazaar where he succumbed on Monday morningDanapur police and traffic officials reached the spot shortly after the incidentBased on CCTV footage the vehicleâs number plate was identified and the car was tracked moving toward Marine DriveDanapur SHO Prashant Bhardwaj confirmed âWe have the registration number of the vehicle and are scanning CCTV footage to trace the car and its driverââA case of rash and negligent driving has been registered Arrest will be made soonâ Bhardwaj saidThe brutal incident has once again raised serious concerns about pedestrian safety on Biharâs roads where speeding reckless driving and lack of enforcement continue to endanger lives IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bihar-speeding-car-mows-down-six-in-patna-1-dead-5-injured-652029.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vikram-bhatt-sent-to-7-day-police-custody-in-rs-30-crore-fraud-case-652285.html Jaipur Dec 9 Bollywood filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife Shwetambari have been remanded to seven days of police custody by the ACJM court in Udaipur in connection with an alleged Rs 30 crore fraud case The couple was arrested from their Mumbai residence on December 7 and brought to Udaipur late Monday nightThe duo was produced in court on Tuesday afternoon DSP Chhagan Singh Rajpurohit is leading the investigationUpon arrival in Udaipur both attempted to avoid media cameras Vikram Bhatt has already challenged the case in the Jodhpur High Court where the hearing is scheduledEarlier the Udaipur Police had arrested coproducer Mehboob Ansari and vendor Sandeep from Mumbai on November 16 The court granted conditional bail to Sandeep on Monday while rejecting Ansariâs bail plea A sixmember police team led by DSP Rajpurohit reached Mumbai and arrested Vikram and Shwetambari Bhatt from their Juhu flatTheir security staff initially attempted to block the police claiming the couple was not home but both were eventually taken into custodyThe case was filed based on an FIR lodged by Dr Ajay Murdia owner of the Indira Group and Indira IVF He alleged that the director and his associates collected funds under the pretext of producing a biopic based on his wifeDr Murdia claimed he was first introduced to the project by Dinesh Kataria and later met Vikram Bhatt at Vrindavan Studio Mumbai Bhatt allegedly assured him that an investment of Rs 7 crore could generate four films with a projected return of Rs 100200 croreFollowing this multiple transfers were made into accounts of various individuals associated with Bhattâs team amounting to Rs 24561400 Additionally Indira Entertainment allegedly paid Rs 427082232 despite a total agreed production cost of Rs 47 crore According to the complaint only two films were completed and released The third film Vishwa Virat is reportedly only 25 per cent completed while the fourth MaharanaRan has not yet begunBhatt is accused of misappropriating Rs 25 crore meant for the fourth film The FIR names eight individuals including Vikram Bhatt Shwetambari Bhatt and others IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vikram-bhatt-sent-to-7-day-police-custody-in-rs-30-crore-fraud-case-652285.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nagaland-university-researchers-turn-pineapple-waste-into-valuable-products-652031.html Kohima Dec 8 A research team from Nagaland University the stateâs only Central university has demonstrated how pineapple processing waste can be transformed into valueadded products Varsity officials said that research findings offer practical sustainable solutions that can boost rural livelihoods while reducing the environmental impact of fruit wastePineapple is one of the worldâs most widely grown tropical fruits with India being among its major producers Within the country Nagaland has become a notable pineapplegrowing region known for fruit that is exceptionally sweet rich in juice and low in fibreThe âKewâ variety is widely cultivated with the âQueenâ variety grown in smaller pocketsAccording to the official government initiatives such as the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture MIDH the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for the North Eastern Region MOVCDNER and other organic valuechain programmes have encouraged farmers to take up pineapple cultivation on a commercial scaleNagalandâs Chumoukedima Niuland Dimapur Kiphire and Mokokchung districts are among the stateâs key pineappleproducing areasPineapple processing generates large quantities of peel pomace core and crown much of which is discarded Additional waste occurs due to rough handling and poor storage posing significant environmental concernsThese byproducts although often treated as waste are rich in fibre proteins pectin vitamins and minerals When left unmanaged they contribute to landfill accumulation contamination and higher disposal costsHowever the same waste materials can serve as suitable substrates for fermentation and other valueadded applicationsVinegar production is one such avenue as the sugarrich residues provide an ideal base for alcoholic and acetic fermentation Vinegar has long been used as a preservative and condiment and fruitbased vinegars are increasingly noted for their functional and nutritional benefitsThe cuttingedge finding demonstrates the potential to replace the highly expensive applebased vinegar thereby paving the way for sustainable waste utilisation and enhanced revenue generation in the commercial pineapplegrowing beltThe findings of this research by Nagaland University were published in a peerreviewed openaccess journal that publishes research on human nutrition and food safetyThe research paper was coauthored by Dr Sentinaro Walling Prof Akali Sema Prof CS Maiti Dr Animesh Sarkar Prof SP Kanaujia and Alemla Imchen from the varsitys Department of HorticultureElaborating on this research academic team leader Prof Sema said Our study examined whether different parts of pineapple processing waste could be turned into goodquality vinegar Using standard fermentation with yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and acetic acid bacteria we found that vinegar made from the peel consistently performed better in acidity colour and flavourHe said that a group of sensory panels also preferred the peelbased vinegar for its taste aroma and overall quality in compliance with commercial fruitbased vinegar showing that this commonly discarded material has strong potential to be transformed from waste to wealthProf Maiti said Work is also underway to reduce crown size for export suitability packaging and to identify treatments that enhance fruit quality yield and shelf lifeDr Sarkar Associate Professor Department of Horticulture added The School of Agricultural Sciences also refined and disseminated the technology for commercial cultivation where farmers plant in intervals to avoid seasonal gluts maintain a steady supply round the year through staggered planting prevent price drops and ensure more stable income and yearround employment generationResearch scholar Walling is set to register a patent under a product development category for the preparation of candy from pineapple core wasteHighlighting the impact of the universityâs research on local communities Vice Chancellor Prof Jagadish K Patnaik said I am pleased to announce a significant scientific breakthrough achieved by researchers of Nagaland University who have successfully developed highquality vinegar from pineapple peels an innovative step toward sustainable valueadded processing of agricultural byproductsThis research reflects the universityâs commitment to environmentally responsible innovation rural livelihood enhancement and scientific contributions rooted in local resources he saidTransforming these discarded peels into a commercially valuable nutritious and ecofriendly product not only reduces waste but also opens new opportunities for entrepreneurship foodprocessing industries and communitybased enterprises the VC saidThe research contributes to ongoing efforts to strengthen sustainable pineapple production improve value addition and bolster rural livelihoods in Nagaland The conducive geoecological conditions ensure excellent fruit quality reflected in its blended sweetness and other desirable biochemical attributes that may once again prove its high acceptability among the pineapple lovers IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nagaland-university-researchers-turn-pineapple-waste-into-valuable-products-652031.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-to-kick-off-discussion-on-vande-mataram-in-lok-sabha-today-651828.html New Delhi Dec 8 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will kick off a special discussion in Lok Sabha on Monday to mark 150 years of Vande Mataram as part of an exercise that promises to highlight many lesserknown facets related to the patriotic song PM Modi is also likely to highlight the contribution of the song written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and first published in the literary journal Bangadarshan on November 7 1875 to the freedom struggle its historical significance and current relevancePM Modiâs thoughts about Vande Mataram are keenly awaited by the Opposition members as well as last month during an event to commemorate the songâs anniversary he accused the Congress of âremoving important stanzasâ from the original song in the 1937 session of the party in FaizabadPM Modi had said that the Congressâs decision sowed the seeds of Partition and dissected the national song into pieces The Congress however claimed the decision was based on the advice of Rabindranath Tagore and amounted to the accommodation of feelings of members from other communities and faithsThe discussion on Vande Mataram in the Rajya Sabha is likely to be initiated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on TuesdayAs per the schedule related to the Vande Mataram debate the ruling NDA members have been allotted three hours out of the total 10 hours earmarked in Lok Sabha for itEarlier a political confrontation erupted just before the start of the Winter Session as the Rajya Sabha Secretariat reiterated that MPs must refrain from using expressions such as Vande Mataram and Jai Hind inside Parliament to maintain decorumThe Opposition accused the BJPled NDA of being uncomfortable with symbols of Indias Independence and unityThe Winter Session of Parliament is scheduled to continue till December 19 and the discussion on âVande Mataramâ is likely to be a noisy one in the coming days due to differences in opinion about the song between the treasury and opposition benches IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-to-kick-off-discussion-on-vande-mataram-in-lok-sabha-today-651828.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 09:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-outreach-to-russia-driven-by-china-threat-says-analyst-651832.html Washington Dec 8 Indias engagement with Russia during last weeks PM ModiPutin summit is rooted not in antiWestern sentiment but in a strategic calculus shaped by Chinas assertiveness according to a leading technology entrepreneur and geopolitical commentator Venture capitalist and entrepreneur from the Silicon Valley Karl Mehta in a post on X argued that the global narrative surrounding Putins visit to India is missing the forest for the trees noting that Western analysts have been quick to label the ModiPutin camaraderie as India flexing strategic autonomy or prioritizing discounted energy and arms He countered that this reading is fundamentally flawedMehta said Indias approach is a calculated necessity driven by a single existential threat China He maintained that Beijing is actively encroaching on Indias borders In this regional dynamic Russia remains the only power capable of exerting influence over China due to their no limits partnership If India were to distance itself from Moscow he warned it pushes Moscow entirely into Beijings orbit leaving India encircledHe also pointed to limits in US security guarantees While calling the United States a key strategic partner Mehta said history has taught New Delhi that Washington does not intervene in Himalayan land disputes He cited recent crises asserting that during the Galwan clashes or continued border aggressionâWestern support has been largely rhetorical As a result he argued the US security umbrella does not extend to the Line of Actual Control LACMaintaining close ties with Moscow is the only wedge India has to prevent a total RussiaChina axis he said emphasising that India is not choosing Russia over the US It is choosing to keep a channel open with the only nation that can help moderate Chinese aggression when the West cannotâor will notIn recent years India has balanced deepening cooperation with the United States in the IndoPacific with longstanding defence and strategic ties with Russia Moscow remains a major arms supplier to India even as New Delhi expands joint production and technology partnerships with Washington IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-outreach-to-russia-driven-by-china-threat-says-analyst-651832.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 09:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/chennais-poondi-reservoir-almost-full-as-city-builds-robust-water-buffer-for-coming-year-651834.html Chennai Dec 8 Chennaiâs drinking water security for the next year has been significantly strengthened following timely intervention by the Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department WRD and abundant northeast monsoon rainfall which together helped key reservoirs especially Poondi reach nearfull storage levels To prevent monsoon waters from going to waste the WRD in late October requested Andhra Pradesh to temporarily halt the release of water from the Kandaleru reservoir into Poondi This strategic decision allowed the reservoir to fill up naturally through heavy inflows from its own catchment and adjoining areas of Andhra Pradesh Officials said the inflow from Kandaleru was paused after assessing that natural water availability would be adequate to replenish the storage With Poondi now nearing full capacity the WRD has sought the resumption of the Kandaleru water supply only from April next year âThe abundant rainfall this season in Poondiâs catchment and neighbouring regions has played a major role in improving storage levelsâ a senior WRD official said At present Poondi reservoir holds 3114 million cubic feet mcft of water which is about 96 per cent of its total capacity of 3231 mcft Chennaiâs monthly drinking water requirement is around 1000 mcft The combined storage across the cityâs six reservoirs including the Veeranam tank in Cuddalore district stands at 11749 mcft against a total capacity of 13222 mcft ensuring sufficient supply for at least the next 11 monthsWith water availability at comfortable levels Metrowater has increased the daily supply to consumers to 1230 million litres a day mld up from 1091 mld during the same period last year Since Poondi does not have a water treatment facility about 40 mld of water is released daily to the Red Hills reservoir where it is treated before being distributed across the city Veeranam tank is currently holding 978 mcft around 67 per cent of its full capacity of 1465 mcft further reinforcing supply stability Among the other reservoirs Cholavaram stood at 579 mcft against its full capacity of 1081 mcft Red Hills reservoir with a capacity of 3300 mcft is almost full at 3251 mcft Kannankottai Thervoikandigai is also in a comfortable position with 464 mcft of water stored against its 500 mcft capacity Officials expressed confidence that with these storage levels Chennaiâs drinking water needs will be comfortably met for at least the next year IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/chennais-poondi-reservoir-almost-full-as-city-builds-robust-water-buffer-for-coming-year-651834.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 09:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indigo-flights-may-continue-to-experience-delays-delhi-airport-651837.html New Delhi Dec 8 Delhi Airport on Monday issued a passenger advisory stating that IndiGo flights may continue to face delays In a post on social media platform X the airport said âIndiGo flights may continue to experience delays Passengers are advised to check the latest flight status with their airline before heading to the airport to avoid any inconvenienceThe airport further added that its teams are working closely with all stakeholders to minimise disruptions and ensure a smooth travel experienceOur teams are working closely with all stakeholders to minimise disruptions and ensure a smooth travel experience For assistance including medical support please visit the information desk where our onground staff is ready to help Delhi Airport saidThe advisory mentioned that multiple public transport options including metro buses and cabs are available for convenient travel to and from the airportAdditionally multiple public transport options such as metro buses and cabs are available for convenient travel to and from the airport For realtime updates and important information please visit our official website wwwnewdelhiairportin it addedMeanwhile IndiGo has so far processed refunds totalling Rs 610 crore after the government issued strict directives to the airline requiring that all refunds to passengers for cancelled or severely delayed flights be completed by 8 pm on Sunday the Ministry of Civil Aviation had said earlierNo additional fees are permitted for rescheduling travel impacted by cancellations an official statement said Dedicated support cells have been created to proactively assist passengers so that refund and rebooking issues are resolved without delay or inconvenience it addedThe ministry also said that IndiGoâs performance has shown steady improvement with flight schedules moving back towards normal levelsThe ministry further stated that in light of recent cancellations leading to a shift in demand and a temporary surge in airfares the government intervened and introduced a cap on airfares with immediate effect This measure ensures fairness and affordability for travellers Since the implementation of this order fare levels across affected routes have moderated to acceptable limits All airlines have been instructed to comply strictly with the revised fare structureIndiGo was also instructed to trace and deliver all baggage separated from passengers due to disruptions within 48 hours Continuous communication is mandated throughout the process With this push IndiGo has successfully delivered 3000 pieces of baggage to passengers across India as of Saturday IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indigo-flights-may-continue-to-experience-delays-delhi-airport-651837.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 09:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/continuous-rainfall-damages-maize-crops-in-tns-veppanthattai-farmers-seek-compensation-651839.html Peramballur Dec 8 Farmers in Veppanthattai block the largest maizeproducing region in Tamil Nadus Peramballur district are reeling under heavy losses following weeks of continuous rainfall that has severely damaged standing crops Hundreds of hectares of maize have been flattened triggering widespread concern among cultivators who are now demanding immediate crop damage assessment and prompt disbursal of compensationThis year maize was cultivated on nearly 75000 hectares across the district of which about 45000 hectares were brought under crop insurance Sowing began between the Tamil months of Aadi midJuly and Purattasi midSeptember and much of the earlysown crop had reached maturity signalling a potentially good harvest season However uninterrupted rainfall over the past month has drastically altered the situationDespite the district receiving lowerthannormal rainfall during the overall monsoon period the continuous downpour in recent weeks has caused severe crop lodging with maize stalks bending and collapsing under wet soil conditionsThe waterlogged fields have become unfit for mechanical harvesting adding to farmersâ distress In several locations maize cobs have begun to sprout on the plant itself rendering them unsuitable for market saleFarmers estimate that over 1000 hectares of maize crops have already been affected across multiple villages including Krishnapuram Annamangalam Arumbavur Thaluthalai Viswakudi Thondamandurai and ArasalurMany cultivators have approached agriculture department officials submitting complaints and urging immediate field inspections to assess the scale of damage The losses are particularly severe for farmers who invested heavily in cultivation during the current seasonWith input costs such as seeds fertilisers labour and irrigation rising steadily some farmers report spending nearly Rs 25000 per acre The expectation of normal yields has now been replaced by fears of drastic output reductionIn many flattened fields the yield is expected to drop to less than half of the usual harvest while in severely affected areas there is little chance of recoverySenior officials from the agriculture department have confirmed that complaints have been received from several villages in the Veppanthattai block Field inspections have already begun in select locations and officials have assured that detailed assessments will be carried out across all affected areasBased on the findings further steps regarding compensation and crop insurance claims are expected to follow As uncertain weather conditions continue to threaten the remaining standing crops farmers are anxiously awaiting swift action from the authorities to mitigate further losses and provide timely relief IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/continuous-rainfall-damages-maize-crops-in-tns-veppanthattai-farmers-seek-compensation-651839.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 09:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ndaa-names-india-key-partner-in-us-nuclear-indo-pacific-plans-651848.html Washington Dec 8 The latest US defence authorisation bill assigns India a key role in Washingtonâs IndoPacific and nuclear strategies directing sustained consultations on Indiaâs nuclear liability rules and placing New Delhi among a select group of partners shaping a new defence industrial architecture in the IndoPacific region to meet the China challenge Congressional leaders on Sunday released the compromise version of the fiscal 2026 National Defence Authorisation Act NDAA a sweeping policy measure that among other things embeds India across multiple strands of US strategic planningâfrom civil nuclear cooperation to defence coproduction and regional maritime security The bill which has passed every year for six decades is expected to move through the House later this weekA major Indiaspecific section of the NDAA mandates the United States to âestablish and maintainâa joint consultative mechanism with the Government of the Republic of Indiaâ under the USâIndia Strategic Security Dialogue convening regularly âto assess the implementationâ of the 2008 civil nuclear cooperation agreement The mechanism is also tasked âto discuss opportunities for the Republic of India to align domestic nuclear liability rules with international normsâ and âto develop a strategyâ for bilateral and multilateral diplomatic engagements on these issuesThe bill requires the Secretary of State to submit an annual report to Congress for five years detailing the outcomes of this joint assessmentâan unusually sustained oversight requirement that signals renewed political attention in Washington to the longstalled civil nuclear track with IndiaIndia also features prominently in the NDAAâs International Nuclear Energy Act of 2025 which classifies New Delhi as an âally or partner nationâ alongside OECD members for the purposes of global civil nuclear cooperation In addition the legislation directs the administration to establish a 10year strategy to expand US nuclear exports and explicitly analyse competition with âthe Russian Federation and the Peopleâs Republic of China up and down the supply chainâAt the heart of the IndoPacific provisions India is placed among a small circle of priority partnersâalongside Australia Japan South Korea the Philippines and New Zealandâin a new Partnership for IndoPacific Industrial Resilience The initiative is intended âto strengthen cooperation among the defence industrial basesâ of participating countries and to expand joint capability development supplychain security and defence innovationUnder the programâs authorities the Secretary of Defence may enter into agreements establish working groups provide technical assistance and engage industry and academia to advance codevelopment and coproduction goals Annual reporting requirements run through 2031 underscoring the longterm weight Washington assigns to this industrial networkBeyond industrial cooperation Congress lays out a broader strategic directive for the region It calls for âbroadening United States engagement with India including through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogueâ to advance âthe shared objective of a free and open IndoPacific regionâ through military exercises defence trade humanitarian assistance and âgreater cooperation on maritime securityâ The NDAA also restates Congressâs expectation that the Pentagon continue to expand its regional posture and multilateral coordination to strengthen deterrence against ChinaIn another structural move the bill authorises a new AmbassadoratLarge for the Indian Ocean Region tasked with coordinating US diplomacy across Indian Ocean littoral states and âidentifyingâlines of effortâ of greatest strategic interest Among the envoyâs responsibilities is reinforcing US engagement âto counter malign Peopleâs Republic of China influence activities in the Indian Ocean regionâThese provisions collectively signal that India is not only a beneficiary of US regional strategy but an integral contributor to the architecture Washington is building to manage longterm competition with Beijing They also revive longdormant nuclear cooperation channels by pressing for alignment on liability rulesâa prerequisite for any major US reactor project in IndiaIn recent years IndiaâUS defence ties have expanded through foundational agreements intelligencesharing arrangements joint exercises and emerging coproduction programs The IndoPacific has become the principal theatre where the two countriesâ strategic interests converge shaped by shared concerns over Chinaâs maritime assertiveness and regional influence IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ndaa-names-india-key-partner-in-us-nuclear-indo-pacific-plans-651848.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 12:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/thunderstorms-rain-forecast-for-tn-puducherry-for-next-two-days-651852.html Chennai Dec 8 The Regional Meteorological Centre Chennai has forecast moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning over parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Monday and Tuesday warning residents to stay alert to changing weather conditions According to the latest update issued by the weather office on Monday morning scattered to fairly widespread rain activity is expected across several districts especially during the afternoon and evening hoursThe forecast attributes the unsettled weather to a combination of local atmospheric instability and moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal which is creating favourable conditions for thunderstorm development Meteorologists said interior districts of Tamil Nadu including parts of the Cauvery delta western zones and southern districts are likely to witness intermittent showers with occasional lightningPuducherry and its adjoining coastal areas may also experience brief spells of moderate rain accompanied by gusty windsThe maximum temperature in most places is expected to remain slightly below normal due to cloud cover and rainfall activity while minimum temperatures may remain relatively stable The weather department has advised people particularly farmers fishermen and those working outdoors to take necessary precautionsResidents have been cautioned against taking shelter under trees during thunderstorms and those in lowlying areas have been asked to remain watchful for localised waterlogging Fishermen have been advised to check local advisories before venturing into the sea as squally winds and rough conditions are likely during thunderstorm episodesOver the past few days isolated pockets in Tamil Nadu have already witnessed short spells of rain providing some relief from dry conditions but also causing brief traffic disruptions in urban centres Officials said the current spell is not expected to be extremely heavy in nature but lightning activity could pose localised risksRainfall over the next 48 hours is also expected to benefit standing crops in several interior districts especially paddy and horticultural plantations which have been affected by fluctuating moisture levels in recent weeks However agricultural officers have cautioned farmers to ensure proper drainage to prevent damage due to water stagnationThe Chennai weather office said it will continue to closely monitor developments and issue updated warnings if the intensity of the system increases Meanwhile district administrations have been asked to remain prepared to respond swiftly to any weatherrelated emergencies during the next two days IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/thunderstorms-rain-forecast-for-tn-puducherry-for-next-two-days-651852.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/stalin-govt-unveils-toy-manufacturing-policy-aiming-to-become-global-hub-651862.html Chennai Dec 8 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced the Toy Manufacturing Policy 2025 charting an ambitious roadmap to position the state as a global centre for the design development and production of nextgeneration toys Alongside largescale manufacturing the policy also seeks to revive Tamil Naduâs centuriesold artisanal toy traditions and integrate them with modern supply chains The policy takes note of the vast global toy market estimated at nearly 180 billion in 2024 while Indiaâs share remains below one per cent Officials view this gap as a significant highgrowth opportunity for Tamil Nadu To capitalise on it the state government aims to attract at least 10 anchor investors establish a dedicated Toy Manufacturing Park and promote creative design studios to drive research innovation and the creation of highskilled jobs Priority will be given to futuristic and highvalue product categories such as STEMbased educational toys electronic and interactive toys puzzles and board games action figures and plush dolls Large investments of over Rs 50 crore that generate a minimum of 500 jobs will qualify for a special incentive package This includes fixed capital subsidy land allotment concessions stamp duty exemption training subsidy support for quality certification intellectual property creation assistance and electricity tax relief Micro small and medium enterprises MSMEs entering toy manufacturing will be eligible for capital subsidies of up to Rs 15 crore along with payroll support IP creation subsidy and interest reimbursement under the MSME Policy 2021 The policy also introduces targeted incentives for manufacturers producing experiential learning toys and inclusive toys meant for children with special needs aligning social impact with global safety and accessibility standards In a boost to creativityled enterprises a 30 per cent payroll subsidy for 12 months will be offered to creative design studios set up in the state The policy will remain valid for five years and will be implemented through the Industries Department with SIPCOT acting as the nodal agency for incentive disbursal alongside separate facilitation mechanisms for MSMEs Traditional toy clusters form a core pillar of the new policy The Vilacheri clay toy hub in Vilacheri is recognised for its vibrant terracotta creations while the wooden lacquerware belt of Ambasamudram is famed for miniature instruments childrenâs walkers and kitchen playsets The iconic Thanjavur Thalayatti Bommai protected by a GI tag continues to symbolise the stateâs rich artisanal heritage now poised for a global footprint under the new policy IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/stalin-govt-unveils-toy-manufacturing-policy-aiming-to-become-global-hub-651862.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-school-job-case-wbssc-in-sc-against-calcutta-hcs-direction-on-2016-list-publication-issue-651863.html Kolkata Dec 8 The West Bengal School Service Commission WBSSC has approached the Supreme Court challenging the order by a singlejudge bench last week directing the commission to publish the list of untainted nonteaching staff in GroupC and GroupD categories in its 2016 panel which was cancelled entirely following a Supreme Court order in April this year The Calcutta High Courtâs singlejudge bench of Justice Amrita Sinha on November 3 had directed WBSSC to publish the list of untainted nonteaching staff in GroupC and GroupD categories in its 2016 panel and observed that the publication of the list of untainted nonteaching staff was necessary to provide room for them to participate in the fresh recruitment process and also enjoy the necessary age relaxation for the purposeEven the apex court division bench had directed that age relaxation should be given in the fresh recruitment process to âuntaintedâ nonteaching staff who also lost jobs because of the cancellation of the entire panel Justice Sinha observed furtherAlthough the commission had already published the list of âtaintedâ candidates in the 2016 panel it has yet to publish the separate list of âuntaintedâ candidates Monday was the deadline for the publication of the list of âuntaintedâ candidates as directed by Justice Sinhaâs bench last weekHowever with the WBSSC authorities not being in agreement with the Calcutta High Courtâs order for the publication of âuntaintedâ candidatesâ list it had approached the apex court with a plea against that Calcutta High Court order before the deadline had expiredJustice Sinhas direction to the WBSSC came last week while hearing a petition accusing the commission of gross irregularities in categorising untainted and tainted nonteaching staff in the 2016 panel The petitioners alleged that several tainted nonteaching staff in the 2016 panel who have proven beyond doubt of securing jobs paying money have managed to get their names in the list for the untainted categorySimilarly the petitioners have claimed that several untainted nonteaching staff in the 2016 panel have been dropped from the list for the untainted categoryAs per the Supreme Courtâs verdict earlier this year while the untainted nonteaching staff in the 2016 panel will get the chance to participate in the fresh recruitment process the categorically identified âtaintedâ nonteaching staff from the same panel will be denied that chanceThe total number of vacancies for nonteaching staff in the GroupC category in the staterun school in West Bengal is 2989 The number of vacancies in the Group D category is 5488 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-school-job-case-wbssc-in-sc-against-calcutta-hcs-direction-on-2016-list-publication-issue-651863.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/two-day-special-meeting-of-mp-cabinet-to-begin-in-khajuraho-today-651866.html Khajuraho Dec 8 Amid speculation of a Cabinet reshuffle after completion of two years of the government Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav along with his Council of Ministers will hold a twoday special meeting in Khajuraho starting from Monday The special meeting is part of a weeklong programme to review the progress of the various departments of the state government and the performance of ministers heading them which began on December 2After reviewing over a dozen departments during the Winter Session of the state Assembly concluded on December 5 CM Yadav will review the remaining departments during this special meeting in KhajurahoAmong the key departments that will be reviewed during the Khajuraho meeting are Industrial Policy amp Investment Promotion Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Revenue Urban Development and Housing Technical Education Skill Development and Employment Tribal Affairs Scheduled Caste Welfare and Mineral Resources departmentsChief Minister Yadav has been assessing each ministerâs achievements over the past two years and accordingly is framing a threeyear governance roadmap for their departmentsThe Mohan Yadavheaded BJP government in the state is completing its two years in office on December 13Four ministerial berths remain vacant in the 35member cabinet limit which is the15 per cent of the 230member Assembly adding to the reshuffle buzzThe last cabinet reshuffle was held in July when former Congress MLA Ram Niwas Rawat was inducted as a minister though he resigned in November after losing a bypollAfter a series of review meetings the Chief Minister will also chair a special Cabinet meeting on Tuesday during which important decisions will be takenTo make the occasion more special the CM will transfer the December instalment to the bank accounts of more than 126 crore Ladli Behnas across the state He will also interact with the beneficiariesChief Minister Yadav will also perform the bhoomi poojan of nine mega projects worth Rs 27055 lakh and will inaugurate over 20 completed projects worth Rs 24010 lakh in Chhatarpur districtHe will also unveil the statues of Maharaja Chhatrasal and Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the district IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/two-day-special-meeting-of-mp-cabinet-to-begin-in-khajuraho-today-651866.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-has-shown-its-true-colours-dilip-jaiswal-on-vande-mataram-discussion-in-ls-651869.html New Delhi Dec 8 As Parliament will hold a special discussion on Monday to mark the 150th anniversary of the patriotic song Vande Mataram Bihar Minister and partys state President Dilip Jaiswal said the Congress was showing its true colours by ignoring the national interest The discussion comes at a time when the songâs historical cultural and patriotic significance is under the spotlight with ruling party leaders accusing the Opposition of divisive posturingSpeaking to IANS Dilip Jaiswal remarked âThose who want to divide the country Congress and its INDIA bloc groups have shown their true colours You might have seen a young Congress member raising slogans like our country will be dividedââEchoing this sentiment Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said âThe country is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the song Vande Mataram on 8th December as decided by the Business Advisory Committee In this context discussions on the occasion are scheduled in the Lok Sabha today and will continue in the Rajya Sabha tomorrowâPrime Minister Narendra Modi will initiate the debate in Lok Sabha aiming to highlight many lesserknown facets of Vande MataramPM Modi is expected to focus on the songâs contribution to Indiaâs freedom struggle its historical significance and its relevance today Written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee Vande Mataram was first published in the literary journal Bangadarshan on November 7 1875The Prime Ministerâs comments are particularly awaited by Opposition membersLast month during an event commemorating the songâs anniversary he accused the Congress of âremoving important stanzasâ from the original composition during the partyâs 1937 session in Faizabad claiming the decision âsowed the seeds of Partitionâ and dissected the national song The Congress however argued that the changes were made on Rabindranath Tagoreâs advice to accommodate members from different communitiesThe Rajya Sabha discussion on Vande Mataram is scheduled to begin on Tuesday likely initiated by Union Home Minister Amit ShahIn Lok Sabha the ruling NDA has been allotted three hours out of the total 10 hours reserved for the debate underscoring the significance the government attaches to this patriotic discourse IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-has-shown-its-true-colours-dilip-jaiswal-on-vande-mataram-discussion-in-ls-651869.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/malayalam-actor-dileep-reaches-court-ahead-of-verdict-in-2017-actress-abduction-case-651870.html Ernakulam Dec 8 An hour before the muchawaited verdict in the sensational 2017 actress abduction and sexual assault case actor Dileep the eighth accused reached the court in Ernakulam Kerala on Monday morning amid tight security At around 930 am Dileep left his residence along with his brother and another accused in the case proceeding first to the office of his legal counsel before heading to the court premises A battery of press photographers was present at his home and also at the court premises He was spotted wearing a white shirt and pantsAll 10 accused in the case have been directed by the court to be present in person at the time of pronouncement of the judgmentSecurity arrangements in and around the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court have been significantly tightened in view of the sensitivity of the case and the intense public and media attention it has drawnThe verdict marks the culmination of nearly eight years of prolonged legal battle following the February 2017 abduction and assault of a prominent Malayalam actressThe prosecution has alleged that the crime was executed as part of a criminal conspiracy with Dileep accused of orchestrating the attack The actor however has consistently maintained his innocenceSince early morning large numbers of media personnel have assembled near the court complex with public interest at its peakThe case one of the most highprofile trials in Keralaâs legal and cultural history has had farreaching consequences for the Malayalam film industry and triggered national debates on womenâs safety abuse of power and accountability in cinemaSupporters of the survivor as well as representatives of womenâs rights groups have expressed hope that the verdict will deliver longawaited justiceMeanwhile the accused await the courtâs decision amid palpable tension The court is expected to pronounce the judgment soonAll accused in the case will be punished as we have given all the evidence for it said the counsel for the victim just before she entered the courtroom IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/malayalam-actor-dileep-reaches-court-ahead-of-verdict-in-2017-actress-abduction-case-651870.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/international-gita-mahotsav-in-canada-brings-bhagavad-gita-to-life-through-musical-dance-ballet-651876.html Ottawa Dec 8 Celebrating International Gita Mahotsav in Canada the Indian High Commission in Ottawa organised âUttar Answerâ a thematic musical dance ballet based on the Bhagavad Gita The event hosted in collaboration with Jeevan Jyoti Performing Arts JJPA was held at Kailash Mital Theatre of Carleton University in OttawaâSet on the battleground at the onset of a devastating war the performance brought to life the timeless dialogue of the Bhagavad Gitaâa profound exchange between the two protagonists on truth duty detachment reconciliation and the deeper philosophical questions of human existence The choreography drew segmentally from these teachings translating verses of the Gita into expressive movement rhythm and emotionâ Indian High Commission in Ottawa posted on XAddressing the gathering the Indian High Commissioner to Canada Dinesh K Patnaik emphasised that the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita are not merely spiritual wisdom but a living cultural heritage of Indiaâone that continues to inspire harmony responsibility and resilience in modern lifeIndian missions worldwide have been celebrating the International Gita Mahotsav 2025 highlighting the timeless spiritual and philosophical teachings of the Bhagavad GitaThe Gita Mahostav is celebrated to promote the Bhagavad Gitaâs teachings of duty righteousness and knowledge on the Ekadashi 11th lunar day of the Shukla Paksha bright fortnight in the month of Margashirsha Indian Calendar when Lord Krishna delivered the eternal sermons of Gita to Arjun on the battlefield of KurukshetraEarlier on December 6 the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita came alive as Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan in Canada celebrated the International Gita Mahotsav in TorontoDuring the event Indian Consul in Toronto Kuljeet Singh Arora reflected on the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita drawing parallels between its philosophy and the values of diplomacy balance and service The event witnessed live devotional bhajans stage plays and spiritual discourses IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/international-gita-mahotsav-in-canada-brings-bhagavad-gita-to-life-through-musical-dance-ballet-651876.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/goa-nightclub-fire-police-issue-lookout-notice-against-absconding-owners-651877.html New Delhi Dec 8 Goa Police on Monday issued a lookout notice against absconding nightclub owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra of Birch by Romeo Lane According to officials both the accused reportedly left Goa shortly after the incident and are suspected of attempting to leave the country As a precautionary measure all airports and police stations across the country have been alerted Goa Police stated that due to strong suspicion that the duo may try to flee abroad the lookout notice was necessaryMeanwhile four arrested individuals connected to the case were produced before the Bardez District Court late on Sunday night The court remanded all four managers to six days of police custodyThey are currently lodged at the Anjuna Police Station lockup and have been questioned for nearly eight hours regarding the fire incident and the whereabouts of the missing ownersIn a related development the Goa Police with assistance from the Delhi Police detained a man identified as Bhola in connection with the absconding owners Investigators are examining his links to the nightclub and to Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra Delhi Police are coordinating closely with their Goa counterparts as part of the ongoing probeAdditionally the individual responsible for club operations has also been detained A police team travelled from Goa to Delhi to take Bhola into custody and he is now being transported back to Goa for further investigationOn Sunday Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed distress and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50000 to those injuredA fire at Arporas Birch by Romeo Lane has claimed 25 lives including four tourists and 14 staff members The identities of seven victims are yet to be confirmed Six people were injured and are undergoing treatmentIn a post on X PM Modi had said The fire mishap in Arpora Goa is deeply saddening My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones May the injured recover at the earliest Spoke to Goa CM Dr Pramod Sawant Ji about the situation The State Government is providing all possible assistance to those affectedAn exgratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF will be given to the next of kin of each deceased in the mishap in Arpora Goa The injured would be given Rs 50000 the Prime Ministers Office said in a statementThe blaze erupted around Sunday midnight at Birch by Romeo Lane a club in the bustling Baga area that draws large crowds due to its proximity to one of Goas most frequented beachesAccording to police officials the inferno is suspected to have been triggered by a cylinder explosion inside the premisesThe sudden blast is believed to have left little time for those inside many of them staff members to escapeFire tenders from multiple stations were immediately deployed and firefighters battled the flames well into the early hours of SundayRescue teams continued their efforts until dawn sifting through debris in search of survivors and attempting to control residual hotspotsAuthorities confirmed that a significant number of the deceased were employees working at the club when the incident occurred Senior officials including the Director General of Police and teams from North Goa district arrived at the site shortly after the fire was reported to coordinate rescue and relief operations IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/goa-nightclub-fire-police-issue-lookout-notice-against-absconding-owners-651877.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/dreaded-maoist-ramdher-majji-carrying-rs-1-crore-bounty-11-other-ultras-surrender-in-chhattisgarh-651882.html RaipurKhairaghar Dec 8 In a major breakthrough for security forces 12 Naxalites including the dreaded CCM Ramdher Majji surrendered before police authorities in Chhattisgarhâs Khairagarh Chhuikhadan Gandai district The surrender took place at Bakarkatta police station marking a significant setback for the Maoist movement in the MMC Maharashtra Madhya Pradesh Chhattisgarh zoneRamdher Majji who carried a reward of Rs one crore on his head was considered one of the most formidable challenges for police forces across Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra and ChhattisgarhMajji a CC Central Committee member active in the MMC zone arrived with his divisional committee members and laid down arms including an AK47 rifle Alongside him ACM Ramsingh Dada and ACM Sukesh Pottam also surrendered handing over their weaponsThe police confirmed the recovery of a cache of arms including AK47s INSAS rifles SLRs 303 rifles and 030 carbines Among those who surrendered were six women cadres highlighting the deep involvement of women in the Maoist ranksThe list includes Lakshmi Sheela Yogita Kavita and Sagar along with DVCM divisional committee member Lalita and DVCM Janaki Other prominent names include DVCM Chandu Usendi and DVCM PremTheir surrender officials said has dealt a crippling blow to the Maoist network in the regionPolice sources revealed that the group had been active in the MaharashtraMadhya PradeshChhattisgarh special zonal committee area designing operations and posing a constant threat to law enforcementThe surrender of Ramdher Majji in particular is being hailed as a turning point with senior officials suggesting that the MMC zone has virtually collapsed following his decision to abandon armsThe Maoists long entrenched in forested belts and remote districts have been under increasing pressure from coordinated security operations The surrender of such highranking cadres CCM DVCM ACM Area Committee Member and PM party member members underscores the success of intensified campaigns and outreach programmes aimed at weakening the insurgencyAuthorities believe this development will encourage more Maoists to follow suit reducing violence and restoring peace in affected regionsFor now the surrender of Ramdher Majji and his associates stands as one of the most significant blows to Maoist influence in recent years signalling the near dismantling of the MMC zoneâs operational structure IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/dreaded-maoist-ramdher-majji-carrying-rs-1-crore-bounty-11-other-ultras-surrender-in-chhattisgarh-651882.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/three-flights-land-safely-at-hyderabad-airport-after-bomb-threats-651883.html Hyderabad Dec 8 Bomb threats to three flights including two international flights sent authorities at Hyderabadâs Rajiv Gandhi International Airport RGIA into a tizzy All three flights landed safely on Sunday night officials at RGIA said on Monday A bomb threat email was received at RGIA customer support for three flights coming from Kannur Frankfurt and Heathrow Airport authorities activated standard safety protocols All three flights landed safely according to a statement from the airport authoritiesAfter a thorough check by the Central Industrial Security Force CISF and police along with the bomb disposal squads the bomb threats proved to be a hoaxIndiGo flight from Kannur to Hyderabad 6E 7178 landed safely at 1050 pm The bomb threat was also targeted at Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Hyderabad LH 752 The flight landed safely at 2 am on MondayBritish Airways flight BA 277 from Heathrow to Hyderabad also landed safely at 520 am on Monday Police launched an investigation to identify the sender of the emailThe latest bomb threat came a day after similar emails were received on Saturday December 6 targeting four flights within a span of less than 12 hours While three flights landed safely at RGIA the fourth was forced to return to its departure airport as a precautionAfter intensive checks all the bomb threats had proved to be a hoaxThe bomb threats had targeted Air India flight AI 2879 from Delhi to Hyderabad British Airways flight BA 277 from Heathrow to Hyderabad and Singapore Airlines flight SQ 518 from Singapore to Hyderabad The three flights landed safely at Hyderabad airportHowever Kuwait Airways flight KU 373 from Kuwait to Hyderabad returned to Kuwait as a precaution as it was the closest airport at the time of threat detectionA series of bomb threats has targeted flights this monthOn December 5 an Emirates flight from Dubai to Hyderabad received a similar emailed threat but landed safely and a thorough check was conducted Two IndiGo flights from Kuwait to Hyderabad and Medinah to Hyderabad were diverted following bomb threat messages on December 2 and December 4 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/three-flights-land-safely-at-hyderabad-airport-after-bomb-threats-651883.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/minimum-temperature-drops-to-minus-24-in-jampks-srinagar-as-cold-wave-continues-651884.html Srinagar Dec 8 Intense cold wave continued across Kashmir Valley on Monday as minimum temperature dropped to minus 24 degrees Celsius in Srinagar city with no immediate relief in sight from the biting cold An intense dry cold wave has caused widespread flu and coldrelated chest ailments in the valley as doctors have issued advisories asking people not to expose themselves to severe dry coldâThe air quality index AQI has worsened due to the lack of precipitation and continuing addition to suspended particulate matter SPM in the airâIt is very important that we donât expose ourselves especially elders and children to the abrupt cold outside homes The number of patients reporting with flu and other chestrelated ailments triggered by dry cold has actually more than doubled during the last weekâ senior pulmonologist Dr Naveed Nazir Shah saidNight temperature remained several notches below the freezing point in other parts of the Valley as well on MondayThe Meteorological MeT Department officials said the minimum temperature was minus 24 degrees Celsius in Srinagar city while it was minus 04 in Pahalgam and minus 25 in GulmargJammu city had 79 Katra town 96 Batote 58 Banihal 45 and Bhaderwah 26 degrees as the minimum temperatureâExcept for a feeble western disturbance WD causing light snowfall in the higher reaches there is little possibility of any major weather activity in JampK till December 15â the MeT department officials saidGiven the prevailing weather conditions the minimum temperature is likely to drop further in the coming days the MeT department officials addedIn Srinagar city the sun continued its ineffectual battle with the cold Despite a clear sky in the morning sunlight gave little relief to locals fighting the bitter coldExcept for the officegoers everybody seen on the road is wearing the traditional tweed overgarment called the âPheranâ In rural areas it is common to see people holding an earthen firepot woven in willow wicker basket called the âKangriâ The Kangri is filled with live charcoal and helps to remain warm in cold weatherPeople in urban and rural areas use the leaves of the âChinarâ trees to make charcoal to be used during the winter months Although modern gadgets like electricity and fuelrun central heating are used by the affluent Kashmiris to ward off the winter cold for the average Kashmiri the Pheran and the Kangri remain the best bet to keep body and soul together in the winter monthsThe 40daylong period of harsh winter cold called the âChillai Kalanâ begins on December 21 and ends on January 30 each yearDuring this period of extreme winter cold water bodies in the Valley freeze and people have to battle with water taps in the morning to defreeze themThe gap between the maximum and the minimum temperature becomes very narrow during the Chillai Kalan as the night temperature drops between minus 5 to minus 7 degrees while the day temperature rarely gets around 10 degrees IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/minimum-temperature-drops-to-minus-24-in-jampks-srinagar-as-cold-wave-continues-651884.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tvk-files-fresh-application-for-dec-16-erode-rally-after-police-deny-permission-651886.html Erode Dec 8 After district police denied permission citing space and security concerns TVK the party of actorpolitician Vijay on Monday filed a fresh application seeking approval to hold his proposed public rally in Erode on December 16 signalling its determination to go ahead with the key campaign event despite the initial setback Vijay who leads the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam TVK is intensifying his statewide political outreach ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections As part of this campaign push a major public meeting had been planned in the Erode district On Monday morning TVKâs State Executive Committee Chief Coordinator Sengottaiyan along with senior party administrators met Erode Collector Kandhasamy at the Collectorate camp office in Sampath Nagar and formally submitted a petition seeking permission for the December 16 rally A parallel representation was also made to the Erode District Superintendent of Police The rally was earlier proposed at a sevenacre private vacant land near Pavalathampalayam on the ErodeâPerundurai Road However the site was inspected by a police team led by Superintendent of Police Sujatha following which permission was denied Police officials reportedly cited inadequate space crowd management challenges and potential safety risks as the main reasons for rejecting the venue Following the denial Sengottaiyan held urgent consultations with TVKâs districtlevel executives to identify an alternative location As a result a new site near Perundurai has now been shortlisted A fresh application seeking police clearance for the revised venue was submitted later in the day âWe will conduct the rally strictly in accordance with government rules and security guidelines once permission is grantedâ Sengottaiyan said When asked whether senior former ministers from other parties were likely to join TVK during the Erode rally Sengottaiyan gave a guarded response saying âWait till the 16thâ Meanwhile Vijayâs campaign schedule continues without pause With the Erode programme facing uncertainty he is set to address a public meeting on Tuesday in Puducherry Party leaders said this reflects Vijayâs resolve to keep up the campaign momentum across Tamil Nadu and neighbouring regions TVK sources added that more rallies and organisational meetings are being planned across western Tamil Nadu in the coming weeks as the party gears up for its first major electoral battle in 2026 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tvk-files-fresh-application-for-dec-16-erode-rally-after-police-deny-permission-651886.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-issues-notice-on-plea-challenging-cm-siddaramaiahs-election-from-karnatakas-varuna-651890.html New Delhi Dec 8 IANS The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine a plea challenging the election of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah from the states Varuna Assembly constituencynbspA Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep issued notice to Siddaramaiah on a special leave petition SLP challenging the Karnataka High Courts April 22 decision which had dismissed a voters election petition on the grounds of want of cause of action as well as being barred by lawnbspA singlejudge Bench of Justice S Sunil Dutt Yadav of the Karnataka HC had termed the pleadings as vague casually drafted and largely a replication of earlier petitionsThe plaint is liable to be rejected both on the ground of want of cause of action as well as being barred by law Justice Yadav saidnbspThe petition filed by a voter from the Varuna constituency claimed that the Congress partys five poll guarantees constituted bribery and undue influence under Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act RP ActnbspIt alleged Siddaramaiah as the partys candidate was jointly responsible for these promises since his photograph appeared on the manifesto and he purportedly distributed guarantee cardsAllowing the application filed by Siddaramaiah under Order VII Rule 11 of the CPC the Karnataka High Court held that the petition lacked material facts disclosed no cause of action and was barred by lawnbspReferring to the Supreme Courts judgment in the S Subramaniam Balaji case it reiterated that manifesto promises by a political party cannot constitute a corrupt practice by an individual candidateJustice Yadav also dismissed the plea that the election result was materially affected due to alleged violations of the Constitution and Model Code of ConductnbspThere is no averment in the petition as to how the aforesaid Guarantees have materially affected the result of the election the order had statednbspIt may be recalled that three other identical petitions have already been dismissed by coordinate benches of the Karnataka High Court https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-issues-notice-on-plea-challenging-cm-siddaramaiahs-election-from-karnatakas-varuna-651890.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 15:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/more-important-to-act-than-to-just-sing-akhilesh-yadav-on-vande-mataram-debate-651891.html New Delhi Dec 8 IANS Reacting to the Vande Mataram discussion in Parliament on Monday Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav asserted that the government must focus on action and social justice rather than symbolismnbspHis remarks came amid a historic sitting of both Houses to mark 150 years of Vande Mataram where the ruling party has strongly highlighted the songs role in Indias freedom strugglenbspSpeaking to reporters Akhilesh Yadav said It is more important to act than to just sing The Constitution contains many directives and Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar showed the path Where does the government stand on social justice Where does it stand on your welfare A ticket costing around fifty thousand rupees what direction is the country heading inTherefore it is more important to act than to merely sing and to understand the spirit behind it that the country should be independent and free and after Independence laws should function properly people should receive justice and social justice should be ensured How much progress have we made towards social justice he askednbspYadav questioned the governments commitment to welfare policies highlighting rising costs and the alleged neglect of constitutional dutiesEarlier in the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi invoked the memories of the 1975 Emergency while commemorating the 150th year of Vande Mataram in Parliament calling the national song a symbol of courage and resistance against authoritarianismnbspAs PM Modi entered the Lok Sabha treasury members greeted him with chants of Vande Mataram setting the tone for the milestone discussionThe Prime Minister said We all have this great fortune in this House On this historic occasion we are witnessing a moment that brings to light the heart of history He urged lawmakers to view the discussion as an opportunity to educate future generations about Indias democratic evolutionnbspPM Modi reminded the House that during the songs centenary the nation was facing the Emergency prompting chants of shame from treasury benches He recalled how the Constitution was strangled and patriots jailed during that era https://dailyworld.in/national/more-important-to-act-than-to-just-sing-akhilesh-yadav-on-vande-mataram-debate-651891.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 15:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cong-knelt-down-before-muslim-league-fractured-vande-mataram-says-pm-modi-in-ls-651892.html New Delhi Dec 8 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi while commemorating the 150th year of Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha launched a sharp attack on the Congress alleging that the party once fractured the national song under pressure from the Muslim League and knelt before themnbspnbspPM Modi said the British had long pursued a divideandrule policy choosing Bengal as their first target That was a time when Bengals strength inspired the country In 1905 when the British divided Bengal Vande Mataram stood like a rock Street to street was the slogan for Bengals unity and that slogan continued to inspire he recalledQuoting Mahatma Gandhis 1905 writings in Indian Opinion PM Modi reminded the House that Gandhi had described Vande Mataram as our national anthem and more melodious than the songs of other nationsnbspHe asked why such a revered hymn was later subjected to injustice and sidelinednbspToday as we celebrate 150 years of Vande Mataram we must tell new generations the truth that Congress once split this hymn succumbing to the pressure of the Muslim League and its everlasting appeasement policy This should never be allowed to happen again PM Modi declared urging Parliament to restore pride in the song that once united the nation against colonial ruleThe Prime Minister highlighted how the hymn composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay became a challenge to colonial authority resonating across the country despite bans and punishments for speaking writing or printing the words Vande MataramnbspHe cited the sacrifices of women in Sindh and Barisal including Sarojini Bose who refused to wear bangles until the ban was lifted and the courage of children who faced beatings for chanting the songPM Modi paid tribute to revolutionaries such as Khudiram Bose Madanlal Dhingra Ashfaq Ullah Khan Roshan Singh and Rajendra Nath Lahiri who embraced martyrdom while chanting Vande MataramnbspHe recalled Master Surya Sens poem echoing the hymn before his execution in 1934 noting how the mantra of sacrifice and unity inspired movements from Chattogram to Nagpur Tracing its global reach PM Modi pointed to Veer Savarkar singing Vande Mataram at India House in London then an epicentre of the freedom movement Bipin Chandra Pal naming his newspaper after it and Madam Bhikaji Cama publishing Vande Mataram abroad despite bansHe said the hymn became the mantra of Swadeshi inscribed even on ships built by PO Chidambaram Pillai in 1907 and celebrated in the works of Tamil poet Subramania BharatinbspWhy was injustice done to Vande Mataram PM Modi asked He recalled that after Mohammed Ali Jinnahs objections in 1937 Jawaharlal Nehru wrote to Subhas Chandra Bose warning that the songs background could spark anger among MuslimsCongress then convened a meeting in Kolkata to review its use Despite nationwide protests PM Modi said the party compromised in October 1937 restricting the hymn to its first two stanzas under the guise of secularism and communal harmonynbspHistory is testament to the fact that Congress knelt before the Muslim League and did this under pressure This was the politics of appeasement Because Congress bowed to the division of Vande Mataram it later bowed to the division of India PM Modi said adding that the party continues the same politics of appeasement today https://dailyworld.in/national/cong-knelt-down-before-muslim-league-fractured-vande-mataram-says-pm-modi-in-ls-651892.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 15:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/govts-multi-pronged-strategy-boosting-consumption-growth-fm-sitharaman-651893.html New Delhi Dec 8 IANS Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed Parliament on Monday that the government has undertaken a multipronged strategy to stimulate the growth of consumption in the economy through a combination of demandsupporting measures incomeenhancing supplyside strategies and structural reforms which in turn is driving GDP growthnbspIn a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha she said that policy measures such as the new income tax exemption for annual incomes up to Rs 12 lakh recent GST rate cuts continued emphasis on ease of doing business skilling employment generation and infrastructure development along with expanded access to credit through schemes like MUDRA and PMSVANidhi are expected to boost consumption in the economyThe Finance Minister further stated that through various policy initiatives the government has also emphasised on achieving a balanced growth in rural and urban consumptionnbspUrban livelihood and skilling programmes alongside tax reliefs and digital payments expansion in urban centres are boosting consumption in urban areas Alongside targeted flagship programmes such as PMKISAN Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme PM Awas Yojana Gramin agriproductivity missions and Self Help Groupbased livelihood initiatives are ensuring broadbased income gains across rural areasThe strengthening of consumption demand will have a positive impact on overall economic activity by supporting household incomes encouraging private investment and reinforcing economic growth Sitharaman saidnbspShe further stated that according to figures compiled by the National Statistics Office NSO the share of Private Final Consumption Expenditure in GDP has improved from 622 per cent in Q2 of 202425 to 625 per cent in Q2 of 202526 while its growth in constant price terms improved from 64 per cent to 79 per cent during the corresponding periodnbspThe data also show that the GDP at constant prices has been estimated to grow at 82 per cent in the second quarter Q2 of 202526 as against 56 per cent in Q2 of 202425 and 78 per cent in the first quarter Q1 of 202526 reflecting accelerating growth momentum in the economy Finance Minister added https://dailyworld.in/national/govts-multi-pronged-strategy-boosting-consumption-growth-fm-sitharaman-651893.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 15:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/dgcas-tariff-monitoring-unit-keeping-airfares-on-78-routes-in-check-minister-651894.html New Delhi Dec 8 IANS The Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA has set up a Tariff Monitoring Unit TMU that monitors airfares on selected 78 routes on a random basis by using airlines websites on a monthly basis to ensure that the airlines do not charge airfares outside the range declared by them the Parliament was informed on MondaynbspThis covers about 27 per cent of the domestic traffic By doing so the TMU plays a critical role in maintaining airfare levels within the boundaries of the airlines prescribed tariffsThe DGCA ensures that the airfare charged by the airlines remains within the boundaries of the established tariff sheets However in exceptional circumstances of nonadherence to Sub Rule 2 of Rule 135 of The Aircraft Rules 1937 necessary directions are being issued to all concerned airlines Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol told the Rajya SabhanbspAirfares are not subject to regulation by the government and airlines have the flexibility to determine their airfares based on their operational needs while adhering to Rule 135 of the Aircraft Rules 1937 he saidThe pricing of airfares is subject to dynamic fluctuations influenced by the fundamental economic forces of supply and demand Various determinants such as current seat occupancy fuel costs aircraft capacity seasonal fluctuations and other relevant factors significantly impact airline ticket pricingnbspFurther the government proactively engages with scheduled airlines and advises them to augment capacity by deploying additional flights during festival seasons or during events causing a surge in demand he saidIn October 2025 to meet high festive demand airlines responded by augmenting flight capacities by announcing 1750 additional flights across 100 sectors As a result of the capacity increase a general moderation in fares was observed across most of the sectors the minister saidnbspWhile the government generally refrains from regulating airfares to maintain market competitiveness however it remains vigilant oversight role intervening in exceptional circumstances such as during the pandemic Maha Kumbh and the Pahalgam attack in order to ensure air travel is affordable for passengers said the minister https://dailyworld.in/national/dgcas-tariff-monitoring-unit-keeping-airfares-on-78-routes-in-check-minister-651894.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 17:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-again-made-india-proud-kangana-ranaut-on-vande-mataram-discussion-in-parliament-651895.html New Delhi Dec 8 IANS BJP MP Kangana Ranaut on Monday backed Prime Minister Narendra Modis speech in Parliament on Vande Mataram and said that once again the Prime Minister has made the country proudnbspShe added that as an artist she feels immense pride that a song a poem a work of art like this is being discussed in Parliament for ten hoursThe MP said that the Prime Minister briefly recounted the entire history of Vande Mataram how during the freedom struggle it rekindled the fading flame of resistance and ignited a spark that challenged the entire British empirenbspAs an artist I feel immense pride that a song a poem a work of art like this is being discussed in Parliament for ten hours Today it stands before the world as a foundation of nationalistic consciousness and its journey has spanned centuries Ranaut told IANSShe added As an artist I have observed that Prime Minister Modi has always valued art and artists which is a form of soft power especially words and how they can uplift selfconfidence I believe that when the Amritkaal began in 2014 it marked the golden era of our historyThe actressturnedpolitician said that with the economy there was also a significant challenge before him to restore the pride of women that was harmed by CongressShe claimed that the way Congress has treated women is disappointing adding that Congress has always insulted womennbspI have personal experience they Congress have commented on my clothes my work and even insulted women from Mandi by asking about their price she saidnbspRanaut added that wherever the BJP has formed the government such as in Madhya Pradesh Congress accuses women of drinking excessively and criticises their characternbspThe way the Congress has attacked womens dignity leaves no doubt that because Maa Durga is referenced in Vande Mataram they also opposed it It is in their DNA to oppose women So today once again Prime Minister Modi has made us proud with his speech she saidOn the absence of the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi during the discussion on Vande Mataram Kangana said that she does not know why he did not attend the sessionnbspShe claimed that Rahul Gandhi clearly does not have the mindset to understand the importance of this speech or the significance of Vande MataramnbspIf you ask him to translate this song I challenge you he will not be able to sing it or translate it Even if you ask him to explain just a few words he will fail Thats why he isnt showing his face today he will not understand anything He struggles with Hindi itself and Vande Mataram is a blend of Sanskrit and Bengali I dont think he will understand it she saidEarlier in the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi invoked the memories of the Emergency 1975 while commemorating the 150th year of Vande Mataram in Parliament describing the patriotic hymn as a guiding force of Indias freedom struggle and a symbol of resilience against oppression https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-again-made-india-proud-kangana-ranaut-on-vande-mataram-discussion-in-parliament-651895.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 17:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/official-figure-misses-90-pc-of-farm-fires-in-haryana-punjab-need-to-focus-on-emerging-hotspots-of-up-mp-too-report-651896.html Chandigarh Dec 8 IANS Saying that official figures miss over 90 per cent of large farm fires in Haryana and Punjab as farmers shift burning timings a new report on Monday revealed a critical blind spot in Indias efforts to curb stubble burning The report also pointed out the need to expand focus to emerging biomass burning hotspots in Uttar Pradesh UP and Madhya Pradesh MPnbspThe Stubble Burning Status Report 2025 by the International Forum for Environment Sustainability and Technology iFOREST showed while government data suggests a dramatic 90 per cent decline in farm fires in Punjab and Haryana this reduction is largely a result of limitations in the current monitoring system run by the Consortium for Research on Agroecosystem Monitoring and Modeling from Space CREAMS of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute IARIThe report presents Indias firstever multisatellite multisensor assessment combining MODIS Terra and Aqua satellites VIIRS SuomiNPP satellite Sentinel2 Multispectral Instrument MSI burntarea mapping and 15minute geostationary observations from the Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager SEVIRI on Meteosat 8 and 9The report demonstrates that the CREAMS monitoring protocol based primarily on polarorbiting satellites MODISVIIRS that pass over India between 1030 am and 130 pm miss the majority of large farm fires which now occur later in the afternoon and eveningUsing SEVIRIs highfrequency observations the report found that in Punjab over 90 per cent of large fires in 2024 and 2025 occurred after 3 pm compared to just three per cent in 2021In Haryana most large fires have occurred after 3 pm since 2019 meaning undercounting has persisted for yearsThe report warns that such data gaps are weakening the evidence base for airquality policymakingChandra Bhushan CEO iFOREST said Our analysis provides incontrovertible evidence that Indias current stubbleburning monitoring system is structurally misaligned with ground realitiesFarmers have shifted burning to the late afternoon while our monitoring relies on satellites that capture active fires only during a narrow time window 1030 am to 130 pmThe result is a massive underestimation of fires emissions and their contribution to air pollution in Delhi We urgently need to overhaul the systemAt the same time iFORESTs burntarea analysis shows genuine progress in reducing stubble burning in Punjab and HaryanaBurntarea mapping by Sentinel2 satellite reveals that Punjabs burnt area during the Kharif season has reduced from a peak of 31447 sq km in 2022 to about 20000 sq km in 2025 a 37 per cent reductionIn Haryana the burnt area has declined from a peak of 11633 sq km in 2019 to 8812 sq km in 2025 a 25 per cent reduction although without a consistent downward trendCommenting on these findings Bhushan added Burnt area provides a more reliable picture of stubble burning Our analysis shows that Punjab and Haryana have reduced burnt area by 2535 per cent which is good news and indicates that insitu and exsitu stubblemanagement practices are being adoptedBut this is not the time to become complacent Even in 2025 close to 30000 sq km of paddy fields were burnt in Punjab and Haryana making them a major source of airquality degradation in DelhiNCR and the wider IndoGangetic regionThe report calls for immediate corrective measures They include revised monitoring protocols CREAMS should begin publishing burntarea data not just active fire counts to provide an accurate national picture And the decision support system DSS used by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology IITM for Delhis airquality management must revise its methodology to correctly quantify the contribution of stubble burningOn the policy road ahead Ishaan Kochhar Programme Lead iFOREST said We cannot manage what we do not measure accurately Policy decisions are currently being shaped by incomplete information To solve the stubbleburning problem in the IndoGangetic Plain the government must urgently reform the monitoring protocol to integrate burntarea mapping and geostationary data We also need to expand our focus beyond Punjab and Haryana to emerging hotspots in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh https://dailyworld.in/national/official-figure-misses-90-pc-of-farm-fires-in-haryana-punjab-need-to-focus-on-emerging-hotspots-of-up-mp-too-report-651896.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 17:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/through-vande-mataram-debate-govt-trying-to-divert-public-attention-from-current-challenges-priyanka-651897.html New Delhi Dec 8 IANS Calling the debate on Vande Mataram an attentiondiverting tactic of the government Congress MP from Wayanad Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said on Monday that the national song is a part of the countrys soul and there can be no debate on itnbspDuring a special discussion on the song in Lok Sabha the Congress MP said the needless discussion had been called by the ruling party with the dual intention of setting a narrative ahead of the Bengal Assembly elections and levelling new allegations against freedom fighters to divert public attentionShe said the government does not want discussion of the current challenges facing the nation youths are suffering due to paper leaks and joblessness reservations are being denied to the needy women are being wronged and pollution and wants to dig up developments from the past and divert public attentionThe truth is that their rule and politics are about arrogance show off event management and from poll to poll she said daring the government to hold a debate on current issues due to which people are unhappyShe said even members of the ruling dispensation are unhappy with the government due to the excessive centralisation of powerDuring her address Priyanka Gandhi showered rare praise on PM Modi on two counts One for his oratory qualities even though his speeches are long and second for his policies and selfconfidence during his early years as the Prime MinisterHer acerbic criticism of the government revolved around her claims that PM Modi has started appearing less confident than in his early years in office and his foreign policy was earning the nation a bad name on the global stageCountering PM Modis criticism of former PM Jawaharlal Nehru in the context of Vande Mataram she said the Prime Minister did not share key facts about the decisions taken on the song between national leaders including Dr BR Ambedkar and Subhas Chandra Bose presenting only one side of the storyShe also read out a letter of Nehru in which he had called out communal mentality for the demand to drop some parts of Vande MataramThe Congress leader said the national song is and will remain in the blood of the Congress which does not want to be dragged into a futile debate related to developments of the past https://dailyworld.in/national/through-vande-mataram-debate-govt-trying-to-divert-public-attention-from-current-challenges-priyanka-651897.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 17:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-appeasement-damaged-vande-mataram-contributed-to-partition-rajnath-singh--651898.html New Delhi Dec 8 IANS Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday addressed a special discussion in the Lok Sabha marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram describing it as the immortal song of India and a mantra that inspired generationsnbspSpeaking during the Parliaments Winter Session Singh accused the Congress party of following a politics of appeasement that he said damaged the spirit of the song and contributed to the Partition of the countrynbspVande Mataram is complete in itself But attempts were made to make it incomplete Every time however it has remained the immortal song of our nation and it will remain so he declaredSingh emphasised that future generations must understand the mentality of those who undermined the song calling it an injustice to Indias cultural and national identitynbspHe recalled that in 1906 Indias first flag was designed with Vande Mataram inscribed at its centre and in the same year a newspaper titled Vande Mataram was launched in Bengal to raise public awarenessnbspAt that time Vande Mataram was not just a word it was a feeling a source of motivation and a poem he saidThe Defence Minister highlighted that the song was not confined to Bengal but resonated across the country from east to west and even beyond Indias borders where people also chanted it as a symbol of unity and resistancenbspHe underscored that Vande Mataram became the pulse of the nation embodying sacrifice courage and the collective spirit of freedomnbspSingh further noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the country would celebrate the 150 years of Vande Mataram with the respect and status it deservesHe stressed that the song continues to inspire Indias resolve for selfreliance and progress reminding citizens of the sacrifices made during the freedom strugglenbspConcluding his remarks Singh reiterated that Vande Mataram remains a timeless mantra of dedication and unity urging the House and the nation to honour its legacy and ensure that its spirit continues to guide Indias journey toward a stronger selfreliant future https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-appeasement-damaged-vande-mataram-contributed-to-partition-rajnath-singh--651898.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 17:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/punjab-cm-seeks-investment-from-korean-firms--651899.html Chandigarh Dec 8 IANS Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday extended an invitation to the leading Korean firms to invest in the statenbspAt a meeting with Chairman of Daewoo EampampC Jung Won Joo during his visit to South Korea the Chief Minister batted for cooperation in the fields of renewable energy projects including offshore wind farms solar power plants and hydrogen production facilitiesnbspLikewise he said there is a huge potential for collaboration in areas like development of energy infrastructure such as LNG terminals petrochemical complexes and fertiliser plants urban development and smart city projects with integrated housing and advanced infrastructure solutions and civil infrastructure projects including roads bridges railways ports and airportsnbspCM Mann also underscored the need for strengthening cooperation in sectors like technology transfer for modular and prefabricated construction methods to enable faster and costeffective building solutionsnbspDuring the meeting with Daewoo EampampC one of South Koreas foremost engineering and infrastructure companies the Chief Minister highlighted Punjabs strong industrial momentum modern infrastructure initiatives and the unique unified regulator framework under Invest PunjabnbspnbspHe encouraged the Global Business Group to explore opportunities in largescale infrastructure development adoption of modern construction technologies and upcoming industrial townships in the statenbspCM Mann also laid stress on cooperation in ESG and green hydrogen initiatives through joint ventures aligned with global sustainability standardsnbspIn another meeting with VicePresident of GS Engineering ampamp Construction GS EampampC Young Ha Ryu Daniel the Chief Minister underscored the need for tieups in the sector of renewable energy projects infrastructure development and industrial complexes and EPC ServicesnbspHe also said there was a huge scope in the key sectors like technology transfer for modular construction and green hydrogen and clean energy initiativesnbspCM Mann assured support and cooperation in these key sectors to give impetus to the development of the statenbspAt a meeting with Nongshim Holdings a packaged foods and beverages company the Chief Minister batted for food and food processing adding that joint development of new instant noodle flavours tailored for Indian tastes should be donenbspLikewise he also sought expansion of Nongshims presence in Indian supermarkets and ecommerce platforms and collaboration on campaigns targeting healthconscious and youth segmentsnbsp https://dailyworld.in/national/punjab-cm-seeks-investment-from-korean-firms--651899.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 20:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kabirs-mosque-donation-video-triggers-fresh-storm-says-muslim-bizman-will-donate-rs-80-cr-651902.html Kolkata Dec 8 A video showing stacks of currency notes being counted as part of the donations for the proposed Babri Mosque at Beldanga in Murshidabad district has drawn wide attention after suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir posted it on his social media page The footage has circulated rapidly prompting fresh debate on the scale and source of the funds collectedThe legislator from the Bharatpur constituency has hinted that he may launch his new political party on December 22Kabir said on Monday that 11 trunks filled with currency notes had been collected as cash offerings from local residents since Saturday the day the foundation stone for the proposed mosque was laidThe exact worth of the currencies collected as cash donations is yet to be ascertained he saidHe added that online contributions had also come in noting that about Rs 93 lakh had been received through a QR code he had posted on his social media pageKabir however did not divulge the details about an unnamed donor whom he says has pledged about Rs 80 crore for the project He only described the individual as a Muslim businessman with an annual turnover of more than Rs 4000 crore He did not disclose the personâs identity or place of origin which has led to further questionsHe reiterated that the proposed mosque budget is Rs 300 crore with plans to replicate the original structure that stood in Ayodhya which was demolished on December 6 1992âThe complex will also include a school and a hospitalâ he saidThe TMC rebel legislator is reportedly preparing to launch his new political party on December 22 He intends to unveil the list of office bearers on the same day Although he had earlier stated that he would resign from his Assembly seat before the formal launch he reversed his position on SundayHe said he would hold back his resignation for the time being a decision that has added another layer of uncertainty to the unfolding developments IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kabirs-mosque-donation-video-triggers-fresh-storm-says-muslim-bizman-will-donate-rs-80-cr-651902.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/the-cooked-up-story-of-police-failed-actor-dileep-on-acquittal-in-kerala-actress-abduction-case-651931.html Ernakulam Dec 8 Malyalam actor Dileep who was acquitted of charges in the 2017 actress abduction and sexual assault case said on Monday that it was a cookedup case by the police that had failed in the court âIn the court the cookedup story of the police failedâ he said as he walked out of the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court moments after being acquittedAll smiles he waved to supporters amid tight security as a battery of lawyers in their traditional black robes escorted him to his carOutside the court complex supporters celebrated by distributing laddoos while similar scenes unfolded near his residence at AluvaIt was with considerable difficulty that Dileep managed to move through the crowd before finally addressing the waiting mediaLaunching a scathing attack on the investigation the actor alleged that he had been deliberately framedâThe police team took the prime accused into confidence and a few other accused Then they created a story to harm me and destroy my futureâ he saidHe further alleged that the conspiracy against him began with his former wife âThe conspiracy against me started with Manju and joining her was a top police official Then the police used a section of the media to weave baseless storiesâ Dileep claimedExpressing gratitude to his legal team he said âI know numerous people stood by me My full thanks to my counsel Raman Pillai to whom I will be indebted forever There are many other advocates who stood by me and I am deeply thankful to them also Today is a moment of huge happiness for meâ said DileepWhen asked who the conspirators were Dileep said âItâs for you media to find out and you can do itâ said Dileep and closed the door of his car and drove awayEarlier in the day at around 930 am Dileep had reached Ernakulam along with his brother and another accused first stopping at his lawyerâs office before proceeding to courtAs directed by the court all 10 accused were present when the judgment was pronouncedThe court held that the prosecution had failed to establish the charge of criminal conspiracy beyond a reasonable doubt leading to the acquittal of Dileep and three others while the first six accused were all found guiltyThe case dates back to February 2017 when a prominent Malayalam actress was abducted and sexually assaulted in a moving vehicle while travelling to KochiThe crime had sent shockwaves across Kerala and ignited intense debate on womenâs safety and abuse of power in the Malayalam film industry While the prime accused remains convicted for the crime itself the alleged conspiracy angle against Dileep has now collapsed Womenâs rights organisations expressed disappointment over the verdict while the prosecution is expected to examine the judgement before deciding on a possible appealMeanwhile the victim in the case said at the moment she is not interested in giving any reactions while her close friend and one who stood by her all through dubbing artiste Bhagalekshmi said this was an expected verdict I had said the same four years back she added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/the-cooked-up-story-of-police-failed-actor-dileep-on-acquittal-in-kerala-actress-abduction-case-651931.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indigo-disruptions-flight-cancellations-leave-patna-passengers-stranded-railways-steps-in-651940.html Patna Dec 8 The ongoing IndiGo operational crisis continued to disrupt air travel from Patna Airport on Monday with multiple flights cancelled leaving passengers stranded for the seventh consecutive day On Sunday many travellers missed job interviews and important engagements while others were forced to wait at the airport for hours A total of 10 IndiGo flights to Chennai Bengaluru Delhi Ahmedabad Kolkata and other destinations were cancelledSeveral arrival and departure flights also experienced delays of up to 30 minutesAccording to airport officials five IndiGo flights scheduled to depart on Monday to cities including Delhi Bengaluru Chennai and Kolkata have also been cancelled Passengers affected by cancellations or delays are being contacted individuallyAs a result the footfall at IndiGo ticket counters on Sunday was noticeably lower than usual Many passengers claimed their flight tickets were renewed twice or thrice but they were unable to travel to their desired destinations due to cancellationsAirline officials have stated that operations are expected to return to normal by December 15 A help desk has also been set up at the airport and a dedicated helpline 9771449159 has been issued for travellersIn response to the ongoing disruption the East Central Railway has stepped in to assist stranded passengers A special train is being operated from Patna and an additional passenger coach has been attached to both the Sampoorna Kranti Express and the Tejas Rajdhani Express starting SundayDanapur Division Senior DCM Abhinav Siddhartha said that a special train from Patna to Anand Vihar Terminal has been arranged On Monday the 02309 PatnaAnand Vihar Terminal Special will depart Patna at 830 pm and reach Anand Vihar Terminal at 300 pm the following dayAdditionally an extra Third AC coach will be added to the Tejas Rajdhani and a Second AC coach to the Sampoorna Kranti Express increasing the number of coaches on both trains from 22 to 23 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indigo-disruptions-flight-cancellations-leave-patna-passengers-stranded-railways-steps-in-651940.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/such-people-should-be-admitted-to-mental-hospital-ktaka-dy-cm-on-sidhus-wifes-claim-of-rs-500-crore-for-cm-post-651947.html Bengaluru Dec 8 Responding to the statement of Navjot Kaur Sidhu wife of cricketerturnedpolitician Navjot Singh Sidhu that only those leaders paying Rs 500 crore can become Chief Minister in Punjab Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President DK Shivakumar stated that such people should be admitted to a good mental hospital He was responding to questions from the media near his residence in Bengaluru on MondayOn being asked about the remarks made by the wife of Navjot Singh Sidhu claiming that one needs to pay Rs 500 crore to become a chief minister in the Congress he said âLet us admit people who make such statements to a hospital A good mental hospitalâNavjot Kaur Sidhu alleged that only a politician offering a Rs 500 crore suitcase becomes Punjab CM sparking controversy She claimed her husband could transform Punjab if empowered but they lacked funds for party donations and stirred a huge controversy at the national levelWhen asked whether he would be travelling to Delhi around December 20 he responded âA global summit is being held in Hyderabad Our neighbouring state has invited us so I and a few officials will be going We will discuss the rest laterâHe further said that it is the central government that must provide answers to the problems of North Karnataka regionâA decision involving huge financial burden has been taken by our state government with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and I together intervening to protect sugarcane farmers and address the maize issue The Centre must answer for the problems of North Karnatakaâ Dy CM Shivakumar saidWhen asked whether the ongoing Belagavi session would provide solutions to the issues of North Karnataka he said âThe Centre has not uttered a word so far regarding the problems of sugarcane farmers or the maize issue BJP MPs have not raised their voice about any of the stateâs problemsFormer CM and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai keeps saying the state government should carry out procurement If so what is the Centreâs responsibility Who is supposed to take decisions It is the central government that fixes prices for everything Yet the Centre has not taken any decision on these matters so far Dy CM Shivakumar slammedWe are here to provide relief Doesnt the Centre have responsibility in this matter Why has Bommai not raised this issue in Parliament until now Why has he not met the Prime Minister and the Union Agriculture Minister to discuss itâ he questionedWhen asked about irrigation problems and the delay in implementing projects he said âNo one in the history of the Irrigation Department has done as much for irrigation projects as I did during my tenure I will not speak about this before the media Let the Opposition raise the issue during the session â I will respond thereâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/such-people-should-be-admitted-to-mental-hospital-ktaka-dy-cm-on-sidhus-wifes-claim-of-rs-500-crore-for-cm-post-651947.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/undertrial-pocso-accused-scales-wall-of-correctional-home-in-bengal-authorities-seek-report-651951.html Kolkata Dec 8 An undertrial inmate charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act escaped from a correctional home in West Bengalâs Hooghly district prompting the authorities to seek a report on the security lapse that allowed the incident to occur the police said on Monday The incident at the Serampore Subsidiary Correctional Home came to light on Sunday morning during a routine cell count by the prison guards After the incident the administration summoned a detailed report from the jail superintendent concerned officials said adding the police are planning to issue a lookout notice against the accusedSerampore Sub Divisional Officer Sombhudwip Sarkar said that a report has been sought from the jail superintendent of the Serampore SubCorrectional HomeA report has been sought from the jail superintendent of this subcorrectional facility On the basis of that an investigation has been started The authorities came to know that the accused had escaped from the correctional facility on Sunday The police are searching for him he saidDCP Serampore Arnab Biswas of the Chandannagar Police Commissionerate confirmed that a written complaint was received from the correctional home authorities on the basis of which an investigation has been launchedThe correctional facility authorities have lodged a written complaint with the Serampore police station and an investigation has begun on that basis A POCSO case filed at the Rishra police station was being heard in the Serampore court and the accused in that case was kept at the Serampore subâcorrectional centre If required a lookout notice will be issuedIt is learnt that the missing undertrial was present during the cell count on Saturday night an entry recorded in the daily report of the prison guardsHowever his cell was found empty during the subsequent count The warden immediately alerted the Chandannagar Police Commissionerate and the district administrationThe absconding accused has multiple previous complaints filed against him at the Rishra and Mogra police stations IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/undertrial-pocso-accused-scales-wall-of-correctional-home-in-bengal-authorities-seek-report-651951.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-was-protecting-indigo-instead-of-regulating-it-say-oppn-leaders-amid-flight-disruptions-651960.html New Delhi Dec 8 As widespread delays and cancellations cripple IndiGoâs operations across major airports Shiv Sena UBT MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Centre alleging that the government was protecting the airline instead of regulating it Her remarks come at a time when thousands of passengers are stranded across the country due to severe network disruptionsChaturvedi said âWho will explain the reasons The people who never gave you any reason will now try to explain why the norms were not being followed While other airlines complied why was IndiGo given exemption The entire government seems to be in IndiGoâs pocket and it has been proven that as soon as flights stopped taking off or were canceled they violated the existing norms and regulations I believe this has been going on for a long time Why did the Civil Aviation Ministry allow them to continue their arbitrary actions Why were the DGCA officials not held accountable Now only a show cause notice is being issuedââEchoing the criticism Trinamool MP Kirti Azad launched an even sharper attack on the airline saying âIndiGo is a thief airline They charge passengers for seats food water and soon they may even charge for using the toilet Two years ago it was known that pilots need rest for passenger safety if a pilot doesnât get the mandated 48hour rest accidents can happen But IndiGo ignored this law because it has become a moneymaking machineââThe government and DGCA should answer why this negligence was allowed IndiGo with a 64 per cent market share operates with impunity while other airlines like Tata are careful due to grounded planes IndiGo should be fined crores immediately Despite ticket caps of Rs 15000 they are charging Rs 50000â60000 The airline has no fear of the government and the government is acting like a business promoter instead of a regulatorâ she addedCongress MP Jebi Mather also expressed concern calling the situation a nationwide distress âThe IndiGo issue is such a disaster passengers across the country are finding it very difficult This situation should be resolved as soon as possibleââIndiGo Indiaâs largest carrier with over 60 per cent market share has been facing major operational breakdowns due to crew shortages flight duty time violations and alleged overscheduling despite staff fatigue concernsThe disruptions have led to mass cancellations and skyhigh spot fares on several routes The Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA has issued a showcause notice to the airline but Opposition leaders argue that regulatory action has been too little too late IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-was-protecting-indigo-instead-of-regulating-it-say-oppn-leaders-amid-flight-disruptions-651960.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/eam-jaishankar-holds-talks-with-eus-maros-sefcovic-hopes-for-productive-engagements-in-india-651970.html New Delhi Dec 8 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar met Maros Sefcovic European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security in New Delhi on Monday expressing hope that the visiting delegationâs engagements in India would be productive Taking to the social media platform X Jaishankar wrote in a post âA pleasure to meet European Trade amp Economic Security Commissioner Maros Sefcovic in New Delhi today Confident that the Commissioner and his team will have productive discussions in IndiaâLast month a joint statement issued following the 11th IndiaEuropean Union Foreign Policy and Security Consultations and the 6th Strategic Partnership Review Meeting in Brussels noted that India and the European Union look forward to constructive negotiations aiming at the timely and successful conclusion of a Security and Defence Partnership and a Security of Information AgreementThe meetings held on November 1819 assessed the full spectrum of the bilateral relationship and reviewed implementation of the IndiaâEU Strategic Partnership A Roadmap to 2025 which is reaching completion this yearAccording to the Joint Statement both sides welcomed the very positive momentum in EUâIndia relations including the landmark College of Commissioners visit to India in February the first EUâIndia Strategic Dialogue in Brussels held by HRVP Kaja Kallas and EAM Jaishankar in June and the EUs adoption of the Joint Communication on the Strategic Agenda on India in SeptemberThe two sides reaffirmed the shared ambition to conclude negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement by the end of this year and to accelerate negotiations on the Investment Protection Agreement and the Agreement on Geographical Indications They underlined the importance of cooperation at the multilateral level and of continued dialogue on economic issues including on supply chain diversification Both sides also noted the progress in the IndiaEU Trade and Technology Council TTC and looked forward to the next TTC Ministerial Meeting in Brussels in 2026 read the statementEarlier on October 29 EAM Jaishankar met a delegation of the European Parliamentâs Committee on International Trade in New Delhi discussing ways to maximise convergences and deepen cooperationSecretary West at the Ministry of External Affairs MEA Sibi George and other officials were also presentPleased to meet delegation of European Parliamentâs Committee on International Trade INTA today in Delhi Discussed how India and the European Union can maximise convergences and deepen cooperation This can stabilise the global economy and strengthen democratic forces The early conclusion of the IndiaEU FTA can make a big difference to these objectives EAM Jaishankar then posted on X after his meeting with the EU delegation IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/eam-jaishankar-holds-talks-with-eus-maros-sefcovic-hopes-for-productive-engagements-in-india-651970.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/state-govt-tables-bill-to-amend-maharashtra-public-trusts-act-to-standardise-administration-651973.html Nagpur Dec 8 The state government on Monday tabled the Bill to amend the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act with an aim to standardise trust administration reduce litigation and ensure periodic oversight and accountability among trust Board members According to the Bill a new section 30A will be inserted for appointment of tenure trustees and perpetual trustees where the instrument of trusts does not contain any specific provisionThe existing definition of âtrusteeâ contained in Section 218 of the said Bill was proposed to be amended with the purpose of specifying the types of trustees based upon their period of appointment Tenure trustees and perpetual trustees thereinAccording to the Bill the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act was enacted to regulate and make provisions for the administration of public religious and charitable trusts in the stateâIt was noticed that in various instruments of trusts there was no clarity about appointment of perpetual or permanent trustees and their tenure which led to multiple litigations before the Charity Commissioner and the court This affected the working of the trusts welfare of beneficiaries and the publicâ said the BillThe Bill mandates that the number of perpetual trustees those appointed for life in any public trust cannot exceed 25 per cent of the total strength of the Board of TrusteesIf the trust deed does not specify a term for the appointment of a trustee they will now be considered a tenure trustee usually for a period of up to five yearsThe Bill proposes amendment to subsection 6 of Section 18 of the Act whereby an application for registration of trusts must be accompanied by a copy of the document showing ownership or interest in the immovable property of the trusts This would prevent any false claim being made over any property as the trust property while registering the trustThe Bill has proposed an amendment to increase the penalties for violation of certain provisions of the Act such as those related to the unauthorised sale or lease of immovable property and the failure to reserve hospital beds for indigent patientsIt made it mandatory to submit proof of ownership or interest in any immovable property listed under a public trust during the registration processAccording to the Bill public trusts including major temples and charities are now permitted to invest up to 50 per cent of their total corpus in specified marketlinked securities without needing casebycase approval from the Charity Commissioner IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/state-govt-tables-bill-to-amend-maharashtra-public-trusts-act-to-standardise-administration-651973.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-issues-notice-on-plea-challenging-cm-siddaramaiahs-election-from-karnatakas-varuna-651976.html New Delhi Dec 8 The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine a plea challenging the election of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah from the stateâs Varuna Assembly constituency A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep issued notice to Siddaramaiah on a special leave petition SLP challenging the Karnataka High Courtâs April 22 decision which had dismissed a voterâs election petition on the grounds of âwant of cause of actionâ as well as âbeing barred by lawâA singlejudge Bench of Justice S Sunil Dutt Yadav of the Karnataka HC had termed the pleadings as âvagueâ âcasually draftedâ and largely a âreplicationâ of earlier petitionsâThe plaint is liable to be rejected both on the ground of âwant of cause of actionâ as well as being barred by lawâ Justice Yadav saidThe petition filed by a voter from the Varuna constituency claimed that the Congress partyâs five poll guarantees constituted bribery and undue influence under Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act RP ActIt alleged Siddaramaiah as the partyâs candidate was jointly responsible for these promises since his photograph appeared on the manifesto and he purportedly distributed âguarantee cardsâAllowing the application filed by Siddaramaiah under Order VII Rule 11 of the CPC the Karnataka High Court held that the petition lacked material facts disclosed no cause of action and was barred by lawReferring to the Supreme Courtâs judgment in the S Subramaniam Balaji case it reiterated that manifesto promises by a political party cannot constitute a corrupt practice by an individual candidateJustice Yadav also dismissed the plea that the election result was materially affected due to alleged violations of the Constitution and Model Code of ConductâThere is no averment in the petition as to how the aforesaid âGuaranteesâ have materially affected the result of the electionâ the order had statedIt may be recalled that three other identical petitions have already been dismissed by coordinate benches of the Karnataka High Court IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-issues-notice-on-plea-challenging-cm-siddaramaiahs-election-from-karnatakas-varuna-651976.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/realtor-with-criminal-history-murdered-in-hyderabad-651977.html Hyderabad Dec 8 A realtor who had a criminal history was brutally murdered by unidentified persons in Malkajgiri area of Hyderabad on Monday Venkatratnam who was on his motorbike was attacked by assailants near Foster Billabong School in Saket Colony under the limits of Jawahar Nagar Police StationThe assailants stabbed the victim and also shot him resulting in his death on the spotThe killing in broad daylight shocked residents Police rushed to the spot and shifted the body for postmortem examinationPolice recovered a sharpedged weapon from the spotA case of murder has been registered at Jawahar Nagar Police Station of Rachakonda Commissionerate Police were trying to identify the assailants through the CCTV footage around the areaThe assailants in a vehicle chased Venkatratnam before opening fire on him They later hacked him to deathVenkatratnam is said to be a history sheeter of Dhoolpet area of the city He was an accused in a double murder casePolice suspect that Venkatratnamâs murder could be an act of revenge by the family members of the victims in the double murder caseThis is the second murder in the city in less than a week On the night of December 4 a 28yearold man was killed in a similar manner at Rein Bazar in old cityJunaid Bin Mohammad Baharmoos was going on a motorcycle when two persons waylaid and attacked him with sharp edged weapons leading to serious injuries Junaid a resident of Yakutpura was rushed to a private hospital at Malakpet where he died while undergoing treatmentPolice launched a hunt for five accused in the case Two of them were identified as Ali Bin Hamza and Omar Bin Hamza sons of Hamza Bin Omer alias Zafar Pahelwan a history sheeterJunaid was allegedly murdered after a fight between two groups over a property dispute IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/realtor-with-criminal-history-murdered-in-hyderabad-651977.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-launches-mission-watershed-punarutthan-in-nagaland-to-revive-waterbodies-651978.html New Delhi Dec 8 The government launched the StateâLevel Watershed Mahotsav 2025 and Mission Watershed PUNARUTTHAN at Naga Solidarity Park in Kohima to revive traditional water bodies restore degraded lands and strengthen waterâharvesting systems an official statement said on Monday The mission aims to achieve these objectives ensuring sustainable livelihoods through community participation and convergence with schemes such as MGNREGA the statement from the Ministry of Rural Development saidLaunching the mission MoS for Rural Development and Communications Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar said âwater security is national securityâ adding that the future belongs to those who preserve their natural foundationsâNagaland with its rich ecological and cultural heritage stands at the forefront of communityled watershed management The restoration of springs renovation of water harvesting structures and rejuvenation of land resources here is not just an environmental effort it is a lifeline for future generationsâ the minister saidKey achievements under PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana PMKSY and watershed development in Nagaland include 14 watershed projects approved Rs 140 crore sanctioned of which Rs 80 crore has been released 555 waterâharvesting structures renovated over 6500 farmers benefitted and 120 springs restored the statement notedThe program marks a major milestone in the governments commitment to transforming waterstressed regions into watersecure climateresilient landscapes in line with the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has consistently placed the North Eastern States at the centre of Indiaâs development journey the statement saidChandra Sekhar noted North Eastern States receive 90 per cent central assistance compared with the usual 6040 CentreâState ratio the statement addedHe emphasised that India holds only 4 per cent of the worldâs renewable freshwater but hosts 18 per cent of the global populationWith current per capita water availability already below the waterstress benchmark initiatives such as the PMKSY and watershed programmes have proven transformational â increasing farmersâ incomes boosting groundwater levels and enabling multiple crop cycles the statement noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-launches-mission-watershed-punarutthan-in-nagaland-to-revive-waterbodies-651978.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indigo-cancels-112-flights-at-hyderabad-airport-passengers-continue-to-suffer-651980.html Hyderabad Dec 8 Passengers at Hyderabadâs Rajiv Gandhi International Airport RGIA continue to have a harrowing time as IndiGo cancelled 112 flights on Monday For the seventh consecutive day the airlineâs services remained disrupted The cancellations on Monday include 58 arrivals and 54 departuresWith no signs of normalcy returning to IndiGoâs operations at RGIA thousands of passengers continue to suffer For the fifth consecutive day the number of cancellations was over 100 More than 600 flights have been cancelled at RGIA since December 2As many as 126 flights were cancelled on Sunday December 7 The highest number of flights 155 was cancelled on December 5 while 144 flights were cancelled on December 6Hundreds of passengers remained stranded due to cancellations Angry passengers were seen making enquiriesThe Central Industrial Security Force CISF stepped up security at the airport as a precautionary measure to prevent any untoward incidentThe cancellations on key domestic routes severely disrupted the travel plans of the passengers for the seventh consecutive day Cancellation of departures and arrivals on key domestic routes like Delhi Bengaluru Chennai Kolkata Visakhapatnam Goa Madurai and Bhubaneswar severely inconvenienced passengersIndiGo on Sunday announced that it resumed operations at 137 of its 138 destinations The airline said it was on track to operate 1650 flights for the day compared to 1500 flights on December 6 It also stated that its ontime performance had risen from 30 per cent on December 6 to 75 per cent on December 7The airline also announced a full waiver on cancellations and rescheduling requests for bookings till December 15IndiGo has attributed the crisis to the new Flight Duty Time Limit FDTL norms These rules implemented in two phases from July and November increase weekly rest to 48 hours extend nightduty definitions and cap night landings at two The norms were rolled out following the Delhi High Court ordersOn a request by IndiGo the aviation regulator DGCA granted temporary relaxations until February 10 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indigo-cancels-112-flights-at-hyderabad-airport-passengers-continue-to-suffer-651980.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/top-us-official-begins-india-visit-set-to-hold-foreign-office-consultations-with-fs-misri-651981.html Washington Dec 8 US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker has arrived in India for an official visit during which she is scheduled to meet senior Indian officials to discuss regional security economic cooperation and shared priorities in the IndoPacific including through the Foreign Office Consultations with Foreign Secretary FS Vikram Misri The US Embassy in India noted that Hookers visit to India will help advance US President Donald Trumps priorities for a strong USIndia partnership and a free and open IndoPacificThe US Mission is pleased to welcome US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker to India As we continue to press forward in the USIndia relationship on a number of issues critical to our economic and national security the Under Secretaryâs visit will help advance US President priorities for a strong USIndia partnership and a free and open IndoPacific the US Embassy in India posted on XApart from New Delhi Hooker will also travel to Bengaluru where she will visit the Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO and meet leaders from Indias dynamic space energy and technology sectors to promote innovation in USIndia research partnerships and to explore opportunities for expanded cooperation according to the statement released by the US Embassy and Consulates in IndiaIn a statement the US Embassy in India stated Under Secretary Hookers visit will focus on advancing the USIndia strategic partnership deepening economic and commercial ties including increasing American exports and fostering collaboration in emerging technologies including artificial intelligence and space explorationLast week India and the United States reviewed a wide range of traditional and emerging threats and challenges such as terrorist recruitment abuse of technology for terrorist purposes and financing of terrorism during the 21st Meeting of the IndiaUS Joint Working Group JWG on Counter Terrorism CT and the 7th Designations Dialogue held in New DelhiBoth sides unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including crossborder terrorism They expressed concern over the increasing use of unmanned aerial vehicles UAVs drones and AI for terrorist purposesThey strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam Jammu and Kashmir on April 22 and the recent heinous terror incident near the Red Fort New Delhi on November 10 2025 and stressed that those responsible for terrorism should be held accountable read the Joint Statement issued after the meetingsParticipants from India and the United States discussed strengthening law enforcement and judicial cooperation including through information sharing and cooperation on mutual legal assistance requests Both sides also discussed ways to strengthen cooperation against challenges including through training cybersecurity exchange of best practices and information sharing through continued bilateral and multilateral effortsAccording to the MEA both sides emphasised that confronting terrorism requires concerted action in a sustained and comprehensive manner Against this backdrop the two sides renewed their commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation in the field of countering terrorism including in the UN Quad and the Financial Action Task Force FATFThe two sides had called for additional designations of ISIS and alQaida affiliates and LashkareTaiba LeT and JaisheMohammad JeM and their proxy groups supporters sponsors financiers and backers under the UN 1267 sanctions regime ensuring their members face a global asset freeze travel ban and arms embargo IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/top-us-official-begins-india-visit-set-to-hold-foreign-office-consultations-with-fs-misri-651981.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/crypto-frauds-ed-attaches-proceeds-of-crime-worth-rs-4-189-crore-arrest-29-people-651982.html New Delhi Dec 8 The Enforcement Directorate ED has investigated several cryptorelated cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering PMLA attaching seizing and freezing proceeds of crime worth Rs 418989 crore arresting 29 people and filing 22 prosecution complaints while one accused has been declared a fugitive economic offender the Parliament was informed on Monday The government has brought virtual digital assets VDAs under the PMLA 2002 making virtual asset service providers VASPs reporting entities and required to submit specified and suspicious transaction reports to FIUIND These reports are analysed and shared with law enforcement agencies for further action Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary informed the Lok SabhaâOne accused has been declared a Fugitive Economic Offender The Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act 1988 and the Black Money Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets and Imposition of Tax Act 2015 apply to all assets including VDAsâ the minister addedMoreover cases of tax evasion linked to crypto currency and VDAs have been detected by the Central Board of Direct Taxes CBDT on multiple occasions and the Income Tax Department takes action as per the Income Tax Act 1961âDuring search and seizure operations undisclosed income from VDA transactions of Rs 88882 crore has been identified Under the CBDTâs NUDGE NonIntrusive Usage of Data to Guide and Enable campaign 44057 communications have been sent to taxpayers who invested or traded in VDAs but did not report these in Schedule VDA of their Income Tax Returns ITRsâ Chaudhary notedData analytics tools project insight and internal databases are used to match information on VDA transactions with disclosures in ITRs TDS returns filed by Virtual Asset Service Providers VASPs and taxpayersâ ITRs are also analysed to identify discrepancies and take appropriate actionThe government is also undertaking capacitybuilding initiatives to strengthen monitoring and investigation of VDArelated transactionsâTraining programmes workshops âChintan Shivirsâ and sessions on digital forensics blockchain analysis legal frameworks and digital evidence are regularly conducted Officers also receive specialised shortterm training in digital forensics through NFSU Goa to help identify and trace VDAlinked transactions from captured dataâ said the minister IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/crypto-frauds-ed-attaches-proceeds-of-crime-worth-rs-4-189-crore-arrest-29-people-651982.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sir-in-west-bengal-woman-blo-accused-of-giving-proxy-of-blo-related-to-her-651984.html Kolkata Dec 8 The first phase of Special Intensive Revision SIR of West Bengals electoral rolls is almost over However the controversy regarding Booth Level Officers BLO is refusing to die down This time a BLO has been accused of giving proxy of another BLO who is related to her The incident has taken place in Baruipur area of South 24 Parganas districtA source in the state administration said on Monday that anganwadi worker Debi Haldar was assigned as the BLO of booth number 94 on December 4 replacing the previous BLO Soma Sen against whom complaints were raised by local peopleHowever it was found out that Debi Haldar is physically ill and had sent a letter to the district administration to relieve her from BLO dutyBut in reality a different scenario unfolded Rama Haldar who is the BLO of booth number 96 began working in booth number 94 as well instead of Debi Haldar who is her sisterinlawFollowing the development questions have been raised whether a BLO can give proxy of another BLO and in a different booth Along with this the role of the Baruipur Block Administration is also under scrutinySpeaking to a section of media persons accused BLO Rama Haldar said A complaint was filed in the name of Soma Sen who was the original BLO of booth number 94 Then she was replaced The block administration said from now the work should be completed by Debi Haldar and an appointment letter was given to her Actually Debi is sick so I worked for her as the main priority was to finish the work in the given timeAs soon as the development came to the fore an official of the district administration said We have heard about the matter The administration will look into the matter If any irregularities are found then steps would be taken accordinglyIt may be noted that the Election Commission has extended the deadline for electors to submit enumeration forms in nine states and three Union Territories from December 7 to December 14 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sir-in-west-bengal-woman-blo-accused-of-giving-proxy-of-blo-related-to-her-651984.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/actor-dileep-gets-heroic-welcome-at-home-after-acquittal-state-moves-to-challenge-verdict-651985.html Aluva Kerala Dec 8 A massive crowd gathered outside Malayalam actor Dileepâs residence âPadmasarovaramâ on Monday to give him a rousing reception hours after his acquittal in the 2017 actress abduction and sexual assault case Dileep reached home around 115 pm but it took him several minutes to make his way through the sea of supporters who had lined up along the road and inside the compoundInside the house emotional scenes unfolded as his daughter Mahalakshmi rushed forward to hug him followed by his wife Kavya Madhavan his sister and other close relatives and friendsOutside supporters celebrated by distributing laddoos amid heightened security arrangements in the areaEven as celebrations continued the Kerala Government announced its decision to appeal against the acquittal Law Minister P Rajeeve said the State has decided to challenge the verdict âWe have always stood with the victim and hence we will go for the appealâ he saidEarlier in the day the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court acquitted Dileep and three others holding that the prosecution had failed to establish the charge of criminal conspiracy beyond a reasonable doubt The first six accused were found guilty in the case All 10 accused were present in the court as directed during the pronouncement of the judgmentDileep escorted out of the courtroom by a large team of lawyers waved and smiled at supporters He launched a sharp attack on the investigation alleging he had been framed launching a sharp attack on the investigationâIn the court the cookedup story of the police failedâ he said adding âThe police took the prime accused and a few others into confidence and created a story to destroy my futureâHe alleged that the conspiracy was hatched by his former wife and was aided by a senior police official and a section of the media He also expressed deep gratitude to his counsel Raman Pillai and the legal teamAdding a sharp political reaction Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee President Sunny Joseph termed the verdict âunsatisfactoryâ stating that the failure to prove the conspiracy was a lapse of both the police investigation and the prosecutionThe case dates back to February 17 2017 when a prominent Malayalam actress was abducted and sexually assaulted in a moving vehicle while travelling to Kochi a crime that shocked Kerala and triggered an intense debate on womenâs safety and abuse of power in the film industryThe survivor has chosen not to react at this stage while womenâs rights groups have expressed disappointment as the legal battle now appears poised to enter a new phase IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/actor-dileep-gets-heroic-welcome-at-home-after-acquittal-state-moves-to-challenge-verdict-651985.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bjp-wants-to-own-everything-akhilesh-yadav-in-ls-during-vande-mataram-debate-651987.html New Delhi Dec 8 Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday accused the BJP of trying to âown everything and claiming exclusive nationalism which was in fact âRashtravivadi antinationalâ In his address during a special session of the Lok Sabha to commemorate 150 years of âVande Mataramâ he said the national song belongs to every Indian and cannot be politicised Yadav said âWhen in Kolkata Congress leaders and Rabindranath Tagore sang this it reached the common people and when people fought against the British the slogan of Vande Mataram played a major role in uniting themâHe added âWhen the British got panicked by this slogan they used to put people in prison under antinational cases From 1905 to 1908 Vande Mataram was banned by the British but they were not able to stop our revolution and our freedom fighters kept taking it forwardâTargeting the ruling BJP Yadav said âThe ruling party in our nation wants to own everything The things they do not have they want to own When the organisation was being formed and the chairman who was chosen there was debate on whether the BJP would go on the secular path the socialist path or not The chairman appointed at that time chose the secular and socialist path On his stage using Jaiprakash Jiâs picture they tried to spread that they would follow his footstepsâUrging that Vande Mataram must be understood beyond symbolism he saidâVande Mataram is not just to sing but to act as well The Vande Mataram which connected everyone in the independence movement today some people are trying to break the nation they are still trying to do so Vande Mataram is not a political subject or something to show off but these BJP leaders act like itâs a song made by the BJP People who did not take part in the independence movement how will they know the value of Vande MataramâIn one of his strongest lines Yadav said âThey are not âRashtravadiâ nationalist they are âRashtravivadiâ antinational Back then the British used to divide and rule today also some people are accepting that path of divide and ruleâContinuing his criticism he added âThe truth is that only a few people truly recited Vande Mataram from the heart Some even worked as spies and informers for the British against those freedom fighters Vande Mataram is not for fake politicsâYadav also accused the BJP of trying to appropriate icons âOur party ended communal politics from where the BJP started it They started putting Ambedkarâs picture in their election meetings after facing losses from the SPâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bjp-wants-to-own-everything-akhilesh-yadav-in-ls-during-vande-mataram-debate-651987.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bjd-chief-patnaik-blasts-odisha-govt-over-female-college-students-death-cites-inaction-on-prior-threats-651989.html Bhubaneswar Dec 8 Biju Janata Dal BJD President and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday expressed deep shock and anger over the tragic death of a female college student who was set ablaze in Lanjibenda Rajgangpur questioning the state governmentâs response to the crime The victim identified as a local college student succumbed to severe burns after being attacked triggering widespread outrage across the stateIn a social media post Patnaik described the incident as extremely heartbreaking and offered his condolences to the bereaved family while also raising serious concerns regarding the governments alleged inactionThe victimâs family had reportedly informed authorities about prior threats to her life Despite this no effective steps were taken to prevent the tragedy the former Chief Minister said directly attributing the failure to the governmentHe further questioned the ruling dispensations handling of the law and order situation asking How many more innocent lives will be lost before concrete action is taken to curb such crimesPatnaik alleged that the governments indifference toward the rising incidents of violence in the state is emboldening criminals The students death marks another serious lapse recalling similar fatal incidents involving students in Odisha in the recent past that highlighted systemic failures in securitySaying that the Rajgangpur case underlined the need for stronger vigilance the BJD president asserted that people are increasingly feeling unsafe while offenders roam freely and urged the state government to take immediate and stringent action against the accusedHe urged the administration to act firmly and decisively to restore law and order and enhance public safety throughout OdishaThe latest incident adds to a growing number of crimes against women reported across Odisha in the past few monthsIn August a schoolgirl in Balangir district was found dead under suspicious circumstances after she had complained of stalkingIn another case in May a nursing student in Jajpur was assaulted near her hostel leading to statewide protests Womenâs groups have said that these cases reflect a widening gap in preventive policing and delayed response to early warnings IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bjd-chief-patnaik-blasts-odisha-govt-over-female-college-students-death-cites-inaction-on-prior-threats-651989.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/over-8-crore-job-vacancies-mobilised-via-ncs-portal-mansukh-mandaviya-651991.html New Delhi Dec 8 Minister for Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya informed Parliament on Monday that 817 crore vacancies have been mobilised for all the jobseekers including women SCST and EWS on the governmentâs National Career Service NCS portal till November 20 this year In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha the minister also stated that as on November 20 more than 602 crore jobseekers including women SCST and EWS categories and more than 5427 lakh employers are registered on NCS portal since inceptionHe explained that the Ministry of Labour and Employment is running the NCS portal which is a onestop solution for providing career related services including jobs from private and government sectors information on online and offline job fairs job search and matching career counselling vocational guidance information on skill development courses and training programmes through a digital platformHe further stated that the NCS project also envisaged setting up of Model Career Centres MCCs in collaboration with states and institutions to deliver employment services The government has approved 407 Model Career Centres till dateMandaviya had recently cited the World Economic Forumâs âThe Future of Jobs Report 2025â to highlight that Indiaâs unemployment rate is 2 per cent which is the lowest among G20 nationsHe said that employment generation has taken place across sectors in tandem with Indiaâs rapid economic growth and underlined the enabling government schemes that have contributed towards the sameOver the past year the ministry has signed MoUs with ten key organisations including Amazon and Swiggy These partnerships have already mobilised nearly five lakh vacancies the minister addedHighlighting the governmentâs renewed focus on youth Mandaviya recalled that at the very start of its third term Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a package of five flagship schemes with a total budget of Rs 2 lakh crore to support employment skilling and opportunities for 41 crore youthA key highlight of this package is the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana PMVBRY with an allocation of Rs 99446 crore aimed at incentivising the creation of over 35 crore jobs in two years of which 192 crore will benefit firsttime entrants to the workforce IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/over-8-crore-job-vacancies-mobilised-via-ncs-portal-mansukh-mandaviya-651991.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/chinese-national-detained-for-visiting-jampk-ladakh-without-permission-651995.html Srinagar Dec 8 A Chinese national visiting JampK and Ladakh without permission has been detained by authorities officials said Hu Congtai 29 arrived in Delhi on November 19 on a tourist visa which permitted him to visit Buddhist religious places in Varanasi Agra New Delhi Jaipur Sarnath Gaya and Kushinagar according to officialsâHowever leveraging his resemblance to locals he boarded a flight to Leh on November 20 and did not register at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office counter located at the Leh airport During his stay he toured the Zanskar region for three days and visited places of importance in the Himalayan town before landing in Srinagar on December 1 the official saidâA search of his phone history showed that he was looking for the deployment of the CRPF in the Kashmir Valley the official said adding that he had arranged for an Indian SIM card from the open marketAs per officials Hu who stayed in an unregistered guest house in Srinagar went to a Buddhist religious place at Harwan a place where an encounter had left one LashkareTaiba terrorist dead last yearâHe had also visited Awantipur ruins in South Kashmir which is located near Victor Force headquarters of the army in South Kashmir During his stay he had also visited different areas of Srinagar including Shankracharya hills Hazratbal and Mughal Garden along the Dal Lake His phone history showed searches related to CRPF deployments and Article 370 of the Constitution which was abrogated in August 2019 the official saidâHu has completed his graduation in Physics from Boston University and has claimed that he likes to travel His passport shows that he has visited various countries including the US New Zealand Brazil and Fiji and Hong Kong the official added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/chinese-national-detained-for-visiting-jampk-ladakh-without-permission-651995.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/speculation-grows-over-nishant-kumars-possible-political-entry-as-posters-appear-in-patna-651996.html Patna Dec 8 Chief Minister Nitish Kumarâs family has traditionally stayed away from active politics in Bihar His son Nishant Kumar has shown no interest in political activities or in joining his fatherâs party JDU while Nitish Kumar himself has repeatedly stated that he does not wish to push his son into politics However political circles in Bihar are now abuzz with new speculation following a surprising development in Patna Posters featuring Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his son Nishant have surfaced on several streets and outside the JDU officeThe posters read âNitish ka sevakâ Nishant ki mangâ Ab party ki command sambhalen Nishant Bhai Nitishâs followers demand Nishantâ Now Nishant Bhai should take charge of the partyThese posters congratulating Nitish Kumar on being sworn in as Chief Minister for a historic 10th time claim that Nishant is the future leader of the JDUTheir sudden appearance has triggered discussions among party workers and the public about whether Nishant Kumar is preparing to step into active politicsWithin the JDU questions are being raised about whether Nitish Kumar is now considering introducing his son into politics and whether this could mark a major shift for the partyâs futurePolitical observers say that Nishantâs entry could reshape not only the internal dynamics of the JDU but also the broader political landscape of BiharAlthough there is still no clarity on whether or when Nishant Kumar will join politics many believe that if he follows in his fatherâs footsteps and works for the people he may carve out his own space in Biharâs political arenaAdding fuel to the ongoing speculation JDU National Executive President Sanjay Kumar Jha made a notable statement on December 5Speaking to the media he said that party workers supporters and wellwishers want Nishant to join the party and contribute to its work However he emphasised that the decision ultimately lies with Nishant Kumar himself IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/speculation-grows-over-nishant-kumars-possible-political-entry-as-posters-appear-in-patna-651996.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/humayun-kabirs-seat-to-be-shifted-in-bengal-assembly-may-sit-next-to-partha-chatterjee-651998.html Kolkata Dec 8 Bharatpur MLA Humayun Kabir is likely to have his seat changed in the West Bengal Assembly after the Trinamool Congress suspended him from the party a senior party official said on Monday He was suspended following his controversial decision to go ahead with laying the foundation stone for a Babri Masjidstyle mosque in MurshidabadTMC Chief Whip in the state Assembly Nirmal Ghosh said the party was âkeeping an eye on the matterâ and it would be decided soonWe are keeping an eye on the matter A decision will be made on the seating arrangements of the suspended MLAs including Kabir in the Assembly in the next few days he saidKabir who had been suspended for six years over antiparty activities announced on Sunday that he would remain a Trinamool MLA retracting his earlier threat to resign from the partyThe Trinamool Parliamentary Party decided to shift Kabirâs seat ahead of the upcoming winter and interim budget sessions Party insiders suggested the move is intended to maintain a safe distance from the rebel MLA who may attempt to embarrass the party during the sessions as the current Assembly term nears its endKabir had recently expressed his intention to attend the Assembly session following his release from judicial custodySources indicated that Kabir might be seated next to another suspended TMC MLA Partha Chatterjee who was suspended in 2022 following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the school service commission recruitment corruption case Chatterjee the former Trinamool General Secretary had recently expressed his desire to attend the Assembly session after being released from judicial custodyIt may be noted that a few months remain before the current Assembly term concludes In addition to the winter session an interim budget session is scheduled after which the Assembly will be dissolved ahead of next yearâs pollsLast week Kabir was suspended from the TMC after he went ahead with laying the foundation stone of a Babri Masjidstyle mosque in Beldanga Murshidabad district defying the partyâs directives The event held on Saturday caused further complications for the party leadership particularly Mamata Banerjee IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/humayun-kabirs-seat-to-be-shifted-in-bengal-assembly-may-sit-next-to-partha-chatterjee-651998.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-fme-scheme-helps-youth-launch-spice-brand-generate-local-jobs-651777.html Hazaribagh Dec 6 Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and âVocal for Localâ is changing the lives of millions across the country By taking advantage of government schemes young Indians are not only securing a better future for themselves but also creating employment opportunities for others Saurabh Kumar from Hazaribagh Jharkhand is one such inspiring exampleSaurabh once prepared for government examinations and even cleared several of them However he carried a deeper aspiration to build something of his own and provide others with the opportunity for a better lifeWith this goal in mind Saurabh decided to utilise the PMFME Prime Minister Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises scheme which offers financial and technical support to small food processing units Guided by the Industry Department he applied for the scheme and was approved Soon after he set up a spice processing plant at Indrapuri Chowk in Hazaribagh and launched his own spice brand âApna ZaaykaâSpeaking to IANS Saurabh explains that his decision to enter the spice business had a clear purpose He had often read and observed the prevalence of adulterated spices in the market He wanted to provide pure hygienic and locally produced spices to the people of his region Today âApna Zaaykaâ has earned a strong reputation in HazaribaghThe establishment of the plant not only increased Saurabhâs own income but also created employment for nearly a dozen people The PMFME schemeâs One District One Product ODOP component is giving local entrepreneurs a new direction and young people like Saurabh are strengthening this initiative on the groundResidents praise Saurabhâs efforts saying that by benefiting from the Prime Ministerâs scheme he has improved not only his own future but also brought stability to several households that now depend on the jobs he providesPrime Minister Narendra Modi often speaks of selfreliance youth entrepreneurship and promoting local products Saurabh Kumarâs journey is a practical example of that vision taking shape at the grassroots level IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-fme-scheme-helps-youth-launch-spice-brand-generate-local-jobs-651777.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 06:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/hanuman-beniwal-slams-rajasthan-govt-over-law-and-order-situation-651778.html Jaipur Dec 6 Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal has sharply criticised the Rajasthan government expressing serious concern over the stateâs deteriorating law and order situation Speaking in Jodhpur Beniwal alleged that drug trafficking gang wars and administrative disorder are escalating unchecked while the government continues to take Uturns on its promisesAccording to Beniwal the situation has become so alarming that even Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has reportedly received threats five times âIf the Chief Minister himself is unsafe what can the common man expectâ he asked accusing the police system of failing and claiming that many officers are working without accountability Beniwal questioned the internal power structure of the government stating that there is widespread confusion about who is actually in controlHe further accused the BJP government of backtracking on major issues including paper leak cases and RPSC recruitment reforms In a scathing remark Beniwal said there is no difference between the functioning of the BJP and Congress in RajasthanHe alleged that individuals once associated with former CM Ashok Gehlot and accused of involvement in the phonetapping controversy are now close to the current government and occupying influential roles Those who tapped our phones and were once close to former CM Ashok Gehlot are now near to CM Bhajan Lal Sharma he saidBeniwal also targeted IndiGo Airlines claiming ongoing uncertainty regarding the companyâs flight operations in Rajasthan He accused the airline of openly challenging the state administration âIf a private airline can defy the government during an active Parliament session it signals a serious failure of governanceâ he said demanding strict action against the carrier IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/hanuman-beniwal-slams-rajasthan-govt-over-law-and-order-situation-651778.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 06:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jaipur-gears-up-for-pravasi-rajasthani-divas-with-over-8-700-registrations-651779.html Jaipur Dec 6 The preparations for the upcoming Pravasi Rajasthani Divas being organised on the initiative of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma are now in their final stage Ahead of the event scheduled for 10 December greenery decorations and cleanliness drives are being carried out across the state capital JaipurRajasthan is fully prepared to welcome its guests and there is tremendous enthusiasm among NonResident Rajasthanis and industrialists arriving from India and abroad So far more than 8700 people have registered for the programmeChief Secretary V Srinivas and Shikhar Agarwal Additional Chief Secretary ACS Industries amp Commerce Department inspected the preparations at the venue JECC Sitapura During the visit they reviewed the main ceremony area halls designated for the sectoral sessions and the âProgress Pathâ being developed to showcase the achievements of the state government The Chief Secretary directed officials to complete all remaining work within the next 48 hours He said that preparations for this historic event are being carried out in accordance with the Chief Ministerâs visionThe Chief Minister is continuously reviewing the progress and also interacting with NonResident Rajasthanis to personally invite them Shikhar Agrawal Additional Chief Secretary Industries Department Government of Rajasthan stated that the primary objective of the event is to reconnect NonResident Rajasthanis with their roots and ensure their participation in the stateâs development A new policy has also been formulated to address challenges faced in this process Suresh Kumar Ola Commissioner Bureau of Investment Promotion BIP informed that as per the Chief Ministerâs directions the venue has been designed to reflect Rajasthanâs culture and heritage so that NonResident Rajasthanis feel a sense of belonging and take back fond memories Given the possibility that guests attending the event may wish to explore Jaipurâs tourist attractions extensive arrangements have been madeThe Archaeology and Museum Department has appointed nodal officers at protected monuments for the convenience of visitors Additionally the Forest Department has appointed nodal officers to provide information on forest and wildlife tourism areas During the Pravasi Rajasthani Conclave at last yearâs Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma had announced that 10 December would be celebrated each year as Pravasi Rajasthani Divas In continuation of this announcement the first Pravasi Rajasthani Divas is being organised on 10 DecemberThe event aims to bring together the Rajasthani diaspora and strengthen their connection with their roots Anandi JDA Commissioner Shivangi Swarnkar MD RIICO Manisha Arora Commissioner Rajasthan Foundation Gaurav Saini Commissioner Municipal Corporation and Jugal Kishore Meena Additional Commissioner BIP and other senior officials were also present during the visit IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jaipur-gears-up-for-pravasi-rajasthani-divas-with-over-8-700-registrations-651779.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 06:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/trinamool-isf-workers-clash-in-bengals-bhangar-shots-fired-651781.html Kolkata Dec 6 A clash broke out between workers of Trinamool Congress and Indian Secular Front ISF at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district leaving several people injured According to the police shots were also fired However no one sustained any bullet injuries Trinamool Congress claimed that ISF workers attacked their leaders in Kathalia of Uttar Kashipur police station area in Bhangar However ISF leaders have denied the allegations The police are investigating the incident A huge contingent of policemen has been deployed in the area to bring the situation under controlIt is learnt that a public meeting of Trinamool Chhatra Parishad TMCP the students wing of Trinamool Congress â has been organised in Sonarpur area on Sunday On Saturday Bhogali1 region Trinamool president Alinur Mollah and several local Trinamool leaders were going from Kathalia to Sonarpur to check its preparations Allegedly at that time ISF workers and supporters gathered and chased them It is alleged that then shots were firedTrinamool Congress claimed that the accused fled before the police of Uttar Kashipur police station reached the spot after receiving information about the disturbance Later Trinamool workers and supporters gathered there The situation started getting tense and tensed Finally the police went there and removed supporters of both parties However Trinamool Congress demanded an investigation into the entire incidentWe were going for a studentyouth rally At that moment miscreants sheltered by ISF attacked us There are cases against them in several police stations Everyone had weapons in their hands They fired a round of bullets We quickly informed the administration We have also informed the local MLA We will call for a movement until they are arrested said the Trinamool leaderOn the other hand ISF leader Ahidul Islam termed the entire incident as a drama This is completely a baseless and totally baseless allegation They themselves created trouble They have become agitated because they have lost ground in Bhangar said the ISF leader IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/trinamool-isf-workers-clash-in-bengals-bhangar-shots-fired-651781.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 07:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-stalin-to-preside-over-mega-investor-summit-in-madurai-today-651788.html Madurai Dec 7 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin will preside over a mega investor summit here on Sunday as part of a major push to accelerate industrial growth job creation and infrastructure development in the southern part of the state The summit being organised under the theme Tamil Nadu is Growing will witness the signing of 91 Memoranda of Understanding MoUs involving a total investment of Rs 3666035 crore These projects are expected to generate direct employment for 56766 youth across multiple sectorsAccording to an official state government press release the summit is one of the largest singleday investment initiatives for the region reflecting the governmentâs sustained focus on decentralised industrial developmentAs part of the programme the Chief Minister will also lay the foundation stone for a new SIPCOT Industrial Park at Melur which is expected to attract manufacturing logistics and allied industries positioning the district as a future industrial hubThe press note highlighted that substantial development has taken place in the district since the DMK government assumed office in 2021 Over the last four years projects worth Rs 18795 crore covering 18881 development works have been completed These include initiatives in roads drinking water supply urban infrastructure education healthcare housing and rural connectivityOn the welfare front the government has disbursed Rs 8668 crore as direct assistance to 9655916 beneficiaries The total value of welfare support extended in the district since 2021 stands at Rs 27463 crore the release said reflecting the administrationâs emphasis on inclusive growthDuring the dayâs functions Chief Minister Stalin will distribute house site pattas to 63698 beneficiaries providing legal ownership of housing to thousands of families He will also inaugurate completed development works worth Rs 3650 crore and lay foundation stones for a series of new projects aimed at further strengthening the districtâs infrastructure networkA key highlight of the visit will be the inauguration of the Veeramangai Velu Nachiyar Flyover at Melamadai Junction constructed for Rs 15028 crore The flyover is expected to ease chronic traffic congestion and improve urban mobility across one of the cityâs busiest intersectionsThe government said that under the Dravidian model of governance Madurai has seen rapid and balanced growth since 2021Reiterating the Chief Ministerâs recent remarks the release noted that the people of the district have clearly understood that what Madurai needs today is sustained development and Sundayâs summit marks another major step in that direction IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-stalin-to-preside-over-mega-investor-summit-in-madurai-today-651788.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 11:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/goa-fire-mishap-pm-modi-expresses-grief-announces-rs-2-lakh-ex-gratia-for-kin-of-victims-651790.html New Delhi Dec 7 Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed distress over the fire mishap in Goas Arpora on Sunday and announced an exgratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50000 to those injured A fire at Arporas Birch by Romeo Lane has claimed 25 lives including 4 tourists and 14 staff members The identities of 7 victims are yet to be confirmed Six people are injured and are undergoing treatmentIn a post on X PM Modi said The fire mishap in Arpora Goa is deeply saddening My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones May the injured recover at the earliest Spoke to Goa CM Dr Pramod Sawant Ji about the situation The State Government is providing all possible assistance to those affectedAn exgratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF will be given to the next of kin of each deceased in the mishap in Arpora Goa The injured would be given Rs 50000 the Prime Ministers Office said in a statementThe blaze erupted around midnight at Birch by Romeo Lane a club in the bustling Baga area that draws large crowds due to its proximity to one of Goas most frequented beachesAccording to police officials the inferno is suspected to have been triggered by a cylinder explosion inside the premisesThe sudden blast is believed to have left little time for those inside many of them staff members to escapeFire tenders from multiple stations were immediately deployed and firefighters battled the flames well into the early hours of SundayRescue teams continued their efforts until dawn sifting through debris in search of survivors and attempting to control residual hotspotsAuthorities confirmed that a significant number of the deceased were employees working at the club when the incident occurred Senior officials including the Director General of Police and teams from North Goa district arrived at the site shortly after the fire was reported to coordinate rescue and relief operationsInvestigations are underway and further details are awaited IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/goa-fire-mishap-pm-modi-expresses-grief-announces-rs-2-lakh-ex-gratia-for-kin-of-victims-651790.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 11:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/23-killed-in-massive-midnight-blaze-at-popular-goa-club-651792.html New Delhi Dec 7 A devastating fire at a wellknown nightlife venue in North Goaâs Arpora claimed at least 23 lives late Saturday in one of the deadliest such incidents the coastal state has witnessed in recent years The blaze erupted around midnight at Birch by Romeo Lane a club in the bustling Baga area that draws large crowds due to its proximity to one of Goaâs most frequented beachesAccording to police officials the inferno is suspected to have been triggered by a cylinder explosion inside the premisesThe sudden blast is believed to have left little time for those inside many of them staff members to escapeFire tenders from multiple stations were immediately deployed and firefighters battled the flames well into the early hours of Sunday Rescue teams continued their efforts until dawn sifting through debris in search of survivors and attempting to control residual hotspotsAuthorities confirmed that a significant number of the deceased were employees working at the club when the incident occurred Senior officials including the Director General of Police and teams from North Goa district arrived at the site shortly after the fire was reported to coordinate rescue and relief operationsGoa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant expressed deep sorrow over the tragedyPosting on X he wroteâToday is a very painful day for all of us in Goa A major fire incident at Arpora has taken the lives of 23 people I am deeply grieved and offer my heartfelt condolences to all the bereaved families in this hour of unimaginable lossââI visited the incident site and have ordered an inquiry into this incident The inquiry will examine the exact cause of the fire and whether fire safety norms and building rules were followed Those found responsible will face most stringent action under the law any negligence will be dealt with firmlyâ he addedThe Chief Ministerâs announcement of a formal inquiry has placed renewed attention on compliance with firesafety regulations in Goaâs hospitality and nightlife sectorOfficials are expected to examine whether the club had adequate safety systems in place and whether emergency exits and protocols met mandated standardsAs investigators begin their probe families of the victims await identification and further updates while the tragedy has cast a pall over the stateâs bustling tourism hubs IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/23-killed-in-massive-midnight-blaze-at-popular-goa-club-651792.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 11:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ahmedabad-to-host-grand-pramukh-varni-amrut-mahotsav-today-hm-amit-shah-to-attend-651798.html Ahmedabad Dec 7 Gujaratâs Ahmedabad is set to witness a major spiritual celebration on Sunday as the âPramukh Varni Amrut Mahotsavâ takes place at the Riverfront Event Centre The event marks the 104th birth anniversary of Pramukh Swami Maharaj and the 75th year since his appointment as President of the BAPS Swaminarayan SansthaThe gathering will be graced by BAPS spiritual leader Mahant Swami Maharaj Union Home Minister Amit Shah Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and several other dignitariesA special cultural assembly will pay tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharajâs lifelong humanitarian service followed by a unique river spectacle featuring thematic floating tableaux on the Sabarmati depicting his life values and global contributionsThe origins of Pramukh Swami Maharajâs leadership trace back to 21 May 1950 when Shastriji Maharaj appointed the 28yearold Shastri Narayanswarupdas as the lifelong President of BAPS at the mandir in Ambli Vali Pol ShahpurFrom that moment he became lovingly known as Pramukh Swami Maharaj eventually emerging as a global spiritual leaderOn that day Pramukh Swami pledged unwavering devotion to his guru and the organisation vowing to serve selflessly and work for the spiritual and material wellbeing of devoteesAmbli Vali Pol itself remains a landmark in BAPS historyâhome to the organisationâs first Ahmedabad mandir 1940 its first Gujarati magazine 1938 the young Pramukh Swamiâs parshad diksha 1939 and several key decisions that shaped BAPSâs global expansionIn the runup to the 75year milestone thousands of devotees have visited Ambli Vali Pol over the past year to commemorate Pramukh Swami Maharajâs appointmentThe main celebration on Sunday from 530 pm to 830 pm will feature multimedia presentations cultural segments and tributes capturing his message of peace service and compassionA highlight of the evening will be the themed floats on the Sabarmati River creating a visual narrative of Pramukh Swami Maharajâs life and philanthropic work Preparations for the mega event have been underway for two monthsMore than 40000 devotees are expected to attend arriving through coordinated bus arrangementsDedicated parking zones and traffic support have been organised along the Riverfront IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ahmedabad-to-host-grand-pramukh-varni-amrut-mahotsav-today-hm-amit-shah-to-attend-651798.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 11:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/blaze-ravages-fishing-boats-in-keralas-ashtamudi-lake-no-casualties-reported-651799.html Kollam Dec 7 A massive fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday at Ashtamudi Lake in Keralas Kureepuzha destroying over ten fishing boats that were anchored along the waterfront Though the blaze caused extensive property damage authorities confirmed that no casualties were reported in the incident According to preliminary information the fire is suspected to have originated from a cooking gas cylinder explosion on one of the boats Residents of the area first noticed flames rising from the boats around 130 am Within minutes the fire spread rapidly through a cluster of around 14 boats that were anchored in a single line In a desperate bid to prevent the flames from spreading further local residents rushed to the spot untied several burning boats and pushed them into the lake Dramatic visuals broadcast by television channels showed multiple boats engulfed in towering flames as they drifted across the water Six units of the Fire and Rescue Services were deployed to the site Firefighters battled the inferno for several hours and finally brought it under control by around 7 am Despite their swift response at least nine traditional wooden boats and one fibre boat were completely gutted while a few others reportedly sank after sustaining severe damage Kollam District Collector N Devidas visited the site and ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident to ascertain the exact cause of the fire and assess the total extent of the damage Speaking to the media he said that around ten boats including one owned by a local fisherman named Lawrance were destroyed in the blaze Several of the damaged boats were reportedly owned by fishermen from Pozhiyoor in Thiruvananthapuram district who had anchored their vessels at Kureepuzha while taking a temporary break from fishing ahead of the ongoing election process Fire Force officials stated that the precise cause of the fire is yet to be officially confirmed However local residents strongly maintained that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the disaster Residents also raised concerns over infrastructure shortcomings alleging that poor road connectivity in the area delayed the arrival of fire force units They pointed out that this was the third fire accident reported in the locality in recent times heightening fears over safety Meanwhile affected fishermen have demanded immediate compensation from the government stating that the destruction of their boats has dealt a severe blow to their livelihoods leaving several families in financial distress IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/blaze-ravages-fishing-boats-in-keralas-ashtamudi-lake-no-casualties-reported-651799.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 11:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tvk-seeks-permission-for-vijays-public-meeting-in-tns-erode-651803.html Chennai Dec 7 A representation seeking permission for a public meeting of actorpolitician Vijay on December 16 at a private venue in Erode was submitted to the district administration by KA Sengottaiyan Chief Coordinator of Vijays Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK The petition was handed over to the Erode District Collector requesting official clearance to proceed with the programme in compliance with prevailing government guidelinesSpeaking to reporters after submitting the representation Sengottaiyan said that once formal permission is granted the organisers would strictly adhere to all safety norms and administrative directions laid down by the government and the policeHe added that the party was fully conscious of its responsibility to ensure that such large public gatherings are conducted in an orderly and safe mannerSengottaiyan who had recently resigned from the AIADMK also clarified that the roadshow originally proposed as part of Vijays Erode visit has now been postponed keeping in mind the prevailing situation and safety concernsInstead the party has planned to hold the December 16 event as a public meeting at a private venue within the Erode district limitsConsidering the current circumstances we felt it would be more appropriate to avoid a roadshow and opt for a controlled public meeting at a fixed location he saidReferring to speculation about political realignments Sengottaiyan said it remains to be seen whether any former Ministers would join the party during the Erode meetingWe are also waiting to see what developments unfold at the Erode event he remarked without giving further detailsThe decision to exercise caution follows the tragic stampede that occurred during a public meeting in Karur on September 27 where at least 41 people lost their lives after a massive crowd surge led to chaos at the venueThe incident had triggered widespread criticism over crowd management and safety lapses at political events prompting authorities to tighten norms for granting permissions for large gatheringsFollowing the Karur tragedy the administration implemented stricter crowdcontrol measures limits on attendance capacity and mandated the deployment of adequate police personnel and emergency services at public gatheringsIndoor events and meetings at enclosed or private venues have since been preferred over openroad programmes such as roadshowsAgainst this backdrop the Erode administration is expected to carefully scrutinise the request for Vijayâs December 16 meeting before taking a final callSenior officials indicated that factors such as venue capacity traffic management emergency preparedness and compliance with safety protocols would be key considerations in granting permissionIf the green signal is given the Erode meeting is expected to serve as a major political mobilisation event for Vijays party in western Tamil Nadu in the runup to the upcoming Assembly elections IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tvk-seeks-permission-for-vijays-public-meeting-in-tns-erode-651803.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 13:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/we-saw-huge-flames-eyewitness-accounts-on-goa-club-fire-651805.html New Delhi Dec 7 A massive blaze tore through a popular nightclub in North Goaâs Arpora harrowing eyewitness testimonies have begun to shed light on the chaotic moments surrounding the tragedy The fire which erupted shortly after midnight at Birch by Romeo Lane in the busy Baga belt has now claimed 25 lives according to updated figures released by Goa Police on Sunday morningResidents and tourists in the vicinity recounted confusion and panic as the incident unfolded A local resident who rushed to the scene after learning about the fire said I saw the news this morning and rushed here Last night we only heard a very loud siren but we didnât realize what had happened We thought something had happened on the road nothing serious But in the morning we found out that such a big tragedy had occurredAnother eyewitness a tourist staying nearby described seeing the flames from a distance We had just reached our hotel when we noticed reddish flames coming out When we went to check the police were already there managing the situationA resident from the neighbourhood recalled hearing emergency vehicles around midnight but not understanding the gravity of the situation It happened at midnight so not much was known at the time I heard the sound of an ambulance In the morning I found out that perhaps 23 people had diedAs news spread the hospital witnessed heavy crowds with relatives anxiously waiting for updates Several victimsâmany of them staff members at the clubâsuccumbed to the fire while the injured continue to receive treatment under tight police security Bodies have been shifted to the mortuary and authorities are struggling to identify several of the deceasedThe blaze erupted around midnight at Birch by Romeo Lane a club in the bustling Baga area that draws large crowds due to its proximity to one of Goas most frequented beachesAccording to police officials the inferno is suspected to have been triggered by a cylinder explosion inside the premises The sudden blast left little time for those inside many of them employees to escapeFire tenders from multiple stations were deployed and firefighters battled the flames well into the early hours of Sunday Rescue teams continued efforts until dawn searching for survivors and extinguishing lingering hotspots Senior officials including the Director General of Police and teams from North Goa district reached the site soon after the incident to oversee rescue operationsIn the latest update Goa Police confirmed that the fire claimed 25 lives including four identified tourists and 14 staff members while the identities of seven victims remain unverified as the identification process continues IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/we-saw-huge-flames-eyewitness-accounts-on-goa-club-fire-651805.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 13:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-high-level-probe-into-kollam-flyover-collapse-begins-today-651814.html Thiruvananthapuram Dec 7 A highlevel probe into the collapse of a portion of the underconstruction flyover on NH 66 at Mylakkadu near Kottiyam in Keralas Kollam district will begin on Sunday even as it has emerged that a crucial technical warning issued four months ago was allegedly ignored The warning had come from a fourmember expert committee appointed by the NHAI following a similar collapse at Kooriyad in Malappuram earlier this yearAfter inspecting the Kollam BypassâKadambattukonam stretch of NH 66 the committee had flagged severe lapses in construction and critically weak soil conditions at multiple locationsIn its report the committee stated Similar concerns exist along the underconstruction protection wall in the Kollam BypassâKadambattukonam reach as well The soil is weak in several stretches with Standard Penetration Test SPT results at some locations as low as 0 or 1 This is extremely critical Unless the soil is strengthened the wall under construction is at risk of caving inThe panel had also prescribed corrective measures including soil strengthening and structural reinforcementHowever the failure to implement these recommendations is now being seen as a key factor behind the collapse the panel saidThe flyovers sidewall gave way on the evening of December 5 creating large craters on the adjoining service road and leaving a few vehicles trapped Though no casualties were reported the incident caused panic among residents and led to the closure of the affected stretch disrupting traffic movement along the busy corridorAs part of the probe a team of NHAI technical experts from Delhi will inspect the site today This will be followed by a visit from NHAI Chairman Santosh Yadav on Monday to assess the damage and review the progress of restoration worksOfficials said temporary restoration of traffic along the damaged service road is expected by Monday subject to safety clearanceMeanwhile punitive action has been initiated against the agencies involvedThe Delhibased contractor Shivalaya Construction Ltd along with consultancy firms Feedback Infra and Sathra Services has been barred from participating in NHAI tender processes for a month IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-high-level-probe-into-kollam-flyover-collapse-begins-today-651814.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 15:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/brs-leader-urges-telangana-speaker-to-dispose-of-disqualification-petitions-651815.html Hyderabad Dec 7 Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader and former Minister T Harish Rao has urged Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar to dispose of all petitions for the disqualification of 10 BRS MLAs who switched loyalties to the ruling Congress party In a letter to the Speaker the MLA from Siddipet expressed âalarming concernâ over the âprolongedâ delay in disposing of a disqualification petition under the 10th ScheduleâThe Telangana Legislative Assembly Disqualification on Ground Defection Rules 1986 particularly Rule â3 to 7ârequire inquiry notice and expeditious decisionmaking The pendency of these petitions violate Article 191 2â wrote Harish RaoHe mentioned that the Supreme Court has already cautioned and warned the Speaker to deliver rulings on the disqualification of defected MLAs without further delay reiterating the principle laid down in Keisham Meghachandra Singh vs Speaker Manipur Legislative Assembly that such decisions be made within a reasonable time The BRS leader stated that continued noncompliance undermines constitutional morality and public confidenceWhile congratulating the Speaker on completing two years in office the former minister for legislative affairs wrote that it was deeply unfortunate that during this period several fundamental rules and procedures governing the functioning of the House had not been adhered to leading to serious institutional lapses and a weakening of the Assemblys constitutional roleHe highlighted what he called several serious procedural lapses that have adversely affected the functioning and credibility of the Telangana Legislative Assembly These issues amount to clear violations of the Rules of Procedure and weaken the Legislatures constitutional mandateThe number of working days of the Assembly has significantly declined contrary to the requirement under Rule 12 that the Assembly shall sit on such days as required for the state of business Frequent and abrupt adjournments without sufficient justification are inconsistent with Rule 13 regarding timings of sittings and Rule 16 concerning adjournment proceduresâThe Question Hour and Zero Hour have not been conducted in accordance with Rules 38 to 52 and 53 to 62 Starred questions were not taken up supplementary questions were restricted and Zero Hour was often curtailed undermining the purpose of Rule 38 on time allotted for questions and Rule 50 regarding supplementary questionsâ he wroteHe voiced deep concern that unstarred question replies have not been furnished to members even though the rules mandate timely written answers The failure to provide written replies violates mandatory provisions and weakens the accountability mechanism of the HouseâA particularly grave lapse is that several House Committees have not been constituted for nearly two years contrary to the mandatory requirements of Rule 196 on appointment of committees Rule 198 on their term and Rule 227 which specifies that committee work does not lapse upon prorogation This has severely weakened legislative scrutiny and oversightâHarish Rao wrote that the nonappointment of the Deputy Speaker despite the prolonged vacancy is another significant procedural violation He said that since the Deputy Speaker functions as Chairman of the Privileges Committee the vacancy has rendered the Committee nonfunctional leaving numerous privilege matters pendingHe also drew the attention of the Speaker to the fact that the Chairman of the Estimates Committee has tendered resignation resulting in weakened committee oversight The failure to reconstitute statutory committees has brought important legislative work to a standstill he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/brs-leader-urges-telangana-speaker-to-dispose-of-disqualification-petitions-651815.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 15:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/creating-20-lakh-jobs-primary-mission-of-andhra-govt-says-minister-nara-lokesh-651816.html Amaravati Dec 7 Andhra Pradesh Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh has reiterated the state governments commitment to create 20 lakh jobs in five years He stated that creating 20 lakh jobs remains the primary mission of the NDA governmentHe noted that in the last 17 months the government secured Rs 20 lakh crore investments capable of generating 16 lakh jobs and is now focused on rapidly grounding themLokesh who is on a visit to the United States was addressing the Telugu Diaspora at DallasStating that Andhra Pradesh is now Indias brand ambassador of speed he showcased the states rapid progress under the doubleengine governance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu with Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan forming a formidable leadership allianceHe emphasised that continuity in governance is vital No breakups No misfires No crossfires NDA will govern AP for at least 15 years to ensure sustained development quoted a statement from his office here on SundayLokesh condemned the previous regime for insulting women and his mother in the AssemblyWe hold no vendetta But those who humiliate women will not escape the law he saidHe emphasised that the NDA government will uphold dignity and accountability while driving a developmentfirst agendaLokesh highlighted the States decentralised growth strategy transforming eight major zones Automotive in Anantapur Renewable Energy in Kurnool Electronics Manufacturing in Chittoor and Kadapa Solar and Diversified Manufacturing in Nellore CBG and Green Fuels in Prakasam Quantum Tech and Capital Projects in Krishna and Guntur Aquaculture and Agro Exports in Godavari districts and IT Pharma Medical Devices and ArcelorMittal Steel in North AndhraHe promised unwavering government support to the Telugu diaspora across the world He said the Telugu Desam Party TDP and his family would always cherish the people who stood by them during the most difficult opposition yearsLokesh recalled that when former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was illegally arrested Telugu people in the United States came out in huge numbers to support their leaderYou are not NRIs you are MRIs Most Reliable Indians Lokesh declared crediting the diaspora for helping the NDA alliance achieve a historic mandate of 164 out of 175 seatsWhen the previous regime said Why Not 175 the people responded Why Not 11 and ensured a complete political turnaround he remarkedLokesh announced that from next year the Kallaku Rekkalu initiative will support Telugu students pursuing overseas education He assured that AP NRT will protect every Telugu family abroad during any crisis social financial or legalHe said the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub and emerging tech parks in AP will be strong platforms for diaspora entrepreneurshipThe event saw participation from AP Government Advisor NRI Affairs and AP NRTS President Vemuru Ravikumar NRI TDP US Coordinator Komati Jayaram Garland Mayor Dylan Hedrick and a large turnout of Telugu people from across Texas and the US IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/creating-20-lakh-jobs-primary-mission-of-andhra-govt-says-minister-nara-lokesh-651816.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 15:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/goa-nightclub-fire-cm-pramod-sawant-orders-probe-general-manager-arrested-651819.html New Delhi Dec 7 Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday ordered a magisterial inquiry into the devastating fire at a nightclub in Arpora and confirmed swift action against those responsible Sawant who visited the site early in the morning to assess the damage and review rescue operations told NDTV that the general manager of the nightclub has been arrested and an arrest warrant has been issued against the clubâs ownerHe said the government would ensure accountability at every level and assured strict punitive measures against any individual or establishment found violating safety normsThe Chief Minister also directed local authorities to expedite support for victimsâ families and coordinate with hospitals treating the injuredHe said the fire broke out around 12 am and many people could not come out of the nightclub due to the fire and died due to suffocationWhen asked if the nightclub fire was negligence the CM said that a probe has been ordered to ascertain if the nightclub followed fire safety normsThe CM also wrote on X saying I am closely reviewing the situation arising from the tragic fire incident at Arpora in which 25 people have lost their lives and 6 have been injured All six injured persons are in a stable condition and are receiving the best medical care I have ordered a magisterial inquiry into the entire incident to identify the cause and fix responsibilityThe Governor of Goa Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju expressed profound grief over the tragedy extending condolences to those who lost family members in the fireHe said the incident had plunged the state into mourning and called on authorities to provide every possible form of assistance to the injured and the bereaved He emphasised the need for coordinated support and urged departments to prioritise relief effortsEarlier in the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he had spoken to Chief Minister Sawant for updates on the situation In a post on X he wrote âThe fire mishap in Arpora Goa is deeply saddening My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones May the injured recover at the earliestâThe fire which broke out at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arporaâs busy Baga belt has led to widespread shock across the state Heavy crowds had gathered outside hospitals as authorities rushed to identify victims many of whom were staff members working the late shiftGoa Police on Sunday morning confirmed that the blaze claimed 25 lives including four confirmed tourists and 14 staff members while the identities of seven victims remain to be verified as the identification process continues Rescue and forensic teams examined the site as part of the ongoing investigation IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/goa-nightclub-fire-cm-pramod-sawant-orders-probe-general-manager-arrested-651819.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 15:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-nehru-legacy-honour-claim-falls-flat-as-scrutiny-reveals-insult-to-ambedkar-during-upa-rule-651820.html New Delhi Dec 7 IANS The political battle over the legacy of BR Ambedkar the architect of Indias Constitution and a towering Dalit leader has intensified in recent months At the heart of this contest lies a clash between the Congress partys attempt to preserve the aura of Jawaharlal Nehru and the Bharatiya Janata Partys BJP effort to expose Congress historical neglect and even hostility towards AmbedkarnbspWhat emerges is not merely a debate over history but a struggle for political ownership of Ambedkars legacy Sonia Gandhis recent remarks at the launch of The Nehru Centre India encapsulate Congress defensive posture In a lengthy post she lamented what she described as systematic attempts to denigrate Nehru accusing the ruling establishment of trying to erase his contributions and destroy the foundations of the nationShe argued that Nehrus life and work must be understood in historical context and warned against deliberate distortions of his legacy Her words were clearly aimed at the BJP which has often critiqued Nehrus policies on Kashmir China and economic planning Yet while Congress passionately defends Nehru its record on Ambedkar tells a different storyThe BJP has seized upon this contradiction pointing to instances where Ambedkar was sidelined undermined or even insulted during Congressled governmentsUnion Minister Dharmendra Pradhan last year revived a particularly damning example the NCERT Class 11 textbook published during UPA2 in 2012 which carried a cartoon depicting Nehru whipping Ambedkar The cartoon sparked outrage with BJP leaders condemning it as a deliberate insult to Ambedkars dignity Kapil Sibal then Human Resource Development Minister was forced to apologise in Parliament acknowledging the offensive nature of the depiction and ordering its withdrawalThe controversy did not end there Amit Malviya the BJPs incharge of BJPs National Information and Technology Department had posed a question on his X handle on December 19 2024 Kapil Sibal amidst protest from the BJP announced its withdrawal in the Parliament stating that NCERT books are developed by a committee He specifically identified Yogendra Yadav as the Chief Advisor to the committee It is the same Yogendra Yadav who was part of Sonia Gandhis NAC member of Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Yatra even actively campaigned for the Congress in Haryana and delivered the infamous आध सनम speech in Rahul Gandhis presence Why is the Congress nurturing Ambedkar and Dalit hating people like Yogendra Yadav in their ranks Or are they brought in to serve Congresss agenda of marginalising Dalits Malviya had askedThe chief advisor to the NCERT committee responsible for the textbook was Yogendra Yadav a figure closely associated with Congress circles Sonia Gandhis National Advisory Council and Rahul Gandhis political campaigns he had saidThe BJP has rightly questioned why Congress continues to nurture individuals who have displayed insensitivity towards Ambedkar and Dalit concerns Was this merely an oversight or part of a deeper pattern of marginalisation This episode is emblematic of Congress selective memory While it lionises Nehru to preserve its dynastic narrative it has historically marginalised Ambedkar whose vision of social justice and constitutional democracy resonates deeply with Dalits and the wider Indian polityAmbedkars disagreements with Nehru and the Congress leadership are well documented from his resignation as Law Minister over the Hindu Code Bill to his criticism of Congress failure to address caste oppression meaningfully For decades Ambedkar was celebrated more by grassroots Dalit movements than by the Congress establishment which preferred to keep the spotlight firmly on Nehru and the Gandhi familyThe BJP has positioned itself as the custodian of Ambedkars legacy celebrating his contributions through memorials scholarships and public commemorations Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly invoked Ambedkars vision of equality and dignity framing it as central to the BJPs social empowerment agendaBy highlighting Congress past insults and neglect the BJP seeks to contrast its own embrace of Ambedkar with Congress dynastic obsessionThe tug of war over Ambedkar is not merely symbolic it reflects deeper ideological battles Congress narrative is rooted in Nehruvian elitism emphasising secularism and centralised planning while often glossing over caste realities The BJP by contrast has sought to integrate Ambedkars vision into its broader narrative of social justice national unity and empowerment of marginalised communities This ideological divergence explains why Sonia Gandhis defence of Nehru rings hollow to many Dalits who recall Congress history of sidelining AmbedkarMoreover the BJPs critique gains traction because it resonates with lived experiences Dalits have long felt excluded from Congress upper caste dominated leadership structures while Ambedkar himself was often treated as an outsider within the Congress fold The cartoon controversy is not an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern of disregardBy reminding the Congress party of its past actions the BJP strengthens its claim to Ambedkars legacy and positions itself as the party that truly honours his visionThe stakes are high Ambedkars legacy is not just about history it is about contemporary politics identity and empowerment For Dalits and marginalised communities Ambedkar represents dignity equality and resistance against oppression Whoever claims his legacy gains moral authority and political capitalCongress attempt to defend Nehru while glossing over its treatment of Ambedkar exposes its contradictions The BJP by foregrounding Ambedkar and exposing Congress record seeks to reshape the narrative and align itself with the aspirations of DalitsIn the end the tug of war over Ambedkar is a battle for Indias soul Congress clings to Nehru to preserve its dynastic legitimacy but its neglect of Ambedkar undermines its moral authority The BJP by embracing Ambedkar and critiquing Congress record positions itself as the true custodian of his vision For Dalits and marginalised communities the choice is stark between a party that once printed cartoons mocking their leader and a party that seeks to honour him as the cornerstone of Indias democratic journey https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-nehru-legacy-honour-claim-falls-flat-as-scrutiny-reveals-insult-to-ambedkar-during-upa-rule-651820.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 16:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rajnath-singh-launches-125-bro-projects-vows-to-strengthen-border-infra-651821.html Leh Dec 7 IANS Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday dedicated to the nation 125 strategically significant infrastructure projects of Border Roads Organisation BRO reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modiled governments commitment to keep strengthening the border infrastructurenbspDescribing the connectivity tools as lifelines for security economy and disaster management Rajnath Singh said There are numerous benefits of robust infrastructure in border areas It ensures military mobility smooth transportation of logistics an increase in tourism and employment opportunities and most importantly stronger faith in development democracy and the governmentThe 125 projects launched on Sunday are spread across two Union Territories Ladakh and Jammu ampamp Kashmir and seven states Arunachal Pradesh Sikkim Himachal Pradesh Uttarakhand Rajasthan West Bengal and MizoramThese include 28 roads 93 bridges and four other projects all completed for Rs 5000 crore the highestvalue inaugurations in the BROs historyHe emphasised that the speed with which India is strengthening its borders with roads tunnels smart fencing integrated command centres and surveillance systems is proof that connectivity is a backbone of security and not a separate entityHe commended the BRO for significantly accelerating national development by completing complex projects with speed and efficiency and through indigenous solutionsRajnath Singh said that the BRO has emerged as a synonym of Communication and Connectivity underlining the governments endeavour to bolster these two important facets of development in border areasOur Government Armed Forces and organisations like the BRO are working diligently for the holistic development of our border areas We must continue strengthening the bond between the border regions and the national mainstream so that the relationship is not influenced by any external factors he saidThe event was organised on the DarbukShyokDaulat Beg Oldie Road at the Shyok Tunnel which is among the key projects inaugurated by Rajnath SinghThis engineering marvel built in one of the worlds toughest and most challenging terrain will ensure allweather reliable connectivity to this strategic area he said adding that this 920metre Cut and Cover tunnel will significantly enhance security mobility and rapid deployment capabilities especially during harsh winters as the region is prone to heavy snowfall avalanches and extreme temperatures https://dailyworld.in/national/rajnath-singh-launches-125-bro-projects-vows-to-strengthen-border-infra-651821.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 16:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/eam-jaishankar-discusses-bilateral-ties-evolving-world-order-at-india-japan-forum-651822.html New Delhi Dec 7 IANS External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed the evolving world order and the imperative of IndiaJapan cooperation at the opening session of the IndiaJapan Forum here on SundayPleased to participate in the opening session of IndiaJapanForum in New Delhi Discussed the evolving world order and the imperative of deeper IndiaJapan cooperation EAM Jaishankar said on XAccording to an official statement the IndiaJapan Forum provides a platform for Indian and Japanese leaders to shape the future of bilateral and strategic partnerships through deliberation and collaboration The Ananta Centre and the Ministry of External Affairs MEA have convened the forumThe aim of the forum is to bolster cooperation leverage opportunities exchange ideas build mutual trust and develop a joint agenda for future cooperation it saidOn Friday Indias Ambassadordesignate to Japan Nagma M Mallick held a meeting with Japans Minister of Environment Ishihara Hirotaka discussing opportunities for collaboration between the two nationsOn November 23 Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg and discussed ways to add momentum to bilateral cooperation in sectors like innovation defence and talent mobilityOn October 27 EAM Jaishankar met with his Japanese counterpart Motegi Toshimitsu on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Malaysias Kuala Lumpur as both discussed expanding bilateral ties and agreed to work closely to implement the joint vision for the next decade of IndiaJapan cooperationIndiaJapan relations were elevated to a Global Partnership in 2000 a Strategic and Global Partnership in 2006 and a Special Strategic and Global Partnership in 2014 according to the MEA The defence and security partnership forms an integral pillar of IndiaJapan bilateral ties In recent years the defence exchanges have gained strength due to growing convergence on strategic matters and their significance is growing from the common outlook on issues of peace security and stability of the IndoPacific Region https://dailyworld.in/national/eam-jaishankar-discusses-bilateral-ties-evolving-world-order-at-india-japan-forum-651822.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 16:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-to-hear-on-monday-plea-challenging-sonam-wangchuks-detention-651823.html New Delhi Dec 7 IANS The Supreme Court is set to resume hearing on Monday a plea filed by Gitanjali J Angmo the wife of Sonam Wangchuk challenging the detention of the Lehbased climate activistnbspAs per the causelist published on the website of the apex court a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria will take up the matter for hearing on December 8In the previous hearing Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for the Union government and the Union Territory of Ladakh sought additional time to respond to the rejoinder recently filed by the petitioner sideAcceding to the request the Justice Aravind Kumarled Bench deferred further proceedings posting the matter for December 8The top court had earlier permitted Angmo to amend her petition which termed Wangchuks detention illegal and an arbitrary exercise violating his fundamental rights and directed the Centre the UT administration and jail authorities to file their additional repliesThe petitioner is permitted to amend the petition and file an amended copy within a week The amended counter shall be filed within ten days thereafter Rejoinder if any within a week thereafter List on November 24 stated the apex court order passed on October 29In her amended petition Angmo has contended that the detention order was passed mechanically without application of mind and that mandatory procedural safeguards under the NSA were not followed She has also argued that the authorities acted in haste and failed to furnish adequate grounds of detention in a timely and meaningful manner depriving Wangchuk of the opportunity to make an effective representationThe Ladakh administration in its earlier affidavit has maintained that the detention was warranted in view of Wangchuks alleged role in inciting unrest in Leh It has further stated that the grounds of detention were duly communicated within the statutorily prescribed period and that the detention advisory board subsequently affirmed the decisionWangchuk a prominent environmentalist and education reformer was detained in September and later shifted to Jodhpur Central Jail in Rajasthan https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-to-hear-on-monday-plea-challenging-sonam-wangchuks-detention-651823.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 17:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/85-lakh-youths-given-govt-jobs-in-uttar-pradesh-in-8-years-cm-yogi-adityanath-651824.html New Delhi Dec 7 IANS Highlighting that more than 85 lakh youths have been provided government jobs in Uttar Pradesh in the past eight years Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the BJP government has also focused on imparting skills to 12 lakh youths and making them jobreadynbspIn the past 8 years more than 12 lakh people have been provided training under the Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission Out of these more than 6 lakh youths have been directly linked to employment This combination of youth power and skills is proving helpful in realising the vision of Selfreliant Uttar Pradesh he saidUnder a fair and transparent process more than 85 lakh youths have also been provided government jobs by various commissions and recruitment boards To digitally empower the talented youth of Uttar Pradesh they are being connected through the Swami Vivekananda Youth Empowerment Scheme the Chief Minister said in a post on XCM Adityanath said that under the scheme youth pursuing various educationtraining such as graduation postgraduation diploma skill development and paramedical are being given tabletssmartphonesThe target of the scheme is to benefit 2 crore youths in the state So far 2280 lakh tablets and 3725 lakh smartphones a total of 6005 lakh tabletssmartphones have been distributed he saidA social media post by the Chief Ministers Office said Under the able leadership of Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath Ji Maharaj the Chief Minister Youth Entrepreneur Development Campaign is emerging as a powerful platform for selfemployment for the youth of the stateThis campaign has not only enabled our youth to seek jobs but also empowered them to create jobs Under the scheme the government is providing interestfree loans up to Rs 5 lakh through which the youths are not only realising their dreams but also providing employment opportunities to others it saidThis scheme has brought the vision of the Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Jis selfreliant youth to the ground level So far more than 68000 youths of the state have been provided Rs 2751 crore said the post on social mediaUnder the guidance of the Prime Minister the BJPs doubleengine government has resolved to create 10 lakh new young entrepreneurs in the state To provide employment to the youths of the state in the country and abroad as well the Uttar Pradesh Employment Mission has been constituted it saidWithin Uttar Pradesh a new programme called AI Pragya has also been launched This is part of a major campaign to train 10 lakh youths of the state in Artificial Intelligence AI Under this programmes to train in advanced technical fields such as AI machine learning data analytics and cyber security and to provide certificates will further enhance the endless possibilities of employment for the youths said the social media post https://dailyworld.in/national/85-lakh-youths-given-govt-jobs-in-uttar-pradesh-in-8-years-cm-yogi-adityanath-651824.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 17:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/parliament-panel-likely-to-summon-airline-chiefs-over-indigo-flight-chaos-651825.html New Delhi Dec 7 IANS The major disruption in air travel across the country has prompted a Parliamentary panel to consider summoning top officials of private airlines and senior representatives of the aviation regulatornbspThousands of passengers were left stranded after IndiGo cancelled a large number of flights over the past six daysThe Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport Tourism and Culture headed by JDU MP Sanjay Jha is expected to call senior executives from airlines along with officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA and the Ministry of Civil AviationThe committee wants to understand what caused the cancellations and what steps are being taken to prevent such incidents in the futureA member of the panel said that the committee is seriously concerned about the inconvenience caused to so many travellersEven several MPs who were in Delhi for the Winter Session of Parliament were affected by IndiGos cancellations and delays by other airlinesAccording to the member many MPs also received complaints from citizens about a sudden rise in airfares due to the ongoing disruptionsOn Sunday alone IndiGo cancelled more than 220 flights at Delhi and Mumbai airports as the crisis continued for the sixth straight dayThe DGCA had already issued notices to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers and COO Porqueras seeking an explanation for the largescale disruptionsIndiGo in a statement on Sunday said that the Board of InterGlobe Aviation its parent company has formed a Crisis Management Group to closely monitor the situationThe company said the group is meeting regularly and the Board of Directors is taking all possible steps to support affected passengersIndiGo has assured that refunds are being processed and efforts are underway to stabilise flight operations at the earliest https://dailyworld.in/national/parliament-panel-likely-to-summon-airline-chiefs-over-indigo-flight-chaos-651825.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 17:58:00 +0530