DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Wed, 06 May 2026 09:43:08 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/national/bypoll-setback-karnataka-bjp-chief-meets-defeated-candidate-says-party-will-bounce-back-672529.html Davanagere Karnataka May 5 As part of reviewing the defeat and boosting morale Karnataka BJP President and MLA B Y Vijayendra on Tuesday visited the residence of defeated BJP candidate Srinivas T Dasakariyappa and held discussions with district BJP leaders on strengthening the party organisation in Davanagere district It may be noted that Srinivas lost to the Congress candidate Samarth Mallikarjun by a narrow margin of 5708 votes in the Davanagere South segmentSpeaking to reporters on the occasion Vijayendra expressed confidence that the partyâs glory days will return in DavanagereHe congratulated the voters and party workers for securing 63000 votes BJP workers welcomed Vijayendra warmly Several leaders including former minister MP Renukacharya accompanied himHe said it is not easy for an ordinary party worker to secure such a large number of votes and encouraged them to remain confident stating that everything happens for a good reason During the interaction Srinivas Dasakariyappa became emotional and Vijayendra consoled himVijayendra also had dosa at Srinivasaâs residence Referring to the byelection results he said they had high expectationsâByelections usually favour the ruling party The Chief Minister and ministers camped in Bagalkot for 15 days The same had happened when our party was in powerâ he notedHe appreciated the efforts of party workers in both constituenciesVijayendra said their candidate in Davanagere South secured a good number of votes âWe had expected over 70000 votes but luck did not favour us this time I will not comment on the alleged flow of money by Congress Along with the candidate aspirants have also worked wellâ he addedHe said that just as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shahâs efforts helped the BJP come to power in West Bengal the party is confident of forming the government in the state in 2028He further said that former CM his father BS Yediyurappa had faced many such challenges with determination and as his son he would demonstrate the same resolveâWe will strive to bring the BJP back to power Our leaders have worked well in the byelection The Gruhalaxmi scheme has turned into âElection Laxmiâ Instalments of four to five months are released during byelections and similar releases will happen ahead of Zilla Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat elections Congress is in power and there is little we can do about itâ he slammed IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bypoll-setback-karnataka-bjp-chief-meets-defeated-candidate-says-party-will-bounce-back-672529.html Wed, 06 May 2026 08:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/odisha-ceo-to-meet-bjd-delegation-on-may-11-over-rajya-sabha-poll-row-672531.html Bhubaneswar May 5 Odisha Chief Electoral Officer CEO RS Gopalan is scheduled to meet a delegation of Biju Janata Dal BJD on May 11 over the alleged illegal issuance of a second ballot paper to legislators Upasana Mohapatra and Purna Chandra Sethy during the biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha held on March 16 As per the instructions of the BJD President Naveen Patnaik senior party leader Sasmit Patra on April 28 submitted an urgent representation to the Election Commission of India ECI regarding the issue officials said on TuesdayActing on the representation Rajendra Kumar Singh Election Commission of India Under Secretary on April 29 addressed a communication to the Odisha CEO requesting an urgent appointment with the BJD delegation to examine the matterSubsequently Odisha CEO has scheduled a meeting with the BJD delegation on May 11 at 11 am the regional party told in a statement on TuesdayFollowing the directions of BJD President Naveen Patnaik a party delegation led by Prasanna Acharya Deputy Leader of the BJD Legislature Party in the Odisha Assembly will meet the Odisha CEO Gopalan on May 11The delegation will also include Pramila Mallik senior BJD leader and party Chief Whip as well as polling agent for the Rajya Sabha elections Deputy Chief Whip of the BJD and partyauthorised agent Pratap Deb Arun Kumar Sahoo MLA and counting agent for the Rajya Sabha polls and Sasmit Patra BJD MP and counting agent for the Rajya Sabha elections who is also the petitioner in the matterThe BJD reiterates its demand for immediate statutory action into the alleged irregularities and seeks a fair and transparent inquiry to uphold the sanctity of the electoral processDuring the polling for four Rajya Sabha seats the Opposition BJD had raised serious objections over the alleged issuance of second ballot papers by the officers present in the voting room who are in charge of the polls IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/odisha-ceo-to-meet-bjd-delegation-on-may-11-over-rajya-sabha-poll-row-672531.html Wed, 06 May 2026 08:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tripura-cm-manik-saha-pushes-zero-tolerance-on-drugs-calls-for-stronger-law-enforcement-672534.html Agartala May 6 Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has took a strong stand in the fight to make the state drugfree During a meeting at the Civil Secretariat here on Tuesday the Chief Minister said that the police administration must remain constantly vigilant to ensure that drugs do not enter the state through the railways or any other routeVarious narcotics are smuggled from Myanmar and routed through Mizoram and southern Assam before reaching Tripura often for illegal transit into neighbouring Bangladesh The Assam Rifles Tripura Police and other security forces have often seized drugs transported into the state from different parts of the country including Delhi Our governments priority is zero tolerance towards the drug menace Law enforcement agencies must take allout measures to curb drugrelated activities said Chief Minister Saha who also holds the Home Department portfolio Directing concerned officials to take action on traffic congestion and infrastructure development the Chief Minister said that all departments must remain active and responsive He also directed the officials to strengthen public services as well as maintain law and order in the state Chief Minister Saha reiterated that the present Bharatiya Janata Partyled state government is committed to serving the people and that all departments must remain vigilant and proactive in addressing public concerns District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police from all eight districts of the state participated virtually in the Task Monitoring System TMS meetingDuring the review meeting the Chief Minister stressed the urgent need to address traffic congestion in district headquarters including Agartala city He directed authorities to take swift and effective measures ensure strict monitoring of vehicle load limits and maintain the proper functioning of traffic signal systems Transport officials were also instructed to expedite the construction of new motor stands across the state The Chief Minister also instructed the concerned authorities to closely monitor the private nursing homes rehabilitation centres and subregistrar offices to ensure transparency eliminate corruption and guarantee efficient functioning Chief Minister Saha directed officials to take preventive measures against potential outbreaks of diarrhoea and dysentery especially during the upcoming rainy season He emphasised maintaining discipline in schools while ensuring the quality and proper management of midday meal schemes On infrastructure development the Chief Minister instructed officials to expedite road repair and renovation work while strictly adhering to quality standards Regarding electricity services department officials told Chief Minister Saha that 99 per cent of the infrastructure damaged during the recent seasonal storm has already been restored The Chief Minister also directed officials to ensure there are no delays in the disbursement of MGNREGA funds and that wages and allowances for daily wage workers are paid on time The meeting was attended by Acting Secretary to the Chief Minister Apurba Roy Health Secretary Kiran Gitte Urban Development Secretary Milind Ramteke Information and Cultural Affairs Director Bimbisar Bhattacharya along with other senior secretaries and departmental directors IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tripura-cm-manik-saha-pushes-zero-tolerance-on-drugs-calls-for-stronger-law-enforcement-672534.html Wed, 06 May 2026 08:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tripura-cm-saha-pushes-zero-tolerance-on-drugs-calls-for-stronger-law-enforcement-672535.html Agartala May 6 Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has took a strong stand in the fight to make the state drugfree During a meeting at the Civil Secretariat here on Tuesday the Chief Minister said that the police administration must remain constantly vigilant to ensure that drugs do not enter the state through the railways or any other routeVarious narcotics are smuggled from Myanmar and routed through Mizoram and southern Assam before reaching Tripura often for illegal transit into neighbouring BangladeshThe Assam Rifles Tripura Police and other security forces have often seized drugs transported into the state from different parts of the country including DelhiOur governments priority is zero tolerance towards the drug menace Law enforcement agencies must take allout measures to curb drugrelated activities said Chief Minister Saha who also holds the Home Department portfolioDirecting concerned officials to take action on traffic congestion and infrastructure development the Chief Minister said that all departments must remain active and responsiveHe also directed the officials to strengthen public services as well as maintain law and order in the stateChief Minister Saha reiterated that the present Bharatiya Janata Partyled state government is committed to serving the people and that all departments must remain vigilant and proactive in addressing public concernsDistrict Magistrates and Superintendents of Police from all eight districts of the state participated virtually in the Task Monitoring System TMS meetingDuring the review meeting the Chief Minister stressed the urgent need to address traffic congestion in district headquarters including Agartala cityHe directed authorities to take swift and effective measures ensure strict monitoring of vehicle load limits and maintain the proper functioning of traffic signal systemsTransport officials were also instructed to expedite the construction of new motor stands across the stateThe Chief Minister also instructed the concerned authorities to closely monitor the private nursing homes rehabilitation centres and subregistrar offices to ensure transparency eliminate corruption and guarantee efficient functioningChief Minister Saha directed officials to take preventive measures against potential outbreaks of diarrhoea and dysentery especially during the upcoming rainy seasonHe emphasised maintaining discipline in schools while ensuring the quality and proper management of midday meal schemesOn infrastructure development the Chief Minister instructed officials to expedite road repair and renovation work while strictly adhering to quality standardsRegarding electricity services department officials told Chief Minister Saha that 99 per cent of the infrastructure damaged during the recent seasonal storm has already been restoredThe Chief Minister also directed officials to ensure there are no delays in the disbursement of MGNREGA funds and that wages and allowances for daily wage workers are paid on timeThe meeting was attended by Acting Secretary to the Chief Minister Apurba Roy Health Secretary Kiran Gitte Urban Development Secretary Milind Ramteke Information and Cultural Affairs Director Bimbisar Bhattacharya along with other senior secretaries and departmental directors IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tripura-cm-saha-pushes-zero-tolerance-on-drugs-calls-for-stronger-law-enforcement-672535.html Wed, 06 May 2026 08:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-acb-arrest-pwd-engineer-two-contractors-bribe-worth-rs-404-lakh-recovered-672536.html Jaipur May 6 In a major anticorruption operation the Rajasthan AntiCorruption Bureau ACB has arrested a Public Works Department PWD Executive Engineer along with two contractors while allegedly exchanging a bribe of Rs 404000 in Bhilwara officials said The accused Shahzad Mohammad posted as Executive Engineer in PWD at Shahpura was apprehended along with contractors Moduram Dhakad and Banwarilal during a trap operation conducted by the ACBs BhilwaraI unit officials added on TuesdayThe arrests were made at the Collectorate premises while the bribe money was being exchangedAccording to ACB officials the bribe was allegedly collected from contractors as a quid pro quo for clearing and facilitating payments related to works executed under the departmentInvestigators said the amount was intended not only for the Executive Engineer but also for another senior officialDirector General of Police ACB Govind Gupta said that the action followed specific intelligence inputs regarding ongoing corrupt practices within the PWDBased on these inputs the ACB placed the suspects under surveillance which confirmed the alleged irregularitiesActing on the findings a trap operation was carried out under the supervision of DIG ACB Ajmer Range Narayan TogasThe operation was led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Paras Mal of the BhilwaraI unitDuring the raid officials recovered Rs 404000 in cash from the possession of the accused officerhe ACB has registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act and initiated further investigationSearches at the residential and other premises linked to the accused are currently underway to trace additional evidence and assetsOfficials said the accused are being questioned and further legal action will follow based on the findingsThe operation was conducted under the overall supervision of senior ACB officers including Additional Director General Smita Srivastava and Inspector General S ParimalaThe action underscores the ACBs continued crackdown on corruption in government departments across Rajasthan officials said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-acb-arrest-pwd-engineer-two-contractors-bribe-worth-rs-404-lakh-recovered-672536.html Wed, 06 May 2026 08:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/comprehensive-sop-issued-for-monsoon-preparedness-in-urban-odisha-672537.html Bhubaneswar May 6 The Odisha Housing and Urban Development department has issued a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure SOP to all Urban Local Bodies ULBs to ensure robust preparedness for the upcoming monsoon season An official statement issued on Tuesday said the SOP has been issued under the direction of the Housing and Urban Development department Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra clearly mandating the officials to implement the guidelines in letter and spiritEmphasising accountability and urgency the state government has underscored that any lapse in execution will be viewed with serious concern reflecting its firm commitment to urban resilience and disaster preparednessAs part of the preparedness strategy ULBs have been mandated to undertake 100 per cent verification of all drainage systems including manholes to ensure public safetyImmediate repair or secure covering of damaged manholes has been prioritised while temporary safety measures such as warning signage and protective nets must be installed wherever repairs are pendingAt the same time regular desilting of drains and strict removal of encroachments obstructing natural water flow have been made compulsory to prevent urban flooding and ensure smooth drainage during heavy rainfallRecognising the recurring challenge of waterlogging in urban areas the department has identified vulnerable and lowlying zones for targeted interventionAdequate deployment of pump sets and Diesel Generator sets will be ensured in these areas to facilitate rapid dewateringUrban areas will also be systematically divided into operational zones each under the supervision of designated officers responsible for prompt emergency response and effective onground coordination during monsoon exigenciesTo strengthen disaster preparedness Multipurpose Cyclone Shelters and public institutions like schools and colleges will function as temporary relief centres equipped with essential facilities such as safe drinking water sanitation and uninterrupted powerSpecial emphasis will be placed on safeguarding vulnerable groups with lady home guards and adequate security personnel deployed for women children and the elderlyPublic health remains a key focus particularly in preventing vectorborne diseases like dengue and malariaThe ULBs have been directed to intensify fogging apply larvicides regularly and strictly monitor water stagnation and waste dumping in drains to minimise outbreak risksFor realtime response a 247 control room will be set up in every ULB to address issues related to water supply drainage and road blockagesDamaged urban roads must be restored to motorable condition within 72 hours to minimise disruptionThe state government has also urged citizens to cooperate with local authorities in maintaining cleanliness preventing drain blockages and supporting communitylevel preparedness aiming to ensure a safe and resilient urban environment during upcoming monsoon season IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/comprehensive-sop-issued-for-monsoon-preparedness-in-urban-odisha-672537.html Wed, 06 May 2026 09:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-ahmedabad-civic-body-collects-rs-1161-lakh-in-food-safety-drive-destroys-1-015-kg-of-unsafe-food-in-april-672538.html Ahmedabad May 5 The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation AMC has collected Rs 1161 lakh in administrative charges during April month as part of an extensive food safety drive that also resulted in the inspection of 2153 food business units issuance of 498 notices and destruction of 1015 kg and 1148 litres of unsafe food According to the civic bodys Health Department on Tuesday the Food Department conducted inspections across various zones of the city between April 1 and April 30 under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006During this period 367 Total Plate Count tests were carried out to assess food quality and safetyA total of 933 samples were collected from different food categoriesThese included 74 samples of cold beverages such as juice lassi ice cream sherbet and ice gola 45 samples of sugarcane juice mango milkshake and watermelon juice 101 samples of paneer and 133 samples of milk and milk productsOther samples comprised 24 of sweets 49 of panipuri water puri potato mixture and ragda 47 of nonvegetarian products 23 of bakery products 29 of namkeen 21 of pulses flour rice and grains 14 of edible oil 96 of spices and 277 classified as othersOf these 40 samples were declared substandard and action was taken against the respective food business operators in accordance with the lawSeveral establishments were sealed during the enforcement drive for violations including absence of licences unhygienic conditions presence of insects and misrepresentation of food productsOn April 6 Bhairavnath Punjabi Tadka in Vastral area was sealed after it was found operating without a food safety licence using paneer analogue instead of paneer and maintaining unhygienic conditionsOn April 7 Punjab Di Mahak in Navrangpura area was sealed after insects were found on the premisesOn April 8 Janata Mutton and Chicken Center in Amraiwadi area was sealed due to unhygienic conditionsOn April 9 Shree Jalaram Parotha House in Saijpur area was sealed for operating without a licence using paneer analogue and maintaining poor hygieneOn April 10 Vraj Dairy in Nana Chiloda area was sealed after inspectors found it manufacturing paneer analogue and selling it as paneerFurther action was taken on April 11 when another outlet of Shree Jalaram Parotha House in the Gota area was sealed for unhygienic conditionsOn April 13 Jay Jay Shrinathji Chavana Bhandar in Bapunagar area was sealed after expired food items were found along with unhygienic conditionsPatel Dairy in Saijpur Bogha and Shree Umiya Dudh Ghar in Bapunagar were sealed on April 15 and April 21 respectively for similar violationsOn April 24 Tasty Thrills LLP RPs Pizzeria in Navrangpura area was sealed after inspectors found live and dead insects in a deep freezer inside the kitchenA butter manufacturing unit in Shahpur area was sealed on April 27 for operating without a licence maintaining unhygienic conditions and failing to comply with regulatory requirementsOn April 30 ProfiC Food and Beverages Barbeque World in Ambawadi was sealed after live insects were found inside a refrigerator in the kitchenThe Health Department said it would continue inspections in the coming days with a focus on hygiene standards and compliance with licensing and registration requirementsIn the coming days intensive checking of all food business units will be carried out regarding hygienic conditions and licenceregistration the department said in the statementIt also added If units are found operating without licenceregistration or not complying with rules strict action will be taken against them under the FSSAIGPMC Act IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-ahmedabad-civic-body-collects-rs-1161-lakh-in-food-safety-drive-destroys-1-015-kg-of-unsafe-food-in-april-672538.html Wed, 06 May 2026 09:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-ahmedabad-civic-body-collects-rs-1161-lakh-in-food-safety-drive-672539.html Ahmedabad May 6 The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation AMC has collected Rs 1161 lakh in administrative charges during April month as part of an extensive food safety drive that also resulted in the inspection of 2153 food business units issuance of 498 notices and destruction of 1015 kg and 1148 litres of unsafe food According to the civic bodys Health Department on Tuesday the Food Department conducted inspections across various zones of the city between April 1 and April 30 under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006During this period 367 Total Plate Count tests were carried out to assess food quality and safetyA total of 933 samples were collected from different food categoriesThese included 74 samples of cold beverages such as juice lassi ice cream sherbet and ice gola 45 samples of sugarcane juice mango milkshake and watermelon juice 101 samples of paneer and 133 samples of milk and milk productsOther samples comprised 24 of sweets 49 of panipuri water puri potato mixture and ragda 47 of nonvegetarian products 23 of bakery products 29 of namkeen 21 of pulses flour rice and grains 14 of edible oil 96 of spices and 277 classified as othersOf these 40 samples were declared substandard and action was taken against the respective food business operators in accordance with the lawSeveral establishments were sealed during the enforcement drive for violations including absence of licences unhygienic conditions presence of insects and misrepresentation of food productsOn April 6 Bhairavnath Punjabi Tadka in Vastral area was sealed after it was found operating without a food safety licence using paneer analogue instead of paneer and maintaining unhygienic conditionsOn April 7 Punjab Di Mahak in Navrangpura area was sealed after insects were found on the premisesOn April 8 Janata Mutton and Chicken Center in Amraiwadi area was sealed due to unhygienic conditionsOn April 9 Shree Jalaram Parotha House in Saijpur area was sealed for operating without a licence using paneer analogue and maintaining poor hygieneOn April 10 Vraj Dairy in Nana Chiloda area was sealed after inspectors found it manufacturing paneer analogue and selling it as paneerFurther action was taken on April 11 when another outlet of Shree Jalaram Parotha House in the Gota area was sealed for unhygienic conditionsOn April 13 Jay Jay Shrinathji Chavana Bhandar in Bapunagar area was sealed after expired food items were found along with unhygienic conditionsPatel Dairy in Saijpur Bogha and Shree Umiya Dudh Ghar in Bapunagar were sealed on April 15 and April 21 respectively for similar violationsOn April 24 Tasty Thrills LLP RPs Pizzeria in Navrangpura area was sealed after inspectors found live and dead insects in a deep freezer inside the kitchenA butter manufacturing unit in Shahpur area was sealed on April 27 for operating without a licence maintaining unhygienic conditions and failing to comply with regulatory requirementsOn April 30 ProfiC Food and Beverages Barbeque World in Ambawadi was sealed after live insects were found inside a refrigerator in the kitchenThe Health Department said it would continue inspections in the coming days with a focus on hygiene standards and compliance with licensing and registration requirementsIn the coming days intensive checking of all food business units will be carried out regarding hygienic conditions and licenceregistration the department said in the statementIt also added If units are found operating without licenceregistration or not complying with rules strict action will be taken against them under the FSSAIGPMC Act IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-ahmedabad-civic-body-collects-rs-1161-lakh-in-food-safety-drive-672539.html Wed, 06 May 2026 09:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-south-indian-film-producer-rb-chaudhary-killed-in-road-accident-near-pali-672540.html Jaipur May 6 Renowned South Indian film producer and businessman RB Chaudhary died in a road accident near Jhunta village on National Highway162 in Rajasthans Pali He was 76yearsold Chaudhary originally from Risaniya near Sojat Road and currently based in Chennai was returning from a family wedding in Lilamba village when the accident occurred on Tuesday afternoon According to the police the vehicle lost control after cattle suddenly came onto the road and crashed into a roadside safety wall The impact of the collision was severe resulting in Chaudharys death on the spotThe car driver Gautam Seervi sustained serious injuries and was initially given first aid before being referred to Jodhpur for further treatment Officials from Raipur police station reached the spot soon after the incident Assistant SubInspector Manohar Lal Khoja supervised rescue efforts and ensured the injured were shifted to hospitalThe body was sent for postmortem and later handed over to the family Police said the mortal remains have been transported to Chennai where the last rites will be performed Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has mourned the accident and has prayed for the departed soul The news of the demise of RB Choudhary a South Indian film producer in a road accident in Beawar is quite sad I pray to God to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear this loss I also wish for the speedy recovery of the injured driver Gehlot said on his X account The incident has led to mourning both in the local region and among associates in the film and business community IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-south-indian-film-producer-rb-chaudhary-killed-in-road-accident-near-pali-672540.html Wed, 06 May 2026 09:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bihar-cabinet-expansion-likely-today-672545.html New Delhi May 6 The Bihar Cabinet expansion led by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary is highly anticipated to take place on Wednesday following key meetings with NDA leadership in Delhi According to sources the party high command has given its final approval to the list of ministers paving the way for a Cabinet expansion in BiharSamrat Choudhary returned to Patna earlier on Monday after concluding his visit to New Delhi where he held key meetings with senior leaders of the NDADuring his visit the Chief Minister met Union Home Minister Amit Shah Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other senior alliance leadersPreparations for the swearingin ceremony have already begun at Gandhi Maidan with stage decoration and logistical arrangements currently under wayA Cabinet meeting has also been scheduled for 5 pm on the same day and is expected to be the first meeting involving the newly inducted ministersSources indicate that the Cabinet formation will emphasise caste and regional balance the inclusion of experienced leaders the induction of new and young faces and adequate representation for womenThe expansion aims to reflect a mix of continuity and change aimed at strengthening governance and political outreachThe expansion is expected to prioritise caste balance experience and the inclusion of fresh faces The cabinet will likely include a blend of seasoned leaders and younger entrants with added emphasis on womenâs representationEarlier on March 30 Nitish Kumar resigned as a member of the Bihar Legislative Council signalling a major political transition as he prepared to assume office in the Rajya Sabha Samrat Choudhary was sworn in as the firstever Bharatiya Janata Party Chief Minister of Bihar ending Nitish Kumarâs 21year tenure IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bihar-cabinet-expansion-likely-today-672545.html Wed, 06 May 2026 09:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bihar-cabinet-expansion-on-may-7-to-be-a-show-of-strength-672516.html Patna May 5 Following the Bharatiya Janata Partyâs strong electoral performance in West Bengal and Assam political activity has intensified in Bihar with preparations underway for a major cabinet expansion The expansion of the Samrat Choudhary cabinet is scheduled for May 7 at the historic Gandhi Maidan in PatnaConfirming the development state BJP president Sanjay Saraogi said the event will not be a routine swearingin ceremony but a grand show of political strength with preparations being carried out on a war footingSeveral top national leaders are expected to attend the event including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit ShahAccording to party sources BJP national president Nitin Nabin and former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar are also likely to be presentThe responsibility for decorating the cityâfrom the airport to Gandhi Maidanâwith flags and banners has been assigned to local party units and MLAsIn view of the Prime Ministerâs expected visit extensive security arrangements are being put in place across PatnaSenior administrative officials including the District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police have reviewed preparedness and coordinated with party representatives to finalise the event planTight security protocols and multilayered arrangements are being implemented around key locations including the BJP office and the event venueDeliberations over the cabinet expansion ongoing for several days are now in their final phasePolitical observers suggest that the reshuffle may introduce new faces while also reassigning key portfoliosThe exercise is expected to reflect a strategic balance of caste and regional representation in the stateTo manage the anticipated large turnout the administration has devised a detailed plan for crowd control and traffic regulationA large stage equipped with modern facilities is being constructed at Gandhi Maidan and security personnel will be deployed at key points to ensure the smooth conduct of the event and prevent inconvenience to the public IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bihar-cabinet-expansion-on-may-7-to-be-a-show-of-strength-672516.html Tue, 05 May 2026 21:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/do-not-fear-failure-gujarat-health-minister-honours-doctor-who-persevered-through-setbacks-672519.html Gandhinagar May 5 Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya on Tuesday called on students not to fear failure and to persevere through setbacks while expressing concern over the rising incidence of suicides among young people as he honoured Bhavnagar Civil Hospital doctor Ganesh Baraiya in Gandhinagar Dr Baraiya described as a dedicated doctor who overcame physical challenges of dwarfism through his strong determination was felicitated by the minister at a ceremony where his academic journey was highlighted as an example for the youth of GujaratAddressing the gathering Pansheriya said âDo not be afraid of any failure in life become a fighter like Dr Ganeshâ adding that the doctorâs educational struggle serves as a guiding light for young peopleRaising concern over student suicides the minister said such incidents have a devastating impact on familiesâWhen a son or daughter takes their own life the dreams of their parents are shatteredâ he saidHe stressed that instead of becoming disheartened by failure students should work tirelessly and rise again calling it the true essence of lifePansheriya said students pursuing courses such as medical and engineering studies should not be afraid of failure He urged them to reflect carefully before taking extreme stepsâBefore thinking of suicide in moments of despair students must consider what their parents would go through and the pain it would cause themâ he saidHe also emphasised the importance of family bonds particularly for those living away from home for studiesâWhen young people studying in hostels or living outside visit home it is important that they spend time with their parents brothers and sisters instead of being occupied with mobile phonesâ he saidHe added that professional achievement alone does not define success stating âBecoming a doctor or an engineer is not the only measure of success it is the human values within a person that truly make them greatâSpeaking at the event Dr Baraiya said he had been rejected by the Medical Council of India but continued his efforts without losing hopeâI was rejected by an institution like the MCI but without becoming discouraged I fought my case up to the Supreme Court and obtained my medical degreeâ he saidHe credited his teacher Dr Dalpat Kataria for supporting him throughout the legal battle up to the Supreme CourtThe minister also praised the strong bond between the teacher and the student and acknowledged the positive support extended by the medical collegeâs dean and superintendent during the process IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/do-not-fear-failure-gujarat-health-minister-honours-doctor-who-persevered-through-setbacks-672519.html Tue, 05 May 2026 21:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/apprehension-on-ec-functioning-mamata-must-give-additional-details-cpis-d-raja-672521.html New Delhi May 5 CPI General Secretary D Raja on Tuesday claimed that there were several apprehensions in the way the Election Commission functioned during the Assembly polls However he said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should present facts to prove her allegations against the polling agency Speaking to IANS he alleged There were several apprehensions the way the Election Commission has been working It has been favouring the BJPReferring to Prime Minister Narendra Modis address to the nation last month he said The Prime Minister used Doordarshan to address the nation accusing Opposition parties on the Womens Reservation Bill It was clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct but the Election Commission did not take any actionSo there were many apprehensions about the functioning of the Election Commission he reiteratedD Raja however said that being the sitting Chief Minister of Bengal if Mamata Banerjee is making allegations against the EC then she has to tell the people what are facts and evidencesThe Election Commission and the Union government will have to respond then he addedThe Mamata Banerjeeled Trinamool Congress lost to the BJP in West Bengal which secured 206 seats out of 293 whose results were counted on MondayThe CPI leader also reacted to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikaris statement that the latter will work for the Hindus in NandigramHe said The BJP will pursue politics of polarisation and play the communal card between Hindus and Muslims and that will lead to communal conflicts We will have to wait and seeAdhikari made the statement a day after his victory from both the Nandigram and Bhabanipur Assembly constituenciesFurther on Adhikaris statement that Trinamool will be destroyed within 24 hours D Raja said I dont know what he means by that How they are going to finish the Trinamool overnight Mamata Banerjee is capable of responding to himAbout several BJP leaders claiming a saffron wave in the country the CPI leader said One can think like it is the saffron wave because BJP has come to power again in Assam and for the first time in Bengal But I dont think that saffron can take over the whole country We will have to wait and see IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/apprehension-on-ec-functioning-mamata-must-give-additional-details-cpis-d-raja-672521.html Tue, 05 May 2026 21:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sringeri-recount-row-escalates-karnataka-bjp-approaches-guv-asks-him-to-administer-oath-to-mla-672524.html Bengaluru May 5 The Sringeri recount row escalated on Tuesday with a Karnataka BJP delegation meeting Governor Thawarchand Gehlot and submitting a complaint against Speaker UT Khader for delaying the administration of the oath to victorious BJP MLA DN Jeevaraj The BJP leaders urged the Governor to administer the oath himself It may be recalled that the process of reverification and recounting of postal ballots in the Sringeri Assembly constituency from the 2023 elections was conducted last week on the orders of the Karnataka High Court BJP candidate DN Jeevaraj was subsequently declared the winner by the Election Commission defeating sitting Congress MLA TD RajegowdaSenior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka former Home Minister Araga Jnanendra and BJP MLA DN Jeevaraj met the Governor at his official residence in Bengaluru and submitted a memorandum highlighting the delay in administering the oathAddressing the media after the meeting Ashoka said âWe met the Governor today As per the Constitution the Election Commission has issued a certificate declaring the BJP candidate as elected Even Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been issued a similar certificate The state gazette notification has also been published regarding Jeevarajâs election as MLA A letter in this regard has already been submitted to Speaker UT Khaderâs officeâHe alleged that the Speaker was deliberately delaying the swearingin âArticle 188 of the Constitution clearly states that administering the oath is the prerogative of the Governor It is his discretion to nominate someone for the task We have requested the Governor to administer the oath to the BJP MLA A similar incident occurred in West Bengal where two BJP MLAs were denied the oath during Mamata Banerjeeâs tenure and where later the Governor stated that he will administer the oath himselfâ Ashoka saidâWe have requested the Governor to act here as well He has spoken to the Speaker If the oath is not administered we will not spare the Speakerâs office We will launch an agitation against the Speaker for acting against the Constitutionâ he addedAshoka further said that the Governor had assured them that he would write to the government âHe has said that he will send a letter within an hour If the government does not act the Governor may have to administer the oath himself The Constitution is clear If the Speaker refuses what does that say about the dignity of the officeâ he questionedHe said the Speaker must act in accordance with the Constitution and that the BJP had informed the Governor about its plans to launch protests if the Speaker continued to delay the processâI tried to contact Speaker Khader but he was unavailable He has spoken about the law yet he himself holds the same election certificate After receiving the certificate no legal opinion is required even if the election is challenged in courtâ Ashoka saidHe also referred to the High Courtâs criticism of the state government earlier in the day over the handling of the case and allegations of tamperingâToday Chief Minister Siddaramaiah spoke about âvote dacoityâ If anyone is responsible for such an act it is the Congress governmentâ he allegedAshoka further claimed that during the 2023 election results officials had acted in favour of the ruling party âThe counting in the Sringeri constituency was delayed Postal ballots which are usually counted first were counted last The result was declared in favour of the Congress candidate Who pressured the officials thenâ he askedHe demanded a CBI enquiry into the matter âOnly then will the real culprits be exposed It must be known who contacted the election officer in 2023âwhether it was the Chief Minister or the Deputy Chief Ministerâ he saidAshoka recalled that the High Court had ordered a recount and directed that the results be announced âThe court never said the results should be submitted to the Bench When the results were not announced we filed a contempt petition Only then late at night the Returning Officer announced the results and issued the certificateâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sringeri-recount-row-escalates-karnataka-bjp-approaches-guv-asks-him-to-administer-oath-to-mla-672524.html Tue, 05 May 2026 21:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cabinet-clears-eclgs-50-to-boost-liquidity-for-msmes-airlines-amid-west-asia-crisis-672525.html New Delhi May 5 The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday approved the launch of the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme ECLGS 50 aimed at providing crucial financial support to businesses impacted by the ongoing West Asia crisis Under the new phase of the scheme the government will extend enhanced credit guarantee coverage through the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited NCGTCThe scheme offers 100 per cent guarantee coverage for micro small and medium enterprises MSMEs and 90 per cent coverage for nonMSMEs as well as the airline sectorThis backing is intended to encourage banks and financial institutions to lend additional funds without fear of default risksECLGS 50 will allow eligible borrowers to access additional credit of up to 20 per cent of their peak working capital utilisation during the fourth quarter of FY26 subject to a cap of Rs 100 croreFor airlines the support is significantly higher with loans of up to 100 per cent of eligible exposure capped at Rs 1500 crore per borrower provided specific conditions are met Notably the scheme does not impose any guarantee fee reducing the financial burden on borrowersThe tenure of loans under the scheme has been structured to provide flexibility For MSMEs and other businesses the loan term will be five years including a oneyear moratorium on principal repaymentIn the case of airlines the repayment period extends to seven years with a twoyear moratorium The guarantee cover will remain valid for the entire duration of the loanThe scheme will be applicable to loans sanctioned from the date of issuance of guidelines by NCGTC until March 31 2027 Eligibility is limited to borrowers with existing working capital limits or outstanding credit facilities as of March 31 2026 provided their accounts are classified as standardThe government expects Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme 50 to play a critical role in helping businesses navigate shortterm liquidity challenges triggered by geopolitical tensions in West Asia IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cabinet-clears-eclgs-50-to-boost-liquidity-for-msmes-airlines-amid-west-asia-crisis-672525.html Tue, 05 May 2026 21:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/2-dead-2-missing-after-vehicle-plunges-into-nallah-in-jampks-mughal-road-672526.html Jammu May 5 Two persons were found dead while two others are reported to be missing when the vehicle they were travelling in was found on Tuesday in a gorge on the Mughal Road in Jammu and Kashmir officials said Officials added that two persons have died while two others remain missing after a vehicle they were travelling in was found in a nallah near Chhattapani along the Mughal RoadPolice in Poonch district said that four individuals had gone missing on Monday while travelling on the Mughal Road prompting a largescale search and rescue operation During the search operation on Tuesday the missing vehicle was traced in a nallah at ChhattapaniUpon retrieval two bodies were recovered from the site Officials said search operations are ongoing to trace the remaining two missing personsAll efforts are being made to locate them at the earliest officials said adding that further details will be shared as the operation progressesThere was snowfall in the Pir Ki Gali area of the Mughal Road on Monday and on Tuesday due to which authorities closed the road for vehicular trafficMughal Road is the road between Bufliaz a town in the Poonch district to the Shopian district in the Valley The 84km road traces a historic route used in the Mughal period over the Pir Panjal Pass at an altitude of 3500 metres higher than the Banihal Pass at 2832 metresIt also provides an alternative route into the Kashmir Valley other than the JammuâSrinagar highway The road passes through Buffliaz Behramgalla Chandimarh Dogray Dogran Godawan Poshana Chattapani Peer Ki Gali Aliabad in Poonch and Zaznar Dubjian Hirpora in Shopian districtAfter conquering the Kashmir Valley the Mughal emperor Akbar strengthened the route into an Imperial Road stretching from Lahore to Kashmir In modern times the route has been referred to as the Mughal RoadThe new road was proposed in the 1950s to improve the economy of the Kashmir Valley The then Chief Minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah took up this project in 1979 and named it the Mughal Road but it came to a halt as terrorism took over Bafliaz Bridge on the road was blown up by the terroristsActual construction began in October 2005 with a target of completion in March 2007 and an estimated cost of Rs 255 croreA conservation trust petitioned the Supreme Court to stop construction citing the disturbance to animals in the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary especially the endangered Markhor goat and claiming the road would get early snowfall in winter and hence would not serve as an alternate route to the existing JammuSrinagar highwayHowever the court gave conditional permission for the construction of the road IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/2-dead-2-missing-after-vehicle-plunges-into-nallah-in-jampks-mughal-road-672526.html Tue, 05 May 2026 21:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-canada-kick-off-second-round-of-free-trade-talks-672348.html New Delhi May 5 India and Canada began the second round of negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement with the two sides aiming to seal the deal by yearend The fiveday talks in New Delhi come on Monday ahead of the Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyals scheduled visit to Canada at the end of this month to accelerate the momentum of the economic engagement as the two countries target increasing bilateral trade to 50 billion by 2030 The attempt is to fasttrack talks so that the agreement can be concluded by the yearend as decided by the Prime Ministers of the two countries earlier this year a senior official told IANS The first round of negotiations for the pact officially called the IndiaCanada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA took place in March this year following Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carneys meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi Prime Minister Carneys visit to India set the tone for a marked improvement in diplomatic ties between the two countries that had hit rock bottom during his predecessor Justin Trudeau as Canadas Prime Minister The Trudeau government was seen to be encouraging Sikh extremists to pursue an antiIndia agenda in Canada Prime Minister Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney set a yearend target to complete the negotiations for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA between the two countries and agreed to deepen bilateral collaboration in the energy and critical mineral sectors during their meeting at New Delhi in March this year The leaders expressed confidence that a comprehensive trade framework would serve as a durable economic anchor for the partnership and support the shared aspiration of expanding bilateral trade to CAD 70 billionRs 465 lakh crore by 2030 according to joint statement issued after the summit between the two leadersIndiaCanada bilateral trade in goods stood at 866 billion in 202425 while Indias exports to the country touched 422 billionMajor items of Indias exports to Canada include pharmaceutical products machinery parts and mechanical appliances iron and steel articles electronic goods organic chemicals jewellery gems and precious stones garments and textiles seafood engineering goods and auto parts Indias major imports from Canada include pulses fertilisers mineral fuels wood pulp gems and precious stones aircraft parts machinery parts and iron and aluminium scrap Indias IT sector is the main contributor to services exports to Canada IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-canada-kick-off-second-round-of-free-trade-talks-672348.html Tue, 05 May 2026 09:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-has-no-future-says-former-ktaka-cm-yediyurappa-hails-bjp-victory-as-historic-672349.html Bengaluru May 5 Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party BJP Central Parliamentary Committee Member BS Yediyurappa has said that the Congress has no future asserting that just as the Trinamool Congress was defeated in West Bengal the Congress will also face a similar fate in the state in the next Assembly elections Speaking to the media on Monday in the city on the results of the fivestate Assembly elections he added that the Congress which could not win even a few seats has no moral right to comment on the BJPHe said that the BJP has achieved an unprecedented victory in the byeelections which has once again reaffirmed the peoples strong trust in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra ModiThis is a historic result Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President Nitin Nabin have continuously guided and led the party effectively I congratulate them Yediyurappa addedThe former Chief Minister said that voters have blessed the NDAs commitment to development and the vision of building a Viksit BharatHe added that the Assembly poll results prove that people cannot be misled for long with mere promises of freebies People have chosen a government based on values development stability and transparency That is why they have ensured the BJPs victory Yediyurappa saidHe also noted that the BJP respects the peoples mandate and praised party workers for their dedication Countless workers have toiled day and night for this victory They are the backbone of the party he addedState BJP President and MLA BY Vijayendra said that the BJPs victories in West Bengal Assam and Puducherry have further strengthened the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra ModiSpeaking to the media at the state BJP headquarters Jagannath Bhavan in Bengaluru Vijayendra added that this was the first election under the party President Nitin Nabin and that it has delivered a strong messageHe said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah is widely regarded as the partys key strategist across the country and that his electoral strategy has played a major role in the poll victoryVijayendra also added that BJP workers in West Bengal deserve special appreciation for the win For decades our workers there faced continuous oppression They have now put an end to it he said while extending greetings and congratulations to BJP workers in all three states of West Bengal Assam PuducherryFormer Deputy Chief Minister and BJP MLA CN Ashwath Narayan said that the BJP has received encouraging results in the electionsSpeaking to the media in the city he added that the BJP is set to form the government in West Bengal He said that it is a matter of joy that the BJP originally founded by Syama Prasad Mookerjee of the Jana Sangh is now coming to power in West BengalHe described the outcome as a positive development for ensuring the countrys stability and security and for addressing various concerns BJP leader Ashwath Narayan said that among the five states the poll result in West Bengal is a major achievementHe also alleged that the Trinamool Congress had undermined democracy in the stateCommenting on the victory of BJP candidate in recounting of Sringeri Assembly seat following the High Court verdict Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka said that BJP candidate DN Jeevaraj has also secured victory in the Sringeri Assembly constituency and extended his congratulations to him He alleged that the Congress had stolen votes in Sringeri and exerted pressure to ensure the Congress candidates victory but added that this had now been prevented He said that Jeevaraj ultimately won the bypoll in the recount of votesHe added Although Jeevaraj had officially won earlier the result had not been declared at the time Now the election officer has issued the certificate confirming him as the Member of the Legislative AssemblyBJP leader Ashoka appealed to the Assembly Speaker to facilitate Jeevarajs oathtaking at the earliestHe expressed happiness that the BJP has gained an additional seat in the Karnataka Assembly He said Jeevaraj will now have the opportunity to serve as an MLA for the remaining two years and strengthen the BJP in the Sringeri Assembly seat He added that the BJP would also gain more strength to take on the Congress in the state Assembly IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-has-no-future-says-former-ktaka-cm-yediyurappa-hails-bjp-victory-as-historic-672349.html Tue, 05 May 2026 09:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/after-end-of-e-kyc-correction-deadline-188-crore-women-eligible-for-ladki-bahin-yojana-in-maharashtra-672350.html Mumbai May 5 After eKYC correction deadline ended last month around 188 crore women are eligible for the Ladki Bahin Yojana in Maharashtra The state government had extended the deadline for correction in eKYC process for the Ladki Bahin scheme till April 30 officials said on Monday After the deadline end as per the data with Women and Child development department around 188 crore women submitted the application for completion of process In February last payout for Ladki Bahin was to 175 crore beneficiary Now after receiving the funds from the Finance department payout for March and April will be given soon an official from the Women and Child Development department saidEarlier about 68 lakh accounts out of a total of 243 crore under the Maharashtras flagship Ladki Bahin Yojana have been closed permanently after these accounts failed to complete the mandatory eKYC process While the deadline to complete it was March 31 it has now been extended to April 30 which might result in increase in the numbers of closed welfare scheme beneficiary accountsThe state releases around Rs 3700 crore every month for around 225 crore beneficiaries with each eligible woman receiving Rs 1500 per month Now the amount will be reduced The state government in the annual budget for 202627 has slashed the allocation to the Ladki Bahin Yojana to Rs 26000 crore against Rs 36000 crore in 202526The state government had carried out eKYC exercise following complaints that male members were receiving benefits under the scheme or that some government employees had been registered as beneficiaries The eKYC process has received four extensions The first was in November 2025 later December 2025 and then till March 2026 The deadline was extended till April 30 2026The Ladki Bahin Yojana was launched by the MahaYuti government ahead of the state Assembly elections held in November 2024 The state government provides a monthly financial aid of Rs 1500 under the Ladki Bahin Yojana to the eligible women beneficiariesWhile the scheme has put significant pressure on state finances it is widely seen as one of the key factors behind the massive electoral victory of the MahaYuti government A wrongly framed question misinterpreted during the eKYC process had earlier resulted in more than 24 lakh beneficiaries being wrongly classified as state government employees leading to a halt in their monthly dole of Rs 1500 The problematic question in Marathi read Tumchya Gharatle koni sarkari nokrit nahi na Nobody in your family works for the government rightRespondents who should have responded with a No are said to have written Yes due to the framing of the question Following the scrutiny of these 24 lakh scheme beneficiary accounts 20 lakh have found to be genuine while scrutiny for the rest is pendingDespite the benefits taken by those who were not eligible for it the state government has already taken a policy decision not to take back money from them Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde have repeatedly said that the Maharashtra government will not close the Ladki Bahin Yojana IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/after-end-of-e-kyc-correction-deadline-188-crore-women-eligible-for-ladki-bahin-yojana-in-maharashtra-672350.html Tue, 05 May 2026 09:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-man-abandons-two-year-old-son-in-forest-after-murdering-wife-police-rescue-toddler-after-10-hour-search-672352.html Bhopal May 5 A brutal crime took place in the forests of Madhya Pradeshs Raisen and Vidisha districts where a man murdered his wife and abandoned their twoyearold son The accused blinded by suspicion over his wifes relations and character crushed her head with a stone in a secluded forest area under Haidargarh police station area and fled leaving the child behind in the dense jungle officials said on MondayThe shocking act triggered an immediate police response after receiving information leading to a massive overnight search operation across Raisen and Vidisha districtsAfter 10 hours of relentless effort the child was found alive bringing immense relief to the police teamSuperintendent of Police Rohit Kashwani confirmed that the accused Rajendra Ahirwar of Himotiya village in Begumganj had taken his wife Jyoti and their son out two days earlier under the pretext of buying a mobile phoneInstead of heading towards Begumganj the accused diverted to the forest where he repeatedly struck Jyoti with a stone killing her instantlyHis rage did not end there abandoned his son in the wilderness and fledWhen the family failed to return home relatives alerted the policeRajendra was apprehended and during police questioning he confessed to the murder and revealed the childs locationThe revelation stunned the police who feared the worst given the late hour the dense forest and the presence of wild animalsPolice forces from twelve police stations were mobilisedEquipped with torches drones and dog squads they scoured the forest through the nightAt dawn the child was discovered near bushes terrified and weak from hunger and thirst but safeHe was immediately given water and taken to hospital for medical careA case of murder and concealment of evidence has been registered against Rajendra who admitted his crime was driven by suspicion of his wifes characterThe incident has sent shockwaves through Raisen and Vidisha leaving behind the tragic image of a lifeless wife and a helpless child abandoned in the wild IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-man-abandons-two-year-old-son-in-forest-after-murdering-wife-police-rescue-toddler-after-10-hour-search-672352.html Tue, 05 May 2026 09:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/full-list-of-winners-of-west-bengal-assembly-polls-672357.html Kolkata May 5 Here is the list of all candidates who contested the West Bengal Assembly polls 1 MEKLIGANJ â DADHIRAM RAY BJP2 MATHABHANGA â NISHITH PRAMANIK BJP3 COOCHBEHAR UTTAR â SUKUMAR RAY BJP4 COOCHBEHAR DAKSHIN â RATHINDRA BOSE BJP5 SITALKUCHI â SABITRI BARMAN BJP6 SITAI â SANGITA ROY Trinamool Congress7 DINHATA â AJAY RAY BJP8 NATABARI â GIRIJA SHANKAR RAY BJP9 TUFANGANJ â MALATI RAVA ROY BJP10 KUMARGRAM â MANOJ KUMAR ORAON BJP11 KALCHINI â BISHAL LAMA BJP13 FALAKATA â DIPAK BARMAN BJP14 MADARIHAT â LAXUMAN LIMBU BJP15 DHUPGURI â NARESH ROY BJP16 MAYNAGURI â DALIM CHANDRA ROY BJP17 JALPAIGURI â ANANTA DEB ADHIKARY BJP18 RAJGANJ â DINESH SARKAR BJP19 DABGRAMFULBARI â SIKHA CHATTERJEE BJP20 MAL â SUKRA MUNDA BJP21 NAGRAKATA â PUNA BHENGRA BJP22 KALIMPONG â BHARAT KUMAR CHETRI BJP23 DARJEELING â NOMAN RAI BJP24 KURSEONG â SONAM LAMA BJP25 MATIGARANAXALBARI â ANANDAMAY BARMAN BJP26 SILIGURI â SHANKAR GHOSH BJP27 PHANSIDEWA â DURGA MURMU BJP28 CHOPRA â HAMIDUL RAHAMAN Trinamool Congress29 ISLAMPUR â AGARWAL KANAIA LAL Trinamool Congress30 GOALPOKHAR â MD GHULAM RABBANI Trinamool Congress31 CHAKULIA â AZAD MINHAJUL ARFIN Trinamool Congress32 KARANDIGHI â BIRAJ BISWAS BJP33 HEMTABAD â HARIPADA BARMAN BJP34 KALIAGANJ â UTPAL BRAHMACHARO BJP35 RAIGANJ â KOUSHIK CHOWDHURY BJP36 ITAHAR â MOSARAF HUSSEN Trinamool Congress37 KUSHMANDI â TAPAS CHANDRA ROY BJP38 KUMARGANJ â TORAF HOSSAIN MANDAL Trinamool Congress39 BALURGHAT â BIDYUT KUMAR ROY BJP40 TAPAN â BUDHRAI TUDU BJP41 GANGARAMPUR â SATYENDRA NATH ROY BJP42 HARIRAMPUR â BIPLAB MITRA Trinamool Congress43 HABIBPUR â JOYEL MURMU BJP44 GAZOLE â CHINMOY DEB BARMAN BJP45 CHANCHAL â PRASUN BANERJEE Trinamool Congress46 HARISCHANDRAPUR â MD MATIBUR RAHAMAN Trinamool Congress47 MALATIPUR â ABDUR RAHIM BOXI Trinamool Congress48 RATUA â SAMAR MUKHERJEE Trinamool Congress49 MANIKCHAK â GOUR CHANDRA MANDAL BJP50 MALDAHA â GOPAL CHANDRA SAHA BJP51 ENGLISH BAZAR â AMLAN BHADURI BJP52 MOTHABARI â ISLAM MD NAJRUL Trinamool Congress53 SUJAPUR â SABINA YEASMIN Trinamool Congress54 BAISNABNAGAR â RAJU KARMAKAR BJP55 FARAKKA MOHTAB SHAIKH Congress56 SAMSERGANJ â MOHAMMED NOOR ALAM Trinamool Congress57 SUTI â EMANI BISWAS Trinamool Congress58 JANGIPUR â CHITTA MUKHERJEE BJP59 RAGHUNATHGANJ â AKHRUZZAMAN Trinamool Congress60 SAGARDIGHI â BAYRON BISWAS Trinamool Congress61 LALGOLA â ABDUL AZIZ DOCTOR Trinamool Congress62 BHAGAWANGOLA â REYAT HOSSAIN SARKAR Trinamool Congress63 RANINAGAR JULFIKAR ALI Congress64 MURSHIDABAD â GOURI SANKAR GHOSH BJP65 NABAGRAM â DILIP SAHA BJP66 KHARGRAM â MITALI MAL BJP67 BURWAN â SUKHEN KUMAR BAGDI BJP68 KANDI â GARGI DAS GHOSH BJP69 BHARATPUR â MUSTAFIJUR RAHAMAN Trinamool Congress70 REJINAGAR HUMAYUN KABIR Aam Janata Unnayan Party71 BELDANGA â BHARAT KUMAR JHAWAR BJP72 BAHARAMPUR â SUBRATA MAITRA BJP73 HARIHARPARA â NIAMOT SHEIKH Trinamool Congress74 NOWDA HUMAYUN KABIR Aam Janata Unnayan Party75 DOMKAL MD MOSTAFIJUR RAHAMAN CPIM76 JALANGI â BABAR ALI Trinamool Congress77 KARIMPUR â SAMARENDRANATH GHOSH BJP78 TEHATTA â SUBRATA KABIRAJ BJP79 PALASHIPARA â RUKBANUR RAHMAN Trinamool Congress80 KALIGANJ â ALIFA AHMED Trinamool Congress81 NAKASHIPARA â SANTANU DEY BJP82 CHAPRA â JEBER SEKH Trinamool Congress83 KRISHNANAGAR UTTAR â TARAK NATH CHATTERJEE BJP84 NABADWIP â SRUTISEKHAR GOSWAMI BJP85 KRISHNANAGAR DAKSHIN â SADHAN GHOSH BJP86 SANTIPUR â SWAPAN KUMAR DAS BJP87 RANAGHAT UTTAR PASCHIM â PARTHA SARATHI CHATTERJEE BJP88 KRISHNAGANJ â SUKANTA BISWAS BJP89 RANAGHAT UTTAR PURBA â ASHIM BISWAS BJP90 RANAGHAT DAKSHIN â ASHIM KUMAR BISWAS BJP91 CHAKDAHA â BANKIM CHANDRA GHOSH BJP92 KALYANI â ANUPAM BISWAS BJP93 HARINGHATA â ASIM KUMAR SARKAR BJP94 BAGDA â SOMA THAKUR BJP95 BANGAON UTTAR â ASHOK KIRTANIA BJP96 BANGAON DAKSHIN â SWAPAN MAJUMDER BJP97 GAIGHATA â SUBRATA THAKUR BJP98 SWARUPNAGAR â BINA MONDAL Trinamool Congress99 BADURIA â BURHANUL MUKADDIM Trinamool Congress100 HABRA â DEBDAS MONDAL BJP101 ASHOKNAGAR â DR SUMAY HIRA BJP102 AMDANGA â MOHAMMAD KASEM SIDDIQUE Trinamool Congress103 BIJPUR â SUDIPTA DAS BJP104 NAIHATI â SUMITRO CHATTERJEE BJP105 BHATPARA â PAWAN KUMAR SINGH BJP106 JAGATDAL â DR RAJESH KUMAR BJP107 NOAPARA â ARJUN SINGH BJP108 BARRACKPUR â KAUSTUV BAGCHI BJP109 KHARDAHA â KALYAN CHAKRABORTI BJP110 DUM DUM UTTAR â SOURAV SIKDAR BJP111 PANIHATI â RATNA DEBNATH BJP112 KAMARHATI â MADAN MITRA Trinamool Congress113 BARANAGAR â SAJAL GHOSH BJP114 DUM DUM â ARIJIT BAKSHI BJP115 RAJARHAT NEW TOWN TAPAS CHATTERJEE Trinamool Congress116 BIDHANNAGAR â SHARADWAT MUKHERJEE BJP117 RAJARHAT GOPALPUR â TARUNJYOTI TEWARI BJP118 MADHYAMGRAM â RATHIN GHOSH Trinamool Congress119 BARASAT â SANKAR CHATTERJEE BJP120 DEGANGA â ANISUR RAHAMAN BIDESH Trinamool Congress121 HAROA â ABDUL MATIN MUHAMMAD Trinamool Congress122 MINAKHAN â USHA RANI MONDAL Trinamool Congress123 SANDESHKHALI â SANAT SARDAR BJP124 BASIRHAT DAKSHIN â SURAJIT MITRA Trinamool Congress125 BASIRHAT UTTAR â MD TAUSEFFUR RAHMAN Trinamool Congress126 HINGALGANJ â REKHA PATRA BJP127 GOSABA â BIKARNA NASKAR BJP128 BASANTI â NILIMA MISTRY BISHAL Trinamool Congress129 KULTALI â GANESH CHANDRA MONDAL Trinamool Congress130 PATHARPRATIMA â SAMIR KUMAR JANA Trinamool Congress131 KAKDWIP â DIPANKAR JANA BJP132 SAGAR â SUMANTA MANDAL BJP133 KULPI â BARNALI DHARA Trinamool Congress134 RAIDIGHI â TAPAS MONDAL Trinamool Congress135 MANDIRBAZAR â JOYDEB HALDER Trinamool Congress136 JAYNAGAR â BISWANATH DAS Trinamool Congress137 BARUIPUR PURBA BIVAS SARDAR Trinamool Congress138 CANNING PASCHIM â PARESH RAM DAS Trinamool Congress139 CANNING PURBA â MD BAHARUL ISLAM Trinamool Congress140 BARUIPUR PASCHIM â BIMAN BANERJEE Trinamool Congress141 MAGRAHAT PURBA â SARMISTHA PURKAIT Trinamool Congress142 MAGRAHAT PASCHIM â MD SAMIM AHAMED MOLLA Trinamool Congress143 DIAMOND HARBOUR â PANNA LAL HALDER Trinamool Congress145 SATGACHHIA â AGNISWAR NASKAR BJP146 BISHNUPUR â DILIP MONDAL Trinamool Congress147 SONARPUR DAKSHIN â RUPA GANGULY BJP148 BHANGAR NAWSAD SIDDIQUI All India Secular Front149 KASBA â AHMED JAVED KHAN Trinamool Congress150 JADAVPUR â SARBORI MUKHERJEE BJP151 SONARPUR UTTAR â DEBASISH DHAR BJP152 TOLLYGANJ â PAPIA ADHIKARY BJP153 BEHALA PURBA â SANKAR SIKDER BJP154 BEHALA PASCHIM â DR INDRANIL KHAN BJP155 MAHESHTALA â SUBHASIS DAS Trinamool Congress156 BUDGE BUDGE â ASHOK KUMAR DEB Trinamool Congress157 METIABURUZ â ABDUL KHALEQUE MOLLA Trinamool Congress158 KOLKATA PORT â FIRHAD HAKIM Trinamool Congress159 BHABANIPUR â ADHIKARI SUVENDU BJP160 RASHBEHARI â DASGUPTA SWAPAN BJP161 BALLYGUNGE â SOBHANDEB CHATTOPADHYAY Trinamool Congress162 CHOWRANGEE â BANDYOPADHYAY NAYNA Trinamool Congress163 ENTALLY â SANDIPAN SAHA Trinamool Congress164 BELEGHATA â KUNAL KUMAR GHOSH Trinamool Congress165 JORASANKO â VIJAY OJHA BJP166 SHYAMPUKUR â PURNIMA CHAKRABORTY BJP167 MANIKTALA â TAPAS ROY BJP168 KASHIPURBELGACHHIA â RITESH TIWARI BJP169 BALLY â SANJAY KUMAR SINGH BJP170 HOWRAH UTTAR â UMESH RAI BJP171 HOWRAH MADHYA â ARUP ROY Trinamool Congress172 SHIBPUR â RUDRANIL GHOSH BJP173 HOWRAH DAKSHIN â NANDITA CHOWDHURY Trinamool Congress174 SANKRAIL â PRIYA PAUL Trinamool Congress175 PANCHLA â GULSAN MULLICK Trinamool Congress176 ULUBERIA PURBA â RITABRATA BANERJEE Trinamool Congress177 ULUBERIA UTTAR â CHIRAN BERA BJP178 ULUBERIA DAKSHIN â PULAK ROY Trinamool Congress179 SHYAMPUR â DR HIRANMOY CHATTOPADHYAYA BJP180 BAGNAN â ARUNAVA SEN Trinamool Congress181 AMTA â AMIT SAMANTA BJP182 UDAYNARAYANPUR â SAMIR KUMAR PANJA Trinamool Congress183 JAGATBALLAVPUR â ANUPAM GHOSH BJP184 DOMJUR â TAPAS MAITY Trinamool Congress185 UTTARPARA â DIPANJAN CHAKRABORTY BJP186 SREERAMPUR â BHASKAR BHATTACHARYA BJP187 CHAMPDANI â DILIP SINGH BJP188 SINGUR â ARUP KUMAR DAS BJP189 CHANDANNAGAR â DEEPANJAN KUMAR GUHA BJP190 CHUNCHURA â SUBIR NAG BJP191 BALAGARH â SUMANA SARKAR BJP192 PANDUA â TUSAR KUMAR MAJUMDAR BJP193 SAPTAGRAM â SWARAJ GHOSH BJP194 CHANDITALA â SWATI KHANDOKER Trinamool Congress195 JANGIPARA â PROSENJIT BAG BJP196 HARIPAL â MADHUMITA GHOSH BJP197 DHANEKHALI â ASIMA PATRA Trinamool Congress198 TARAKESWAR â SANTU PAN BJP199 PURSURAH â BIMAN GHOSH BJP200 ARAMBAG â BAG HEMANTA BJP201 GOGHAT â PRASANTA DIGAR BJP202 KHANAKUL â SUSANTA GHOSH BJP203 TAMLUK â HARE KRISHNA BERA BJP204 PANSKURA PURBA â SUBRATA MAITY BJP205 PANSKURA PASCHIM â SINTU SENAPATI BJP206 MOYNA â ASHOKE DINDA BJP207 NANDAKUMAR â KHANRA NIRMAL BJP208 MAHISADAL â SUBHAS CHANDRA PANJA BJP209 HALDIA â PRADIP KUMAR BIJALI BJP210 NANDIGRAM â ADHIKARI SUVENDU BJP211 CHANDIPUR â PIJUSH KANTI DAS BJP212 PATASHPUR â TAPAN MAITY BJP213 KANTHI UTTAR â SUMITA SINHA BJP214 BHAGABANPUR â SANTANU PRAMANIK BJP215 KHEJURI â SUBRATA PAIK BJP216 KANTHI DAKSHIN â ARUP KUMAR DAS BJP217 RAMNAGAR â DR CHANDRA SEKHAR MONDAL BJP218 EGRA â ADHIKARI DIBYENDU BJP219 DANTAN â AJIT KUMAR JANA BJP220 NAYAGRAM â AMIYA KISKU BJP221 GOPIBALLAVPUR â RAJESH MAHATA BJP222 JHARGRAM â LAKSHMI KANTA SAU BJP223 KESHIARY â BHADRA HEMRAM BJP224 KHARAGPUR SADAR â DILIP GHOSH BJP225 NARAYANGARH â GIRI RAMAPRASAD BJP226 SABANG â AMAL KUMAR PANDA BJP227 PINGLA â SWAGATA MANNA BJP228 KHARAGPUR â DINEN ROY Trinamool Congress229 DEBRA â SUBHASHIS OM BJP230 DASPUR â TAPAN KUMAR DUTTA BJP231 GHATAL â SITAL KAPAT BJP232 CHANDRAKONA â SUKANTA DOLUI BJP233 GARBETA â PRADIP LODHA BJP234 SALBONI â BIMAN MAHATA BJP235 KESHPUR â SEULI SAHA Trinamool Congress236 MEDINIPUR â SANKAR KUMAR GUCHHAIT BJP237 BINPUR â DR PRANAT TUDU BJP238 BANDWAN â LABSEN BASKEY BJP239 BALARAMPUR â JALADHAR MAHATO BJP240 BAGHMUNDI â RAHIDAS MAHATO BJP241 JOYPUR â BISWAJIT MAHATO BJP242 PURULIA â SUDIP KUMAR MUKHERJEE BJP243 MANBAZAR â MAYNA MURMU BJP244 KASHIPUR â KAMALA KANTA HANSDA BJP245 PARA â NADIAR CHAND BOURI BJP246 RAGHUNATHPUR â MAMONI BAURI BJP247 SALTORA â CHANDANA BAURI BJP248 CHHATNA â SATYANARAYAN MUKHOPADHYAY BJP249 RANIBANDH â KSHUDIRAM TUDU BJP250 RAIPUR â KSHETRAMOHAN HANSDA BJP251 TALDANGRA â SOUVIK PATRA BJP252 BANKURA â NILADRI SEKHAR DANA BJP253 BARJORA â BILLESWAR SINHA BJP254 ONDA â AMARNATH SHAKHA BJP255 BISHNUPUR â SHUKLA CHATTERJEE BJP256 KATULPUR â LAKSHMI KANTA MAJUMDAR BJP257 INDUS â NIRMAL KUMAR DHARA BJP258 SONAMUKHI â DIBAKAR GHARAMI BJP259 KHANDAGHOSH â NABIN CHANDRA BAG Trinamool Congress260 BARDHAMAN DAKSHIN â MOUMITA BISWAS MISRA BJP261 RAINA â SUBHASH PATRA BJP262 JAMALPUR â ARUN HALDER BJP263 MONTESWAR â SAIKAT PANJA BJP264 KALNA â SIDDHARTHA MAJUMDAR BJP265 MEMARI â MANAB GUHA BJP266 BARDHAMAN UTTAR â NISITH KUMAR MALIK Trinamool Congress267 BHATAR â KARFA SOUMEN BJP268 PURBASTHALI DAKSHIN â PRAN KRISHNA TAPADAR BJP269 PURBASTHALI UTTAR â GOPAL CHATTOPADHYAY BJP270 KATWA â KRISHNA GHOSH BJP271 KETUGRAM â ANADI GHOSH BJP272 MANGALKOT â SHISHIR GHOSH BJP273 AUSGRAM â KALITA MAJI BJP274 GALSI â RAJU PATRA BJP275 PANDABESWAR â JITENDRA KUMAR TEWARI BJP276 DURGAPUR PURBA â CHANDRA SEKHAR BANERJEE BJP277 DURGAPUR PASCHIM â LAKSHMAN CHANDRA GHORUI BJP278 RANIGANJ â PARTHA GHOSH BJP279 JAMURIA â DR BIJAN MUKHERJEE BJP280 ASANSOL DAKSHIN â AGNIMITRA PAUL BJP281 ASANSOL UTTAR â KRISHNENDU MUKHERJEE BJP282 KULTI â AJAY KUMAR PODDAR BJP283 BARABANI â ARIJIT ROY BJP284 DUBRAJPUR â ANUP KUMAR SAHA BJP285 SURI â JAGANNATH CHATTOPADHYAY BJP286 BOLPUR â CHANDRANATH SINHA Trinamool Congress287 NANOOR â BIDHAN CHANDRA MAJHI Trinamool Congress288 LABPUR â DEBASIS OJHA BJP289 SAINTHIA â KRISHNA KANTA SAHA BJP290 MAYURESWAR â DUDH KUMAR MONDAL BJP291 RAMPURHAT â DHRUBA SAHA BJP292 HANSAN â FAYEZUL HAQUE Trinamool Congress293 NALHATI â RAJENDRA PRASAD SINGH Trinamool Congress294 MURARAI â DR MOSARRAF HOSSAIN Trinamool Congress IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/full-list-of-winners-of-west-bengal-assembly-polls-672357.html Tue, 05 May 2026 10:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vietnamese-president-to-lam-to-visit-india-today-672359.html New Delhi May 5 Vietnamese President To Lam will visit India on Tuesday for a State visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi To Lam also the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam will be in India till May 7 This is his first visit to India after being elected as the President of Vietnam earlier this monthHe will be accompanied by a highlevel delegation comprising several Ministers and senior officials of the Government of Vietnam A strong business delegation will also accompany the visiting dignitary the the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said earlierDuring his visit President To Lam will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan on May 6Following this Prime Minister Modi will hold wideranging discussions with President To Lam across the spectrum of bilateral relations along with regional and global issues of mutual interestPresident Droupadi Murmu will also hold a meeting with the visiting leaderOther leaders are also expected to call on President To LamAccording to the MEA the Vietnamese President will also visit Bodh Gaya and Mumbai during his visitThe Ministry further stated that the engagements between leaders will provide fresh momentum to the robust bilateral relations and open new avenues for cooperation between India and VietnamEarlier on April 7 PM Modi congratulated To Lam on his election as Vietnams President and expressed readiness to work with him further to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nationsHe expressed confidence that the timetested friendship between the two nations will continue to grow under To Lams leadershipHeartiest congratulations to Mr To Lam on his election as President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam I am confident that under his leadership the timetested friendship between our two countries will continue to grow from strength to strength I look forward to working closely together to further deepen our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the progress and prosperity of our people and the region PM Modi had posted on XIndia and Vietnam share historical and civilisational ties which have steadily deepened over the years President To Lams visit coincides with the special occasion of the two countries marking the 10th anniversary of the elevation of relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreed during the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Vietnam in 2016 the MEA said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vietnamese-president-to-lam-to-visit-india-today-672359.html Tue, 05 May 2026 10:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indian-americans-hail-bjps-victory-in-bengal--672360.html Washington May 5 Indian American leaders across the United States welcomed the Bharatiya Janata Partyâs victory in West Bengal calling it a âhistoric mandateâ and a turning point for governance security and development in the state Eminent Indian American Dr Bharat Barai described the result as âa great victory for the people of West Bengalâ alleging that the previous regime had âunleashed a mafia kingdom using all resources of state and actively threaten voters with rape arson murder preventing them from votingâHe further claimed that âher goons taped and blocked voting buttons for BJP candidates on EVMâ and said democratic institutions had been undermined âby rein of terror in W BengalâDr Adapa Prasad president of Overseas Friends of BJP OFBJPUSA extended âHearty Congratulations to the people of Bengal and Assam in particular upon BJPâs phenomenal historic victory in Bengal and stupendous victory in Assamâ He added that the party also secured âa great victory in Puducherry and important gains in Keralam while BJP maintaining status quo in Tamilnadu in terms of seats wonâPrasad said the outcome carried broader implications stating âBJPâs Bengal win is very crucial for Bharatâs security Bengalâs bad days are overâ He added that the state had âendured 50 years of unhindered goondagardi and extortion violence infiltration demographic changes loss of industry and moreâDr Vasudev Patel general secretary of OFBJPUSA stressed the strategic importance of the state saying âThis frontier state of Bharat on the east is important for the security and integrity of the nationâ He said the organisation is planning victory celebrations across the United StatesCardiologist Dr Indranil BasuRay said decades of rule had led to âcomplete deindustrialization gross unemployment increasing poverty and a lack of basic resourcesâ along with âan extreme amount crime with a criminal syndicate ruling the streetsâHe said âthe BJP sweep in Bengal has come to fruition after over 50 years of patriotic Bengalis struggle to rank their state among the best in the countryâ The moment offers an opportunity âto regain the glory of Bengal and restore its spiritual gloryâ nhe addedâThis historic mandate reflects the peopleâs trust aspirations and desire for strong governance development and cultural prideâ he said adding that âthe end of AITCâs ineffective and inept rule marks the beginning of a new chapter for BengalâCommunity leader Amitabh Mittalsaid the victory brings renewed hope that Bengal will reclaim its past glory and move toward the growth prosperity and progress from which it has been kept away for far too longâ He congratulated âthe BJP leadership karyakartas supporters and voters who worked tirelessly to make this victory possibleâ and said the mandate should âusher in peace prosperity and a brighter future for Bengalâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indian-americans-hail-bjps-victory-in-bengal--672360.html Tue, 05 May 2026 10:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tvk-needs-minimum-10-seats-to-form-govt-in-tn-eyes-alliances-672368.html Chennai May 5 Ending nearly six decades of Dravidian dominance in Tamil Nadu politics actorturnedpolitician C Joseph Vijayâs Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK has emerged as the surprise winner in the 2026 Assembly elections Contesting its maiden election the party has not only made a dramatic entry but has also secured recognition as a major political force in the state However despite its impressive performance TVK has fallen short of the simple majority mark required to form the government on its ownIn the 234member Assembly a party needs at least 118 seats for a clear majority TVK is currently leading in 108 constituencies leaving it 10 seats short of the halfway markAdding to the arithmetic Vijay has won from two constituencies Perambur and Tiruchy East and will have to vacate one seat effectively reducing the partyâs tally by oneFurther one of the elected MLAs will have to be appointed as the Speaker Since the Speaker does not vote during a confidence motion except in the case of a tie this effectively reduces the partyâs voting strength again increasing dependence on outside supportThis means TVK will require the backing of at least 12 additional legislators to comfortably prove its majority on the floor of the HouseThe postpoll numbers suggest that several smaller parties and alliances could play a crucial roleThe Dravida Munnetra Kazhagamled alliance has secured a fragmented mandate with the Congress winning six seats the Left parties CPI and CPIM bagging two seats each while others like the Indian Union Muslim League and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi have also secured representationOn the other hand the AIADMKled front has returned with modest numbers with parties like the Pattali Makkal Katchi and the Bharatiya Janata Party winning a handful of seats If TVK manages to secure support from even a section of these parties it could comfortably cross the majority mark However it does not necessarily need the backing of all alliance partners a smaller combination of support would sufficeMeanwhile Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arelekar is expected to initiate the government formation processHe may invite Vijay to stake a claim and prove his majority on the Assembly floor or ask him to submit letters of support from backing parties If TVK fails to demonstrate majority support the Governor could invite the secondlargest party the DMK to explore forming a government Should all options fail the state may face Presidentâs Rule followed by fresh elections within six months IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tvk-needs-minimum-10-seats-to-form-govt-in-tn-eyes-alliances-672368.html Tue, 05 May 2026 10:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indian-auto-retail-industry-clocks-13-pc-growth-in-best-ever-april-opens-fy27-on-strong-note-672372.html New Delhi May 5 The Indian auto retail industry opened FY27 on an exceptionally strong note retailing a record 2611317 units in April â a 1294 per cent growth the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations FADA data showed on Tuesday Twowheeler retails continued their robust momentum reaching 1916258 units last month the bestever April for this category The demand engine remained broadbased with urban markets growing 1407 per cent onyear and rural markets growing 1230 per cent âWith twowheelers at 1301 per cent threewheelers at 719 per cent passenger vehicles at 1221 per cent commercial vehicles at 1502 per cent tractors at 2322 per cent and construction equipment at 225 per cent five of the six vehicle categories â along with the total industry â registered alltime April recordsâ said FADA Vice President Sai GiridharThis clearly underlines that the structural demand momentum which defined the second half of FY26 has carried into the new financial year he mentionedCommercial vehicle retails in April stood at 99339 units From a market mix standpoint rural markets grew a striking 2025 per cent YoY growth compared to urban at 1022 per centThe MCV subsegment continued its standout run at 2707 per cent YoY while LCVs grew 1776 per cent and HCVs 825 per cent â reflecting participatory growth across subsegmentsLooking at the MayJuneJuly period dealer confidence remains broadly steady with 5090 per cent of dealers now expecting growth â marginally firmer than the 4981 per cent growth expectation recorded in the previous survey for the AprilJune window This suggests that the dealer community continues to view the underlying demand pulse as intact even as it factors in the customary seasonal lull that typically sets in between the conclusion of the marriage season and the onset of the festive buildup said the FADA reportNotably 3646 per cent of dealers have revised their FY27 retail expectations upwards with 4621 per cent retaining the existing view indicating that the underlying confidence in the mediumterm India consumption story remains wellanchored âOverall the next three months outlook hence remains measured but cautiously optimistic â the growth momentum is intact but as the industry transitions from the strong Q4 FY26 close to a more calibrated midyear phase expectations are normalising rather than weakeningâ said the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indian-auto-retail-industry-clocks-13-pc-growth-in-best-ever-april-opens-fy27-on-strong-note-672372.html Tue, 05 May 2026 10:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/wanted-in-multiple-ndps-cases-woman-drug-peddler-arrested-in-jampks-anantnag-672379.html Srinagar May 5 Police in Jammu and Kashmirâs Anantnag district said on Tuesday that they have arrested the most wanted female drug peddler and recovered contraband from her possession A police statement said that in its sustained and uncompromising crackdown against drug trafficking Anantnag Police achieved another significant success by apprehending a notorious female drug peddler involved in multiple narcotics casesA police party of Police Post Dialgam had established a routine naka checking point at Laalan Bypass During checking one female was noticed approaching from Bondialgam towards LaalanOn observing the police party she attempted to flee the spot arousing suspicion However the alert police team acted swiftly and successfully apprehended her on the spotDuring her personal search a contraband substance apparently heroinlike in nature was recovered from her possession Upon sustained questioning she identified herself as Shugafta Akhter daughter of Mohd Hussain Dar a resident of Dangerpora AnantnagAccordingly a case vide FIR No 1302026 under Sections 821 of the NDPS Act has been registered at the concerned police station and an investigation has been taken upAnantnag Police nabs notorious lady drug peddler at Laalan Bypass Dialgam Shugafta Akhter of Dangerpora held with heroinlike contraband Already wanted in multiple NDPS cases said police on its X handleIt is pertinent to mention that the arrested woman is a notorious and mostwanted drug peddler already involved in multiple NDPS cases and her arrest is being viewed as a major success in the ongoing drive against the drug menace in the districtIn the continuing antidrug campaign the police have been aggressively carrying out operations against drug smugglers and drug peddlersLt Governor Manoj Sinha while launching the 100daylong Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan recently had said that punitive action against drug smugglers will include cancellation of Aadhaar card passport driving licence and attachment of property created through the proceeds of drug smugglingThose involved in the hawala money racket are also on the scanner of the security forces as it is believed that funds generated by these unlawful activities are finally used to sustain terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/wanted-in-multiple-ndps-cases-woman-drug-peddler-arrested-in-jampks-anantnag-672379.html Tue, 05 May 2026 10:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-extends-birthday-wishes-to-manohar-lal-khattar-praises-his-work-in-key-governance-sectors-672387.html New Delhi May 5 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended birthday greetings to Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar praising his role in key governance sectors Posting on X PM Modi said âBirthday greetings to Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal Khattar Ji He is at the forefront of numerous initiatives relating to enhancing urban infrastructure and the power sector both of which are important for our growth trajectory May he be blessed with a long and healthy lifeâFollowing the Prime Minister Union Home Minister Amit Shah also conveyed his wishesHe wrote âHeartfelt birthday wishes to Union Cabinet Minister Shri mlkhattar ji Under the leadership of Modi ji you are doing commendable work in the direction of strengthening the housing urban development and energy sectors I pray to God for your excellent health and long lifeâDefence Minister Rajnath Singh also posted âHeartfelt birthday greetings and best wishes to Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal Khattar ji The dedication and complete devotion with which he is working to develop urban facilities in India and further strengthen the countryâs energy sector is commendable May God grant him excellent health and long lifeâUnion Minister Nitin Gadkari added âTo my colleague in the Union Cabinet Shri mlkhattar ji heartfelt birthday wishes I pray to God for your excellent health long life and a blissful existenceâUnion Minister Kiren Rijiju also joined in wishing âHeartfelt birthday wishes to the Honorable Union Minister Shri mlkhattar ji I pray to God for your excellent health and long lifeâManohar Lal Khattar Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs of India has had a long political and organisational career He was born on this day in 1954 in Nindana village of Rohtak district in Haryana He joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS in 1977 and served there for 17 years before associating with the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1994He rose through the party ranks and after winning from the Karnal Assembly constituency in 2014 became the first BJP Chief Minister of Haryana marking a significant milestone in the partyâs expansion in the state Over the years he has been associated with organisational work as well as governance roles particularly in urban development and infrastructurerelated sectors IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-extends-birthday-wishes-to-manohar-lal-khattar-praises-his-work-in-key-governance-sectors-672387.html Tue, 05 May 2026 11:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/dmk-suffers-major-setback-in-tn-as-15-key-ministers-lose-672388.html Chennai May 5 The DMK has suffered a major electoral setback in the recently concluded Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu winning only around 59 of the 164 constituencies it contested directly and slipping into the Opposition The polls witnessed a fierce threecornered contest involving the DMK the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and the AIADMK with the ruling party failing to retain its dominance amid a strong surge by TVKThe outcome was particularly striking as Chief Minister MK Stalin several senior ministers and even the Assembly Speaker were defeated reflecting a strong wave of antiincumbency across the stateAmong the prominent losers Health Minister M Subramanian was defeated in Saidapet by nearly 28500 votes while School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi lost in TiruverumburMinister TRB Rajaa was defeated in Mannargudi and Minister Moorthy lost Madurai East by over 16500 votesFinance Minister PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan faced an unexpected defeat in Madurai Central where a TVK candidate emerged victorious in a multicornered contestSenior ministers also faced setbacks across regions with KKSSR Ramachandran losing in Aruppukkottai and Thangam Thennarasu suffering defeat in his constituencyVeteran leader Durai Murugan lost Katpadi by more than 7600 votes while Minister Muthusamy was defeated in Erode West by over 22000 votesMinisters Nassar Avadi Mathivendhan Rasipuram R Rajendran Salem North Gandhi Ranipet and Saminathan Kangeyam were also among those who lostIn Alandur TM Anbarasan was defeated by a margin exceeding 25000 votesOne of the closest contests was witnessed in Tiruppattur where Minister Periyakaruppan lost by just a single vote highlighting the intensely competitive nature of the electionDespite the widespread losses a section of the DMK leadership managed to hold on to their seatsUdhayanidhi Stalin won from Chepauk with a margin of over 7300 votes while Minister Sekarbabu secured victory in HarbourKN Nehru retained Tiruchirappalli West and I Periyasamy registered a strong win in AthoorChakrapani won from Oddanchatram with a comfortable margin while EV Velu narrowly held TiruvannamalaiMinisters MRK Panneerselvam Meyyanathan CV Ganesan and K Chezhiyan were also among those who secured victories along with Anita Radhakrishnan in Tiruchendur and Raghupathi Sivashankar and Rajakannappan in their respective constituenciesThe results mark a decisive shift in Tamil Naduâs political landscape with the emergence of TVK significantly altering traditional voting patterns and eroding the dominance of both the DMK and AIADMKWhile the DMK managed to secure wins for only a limited number of its ministers the scale of highprofile defeats underscores the challenges ahead for the party as it prepares to assume the role of the Opposition after its term in power IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/dmk-suffers-major-setback-in-tn-as-15-key-ministers-lose-672388.html Tue, 05 May 2026 11:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/from-bengal-to-tn-national-consequences-of-new-election-pattern-shiv-sena-672389.html Mumbai May 5 The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray UBT on Tuesday said the results of the state elections have unfolded exactly as the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP had planned However it has raised serious concerns about the pattern used to secure these wins and the grim state of democracy it represents The Thackeray camp in a scathing editorial in the partys mouthpiece Saamana claimed that the ModiShah pattern of capturing elections was evident in the results for Assam and West Bengal In Tamil Nadu this same strategy reportedly led to a change in power displacing the DMK While actor Vijayâs TVK party did not reach a full majority it is expected to secure over 100 seats due to strategic vote division leaving the DMKCongress alliance with around 70 seats and the BJPAIADMK alliance with approximately 50The editorial said that while these five state election results are game changers for the BJP they do not appear to have been achieved through straightforward means âThe greatest anticipation was for West Bengal where Mamata Banerjeeâs Trinamool Congress had won three consecutive terms During this time Modi and Shah exerted every possible effort to defeat her but failed However this time they found a third partner in Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar which led to the BJPs successâ it allegedAccording to the editorial the credit for the BJPs victory in West Bengal must be given to Gyanesh Kumar who acted like an ally of the BJP âHe deployed 300000 paramilitary forces in Bengal and moved all state government officials out of the state While his stated noble intent was to ensure a fair election he did not display this same intent in Assam Modi and Shah harboured dreams of forming a government in Bengal to achieve this 92 lakh voters the majority of whom were Mamata Banerjee supporters were removed from the voter listsâ it saidThe Thackeray camp argued that this once again demonstrates the methods the BJP employs to fight and win elections The results in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal will have longterm consequences for national politics âGiven the dishonest manner in which the Election Commission behaved opposition parties must seriously consider whether they should even participate in future elections It is suspicious that the BJP began preparing victory celebrations immediately after the polling in West Bengal this suggests that the conspiracies for victory were orchestrated behind the scenesâ it notedThe editorial said that in a democracy if elections are fair defeat should be accepted with grace as the will of the people However the current results cannot be viewed as the peoples mandate rather they are verdicts delivered by the BJP with the cooperation of the Election Commission This was blatantly visible in West Bengal just as it was previously seen in Maharashtra and Haryana This represents the degradation of Indian democracy and raises questions about the fairness of the electoral processThe Uddhav Thackerayled Shiv Sena has termed the celebrations following these victories as a hideous form of democracy while pointing to a disturbing irony âWhile BJP workers celebrate with festivals the country is grappling with a rise in atrocities against women In Maharashtra reports of brutal crimes against young girls have shocked the nation yet these issues seem overshadowed by political revelry If someone calls this perversion a victory of religion then no saviour will ever descend to earth again to protect religion because true religion is being drowned out it claimed IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/from-bengal-to-tn-national-consequences-of-new-election-pattern-shiv-sena-672389.html Tue, 05 May 2026 11:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mandate-to-ministry-congress-faces-delicate-balancing-act-in-kerala-comeback-672400.html Thiruvananthapuram May 5 The emphatic return of the Congressled United Democratic Front UDF to power with 102 seats marks both a political resurgence and the beginning of a delicate balancing act After a decade in the opposition the coalition comprising the Congress 63 IUML 22 Kerala Congress 7 RSP 3 and smaller allies faces the immediate challenge of converting a decisive mandate into a stable and representative governmentThe Left has been reduced to 35 seats while the BJP has secured three underscoring the scale of the UDFâs victory and the expectations riding on itThe first and most closely watched decision will be the selection of the Chief MinisterWith multiple contenders in the fray Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan senior leader Ramesh Chennithala and AICC general secretary KC Venugopal the Congress high command will have to weigh administrative experience generational change and political messagingThe choice is not merely about leadership but about setting the tone for governance and internal cohesion over the next five yearsOnce the leadership question is settled the more arduous exercise begins in naming the 21member cabinet that reflects both coalition arithmetic and Keralaâs intricate social fabricAllies will expect their due shareThe IUML is likely to secure five cabinet berths Kerala Congress two the RSP and Anoop Jacob one each and the allies in line with past precedentsThis leaves the Congress to distribute the remaining positions among its 63 MLAs a task complicated by what many describe as a problem of plentyWithin the Congress the selection process will inevitably trigger debates over regional balance caste and community representation and generational inclusionNames such as state party president Sunny Joseph veterans Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and K Muraleedharan N Sakthan M Vincent and others including PC Vishnunath AP Anil Kumar Chandy Oommen and Mathew Kuzhalnadan are already in circulationEqually significant is the push for womenâs representation with Uma Thomas Bindhu Krishna Shanimol Usman and Remya Haridas among the frontrunnersBeyond the cabinet key constitutional posts Speaker Deputy Speaker and Chief Whip will also need careful calibration to maintain coalition harmony and legislative efficiencyHow the Congress leadership navigates these overlapping demands balancing merit with representation ambition with accommodation will determine whether this sweeping mandate translates into effective governance or early frictionThe transition from opposition to administration while triumphant is rarely seamless as for the UDF the real test begins now IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mandate-to-ministry-congress-faces-delicate-balancing-act-in-kerala-comeback-672400.html Tue, 05 May 2026 12:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/auto-retail-surges-13-in-record-april-kicks-off-fy27-strong-672405.html New Delhi May 5 IANS The Indian auto retail industry opened FY27 on an exceptionally strong note retailing a record 2611317 units in April a 1294 per cent growth the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations FADA data showed on TuesdaynbspTwowheeler retails continued their robust momentum reaching 1916258 units last month the bestever April for this categorynbspThe demand engine remained broadbased with urban markets growing 1407 per cent onyear and rural markets growing 1230 per centnbspWith twowheelers at 1301 per cent threewheelers at 719 per cent passenger vehicles at 1221 per cent commercial vehicles at 1502 per cent tractors at 2322 per cent and construction equipment at 225 per cent five of the six vehicle categories along with the total industry registered alltime April records said FADA Vice President Sai GiridharThis clearly underlines that the structural demand momentum which defined the second half of FY26 has carried into the new financial year he mentionedCommercial vehicle retails in April stood at 99339 units From a market mix standpoint rural markets grew a striking 2025 per cent YoY growth compared to urban at 1022 per centThe MCV subsegment continued its standout run at 2707 per cent YoY while LCVs grew 1776 per cent and HCVs 825 per cent reflecting participatory growth across subsegmentsLooking at the MayJuneJuly period dealer confidence remains broadly steady with 5090 per cent of dealers now expecting growth marginally firmer than the 4981 per cent growth expectation recorded in the previous survey for the AprilJune windownbspThis suggests that the dealer community continues to view the underlying demand pulse as intact even as it factors in the customary seasonal lull that typically sets in between the conclusion of the marriage season and the onset of the festive buildup said the FADA reportNotably 3646 per cent of dealers have revised their FY27 retail expectations upwards with 4621 per cent retaining the existing view indicating that the underlying confidence in the mediumterm India consumption story remains wellanchorednbspOverall the next three months outlook hence remains measured but cautiously optimistic the growth momentum is intact but as the industry transitions from the strong Q4 FY26 close to a more calibrated midyear phase expectations are normalising rather than weakening said the reportIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/auto-retail-surges-13-in-record-april-kicks-off-fy27-strong-672405.html Tue, 05 May 2026 12:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/prez-murmu-pays-homage-to-former-president-giani-zail-singh-on-birth-anniversary-672406.html New Delhi May 5 IANS President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday paid floral tributes to former President Giani Zail Singh on his birth anniversary at Rashtrapati BhavannbspGiani Zail Singh served as the seventh President of India from July 25 1982 to July 25 1987 and is remembered for his longstanding contribution to public life and governanceBorn on May 5 1916 in Sandhwan village in Punjabs Faridkot district Zail Singhs political journey was shaped by his deep commitment to public service and his active role in the countrys freedom struggleHe was closely associated with the Indian independence movement and took part in the Quit India Movement during which he was imprisoned multiple times for participating in protests against British ruleAfter Independence he held several key positions in Punjab including serving as a minister and later as Chief Minister of the state between 1972 and 1977 His tenure in the state was marked by a series of administrative and developmental initiatives including land reforms and efforts to streamline governanceIn 1980 he was inducted as the Union Home Minister in the Cabinet led by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi where he handled crucial issues related to internal security and law and orderHis political career reached its peak in 1982 when he was elected President of India During his tenure he was known for adhering to constitutional values and maintaining a strong commitment to the principles of justice liberty and equalityZail Singh was also widely regarded for his humility and his focus on the welfare of underprivileged sections of society His ability to connect with people across different backgrounds reflected his belief in social equity and inclusive governanceHe passed away on December 25 1994 leaving behind a legacy of dedicated public service that continues to inspire many in Indian politics and public lifeIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/prez-murmu-pays-homage-to-former-president-giani-zail-singh-on-birth-anniversary-672406.html Tue, 05 May 2026 12:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-grants-bail-in-murder-case-says-prolonged-custody-without-trial-violates-article-21-672407.html New Delhi May 5 IANS Reiterating that the right to a speedy trial is a fundamental guarantee under Article 21 of the Constitution the Supreme Court has granted bail to an accused in a murder case who had remained in custody for nearly four years without examination of a single witnessnbspA Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and Vijay Bishnoi passed the order while allowing a special leave petition SLP filed by Sahil Manoj Machare challenging a Bombay High Court order that had denied him bail in a murder case registered in Maharashtras Kolhapur districtTaking note of the prolonged incarceration the apex court observed that despite charges being framed in 2024 the trial had not progressed at all We take notice of the fact that the petitioner is in judicial custody since 1112022 Although the charge came to be framed by the Trial Court in the year 2024 yet till this date not a single witness has been examined the Justice Pardiwalaled Bench recordedIn these circumstances the top court held that the continued detention of the accused infringed his fundamental rights In such circumstances we are left with no other option but to say that the right of the accused to have a speedy trial as enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution could be said to have been infringed the Justice Pardiwalaled Bench saidIt further said that even in serious offences like murder constitutional safeguards cannot be ignored We are mindful of the fact that the petitioner is charged with the offence of murder but time and again we have said that howsoever serious the crime may be if the right of speedy trial is infringed then the Court must consider the plea for bail appropriately the apex court observedNoting that the accused had spent almost 4 years in jail without progress in trial the Justice Pardiwalaled Bench directed that he be released on bail forthwith subject to terms and conditions to be imposed by the trial courtThe case was registered at Shahapur Police Station in Kolhapur under Sections 302 and 34 of the IPC The petitioner was arrested on November 1 2022 and a charge sheet was filed in September 2023 As per the prosecution the incident occurred during a family gathering in village Tardal where the victim was allegedly attacked with a sharp weapon and later declared dead An eyewitness had identified one of the coaccused as the assailantBefore the Bombay High Court the accused had argued that his name did not figure in the FIR no weapon was recovered from him and the case rested on circumstantial evidence However the Bombay High Court declined the bail plea in March 2026 highlighting the gravity of the offence the presence of prima facie evidence and its possible impact on the administration of justiceIt had observed that the gravity of the offence and the prima facie evidence of the applicants involvement outweigh the grounds for release and stressed that judicial discretion in serious offences must be exercised cautiouslyA singlejudge Bench of Justice Sachin S Deshmukh had also rejected the argument of delay in trial stating that proceedings were under progress and directing parties to cooperate for expeditious disposal instead of filing intervening applicationsSetting aside the impugned order the Supreme Court held that continued incarceration in such circumstances cannot be justified and ordered the petitioners release provided he is not required in any other caseIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-grants-bail-in-murder-case-says-prolonged-custody-without-trial-violates-article-21-672407.html Tue, 05 May 2026 12:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/from-convoy-to-quiet-exit-kerala-cm-vijayans-fall-captured-in-a-moment-of-silence-672408.html Thiruvananthapuram May 5 The fall from power when it comes is often measured not just in numbers but in moments For Pinarayi Vijayan Tuesday was one such moment quiet restrained and heavy with the weight of a decade that has abruptly drawn to a close After ten years at the helm marked by the full paraphernalia and security accorded to a Chief Minister Vijayan cut a markedly different figure on his return to ThiruvananthapuramThe emphatic verdict delivered a day earlier had left the Left Front with just 35 seats a stunning reversal for a coalition that had nursed hopes of a historic third termThe Congressled UDF surged to 102 while the BJP opened its account with three seats sealing what is widely seen as the sharpest electoral setback faced by any incumbent Chief Minister in KeralaThe resignation sent quietly through a messenger to Governor Rajendra V Arlekar on Monday night was in keeping with the understated manner that has since defined Vijayanâs public demeanourAsked to continue as caretaker until a new government assumes office he has so far chosen silence over statementThat silence was most visible at the airportsAt the entrance of the Kannur airport it was a grimfaced Vijayan who acknowledged the police officials who received him but steered clear of the waiting mediaThe contrast was starkFor a decade his arrivals were marked by elaborate security arrangements and long convoys but this time it was all missingAt Thiruvananthapuram he was received by a handful of party colleagues including Rajya Sabha member AA Rahim and V Sivankutty himself among those defeatedAbsent were the crowds the slogans and the visible assertion of authority that had long accompanied Vijayanâs public movementsThere were no remarks to the media despite repeated calls for a responseAccompanied by his wife and daughter he quietly entered the vehicle of his party secretary and drove away offering no immediate reflection on a verdict that has reshaped Keralaâs political landscapeThis time there was only a lone pilot vehicle of the Kerala Police escorting him an image that seemed to mirror the sudden contraction of political powerIn the coming days Vijayan is expected to vacate Cliff House the official residence that has been his home through two consecutive termsThe physical act of leaving that space will in many ways symbolise the end of an era one defined by centralised authority administrative continuity and ultimately an electoral reckoningFor now the silence endures perhaps the most telling response from a leader who until recently stood at the centre of Keralaâs political stage IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/from-convoy-to-quiet-exit-kerala-cm-vijayans-fall-captured-in-a-moment-of-silence-672408.html Tue, 05 May 2026 12:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nari-shakti-stood-united-against-fear-delhi-cm-rekha-gupta-after-bjps-bengal-win-672410.html New Delhi May 5 IANS Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday attributed the sweeping victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP in West Bengal to the courage and unity of women voters saying their participation had strengthened democracy in the statenbspSpeaking after offering prayers at the Kali Bari Temple in CR Park the Chief Minister said It is the blessing of Maa Kali and her divine power that enabled the women of Bengal the Nari Shakti to stand united against terror and fear and to be able to cast their votes This time voting has given a win to democracy and this win will brighten the future of West BengalShe further took a swipe at opposition parties adding The parties that denied the Womens Reservation Bill are now facing loss and backlash whether it is MK Stalin or Mamata BanerjeeMeanwhile Gupta offered prayers at the temple and sought blessings following the electoral outcome in West BengalHer remarks come amid a major political shift in the state where the Bharatiya Janata Party is set to form the government with a decisive mandate ending the longstanding rule of the All India Trinamool CongressAccording to the Election Commission data results were declared for 293 out of the 294 Assembly constituencies with repolling scheduled in one seat The BJP secured a commanding 206 seats well above the twothirds majority mark of 196 in the 294member AssemblyThe Trinamool Congress finished with 81 seats while the Congress managed two seats and the CPIM secured one The All India Secular Front AISF and the Aam Janata Unnayan Party AJUP won one and two seats respectivelyIn terms of vote share the BJP garnered 46 per cent of the total votes polled followed by the Trinamool Congress at 41 per cent The Left Front secured 4 per cent the Congress 3 per cent and others accounted for 6 per centThe Trinamool Congress also failed to win any seats in several districts including Cooch Behar Jalpaiguri Darjeeling Bankura and Purulia and was defeated in all tribal and Matuadominated constituencies marking a significant electoral setback for the partyIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nari-shakti-stood-united-against-fear-delhi-cm-rekha-gupta-after-bjps-bengal-win-672410.html Tue, 05 May 2026 12:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/put-petty-politics-aside-rahul-gandhi-to-cong-leaders-gloating-over-trinamools-loss--672413.html New Delhi May 5 IANS Rahul Gandhi Leader of Opposition LoP in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday criticised his own party leaders for gloating about the loss faced by the Trinamool Congress in the West Bengal Assembly electionsHe framed the BJPs victories in West Bengal and Assam as theft of mandates achieved to destroy Indian democracyIn a post on X Gandhi said Some in the Congress and others are gloating about TMCs loss They need to understand this clearly the theft of Assam and Bengals mandate is a big step forward by the BJP in its mission to destroy Indian democracyPut petty politics aside This is not about one party or another This is about India he addedThis came as the BJP is set to form the next government in West Bengal with a decisive twothirds majority ending the Trinamool Congresss 15year rule in the stateEarlier Gandhi said that he agrees with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees allegation of vote chori in BengalAssam and Bengal are clear cases of the election being stolen by the BJP with the support of the EC We agree with Mamata ji More than 100 seats were stolen in Bengal We have seen this playbook before Madhya Pradesh Haryana Maharashtra Lok Sabha 2024 etc he addedIn the 294member Assembly the majority mark stands at 196 Results were declared for 293 constituencies on Monday with repolling scheduled in the Falta seat of South 24 Parganas district on May 21 as announced by the Election Commission of India with counting for that seat due on May 24Of the declared results the BJP secured 206 seats comfortably ahead of the Trinamool Congress which managed 81 Trinamool chief and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lost her Bhabanipur seat to BJPs Suvendu Adhikari by over 15000 votesThe Congress won two seats the CPIM one while the AISF and the Aam Janata Unnayan Party secured one and two seats respectivelyNotably the Trinamool Congress failed to win a single seat in ten districts including Cooch Behar East Midnapore Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling and also lost all tribal and Matuadominated constituenciesMeanwhile in Assam the BJPled alliance registered a decisive victory in the polls consolidating its position in the state and further marginalising the opposition including the Congress which trailed significantly in the final tallyThe BJP won 82 seats and the Congress managed to secure only 19 constituenciesIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/put-petty-politics-aside-rahul-gandhi-to-cong-leaders-gloating-over-trinamools-loss--672413.html Tue, 05 May 2026 12:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/dmk-allies-reluctant-to-back-vijay-as-tvk-falls-short-of-majority-in-tamil-nadu-672418.html Chennai May 5 IANS Key allies of the DMKled alliance have indicated they are not inclined to support actorpolitician C Joseph Vijay in forming the next government in Tamil Nadu casting uncertainty over the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVKs path to power despite emerging as the singlelargest partynbspnbspThe Assembly elections held in a single phase on April 23 saw a fourcornered contest involving the DMK AIADMK Naam Tamilar Katchi and TVKWith counting completed on May 4 TVK secured 108 seats in the 234member House falling short of the majority mark of 118Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MDMK General Secretary Vaiko made it clear that parties aligned with the DMK would not extend support to Vijay There is no intention among alliance partners to move towards TVK he said effectively ruling out any postpoll realignmentViduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan echoed a similar stance emphasising the longstanding ideological alignment between Left parties and VCKWe have been travelling together on a secular political path for a long time and will continue to take major decisions collectively We have not considered supporting TVK so far he saidAdding to the uncertainty Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam DMDK leader Premalatha Vijayakanth also stopped short of offering support While acknowledging Vijays personal rapport with her late husband Vijayakanth she reiterated the partys independent ideological positionVijay is like a son of our household and was close to the Captain We congratulate him on his victory she said without making any commitmentDMDK which contested 10 seats as part of the DMK alliance managed to win only one constituencyVirudhachalam Premalatha noted that the alliance was not in a celebratory mood drawing a parallel to 1962 when the DMK refrained from celebrating after CN Annadurai lost his seatShe pointed out that a similar sentiment prevails now as DMK President MK Stalin has suffered a key defeatAmid the political deadlock Vijay has begun internal consultations at the partys Panaiyur office in Chennai meeting newlyelected MLAs and senior leaders With no firm commitments from potential allies the coming days will be crucial as he explores options to secure a majority and stake claim to form the governmentIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/dmk-allies-reluctant-to-back-vijay-as-tvk-falls-short-of-majority-in-tamil-nadu-672418.html Tue, 05 May 2026 13:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/presidents-assurance-on-constitutional-rights-gives-us-strength-raghav-chadha-672421.html New Delhi May 5 IANS Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Tuesday met President Droupadi Murmu along with three fellow MPs and raised concerns over alleged misuse of state machinery by the Aam Aadmi Party AAPled Punjab government following their decision to merge with the BJPnbspIn a statement after the meeting Chadha said the delegation conveyed to the President that twothirds of their MPs had exercised their constitutional right to leave AAP and join the BJP but were now facing what he described as targeted harassmentWe conveyed how the AAPs Punjab government is misusing state machinery to target us for exercising our constitutional rights after twothirds of MPs chose to merge with the BJP The party that once cried vendetta is now practising its most toxic form he saidChadha said the MPs drew reassurance from the Presidents response We take strength from the Presidents assurance that constitutional rights and democratic choices must be respected he addedLaunching a sharp attack on AAP he remarked that the partys conduct had turned vindictive after their exit AAP today behaves less like a political party and more like an obsessed jilted ex bitter vindictive and unable to move on he saidThe BJP leader then detailed a series of alleged incidents to support his claims of harassment He said that since April 24 2026 when they formally merged with the BJP multiple MPs had faced intimidation and pressureCiting one such instance Chadha alleged that former cricketer and MP Harbhajan Singh was targeted with slogans raised outside his residence in Jalandhar and objectionable remarks made against his family members He further alleged that stones were pelted at the house and antinational graffiti was written outside with the help of Punjab PoliceHe also accused the Punjab government of targeting industrialist and Padma Shri awardee Rajinder Gupta According to Chadha Guptas factory in Punjabs Malwa region which he said supports around 30000 families was subjected to administrative action He alleged that the water connection to the factory was cut and that the state Pollution Control Board carried out inspections aimed at shutting it down by the Punjab GovernmentChadha further said that AAP leaders had changed their stance towards them after their exit from the party As long as we were obedient we were called cultured the moment we left we were branded corrupt Those who call loot and plunder extreme honesty how can anyone maintain relations with them he saidHe also warned against what he termed a dangerous escalation of political retaliation AAP has a government in one state and control over the police there while the BJP governs 21 states The dirty game of revenge and retaliation that you have started no one can even imagine where it will end Please refrain from it he saidIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/presidents-assurance-on-constitutional-rights-gives-us-strength-raghav-chadha-672421.html Tue, 05 May 2026 14:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/storms-lightning-devastate-bihar-over-20-dead-in-24-hours-672426.html Patna May 5 Severe weather conditions have wreaked havoc across Bihar over the past 24 hours leaving more than 20 people dead and several others injured due to storms heavy rainfall and lightning strikes The worstaffected districts include East Champaran Gaya and AurangabadIn response the Chief Ministerâs Secretariat has announced an ex gratia compensation of Rs 4 lakh each for the families of the deceasedThe sudden weather shift followed a day of intense heat and humidityBy late Monday afternoon dark clouds gathered across multiple districts and by evening powerful storms accompanied by rain and lightning swept through large parts of the stateCasualties have been reported from several districtsTwo people died in Barh in Patna district due to falling trees and collapsing walls while East Champaran reported five deathsIn Gaya three deaths were recorded across the district while Aurangabad reported three deaths due to lightningAdditional casualties were reported from Vaishali 1 Sitamarhi 2 and Bhojpur 1In Sitamarhi two womenâRakiba Khatoon and Nikhat Parveenâdied after an electric pole collapsed during the stormOne person Ghulam Hussain sustained serious injuries and is undergoing treatmentThe incident has triggered public outrage with residents alleging negligence by the electricity department due to poorly maintained infrastructureIn Rohtas 25yearold Balwant Paswan died after being struck by lightning at a worksite while four others were injuredA major disaster was narrowly averted at Azamnagar station under the Katihar Railway Division when a heavy tree branch fell onto a hightension overhead wire carrying around 25000 volts sparking a firePanic gripped passengers as smoke engulfed the platform areaTrain number 55708 KatiharâRadhikapur Passenger remained halted for nearly an hour before railway officials brought the situation under control and restored operationsThe widespread damage also disrupted daily life with fallen trees and electric poles blocking roads and the power supply remaining cut off for hours in several areasThe India Meteorological Department had issued an alert earlier in the day warning of storms rainfall and lightning activity across BiharAuthorities have urged residents to remain cautious and follow safety advisories as adverse weather conditions may persist IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/storms-lightning-devastate-bihar-over-20-dead-in-24-hours-672426.html Tue, 05 May 2026 14:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/up-cm-holds-janata-darshan-in-gorakhpur-addresses-grievances-of-over-200-people-672427.html Gorakhpur May 5 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister met over 200 people on Tuesday listening to their problems and grievances while also assuring them that their complaints would soon be looked into and acted upon The Chief Ministerâs assurance came at the Janata Darshan organised at Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur this morningDo not worry the government will ensure effective resolution of every problem the Chief Minister told the visitors and also instructed officials to show sensitivity towards public grievances and ensure transparent disposalAs the people gathered at the Janata Darshan a regular occasion where the public seeks solutions directly from the Chief Minister the latter heard them out collected their application letters and gave necessary directions to the officials standing nearby for resolving the issuesHe referred some applications to the concerned administrative and police officials and directed that all issues must be resolved in a timebound and impartial mannerOn complaints related to land encroachment the Chief Minister told the administrative and police officials that if any influential person is forcibly occupying someoneâs land strict legal action must be taken against themSome people also came seeking financial assistance for medical treatment to which the Chief Minister assured them of speedy resolutionCM Yogi directed officials to promptly prepare estimates for advanced medical treatment of all needy individuals As soon as the estimate is received the government will immediately provide the required fundsThe Chief Minister also showered affection on the children by distributing chocolatesEarlier in the morning the Chief Minister offered prayers to Guru Gorakhnath considered an incarnation of Lord Shiva at the temple and paid respects at the samadhi sthal of his guru the late Mahant AvaidyanathHe also performed âGau sewaâ at the temple premises by visiting the cowshed showing affection to the cows and also feeding them jaggery a routine he follows when staying at the Gorakhnath temple IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/up-cm-holds-janata-darshan-in-gorakhpur-addresses-grievances-of-over-200-people-672427.html Tue, 05 May 2026 14:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-acb-nabs-four-including-sub-registrar-in-rs-25-lakh-bribery-case-672428.html Ahmedabad May 5 The Gujarat AntiCorruption Bureau ACB apprehended four individuals including a SubRegistrar and contractual staff of the SubRegistrar Office at Naroda6 in Ahmedabad in connection with an alleged bribery case involving Rs 25 lakh officials said on Tuesday According to the ACB the complainant had approached the office for registration of a residential property documentDuring the process SubRegistrar Aakash Desai initially raised objections Subsequently contractual employees of the office allegedly intervened in the matterJay Adivasi a contractual stamp operator and Rahil Sheikh a contractual search operator are alleged to have contacted the complainant and assured him that the documentation process would be completedOfficials said one of the accused later contacted the complainant via WhatsApp and informed him that the work would be processed without requiring a condition document under Section 73AA from the Collectorâs officeIt is further alleged that an initial payment of Rs 35000 was collected online through a QR code linked to an associate purportedly for âtoken unlockingâ of the fileThereafter a demand of Rs 25 lakh was allegedly made for completion of the registration process said to be on the instructions of the SubRegistrarUnwilling to pay the alleged bribe the complainant approached the ACB following which a trap was arranged on the same dayDuring the operation officials said Jay Adivasi allegedly engaged in conversation with the complainant and acting on behalf of Aakash Desai along with Narendra alias Sonu Ramkaran Bohra accepted the bribe amount within the premises of the SubRegistrars officeThe entire sum of Rs 25 lakh was recovered from the spot All accused were apprehended during the operation and the cash was seizedFurther investigation into the case is underway officials addedIn earlier anticorruption operations in Gujarat the ACB had arrested three individuals in January for allegedly accepting a Rs 32000 bribe in connection with Aadhaarrelated services at a civic centre in the Saraspur area of Ahmedabad within the Collectorâs office premisesIn another case in March a senior officer of the State Intelligence Bureau was arrested in Gandhinagar for allegedly accepting an Rs 80000 bribe in connection with the renewal of police protection following a trap laid by the ACB IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-acb-nabs-four-including-sub-registrar-in-rs-25-lakh-bribery-case-672428.html Tue, 05 May 2026 14:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-paramour-burns-woman-alive-for-refusing-to-leave-husband-commits-suicide-672429.html Chikkaballapur Karnataka May 5 A shocking incident linked to an alleged extramarital affair was reported on Tuesday near Jinke Bacchahalli near Doddaballapura town in Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka where both a woman and her alleged lover have died The deceased have been identified as Sujatha and Ramanjinappa The police investigations have revealed that Ramanjinappa had burnt Sujatha alive and later fearing arrest killed himselfAccording to police the deceased woman 35yearold Sujatha from Devanahalli is said to have been in an illicit relationship with an individual named Ramanjinappa from Marasandra He had separated from his wife four months agoPreliminary investigations state that after his divorce she had been living with him for about four months It is also alleged that he was pressuring her to leave her husband permanently and live with himAccording to police Sujatha had come to stay with her lover after being influenced by him However when she reportedly refused to leave her husband permanently the situation escalatedOn April 2 Ramanjinappa allegedly set fire to the car in which Sujatha was sitting burning her alive After the act he fled the scenePolice investigations later revealed that the car used in the incident belonged to a person named Suresh from Marasandra It is further alleged that Ramanjinappa had taken the vehicle from Suresh and used it to carry out the crimeWhile police were searching for him Ramanjinappa reportedly went into hiding It is now being said that he died by suicide out of fear of arrestHe ended his life by jumping in front of a train near Bidadi on the outskirts of BengaluruThe incident has been registered at the Doddaballapura Rural Police Station and further investigation is underwayIt can be recalled that in March 2025 a court in Mysuru has sentenced Mahadevanayaka of Halepura village in Kavalande police station limits near here to imprisonment till death for the brutal murder of his paramour in July 2022Mahadevanayaka was in an illicit relationship with the woman from the same village for about 20 years He also financially aided her during those years However three months prior to the murder Mahadevanayaka had a quarrel with her accusing her of being in relationship with other men despite him looking after herWhen a complaint was lodged at Kavalande police station both parties were summoned to resolve the dispute and were sent back However Mahadevanayaka harboured deep resentment against the woman for lodging a police complaint and killed herThe court had sentenced Mahadevanayaka to life imprisonment until natural death IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-paramour-burns-woman-alive-for-refusing-to-leave-husband-commits-suicide-672429.html Tue, 05 May 2026 14:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vivek-vihar-fire-delhi-cm-gupta-visits-site-meets-families-of-victims-672430.html New Delhi May 5 Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday visited the site of the devastating fire in Vivek Vihar that claimed nine lives and met with the grieving families affected by the incident The Chief Minister interacted with survivors and bereaved relatives assuring them of full support from the Delhi government during this difficult time Her visit comes days after the tragic blaze that shook the area and left nine people dead and several injuredEarlier on Sunday expressing deep sorrow over the incident CM Gupta had said in a post on X âThe fire incident in a building in Vivek Vihar is extremely tragic The loss of 9 lives in this accident has left me deeply distressed Treatment of the injured in the accident is ongoing at the nearest hospital and I pray for their swift recoveryâExtending her condolences she added âI pray to God to grant them the strength to endure this difficult timeâShe also assured that authorities are closely monitoring the situation and providing all necessary assistance âAll senior officials of the local administration DDMA Delhi Fire Service and Delhi Police are fully engaged with utmost promptness in relief and rescue operationsâ she saidThe incident occurred early on Sunday morning when a massive fire broke out on the second floor of a fourstorey residential building in Vivek Vihar at around 4 AM According to officials 14 fire engines were rushed to the spot and the blaze was brought under control by approximately 6 AMDuring the rescue operation around 15 people were evacuated from the building While some sustained minor injuries and were shifted to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital for treatment nine people including a toddler lost their lives in the tragedyPolice teams along with fire and emergency services responded swiftly after receiving information about the fire A preliminary enquiry has confirmed the death toll while further investigation into the cause of the fire is underwayLocal representatives including BJP MLA Sanjay Goyal and councillor Pankaj Luthra were also present at the site to oversee relief efforts along with BJP Delhi unit President Virendra SachdevaThe Delhi government has reiterated its commitment to supporting the affected families and ensuring all possible relief measures in the aftermath of the tragedy IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vivek-vihar-fire-delhi-cm-gupta-visits-site-meets-families-of-victims-672430.html Tue, 05 May 2026 14:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/west-bengal-gears-up-for-crackdown-on-illegal-immigration-eyes-statewide-clean-up-672432.html New Delhi May 5 One of the key issues in West Bengal is illegal immigration It has been a problem that has been ongoing for years and with a complicit administration illegal immigrants flooded the state Prime Minister Narendra Modi while hailing the BJPs victory made it clear that illegal immigrants must be prepared to leave the state Union Home Minister Amit Shah too echoed the same sentiment Officials say that one could expect a clean up and more importantly fresh illegal immigration is likely to come down in the months to comeThe official added that illegal immigration into West Bengal and the other Northeastern states was not just an economic issue It has been a planned execution by the ISI and JamaateIslami since the late 1970s to effect a demographic change in IndiaFor the BJP illegal immigration was a major issue during the elections Even prior to the elections the issue has been raised by the party several timesAn Intelligence Bureau official said that to curb issues such as illegal immigration it is important that the state government is on board with the central agenciesWith the BJP keen to address the issue the state administration would move towards a zerotolerance policy where illegal immigration is concernedAnother official said that the first step would be to identify all illegal immigrants in the state Then the process to deport them legally would take place It would be a massive task for the state government since the numbers in West Bengal are hugeThe first step would be to look into the bordering districts of the state where the problem is immense the official said Districts such as Malda and Murshidabad would be the key areas to focus on since this is where most of the demographic changes have taken place the official addedFurther the state machinery would begin to hunt down the touts who are a major part of the problem There are touts both in India and Bangladesh who coordinate with each other to bring in illegal immigrantsAnother official said that the crackdown in West Bengal on illegal immigration would have a ripple effect across the country Most of these illegal immigrants who enter West Bengal have over the last couple of years started moving into other statesTheir presence apart from West Bengal and the northeastern states is most in the southern states where they work as cheap labour in plantations constructions among othersOnce the crackdown in West Bengal begins the trail would lead up to the other states in the country The entire racket is interconnected officials sayAnother official added that cracking down on the touts would be an important part of this exercise These touts have links in almost all states of the country It is a deep rooted network that facilitates the movement of illegal immigrants the official also addedIn addition to cracking down on illegal immigration and the network of touts the state administration in West Bengal along with the Central agencies would work closely on securing the borderDuring the election campaign the BJP had pledged to seal the border with Bangladesh Officials say that while this is a key aspect in the fight against illegal immigration cooperation with Bangladesh would also be the keyThere are certain parts of the border that cannot be fenced owing to rivers and dense forests India and Bangladesh would work closely to ensure that illegal immigrants do not use these routes to slip into the country the official added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/west-bengal-gears-up-for-crackdown-on-illegal-immigration-eyes-statewide-clean-up-672432.html Tue, 05 May 2026 15:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/stalin-resigns-as-tn-chief-minister-after-dmks-defeat-in-assembly-polls-672433.html Chennai May 5 In the wake of a major electoral setback DMK President MK Stalin resigned as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu A formal communication in this regard was sent to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at the Raj Bhavan Sources said the resignation letter reached the Governorâs office at Lok Bhavan after the Assembly election results made it clear that the DMKled alliance had fallen well short of the majority markAs per convention the Governor is expected to request Stalin to continue as the caretaker Chief Minister until a new government assumes officeThe DMKled Secular Progressive Alliance SPA which went into the polls with high expectations could secure only 73 seats in the 234member Assembly a significant drop that has pushed it into the OppositionThe DMK itself which contested 164 constituencies managed to win only around 60 seats marking a sharp decline from its previous performanceAdding to the setback Stalin suffered a personal defeat in his stronghold of Kolathur a constituency he had represented since 2011 He was defeated by VS Babu of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK making him one of the rare sitting Chief Ministers in Tamil Nadu to lose an Assembly electionThe last such instance dates back to 1996 when former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa faced defeatBabuâs victory is seen as politically significant given his past association with the DMK before shifting allegiance His win in Kolathur reflects the shifting voter sentiment and the broader churn in Tamil Naduâs political landscapeThe election has produced a fractured mandate with actorturnedpolitician Vijayâs TVK emerging as the single largest party but falling short of a majorityWith postpoll negotiations underway all eyes are now on the formation of the next governmentMeanwhile Stalin is expected to take on the role of Leader of Opposition as the DMK begins internal discussions to assess the reasons behind its electoral setback and chart its future course IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/stalin-resigns-as-tn-chief-minister-after-dmks-defeat-in-assembly-polls-672433.html Tue, 05 May 2026 15:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/army-air-defence-college-concludes-specialised-44-week-training-programme-672436.html Gopalpur Odisha May 5 The Long Air Defence Course conducted at the Army Training Commandâs Army Air Defence College in Gopalpur culminated on Tuesday marking the successful completion of an intensive 44week training programme aimed at enhancing technical and tactical expertise in modern air defence systems The course saw participation from officers of the Indian Army as well as six officers from Friendly Foreign Countries including Botswana Ghana Myanmar Nepal and Malaysia The diverse participation reflects growing defence cooperation and knowledge exchange between India and partner nationsAccording to an official post shared on X by the Army Training Command the officers underwent rigorous training covering both technical and tactical aspects of the latest GroundBased Air Defence Systems GBADS The programme was designed to prepare officers for the effective and innovative application of these systems in an evolving battlefield environmentThe training focussed on equipping participants with the skills required to counter contemporary and emerging aerial threats including drones missiles and advanced aerial platforms Emphasis was also laid on integrating technologydriven solutions and fostering disruptive thinking to strengthen air defence preparednessAt the valedictory ceremony Major Akshay Patil was awarded the prestigious Vayu Raksha Trophy in recognition of his outstanding performance during the course Major Sumit Kumar received the Commandantâs Trophy for overall excellenceThe awards were presented by Lt Gen RC Srikanth Commandant of the Army Air Defence College who commended the officers for their dedication and professionalism throughout the training periodThe successful completion of the course underscores the Indian Armyâs continued emphasis on capacity building modernisation and strengthening operational readiness in the domain of air defenceIt also highlights Indiaâs role as a key training partner for friendly nations contributing to regional and global security cooperation IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/army-air-defence-college-concludes-specialised-44-week-training-programme-672436.html Tue, 05 May 2026 15:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-governor-accepts-stalins-resignation-asks-him-to-continue-as-caretaker-cm--672441.html Chennai May 5 Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar accepted the resignation of Chief Minister MK Stalin and his Council of Ministers and requested him to continue in office as caretaker CM until alternative arrangements are made According to an official release issued from Lok Bhavan on Tuesday the Governor has asked Stalin to remain in charge until a new government is sworn in in keeping with constitutional conventionStalinâs resignation came in the wake of a significant electoral setback for the DMKled Secular Progressive Alliance SPA in the recently concluded Assembly elections Sources said the resignation letter was submitted to the Governor shortly after the results made it clear that the alliance had fallen well short of the majority markThe DMKled alliance managed to secure only 73 seats in the 234member Tamil Nadu Assembly far below the halfway mark of 118 The DMK itself which contested 164 constituencies won only around 60 seats marking a sharp decline from its previous performance and pushing the party into the OppositionIn a major personal setback Stalin also lost his longheld Kolathur constituency which he had represented since 2011 He was defeated by VS Babu of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK making him one of the rare sitting Chief Ministers in Tamil Nadu to lose an Assembly electionThe last such instance dates back to 1996 when former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was defeatedBabuâs victory is seen as politically significant given his past association with the DMK before switching sides His win in Kolathur reflects a broader shift in voter sentiment and the changing political landscape in the StateThe election has thrown up a fractured mandate with actorturnedpolitician C Joseph Vijay is leading the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK to emerge as the single largest party though it remains short of a majorityWith postpoll negotiations underway attention has now turned to the formation of the next governmentMeanwhile Stalin is likely to take on the role of Leader of Opposition as the DMK begins internal discussions to analyse its electoral setback and plan its future course IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-governor-accepts-stalins-resignation-asks-him-to-continue-as-caretaker-cm--672441.html Tue, 05 May 2026 15:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-police-arrest-govt-employee-involved-in-forgery-illegal-appointments-672442.html Srinagar May 5 The JampK Polices Crime Branch said on Tuesday that it has arrested a government employee involved in a fraud case of forgery and illegal appointments Officials of the Crime Branch Jammu said that the Economic Offences Wing EOW Kashmir of Crime Branch Jammu and Kashmir has arrested a Health Department employee in connection with a longpending fraud case involving alleged forgery and illegal appointmentThe arrest was made in FIR No 192017 registered under Sections 420 467 468 and 471 of the Ranbir Penal Code at Police Station Crime Branch Kashmir now designated as EOW KashmirThe accused has been identified as Shahnawaz Ahmad Mir a Senior Assistant in the Health Department and a resident of Tankipora Shaheed Gunj in SrinagarThe case stems from a communication received from the Deputy Director of Health Services Kashmir which flagged that Bashir Ahmad Sofi a resident of Mazhama Budgam had fraudulently secured his appointment as a Health EducatorThe communication alleged that the appointment was obtained by producing forged transfer orders along with a fabricated Last Pay Certificate Investigations revealed that the accused had illegally entered government service at Block Sheeri in Baramulla and subsequently drew a salary resulting in wrongful loss to the state exchequerOfficials said that during the course of the investigation Shahnawaz Ahmad Mirâs role surfaced in facilitating or being linked to the fraudulent process He has been described as a habitual offender with involvement in multiple similar cases that are either under investigation or have already been chargesheetedThe case highlights alleged irregularities in appointment procedures and document verification within the department prompting further scrutiny by investigative agencies Officials said further investigation in the present case is ongoing to establish the full extent of the fraud and identify other possible linksThe Crime Branch is the investigation wing of the JampK Police that investigates special crimes for which the territorial police have dedicated teams of investigators IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-police-arrest-govt-employee-involved-in-forgery-illegal-appointments-672442.html Tue, 05 May 2026 15:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/even-jhalmuri-has-symbolic-significance-in-bengal-win-says-bjp-mp-praveen-khandelwal-672444.html New Delhi May 5 BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal on Tuesday hailed the partyâs sweeping victory in West Bengal linking it to Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs outreach to common citizens and local traditions Speaking in Delhi during a celebration event Khandelwal said âUnder PM Modiâs leadership the BJP secured an unprecedented victory in West Bengal Even jhalmuri has symbolic significance in this win PM Modiâs support for local products turned it into a symbol of connection with the common man While campaigning in West Bengal he saw a small shop of jhalmuri and PM Modi stopped and bought it Mamata Banerjee mocked this gesture Today weâre celebrating this victory with BJP workers journalists and prominent citizens in Delhi Join us and enjoy jhalmuriâThe BJP MP highlighted that the gesture resonated with voters and symbolised the partyâs grassroots connect in the state He was referring to a campaign moment that drew attention during the election season which later became part of the political narrativeKhandelwal also underlined the broader political implications of the BJPâs victory saying âWhat the Prime Minister has said is extremely important The BJPNDAâs victories across states will strengthen key political decisions Issues like one nation one election curbing illegal immigration and UCC these topics will rapidly progress nowâHis remarks come as the Bharatiya Janata Party celebrates a landmark electoral performance in West Bengal marking a significant shift in the stateâs political landscapeAccording to the final results of the Assembly elections the BJP secured 206 seats out of 293 declared constituencies comfortably crossing the twothirds majority mark of 196 in the 294member AssemblyThe All India Trinamool Congress finished with 81 seats while the Congress won two seats and the CPIM secured one The All India Secular Front AISF and the Aam Janata Unnayan Party AJUP won one and two seats respectivelyIn terms of vote share the BJP polled 46 per cent followed by the Trinamool Congress at 41 per cent The Left Front secured 4 per cent the Congress 3 per cent and others accounted for 6 per centThe Trinamool Congress also failed to win a single seat in several districts including Cooch Behar Jalpaiguri Darjeeling Bankura and Purulia and was defeated in all tribal and Matuadominated constituencies underscoring the scale of the BJPâs victory in the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/even-jhalmuri-has-symbolic-significance-in-bengal-win-says-bjp-mp-praveen-khandelwal-672444.html Tue, 05 May 2026 15:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-kerala-results-show-strength-of-indian-democracy-672456.html New Delhi May 5 Shadanand Chaudhary founder of political think tank LeaderTank on Tuesday described the outcomes of the recently held Assembly elections as strength of democracy stating that they show people hold power Reacting to the broader electoral picture Chaudhary contrasted developments in different statesTamil Nadu shows now a new leader has come into the arena and it shows the strength of Indian democracy he saidHe added that political change in Bengal was expected after multiple terms in powerObviously Mamata Banerjee should go because there was no point for her to keep continuing she already served three terms she already showed the public what she can do Now another party should get the chance to develop Bengal and show the people what they can deliver he said At the same time he raised concerns about the conduct of the electionReferring to other states he pointed to voter behaviour in Kerala as an example of democratic choiceIf you see the results from Kerala that again shows why Kerala is so developed high in literacy Even though all people refer to the Kerala government as a good model of development because of its high literacy rate and development However people have changed the government to give another person an opportunity to show what they can do Thats the way ideally democracy should work he saidChaudhary further added I dont say that every time the government should change sometimes you need to appreciate if someone has done good work But if you feel that they are not promising something new to deliver then change that government and give another person a chance to show them what they can do he saidTurning to Assam he said Other than these three states the other elections were usual Obviously in Assam the BJP has a big gain but it doesnt have any message IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-kerala-results-show-strength-of-indian-democracy-672456.html Tue, 05 May 2026 16:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-collaborative-policy-in-critical-minerals-sector-holds-key-for-african-countries-672459.html New Delhi May 5 African nations which possess over 30 per cent of global reserves of critical minerals such as copper lithium nickel and graphite are increasingly looking for partnerships with other countries that are not merely focused on extraction but also allow for technology transfer local value addition workforce development and environmental accountability according to an article in One World Outlook âIn this shifting landscape Indiaâs emerging approach offers a notable contrast Rather than positioning itself purely as a buyer or investor it is gradually building a reputation as a collaborator â one that works within local priorities and seeks longterm alignment This difference may prove decisiveâ the article states It cites the example of Zambia which has rich copper reserves The demand for copper is expected to surge in the coming decades with projections indicating a significant global supply gap by 2035But Zambiaâs mining sector faces the problem of a lack of reliable geological data This creates uncertainty for investors and limits the governmentâs ability to negotiate from a position of strengthIndiaâs engagement in Zambia has focused on addressing this very gap By supporting geological mapping and earlystage exploration â covering thousands of square kilometresâ Indian institutions are helping improve the countryâs database This strengthens policymaking enhances transparency and ultimately allows Zambia to capture greater value from its mineral wealth the article points out This kind of upstream collaboration reflects a quieter but more durable form of partnership It is not about immediate extraction but about building the foundations for future cooperation In a sector where information asymmetry has historically disadvantaged resourcerich countries such contributions carry significant weight the article observes A different set of dynamics is evident in Zimbabwe which holds some of the worldâs largest hard rock lithium reserves Lithium a key component in battery technologies is witnessing explosive demand with global consumption expected to multiply several times over by 2030 For India which is entirely dependent on imports for lithium diversifying supply sources is criticalZimbabwe however is not an easy environment for new entrants The sector is marked by regulatory shifts environmental concerns and strong competition from established players The government has also introduced policies that restrict the export of raw lithium emphasising local processing and value additionIndian firms have an opportunity to differentiate themselves by embedding sustainability into their operations from the outset This includes transparent environmental assessments efficient resource use community engagement and fair compensation mechanisms Such practices not only reduce operational risks but also build local legitimacy Similarly Tanzania possesses significant reserves of graphite and nickel both critical to battery technologies The country faces the challenge of having limited capacity to process and refine these minerals domesticallyWithout a skilled workforce the ability to move beyond raw material exports remains limited Recognising this Tanzania has prioritised education and training as part of its industrial strategyIndiaâs longstanding engagement in this area provides a natural foundation for deeper cooperation Over decades Indian training programmes scholarships and technical partnerships have supported the development of thousands of Tanzanian professionals Institutions such as the IIT Madras campus in Zanzibar represent a new phase of this engagement offering advanced education and research opportunities within the region the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-collaborative-policy-in-critical-minerals-sector-holds-key-for-african-countries-672459.html Tue, 05 May 2026 17:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/police-in-jampks-srinagar-attach-notorious-drug-peddlers-property-worth-rs-130-crore-672460.html Srinagar May 5 Police in JampKâs Srinagar district said on Tuesday that they have attached property worth Rs 120 crore of a notorious drug peddler during the 100daylong Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyaan A police statement said that while continuing the relentless drive against drug trafficking under the ongoing 100 Days Campaign of Nasha Mukt Jammu amp Kashmir Abhiyaan Srinagar Police have attached immovable property worth belonging to a notorious drug peddlerPolice Station Nowhatta acting under the provisions of Section 68F of the NDPS Act attached the immovable property of an accused involved in FIR No 612019 under Sections 820 of the NDPS ActThe attached property includes a fully renovated threestorey residential house a separate singlestorey concrete kitchen block with three washrooms and land measuring nine marlasThe property belongs to Nisar Ahmad Sheikh son of Habibullah Sheikh a resident of Kani Dewar Sheikh Mohallah Hawal SrinagarInvestigation has revealed that the said property was acquired through proceeds of illicit drug traffickingAccordingly the property has been identified and attached as illegally acquired assets under the relevant provisions of the NDPS ActThis action reflects the firm commitment of Srinagar Police to dismantle the financial networks of drug traffickers and to curb the menace of narcotics in societyThe police reiterated their resolve to continue strict action against individuals involved in drug peddling and appealed to the general public to support the ongoing campaign by sharing any information related to drug abuse and traffickingJampK Lt Governor Manoj Sinha launched the 100daylong Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan last month He said more stringent punitive actions against drug smugglers will include cancellation of Aadhaar card driving licence passport and attachment of property created by funds generated through drug smuggling drug peddling and trade in drugsOn Tuesday he participated in a padayatra in Budgam Kashmir I appealed to every family social organization spiritual amp political leaders in Budgam to intensify this campaign across the district amp assured them that every arm of administration amp its full strength is committed to eradicating drugs LG Singa posted on X IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/police-in-jampks-srinagar-attach-notorious-drug-peddlers-property-worth-rs-130-crore-672460.html Tue, 05 May 2026 17:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sringeri-recount-row-congress-alleges-postal-ballot-tampering-vows-legal-fight-672463.html Bengaluru May 5 Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President DK Shivakumar on Tuesday alleged largescale irregularities in the recounting of votes in the Sringeri Assembly constituency claiming that postal ballots cast in favour of the Congress candidate were tampered with and subsequently invalidated He further vowed a legal fight It can be recalled that in the recounting of postal ballots for Sringeri Assembly segment BJP candidate DN Jeevaraj has emerged victorious against sitting Congress MLA TD RajegowdaAddressing reporters at the Chief Ministerâs official residence âKrishnaâ in Bengaluru Shivakumar said the developments were unprecedented and amounted to a serious electoral offence âSuch an incident has not taken place anywhere in the country We will take up a legal fight against thisâ he saidElaborating on the counting process he noted that postal ballots are typically opened in the presence of agents from both parties and election officials and are validated before being counted He alleged that after this procedure was completed the BJP candidate misused officials to alter the postal ballotsâThey specifically insisted on recounting certain bundles of votes There appears to be involvement of both officials and the BJP candidate in this malpractice A thorough and serious investigation is necessaryâ he saidShivakumar urged the Election Commission to intervene and ensure justice describing the incident as âone of the biggest conspiracies in the countryâ He further accused the BJP in Karnataka of being involved in the alleged wrongdoing and asserted that the Congress would pursue the matter through legal meansâWe know how to handle politicsâ he addedKarnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also levelled serious allegations of electoral malpractice in the Sringeri Assembly constituency claiming that a âcriminal conspiracyâ had taken place in the handling of postal ballots and vote countingVictorious BJP leader Jeevaraj officially received the MLA certificate on Monday and described this victory achieved after three years of continuous legal battle as âa victory for truthâ Jeevaraj who had alleged irregularities during vote counting after the 2023 election said that a significant discrepancy was found in votes that had previously been rejected during the recount IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sringeri-recount-row-congress-alleges-postal-ballot-tampering-vows-legal-fight-672463.html Tue, 05 May 2026 17:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/a-day-after-trinamools-defeat-bengal-advocate-general-kishore-datta-tenders-his-resignation-672464.html Kolkata May 5 A day after the Trinamool Congress defeat in the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly polls the Advocate General of the state Kishore Datta tendered his resignation on Tuesday Datta had forwarded his resignation to the office of the West Bengal Governor RN Ravi insiders from the Lok Bhavan confirmedHe was appointed as West Bengalâs Advocate General twice during the last 15 years of the Trinamool Congress regime since 2011An extremely close confidant of outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Datta resigned when the state government was on the back foot due to the postpoll violence case following the 2021 Assembly elections Then Soumendranath Mukherjee took charge as the AGHowever in November 2023 Mukherjee suddenly resigned from the chair following which Datta was appointed West Bengalâs Advocate General for the second term Mukherjeeâs resignation came amid a series of legal setbacks for the state government in the Calcutta High Court in several cases His resignation in November 2023 coincided with the replacement of the then public prosecutor Saswata Gopal Mukherjee by Debasish RoyAfter he resigned from the post of West Bengals Advocate General Soumendranath Mukherjee told a section of the media that he had resigned without any specific reasons and his resignation did not state any reasonHowever at that time insiders from the state legal department confirmed that there was some pressure on him from the then state law minister Malay Ghatak to resign amid a series of legal setbacks faced by the state government at the Calcutta High CourtOn Monday morning the advocates from the legal cell of the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP approached the Calcutta High Courtâs Chief Justice Sujoy Paul requesting the latterâs intervention to put on hold verdicts and orders in staterelated cases till the formation of the new state cabinetSoon after that it was confirmed that Datta had tendered his resignation from the chair of West Bengalâs Advocate General IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/a-day-after-trinamools-defeat-bengal-advocate-general-kishore-datta-tenders-his-resignation-672464.html Tue, 05 May 2026 17:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indigo-flight-evacuated-after-fire-in-passengers-personal-electronic-equipment-flyers-safe-672471.html New Delhi May 5 IANS A passengers personal electronic equipment caught fire onboard an IndiGo flight from Hyderabad to Chandigarh on Tuesday which was stationary after landing and all customers were safely moved to the terminalnbspThe incident occurred on flight 6E 108 while the aircraft was on ground Cabin crew responded immediately and managed to contain the situation preventing any damageOn 5 May 2026 while IndiGo flight 6E 108 from Hyderabad to Chandigarh was stationary after landing an incident involving a customers personal electronic equipment catching fire was reported an IndiGo spokesperson said in a statementIn the interest of safety an immediate evacuation was carried out and all the relevant authorities were immediately informed said the airlineAll customers have been safely moved to the terminal and are being attended to by the team to ensure their wellbeing The aircraft will undergo necessary checks before resuming operations At IndiGo the safety of our customers and crew remains our top priority the spokesperson addedIn endmarch a full emergency was declared at New Delhis Indira Gandhi International IGI airport after an IndiGo flight purportedly developed a technical snag midair leading to the failure of one of its enginesThe Delhibound flight made an emergency but safe landing on IGIs runway number 28 Ahead of the landing all emergency services at the airport were pressed into action and necessary arrangements were made by the Delhi International Airport Limited DIAL as per existing aviation protocolAccording to the Ministry of Civil Aviation a full emergency was declared at the Airport at 1039 am The Ministry also informed that the flight landed at 1054 in the morning safely and operations were now normal at the AirportAll 161 passengers and crew members on board were unharmed Authorities confirmed that there was no damage to the aircraftThe Indigo flight was flying from Andhra Pradeshs Visakhapatnam to DelhiIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indigo-flight-evacuated-after-fire-in-passengers-personal-electronic-equipment-flyers-safe-672471.html Tue, 05 May 2026 17:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-hc-pulls-up-io-over-defective-notice-grants-interim-relief-to-woman-672473.html New Delhi May 5 IANS The Delhi High Court has granted interim protection from arrest to a woman and her relative who alleged harassment by local police in connection with a matrimonial dispute while expressing shock at the manner in which the Investigating Officer IO issued a notice to join the probenbspnbspRecording the IOs statement that he did not intend to arrest them a singlejudge Bench of Justice Girish Kathpalia directed that the petitioners shall not be arrested till the next date of hearingThe Delhi High Court was hearing a writ petition filed by Sonia Bansal and her sisters brotherinlaw who sought protection of their life and liberty from the police of Alipur Police StationThe petitioners contended that Sonia Bansal was embroiled in matrimonial litigation with her husband and alleged that he was using his influence to harass them through the police machineryAccording to the plea an FIR was registered at PS Alipur on the complaint of the husband and despite the alleged offences being bailable the IO was neither accepting bail bonds nor refraining from harassmentAdditional Standing Counsel Sanjeev Bhandari on instructions from IOHead Constable Anil submitted that the first petitioner had already been called to join investigation and clarified that he does not want to arrest either of the petitionersRecording the statement the Delhi High Court granted interim protection but flagged serious irregularities in the conduct of the investigationIt is shocking to note that the said notice which mentions even time of appearance before the IO does not disclose the date when petitioner no 1 has to report before the IO Rather the relevant space in the notice has been left blank Justice Kathpalia observedThe judge further cautioned that such a lapse raises concerns that at some subsequent stage the IO would have taken a stand that despite service of notice petitioner no 1 did not join investigationTaking note of the deficiency the Delhi High Court directed that a copy of the order be sent to the concerned Deputy Commissioner of Police DCP to take appropriate action and submit a report The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 20IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-hc-pulls-up-io-over-defective-notice-grants-interim-relief-to-woman-672473.html Tue, 05 May 2026 18:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tvk-stakes-claim-to-form-government-in-tamil-nadu-seeks-two-weeks-to-prove-majority-672475.html Chennai May 5 Actorpolitician C Joseph Vijayled Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK has staked a claim to form the government in Tamil Nadu after emerging as the single largest party in the Assembly elections winning 108 seats With no party securing the required majority mark of 118 in the 234member Assembly the state has entered a phase of political uncertainty and intense negotiations Banking on its strong electoral performance the TVK has approached Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar asserting its right to form the government and seeking a twoweek window to prove its majority on the floor of the house The development has triggered speculation over possible alliances as the TVK remains 10 seats short of the halfway mark Attention has now shifted to which parties or independents may extend support to Vijayâs party enabling it to form a stable government Meanwhile Congress Tamil Nadu incharge Girish Chodankar said the election verdict reflected a clear desire for change among the people Interacting with media persons he noted that young voters and women had played a key role in the TVKâs strong performance People have voted for change Youth and women in particular have supported the TVK in large numbers We respect the peopleâs verdict he saidChodankar added that a detailed report on the Tamil Nadu election outcome had been submitted to senior Congress leadership including party President Mallikarjun Kharge Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and General Secretary KC Venugopal The next course of action in Tamil Nadu will be decided collectively by the leadership he said Chodankar also indicated that several Congress leaders were open to extending support if the situation demanded Once the TVK elects its legislature party leader they can approach us No one should underestimate the TVK he cautioned With the numbers game now taking centre stage all eyes are on the Governorâs next move and the evolving political alignments that will determine who forms the next government in Tamil Nadu IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tvk-stakes-claim-to-form-government-in-tamil-nadu-seeks-two-weeks-to-prove-majority-672475.html Tue, 05 May 2026 18:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/10-held-as-guj-police-busts-interstate-cyber-scam-of-rs-53-cr-mule-accounts-supplied-to-baba-siddique-murder-accused-672476.html Gandhinagar May 5 An interstate cyber crime racket involving fraud of over Rs 53 crore and linked to 132 complaints across the country has been busted with 10 accused arrested from Anand and Ahmedabad Gujaratâs Cyber Centre of Excellence CID Crime said on Tuesday Acting on instructions to intensify action against rising cyber offences from DGP KLN Rao a team was constituted under the supervision of Superintendents of Police Dr Rajdeepsinh Zala Sanjay Keshwala and Vivek BhedaOfficials said technical surveillance led to the arrest of 10 key operatives who were working on a commission basis by facilitating the transfer of funds obtained through cyber fraudâBased on technical surveillance 10 main accused involved in handling funds obtained through cyber crimes on a commission basis have been arrestedâ officials saidDuring the investigation it was found that approximately Rs 5355 crore was involved in 132 cyber complaints registered across multiple statesExamination of the accusedâs mobile phones revealed details of 197 bank accountsOf these 60 bank accounts were found to have been used in more than 132 cyber crime offences nationwide involving fraud of around Rs 5355 croreAccording to the police the accused used to lure individuals into renting out their bank accounts which were then used to route illicit fundsThe offences included investment fraud UPIrelated fraud and trading fraudStatewise data showed 22 complaints in Gujarat 14 in Karnataka 13 in Maharashtra 10 each in Uttar Pradesh and Kerala nine in Rajasthan eight in Tamil Nadu seven each in Haryana and West Bengal six each in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh five in Delhi three each in Bihar and Punjab two each in Assam Chhattisgarh and Odisha and one each in Puducherry Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal PradeshThose arrested include Krupal Desai Nizamuddin Diwan Moin Malek and Sahilmia Malek from Petlad in Anand district Sohil Malek of Borsad Jignesh Patel and Vanraj Bharwad from Kanjari in Kheda Tushar Valand of Boriavi in Anand Rickren also known as Rocky or Pandit Patel from Mahudha in Kheda and Akash Patel of Kathwada in AhmedabadPolice said 11 mobile phones three cheque books three passbooks and three debit cards were seized from the accusedIn a related development investigators said one of the accused Sahilmia Malek had provided a Karnataka Bank account belonging to Salman Vhora to individuals accused in the highprofile murder case of late Maharashtra politician Baba SiddiqueSalman Vhora has been arrested by Maharashtra Police in connection with that caseAppealing to the public the police said âIf any person or agent asks for bank accounts or SIM cards on rent on any pretext inform the nearest police station or cyber crime authoritiesâThey further cautioned âDo not give your bank account ATM card or cheque book on rent under any temptation from unknown personsâ and advised people not to trust social media advertisements offering unusually high returns in a short periodOfficials also urged victims to act quickly in case of cyber fraudâIn case of any cyber crime contact the cyber helpline number 1930 during the âgolden hourâ first one hour to help save your hardearned money Reporting within the golden hour can help hold approximately 50 per cent more fundsâ they said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/10-held-as-guj-police-busts-interstate-cyber-scam-of-rs-53-cr-mule-accounts-supplied-to-baba-siddique-murder-accused-672476.html Tue, 05 May 2026 18:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/blessing-that-transcends-time-kiren-rijiju-pays-obeisance-to-sacred-relics-of-lord-buddha-in-leh-672480.html Leh May 5 Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Minority Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said the message of Buddha transcends time geography and borders He said this after having a âdarshanâ of Lord Buddhaâs sacred relics in Leh where he arrived earlier in the day He paid obeisance to Lord Buddhaâs holy relicsAfter having darshan he said on X âDeeply humbled to bow in sacred veneration of the Holy Relics of Tathagata Buddha at Jivetsal Leh The arrival of the revered Piprahwa relics in Ladakh is a blessing that transcends time geography amp borders carrying the living presence of the Tathagata and his eternal message of compassion wisdom amp peaceâThe sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha arrived here on April 29 via an Indian Air Force aircraft for a historic public exposition being held from May 1 to May 14The relics were received with high honour and reverence at Kushok Bakula Rimpoche Airport These revered relics will remain on display in Leh and Zanskar to promote peace and cultural heritagePrime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised the profound spiritual and cultural significance of the Piprahwa Buddha relics which returned to India after many yearsHe highlighted their homecoming celebrated during Buddha Purnima in 2026 as a testament to preserving Indias rich heritage and a boost to cultural tourismUnion Home Minister Amit Shah addressed a large gathering of devotees here on the inaugural day of the celebrations coinciding with Buddha PurnimaHM Shah told the gathering that the sacred relics of Lord Buddha had come to Ladakh after 70 years He said during those days very few people must have had darshan since there were no roads no connectivity and no access between various places in the regionAppreciating the large turnout of people on the inaugural day the Union Home Minister said people from Leh and Kargil districts including followers of other faiths had come to pay obeisance to Lord Buddha whose message was as relevant to our times as it was 2500 years backHM Shah said among the Avatars Buddha is the only one who was born on Buddha Purnima attained salvation on the same day and gave up physical existence on Buddha PurnimaHe said that because of the historic Silk Route Ladakh was not only the meeting point for trade and commerce but also for religions and philosophies IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/blessing-that-transcends-time-kiren-rijiju-pays-obeisance-to-sacred-relics-of-lord-buddha-in-leh-672480.html Tue, 05 May 2026 18:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nia-submits-preliminary-report-on-beldanga-violence-at-calcutta-high-court-672481.html Kolkata May 5 The National Investigation Agency NIA on Tuesday submitted a preliminary report on the Beldanga riots The report was submitted to the Division Bench of Calcutta High Court Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen The court will take its decision after examining the report The next hearing of the case will be held after two weeks However the Calcutta High Court has said that there is no obstacle to the NIAs investigation into the Beldanga caseUnrest erupted in Murshidabad districts Beldanga on January 16 due to the mysterious death of a migrant worker in neighbouring Jharkhand It was alleged that Alam Sheikh was murdered A blockade was started by leaving his body on the road Locals protested by blocking the National Highway and railway tracks for about 30 hoursA day later on January 17 the protesters indulged in violence in the name of the blockade Railway property was vandalised and journalists were beaten upThe NIA took over the investigation into the Beldanga incident on the orders of the court About 15 arrested accused got bail from the NIA special court The NIA filed an appeal in the Calcutta High Court challenging the bail granted by the NIA special court in KolkataIn addition the advocate general of the state government and the lawyers of the accused who were granted bail claimed that the Supreme Court has ordered that the Calcutta High Court will decide whether the UAPA Section will be applicable in this case or not Therefore the Calcutta High Court will hear the two cases together after two weeksOn Tuesday Additional Solicitor General Ashok Chakraborty drew the attention of the court and said that there is no counsel to respond on behalf of the state at this time after the change of power yesterday Therefore the Division Bench of the Chief Justice said that the case will be heard again after two weeksAfter a decadeandahalf there has been another political change in the state The BJP has come to power by bringing down the Trinamool Congress government The party won 207 seats in the 294seat strong West Bengal Assembly Trinamoolâs seats have come down to 80 from the 215 it won in 2021The BJP is yet to form a new government after ending the 15yearlong Trinamool government This morning the BJPs legal cell has sought three weeks time to decide who will be the new state advocate general so that during that time the High Court does not give any orders in all the cases in which the state is a party IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nia-submits-preliminary-report-on-beldanga-violence-at-calcutta-high-court-672481.html Tue, 05 May 2026 18:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/hyderabad-auto-driver-risks-life-to-confront-fleeing-chain-snatcher-672482.html Hyderabad May 5 An autorickshaw driver in Hyderabad risked his life to catch a criminal trying to escape after snatching a gold chain from around a womanâs neck Displaying extraordinary courage autorickshaw driver Mohammad Zaheer rammed his vehicle into the offenderâs motorbike to stop him and then boldly confronted him though the chain snatcher tried to attack him with a stickThe incident occurred at Begum Bazaar Jinsi Chowrasta area early on MondayHyderabad Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar on Tuesday honoured the autorickshaw driver for his act of bravery and presented him with a cash reward and commendation letterThe Police Commissioner posted the CCTV footage of Zaheerâs daring act on social media The accused was identified as Mohammad Sohail a rowdy sheeterIts not about just watching a crime happen An ordinary auto driver proved that the true civic duty is to catch the criminal When a rowdy sheeter tried to snatch the gold chain from around a womans neck risking his life he turned his auto into a weapon and boldly stopped Mohammad Sohail the rowdy sheeter He confronted him without flinching at the attack with a stick Sajjanar saidAccording to the Commissioner on the morning of May 4 Manju Omlata went for a morning walk with her daughterinlaw in the Begum Bazaar Jinsi Chowrasta area When they reached the Hindi Marwadi Vidyalaya School the rowdy sheeter riding a motorbike tried to snatch the gold chain from around her neck In the process the chain snatcher lost control of his vehicle and fellWhen the victim cried for help auto driver Zaheer who was passing by noticed the scene through his side view mirror Even after crossing the incident spot and going about 100 metres ahead Zaheer immediately reacted and quickly reversed his auto He rammed the rowdy sheeters twowheeler with his auto as he tried to flee knocking him down Even when the accused attacked him with a stick he confronted and stopped him without fearAs Sohail was trying to escape patrolling police immediately took him into custody After finishing this task Zaheer left the scene without expecting any reward The victim informed the Goshamahal police about the auto drivers bravery The heroic act was recorded on the CCTV cameraSajjanar said the Goshamahal police launched an investigation to identify the unknown hero who played a key role in catching the rowdy sheeter and left selflessly They collected the auto number from the CCTV footage and identified ZaheerThe Commissioner said that the courage shown by auto driver Zaheer is an example to society In these days when people dont care even when crimes happen right in front of them Zaheer who risked his life to stop the rowdy sheeter is a true role model for society He has an amazing public policeman in him He didnt expect any reward Criminals will only fear when there are such responsible citizensâ he saidSajjanar appealed to the city residents to respond with courage like Zaheer without fear when a crime is happening and immediately provide information by dialling 100 or the local policeMeanwhile the Goshamahal PS registered a case against Sohail a resident of Dabirpur and arrested him He has 16 cases against him in various police stations IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/hyderabad-auto-driver-risks-life-to-confront-fleeing-chain-snatcher-672482.html Tue, 05 May 2026 18:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-conducts-tech-driven-crackdown-on-upi-fraud-672483.html New Delhi May 5 In a technologydriven crackdown the Delhi Police Metro unit achieved a breakthrough in a case involving mobile phone theft followed by fraudulent Unified Payments Interface UPI transactions amounting to Rs 120 lakh a police official said Acting on an electronic First Information Report EFIR No 800193092026 registered under Section 303 2 BNS at IGI Airport Metro Police Station officials used advanced cyber forensics to unravel a complex financial trailPolice said that the investigation adopted a multilayered approach from the beginning combining advanced cyber forensic tools with ground intelligenceA detailed endtoend mapping of 11 suspicious UPI transactions was carried out This was followed by the profiling of beneficiaries and their physical verification Analysis revealed rapid diversion of funds through multiple local merchant accounts indicating a structured and wellplanned fraud networkUsing technical surveillance the key beneficiary Neetu was traced in Safidon Her examination proved crucial in identifying the prime accused Kushagra AhujaThe police persistently tracked the accused despite his using evasive tacticsGiving an example officials said that the accused was found to be highly mobile with no fixed residence and continuously changed locations to evade arrest Despite this police teams maintained continuous surveillance using technical surveillance Multiple raids were conducted at technically identified hotspots including Delhi and the NCR areaAfter an intensive search operation on May 1 specific intelligence generated indicated the presence of the accused near Kashmere Gate Acting swiftly police teams launched a focused operation involving dynamic surveillance and onground verificationAfter an intensive search at ISBT Kashmere Gate the 32yearold Ahuja was successfully apprehendedOfficials said that efforts are underway to recover the stolen mobile phone and trace the remaining financial trail to effect further recoveries in the caseThis case highlights the effective synergy between cyber intelligence technical surveillance and field operations The successful arrest demonstrates Delhi Policeâs capability to tackle technologically advanced crimes and its unwavering commitment to ensuring public safety in the digital age IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-conducts-tech-driven-crackdown-on-upi-fraud-672483.html Tue, 05 May 2026 18:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-emerging-as-global-hub-for-next-generation-manufacturing-lokesh-672484.html Amaravati May 5 Andhra Pradesh is positioning itself as a global hub for nextgeneration manufacturing and digital infrastructure said state minister Nara Lokesh on Tuesday He stated that Andhra Pradesh is moving beyond hosting data centres to manufacturing the components that power the global data boomThe minister announced that a foundation stone will be laid on Wednesday for a new chiller manufacturing facility at Sri CityThe state government sees this as a significant milestone in its industrial and digital infrastructure journeyâWith worldclass industrial ecosystems like Sri City strong policy support and our unwavering focus on speed and scale Andhra Pradesh is positioning itself as a global hub for nextgeneration manufacturing and digital infrastructure said Lokesh the minister for information technology electronics amp communications and human resources developmentâAndhra Pradesh is not content with being just a host for data centres we are determined to become the engine that powers them The groundbreaking of Carrier Global Corporationâs facility at Sri City marks a defining moment in our journey to build a fullstack data infrastructure ecosystem from energy and data centres to the manufacturing of the components that sustain themâ he said in a statementAccording to an official release the investment by Carrier represents Andhra Pradeshâs strategic pivot from being a destination for data centres to becoming a global hub for manufacturing the critical components that power the digital economyAndhra Pradesh is rapidly emerging as one of Indiaâs most significant data centre destinations anchored by largescale global investments and a forwardlooking policy frameworkIn recent weeks alone a landmark 15 billion Google AI data centre hubâone of the largest digital infrastructure investments in Indiaâhas broken ground in Visakhapatnam with a planned 1 GW hyperscale capacity This is complemented by proposals such as Reliance Industriesâ â¹16 lakh crore 15 GW data centre cluster alongside multiple commitments from global and domestic players With an overall pipeline estimated at over â¹6 lakh crore and a targeted capacity of 6 GW Andhra Pradesh is positioning itself well ahead of the current national capacity building a scale that few regions globally can match said the releaseâThis momentum backed by progressive policies such as dedicated power frameworks for data centres is transforming the state particularly Visakhapatnam into a premier hub for AI cloud and digital infrastructure Carrierâs entry further strengthens this ecosystem bringing advanced cooling technologies that are indispensable for nextgeneration data centres AI infrastructure and highperformance computing environmentsâ it saidThe state is focussing on building a complete value chain from data centre infrastructure to component manufacturing including cooling and thermal management systems power and energy management solutions precision engineering components and electronics and control systemsBy integrating manufacturing with digital infrastructure Andhra Pradesh aims to create a selfsustaining ecosystem that reduces import dependency boosts exports and positions India as a global leader in data infrastructure manufacturing the government saidSri Cityâs evolution into a major HVAC and electronics hub makes it central to this strategy With â¹12000 crore invested in cooling and AC manufacturing 25000 direct jobs created in the segment a strong supplier base contributing â¹4600 crore in investments the state eyes 60 per cent share in Indiaâs AC production by 2027 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-emerging-as-global-hub-for-next-generation-manufacturing-lokesh-672484.html Tue, 05 May 2026 18:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pawan-kalyan-hails-new-railway-zone-as-transformative-step-for-andhras-growth-672486.html Amaravati May 5 Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday hailed the gazette notification issued by the Centre for South Coast Railway Zone with its headquarters at Visakhapatnam âNew Zone New Speed New Growth A transformative step for Andhra Pradeshâs growth and connectivityâ the Jana Sena leader posted on âXâHe expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Union Government under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for officially declaring in the Gazette of India the constitution of the South Coast Railway Zone with headquarters at Visakhapatnam effective from June 1 2026âThis historic decision brings the Guntakal Guntur and Vijayawada divisions of South Central Railway along with the restructured Waltair division now renamed as Visakhapatnam division under the new zone significantly strengthening Andhra Pradeshâs railway networkâ posted Pawan KalyanâThe creation of a new Rayagada division under East Coast Railway further enhances operational efficiency This longawaited step will accelerate regional development improve connectivity and create new opportunities for the people of Andhra Pradeshâ he addedThe actorpolitician thanked Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for his consistent efforts in achieving this for the state He termed it a proud and progressive step forward for Andhra PradeshMeanwhile Telugu Desam Partyâs state president Palla Srinivasa Rao hailed the gazette notification as a historic milestone for North AndhraHe described it as the culmination of a decadeslong struggle and the fulfilment of the collective aspirations of North AndhraHe stated that the move effectively validates the perseverance of the regionâs leadership and the dreams of its peopleSrinivasa Rao attributed the realisation of the zone to the unrelenting pursuit and strategic foresight of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu He emphasised that the Chief Minister had consistently leveraged his influence at the national level to ensure that the commitments made under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act were translated into realityThe echoes of the Visakha Railway Zone is Andhraâs Right slogan raised by TDP parliamentarians between 2014 and 2019 have finally found their destination Srinivasa Rao said He further remarked that while the zone was initially announced in 2019 the project languished during the 20192024 period due to what he termed the lackadaisical attitude and administrative inertia of the previous regime particularly regarding critical land acquisitionThe TDP leader highlighted that upon the NDA coalition assuming power in 2024 the process was placed on a war footingChief Minister Naiduâs immediate intervention with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Railway Ministry removed the longstanding bureaucratic bottlenecks By resolving land acquisition issues expeditiously the State paved the way for the Centre to allocate substantial funds and fasttrack administrative clearances he statedThe Gazette notification mandates that the South Coast Railway Zone â encompassing the Guntakal Guntur and Vijayawada divisions â will become fully operational from June 1 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pawan-kalyan-hails-new-railway-zone-as-transformative-step-for-andhras-growth-672486.html Tue, 05 May 2026 18:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vietnam-president-to-lam-arrives-in-new-delhi-on-his-first-state-visit-to-india-672489.html New Delhi May 5 Vietnamese President To Lam on Tuesday arrived in New Delhi on a threeday State Visit to India Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai welcomed the visiting leader at airport Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that President To Lams visit to India will strengthen bilateral tiesChao mung Excellency General Secretary President of Vietnam Mr To Lam has arrived in New Delhi on his first State Visit to India He was accorded a warm welcome and received by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai Jaiswal posted on XThis year we are marking the milestone of 10 years of IndiaVietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership The visit will further strengthen our multifaceted and robust bilateral relations he addedEarlier in the day President To Lam offered prayers at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary extended a warm welcome to the Vietnamese President upon his arrival in GayajiTo Lam also the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam will be in India till May 7 This is his first visit to India after being elected as the President of Vietnam last monthDuring his visit President To Lam will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan on May 6Following this Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold wideranging discussions with President To Lam across the spectrum of bilateral relations along with regional and global issues of mutual interestPresident Droupadi Murmu will also hold a meeting with the visiting leader Other leaders are also expected to call on President To Lam in New DelhiDuring his visit President To Lam is also scheduled to travel to Mumbai He will visit National Stock Exchange meet Maharashtra Chief Minister and Governor He is also scheduled to attend a business forum in MumbaiIndia and Vietnam share historical and civilisational ties which have steadily deepened over the years President To Lamâs visit coincides with the special occasion of the two countries marking the 10th anniversary of the elevation of relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreed during the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Vietnam in 2016 the MEA stated earlierThe engagement between leaders is expected to provide fresh momentum to the robust bilateral relations and open new avenues for cooperation between India and Vietnam it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vietnam-president-to-lam-arrives-in-new-delhi-on-his-first-state-visit-to-india-672489.html Tue, 05 May 2026 18:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sringeri-recount-row-karnataka-hc-stays-fir-against-victorious-bjp-mla-jeevaraj-672497.html Bengaluru May 5 The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday granted an interim stay on the FIR registered against Sringeri MLA DN Jeevaraj in connection with allegations of tampering with postal ballots Rapping the police department the court has warned cops against acting under political influence Following the victory of BJP candidates in recounting of postal ballots in Sringeri Assembly segment a case was registered at the Chikkamagaluru Town Police Station on Monday against three individuals by Karnataka Police including DN Jeevaraj over allegations of irregularities in postal ballots in the Sringeri Assembly constituencyThe process of reverification and recounting of postal ballots in the Sringeri constituency in the 2023 Assembly elections on the orders of the Karnataka High Court was completed on SundayThe Bench headed by Justice V Srishananda gave the order with regard to the case while looking into the petition in this regard by victorious BJP MLA JeevarajJeevaraj had approached the High Court seeking to quash the criminal case filed against him A Vacation Bench headed by Justice Srishananda heard the petition and expressed strong dissatisfaction over the manner in which the case was handled by the authoritiesThe court questioned how an FIR could be registered now for an incident that allegedly took place on May 13 2023 It also pulled up the prosecution for failing to bring the alleged tampering to the courtâs notice earlierDuring the hearing the judge observed that such allegations are often made by defeated candidates and issued directions for the Investigating Officer to appear before the courtThe Bench further questioned why an FIR had been registered against the Deputy Commissioner who was in office in 2023 while no case was filed against the current election officer Gaurav Shetty It cautioned the police against acting under political influenceThe court noted that the recounting of postal ballots had been conducted as per its earlier directions and questioned why issues such as missing seals or double markings were not raised at that stageObserving that it would have granted a stay even if an FIR had been filed against former MLA TD Rajegowda the court opined that a case cannot be registered against a Deputy Commissioner under the Representation of the People ActThe court granted an interim stay on any coercive action in the case and adjourned the matter to May 7 for further hearingThe complaint in this regard was filed by Sudheer Kumar Murolli an advocate on May 3 who served as an agent at a postal ballot counting table In his complaint he alleged suspected tampering of ballot papers during the counting processThe FIR was filed under Sections 143 465 468 471 120B and 149 of the IPC and Section 136 of Representation of People Act 1951 and 1988 The complainant has stated that since the recounting process was done till late after midnight there was a delay in lodging of police complaintJeevaraj has been declared elected as MLA from the Sringeri Assembly constituency following a recount of postal ballots securing victory by a margin of 52 votesWith this win Jeevaraj has been elected as an MLA for the fourth time The election officer formally handed over the certificate to him after the completion of the recount processThe result comes nearly three years after the 2023 Assembly election in which Congress candidate TD Rajegowda had won by a margin of 201 votes In the 2026 postal ballot recount a significant number of votes were declared invalid altering the final outcome IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sringeri-recount-row-karnataka-hc-stays-fir-against-victorious-bjp-mla-jeevaraj-672497.html Tue, 05 May 2026 19:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/parivartan-hoye-gechhe-bengal-verdict-to-bay-of-bengal-vision-from-mandate-to-momentum-672498.html New Delhi May 5 Parivartan hoyechhe captures more than an electoral outcome It reflects a decisive public shift towards governance that delivers connects and integrates The mandate that has aligned West Bengal with the national leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has opened a new pathway for Indiaâs eastern strategy The political synchronisation between Delhi Kolkata and the Northeast provides a rare opportunity to convert intent into execution The Prime Ministerâs articulation of Act East Act Fast now stands on a foundation that can move at speed with clarity and purposeThis moment carries implications far beyond domestic politics It sets the stage for a renewed and confident partnership with Bangladesh where development becomes the shared language of engagement A politically aligned eastern corridor strengthens trust accelerates connectivity and restores momentum to bilateral initiatives that had slowed over time At a time when uncertainties in western maritime routes including disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz have exposed vulnerabilities in traditional trade flows the eastern seaboard anchored in the Bay of Bengal gains strategic importance The opening of integrated land and maritime routes through Bangladesh offers a stable and efficient alternative reinforcing regional resilience This is where the mandate in Bengal directly supports the larger vision of Act East by linking growth security and connectivity into a single forwardmoving framework that benefits both nations and returns the development agenda to the people on both sides of the borderWhy the People Chose ChangeThe electoral verdict is rooted in a clear aspiration for development Voters across Bengal responded to the promise of coordinated governance infrastructure expansion industrial revival and job creation There is visible fatigue with administrative delays and fragmented authority The idea of a doubleengine government has translated into a demand for faster delivery better connectivity and transparent systems The electorate has moved beyond narrow political narratives and chosen a forwardlooking economic agenda that links Bengal to the larger national and regional growth storyIndia and Bangladesh Restoring Confidence Through GrowthThe most immediate and meaningful impact of this shift is on Indiaâs relationship with Bangladesh The bilateral partnership has remained strong in intent but has faced periodic constraints in execution The present moment offers an opportunity to restore confidence on both sides of the border through visible outcomes The relationship must now be anchored in trust predictability and shared prosperity Indiaâs development agenda in the East is closely linked to Bangladeshâs growth trajectory A stable confident and economically vibrant Bangladesh directly strengthens Indiaâs eastern regionFrom Border Management to Border DevelopmentThe transformation must begin at the border The IndiaBangladesh boundary can evolve from a line of regulation into a zone of opportunity Modern integrated check posts efficient land customs systems and digital clearance platforms can reduce delays and enhance trade flows Border haats and local trade networks can energise grassroots economies The emphasis should be on ease of movement for goods and people engaged in legitimate economic activity This shift in approach will build trust and create visible benefits for communities that have historically felt disconnected from national growthResolving Pending Agreements with SensitivityLongpending issues such as the Teesta water sharing arrangement and the renewal of the Ganga water framework require timely and balanced resolution These agreements carry both economic and emotional significance A transparent datadriven and mutually respectful approach will strengthen confidence in Indiaâs commitments The political alignment in West Bengal provides the space to move forward with clarity and sensitivity while addressing local concernsConnectivity as the Core of IntegrationConnectivity remains the backbone of the IndiaBangladesh partnership Rail links road corridors inland waterways and port access through Chattogram and Mongla are central to this vision For Indiaâs northeastern states Bangladesh provides the most efficient route to global markets For Bangladesh integration with Indiaâs vast market and infrastructure network opens new avenues for growth This is a natural economic complementarity that must be strengthened through sustained investment and policy supportEase of Travel and Business as Confidence BuildersMobility is a powerful instrument of diplomacy Liberalised visa regimes for business medical travel education and cultural exchange can rebuild peopletopeople trust Predictable trade policies simplified compliance frameworks and transparent regulatory systems will encourage businesses on both sides to expand engagement The objective is to create an environment where economic activity flows smoothly without disrupting domestic growth priorities in either countryEconomic Complementarity and Shared Value ChainsIndia and Bangladesh are wellpositioned to develop integrated manufacturing and supply chains Sectors such as textiles pharmaceuticals and light engineering offer strong potential for collaboration Joint industrial zones near the border can attract investment and generate employment The guiding principle should be mutual benefit ensuring that growth in one country reinforces growth in the other This approach will reduce perceptions of imbalance and build a durable economic partnershipEnergy and Maritime Cooperation in the Bay of BengalEnergy cooperation has already created a strong foundation through crossborder electricity trade and fuel supply arrangements This can be expanded into renewable energy partnerships and joint infrastructure projects The Bay of Bengal is emerging as a critical economic and strategic space India and Bangladesh can work together to strengthen maritime security develop port infrastructure and facilitate regional trade This cooperation will enhance stability and create new economic opportunities across the regionNortheast India as the Gateway to the EastThe integration of Indiaâs northeastern states with Bangladesh is central to the success of the Act East policy Improved connectivity will transform the Northeast from a peripheral region into a vibrant economic hub Trade corridors linking the Northeast to Southeast Asia through Bangladesh and Myanmar can redefine regional commerce This is not only an economic imperative but also a strategic necessity for balanced regional developmentA Partnership Based on Respect and ReciprocityThe future of IndiaBangladesh relations rests on a partnership of equals The emphasis must remain on respect sensitivity and reciprocity A developmentfirst approach that recognises each otherâs priorities will strengthen longterm cooperation Institutional mechanisms regular dialogue and sustained engagement will ensure continuity and stability in the relationshipFrom Bengal to Southeast Asia A Regional TransformationThe impact of this transformation extends beyond bilateral ties With Bangladesh as a central partner Indiaâs eastern corridor can connect seamlessly to Myanmar and the broader Southeast Asian region This integrated network of land and maritime routes will position eastern India as a key node in regional and global trade It aligns with the larger IndoPacific vision and strengthens economic resilience across the regionConclusion Delivering on the Promise of ChangeParivartan hoyechhe now carries the responsibility of delivery The alignment of political will economic vision and regional cooperation has created a moment of opportunity The success of Act East Act Fast will be measured by the speed of execution the fairness of partnerships and the tangible benefits delivered to people on both sides of the borderThe path forward is clear Build trust through growth Connect economies through infrastructure Strengthen partnerships through respect In doing so India and Bangladesh can together shape a new eastern horizon that drives prosperity not only for themselves but for the wider regionThe author is a former diplomat and strategic affairs expert Views expressed are personal IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/parivartan-hoye-gechhe-bengal-verdict-to-bay-of-bengal-vision-from-mandate-to-momentum-672498.html Tue, 05 May 2026 19:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/fire-breaks-out-at-rbi-building-in-new-delhi-no-injuries-reported-672499.html New Delhi May 5 A fire broke out at the Reserve Bank of India RBI building here on Tuesday afternoon but was controlled soon in a swift response from firefighting teams No injuries or casualties were reported in the incident officials saidAccording to officials the blaze originated from a box containing solar panels within the premisesFirefighters were alerted to the situation at around 105 pm following which five fire tenders were rushed to the spotThe fire was brought under control within 15 minutes preventing any major damage or escalationAuthorities confirmed that the situation was handled quickly and safely with no harm to personnel present at the buildingThe incident comes close on the heels of another fire reported in the city A blaze had broken out earlier in the Chawri Bazar area of Delhi for which a call was received by the Connaught Place Fire Station at around 721 pm on SundayFirefighting teams were immediately dispatched to manage the situationMeanwhile last week the central bank said that 9847 per cent of the Rs 2000 denomination banknotes in circulation have been returned nearly three years after it announced their withdrawalThe central bank had declared the withdrawal of Rs 2000 notes from circulation on May 19 2023 as part of its currency management exerciseAt that time the total value of such notes in circulation stood at Rs 356 lakh croreAccording to the latest data release by RBI on May 1 this figure has now sharply declined to Rs 5451 crore as of April 30 2026The total value of Rs 2000 banknotes in circulation which was Rs 356 lakh crore at the close of business on May 19 2023 when the withdrawal of Rs 2000 banknotes was announced has declined to Rs 5451 crore at the close of business on April 30 2026 the central bank said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/fire-breaks-out-at-rbi-building-in-new-delhi-no-injuries-reported-672499.html Tue, 05 May 2026 19:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/curtains-down-on-stage-spotlight-on-service-actor-ramesh-pisharody-on-new-stint-as-kerala-mla-672503.html Thiruvananthapuram May 5 Actorturnedpolitician Ramesh Pisharody who scripted an impressive victory in Keralaâs Palakkad Assembly constituency winning by a margin of 13147 votes in his electoral debut on Tuesday declared that he will step away from cinema and stage shows to dedicate himself fully to public life For the next five years my life will be only for Palakkad Pisharody who contested as a Congress candidate said after the verdict signalling a decisive shift from performance to public serviceKnown for his wit and easy connect with audiences he now faces the more exacting stage of governanceThe contest had drawn attention for its unusual mix of candidates BJPs Shobha Surendran brought considerable political experience while CPIMbacked independent NMR Razak added a distinct flavour as a noted hotelierIn contrast Pisharody entered the fray as a political outsider relying on popularity and grassroots engagement rather than organisational pedigreeHis candidature came at a time when the Congress was searching for a credible replacement following turbulence in the constituencyThe brief tenure of Youth Congress leader Rahul Mammkootathil had ended abruptly compelling the party to turn to a figure who could quickly resonate with votersPisharody long associated with public events and known for his sharp observational humour emerged as that choiceDespite initial scepticism over his lack of political experience his campaign gathered momentum striking a chord with a crosssection of votersHis messaging remained simple focused on accessibility humility and service rather than adversarial politicsReacting to his victory Pisharody said the result reaffirmed the essence of democracy respect for the peopleThis verdict reminds us that governance must be for the people not over them he noted thanking every voter in PalakkadHe also acknowledged party workers who worked tirelessly often at personal cost and supporters who rallied behind him from across the worldPisharodyâs decision to step away from his artistic career underscores the seriousness of his political commitmentCalling acting his livelihood he said he was prepared to embrace a simpler life if requiredHis victory signals a broader shift in voter sentiment in openness to candidates beyond traditional political mouldsFor Pisharody the applause of the stage has now given way to the expectations of public office where credibility will be measured not in performance but in delivery IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/curtains-down-on-stage-spotlight-on-service-actor-ramesh-pisharody-on-new-stint-as-kerala-mla-672503.html Tue, 05 May 2026 19:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-defence-production-jumped-174-pc-to-rs-154-lakh-crore-in-last-10-years-jitendra-singh-672505.html Prayagraj May 5 Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh said on Tuesday that in the last decade India has transitioned from being a major importer of defence equipment to an emerging exporter with defence production recording a 174 per cent leap to Rs 154 lakh crore while exports grew 34 times to Rs 23622 crore The Minister said a substantial contribution of around Rs 15000 crore to total exports came from the private sector reflecting a major shift towards collaborative defence manufacturingAddressing the North Tech Symposium 2026 in Prayagraj the minister said India has entered a decisive phase in its defence journey where technology indigenous innovation and private sector participation are shaping a new global identity for the country Warfare is no longer defined by physical strength alone but increasingly driven by advanced technologies realtime data systems and automated platformsReferring to Indiaâs expanding technological base the minister said sectors such as space atomic energy artificial intelligence and quantum technologies are now integral to defence preparedness India has already achieved rapid progress in quantumsecure communication capabilities which will play a critical role in future warfare systems he addedHighlighting the increasing support from the government the minister said that the budget for 202627 earmarks Rs 681000 crore for defence which is 95 per cent more than last yearDr Jitendra Singh said reforms in key sectors have opened new opportunities for industry participation enabling faster innovation cycles and scaling of indigenous technologies He added that government support through funding mechanisms and policy initiatives is creating a strong ecosystem for research development and deploymentEmphasising the importance of synergy Dr Jitendra Singh said that the alignment of operational requirements of the Armed Forces with scientific research and industrial capability is essential for building a resilient and selfreliant defence ecosystem He called for accelerated timelines from design to deployment with focus on reliability scalability and longterm sustainmentThe Minister also spoke about the evolving role of the Armed Forces highlighting their critical contribution not only in national security but also in disaster response and humanitarian assistance recalling recent instances where timely intervention saved livesThe North Tech Symposium 2026 is being held in Prayagraj from May 4 to 6 The symposium serves as a premier platform bringing together the Armed Forces industry academia and startups to develop missionoriented indigenous solutions for evolving operational requirements Key focus areas include artificial intelligence unmanned systems counterdrone technologies robotics cyber and electronic warfare communication systems mobility platforms and highaltitude operational support Over 280 industry partners are participating in the eventDr Jitendra Singh said that Indiaâs pursuit of selfreliance in defence is rooted in technological sovereignty with a focus on developing owning and sustaining critical technologies within the country He expressed confidence that collaborative efforts between the Armed Forces industry and research institutions will accelerate Indiaâs emergence as a leading defence technology nation IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-defence-production-jumped-174-pc-to-rs-154-lakh-crore-in-last-10-years-jitendra-singh-672505.html Tue, 05 May 2026 19:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-high-court-cautions-against-over-expansive-interpretation-of-personality-rights-672506.html New Delhi May 5 The Delhi High Court has cautioned against an overexpansive interpretation of personality rights observing that not every individual achievement or academic success can be elevated to such protection as it would result in absurdity and incongruity A singlejudge Bench of Justice Tushar Rao Gedela made the observation while dealing with a commercial suit arising from a dispute between rival edtech platforms involving allegations of defamation disparagement and unauthorised use of trademarks as well as the use of a CLAT 2026 topperâs identity The Delhi High Court stated that expanding the scope of personality rights to cover every instance of success â such as a student securing a top rank in a competitive examination â would set an unworkable precedent In case any and every success or a milestone achieved is held to be sufficient to be raised to the level of a âpersonality rightâ it would lead to absurdity and incongruity Justice Gedela said If such interpretation is carried forward then every aspirant candidate student citizen of this country who achieves or is declared as a top ranker in every stage of examination would be entitled to protection of their personality rights he added The Delhi High Court observed that while personality rights have been recognised in cases involving individuals with sustained public recognition and commercial value attached to their persona the threshold cannot be diluted to cover isolated academic accomplishments Though the courts have not been able to concisely or precisely define âpersonality rightsâ it is prudent to avoid such enlargement and widening of the scope to the levels of incongruity and absurdity the order said The observations came against the backdrop of a dispute involving claims over the success of a minor student who secured All India Rank 1 in CLAT 2026 with rival coaching institutes accusing each other of misleading publicity and defamatory campaigns At the same time the Delhi High Court said that the minorâs position appeared to be distinct from that of the coaching institutes involved in the dispute remarking that her situation seems to be that of a pawn in a larger rivalry between competing edtech entities It was not appropriate for the defendant nos 1 and 2 to carry out any campaign whether defamatory or otherwise in the name of plaintiff no3 Justice Gedeala observed adding that the student had already clarified her position and requested that her name not be dragged into the controversy While refraining from conclusively adjudicating the issue of personality rights at this stage the order clarified that the present case could not be decided on that basis alone On a prima facie assessment the Delhi High Court found that the defendantsâ posts blogs and videos appeared to be disparaging and intended to tarnish the reputation and goodwill of the plaintiffs including through unauthorised use of their registered trademark âLegalEdgeâ Describing the dispute as an acrimonious professional rivalry it held that attempts to lower the image of a competitor through such content cannot be countenanced Accordingly the Delhi High Court granted an ex parte adinterim injunction restraining the defendants from publishing or circulating defamatory disparaging or infringing content against the plaintiffs across digital platforms It also directed that the defendants refrain from using the minor studentâs name images or AIgenerated representations and barred them from tampering with any material related to the alleged campaign Further intermediaries including Google and Meta were directed to take down or disable access to the identified defamatory content within 72 hours The matter will be heard next after the completion of pleadings IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-high-court-cautions-against-over-expansive-interpretation-of-personality-rights-672506.html Tue, 05 May 2026 19:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-steel-exports-surge-291-per-cent-amid-rising-self-reliance-672508.html New Delhi Indiaâs exports of steel rose by 291 per cent in March 2026 compared to the same month of the previous year while imports declined sharply by 95 per cent reflecting the increasing selfreliance in the sector according to an official statement issued on Tuesday The positive shift underscores Indiaâs emergence as a reliable global steel supplier It also demonstrates the countryâs improved ability to meet rising domestic demandIndiaâs steel production registered a robust 91 per cent growth in the financial year 202526 compared to the same period last year reflecting the increasing selfreliance in the sectorIndia has also established itself as a leading exporter of iron and steel alloys Rising exports of steel and related products contribute to higher foreign exchange earnings This in turn helps improve the trade balance It supports the broader vision of a selfsustained and resilient industrial ecosystem under Atmanirbhar Bharat the statement saidThe top destinations for Indiaâs finished steel exports in March 2026 were Vietnam Belgium and Taiwan Together they comprise more than 50 per cent of Indiaâs total finished steel exportsBesides exports of finished steel increased by 3580 per cent in FY 2025â26 compared to the same period last year Meanwhile imports declined by 4647 per cent during the same periodThe government has implemented several measures to strengthen raw material availability ensure global market access and reduce import dependence These steps have lowered production costs driven growth in the steel industry and supported MSMEs and small steel producersUnder the PLI scheme Rs 23022 crore investment supported specialty steel production and job creation This resulted in 24 million tonnes of output and over 13000 new jobs India has achieved about 66 per cent of its National Steel Policy production targetSpecialty steel is the downstream valueadded product of the steel manufacturing process It is one of the 14 sectors covered under the PLI Scheme which aims to boost domestic production of highvalue steel It will improve the trade balance and raise export value realisation It will also help the Indian steel industry upgrade technology and move up the value chain the statement saidGoing forward green steel aims to reduce emissions by avoiding the use of fossil fuels to reduce the carbon footprint India is also committed to decarbonising the sector and achieving netzero emissions by 2070 the statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-steel-exports-surge-291-per-cent-amid-rising-self-reliance-672508.html Tue, 05 May 2026 19:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indigo-flight-evacuated-after-fire-in-passengers-personal-electronic-equipment-flyers-safe-672509.html New Delhi May 5 A passengerâs personal electronic equipment caught fire onboard an IndiGo flight from Hyderabad to Chandigarh on Tuesday which was stationary after landing and all customers were safely moved to the terminal The incident occurred on flight 6E 108 while the aircraft was on ground Cabin crew responded immediately and managed to contain the situation preventing any damageâOn 5 May 2026 while IndiGo flight 6E 108 from Hyderabad to Chandigarh was stationary after landing an incident involving a customers personal electronic equipment catching fire was reportedâ an IndiGo spokesperson said in a statementIn the interest of safety an immediate evacuation was carried out and all the relevant authorities were immediately informed said the airlineâAll customers have been safely moved to the terminal and are being attended to by the team to ensure their wellbeing The aircraft will undergo necessary checks before resuming operations At IndiGo the safety of our customers and crew remains our top priorityâ the spokesperson addedIn endmarch a full emergency was declared at New Delhiâs Indira Gandhi International IGI airport after an IndiGo flight purportedly developed a technical snag midair leading to the failure of one of its enginesThe Delhibound flight made an emergency but safe landing on IGIâs runway number 28 Ahead of the landing all emergency services at the airport were pressed into action and necessary arrangements were made by the Delhi International Airport Limited DIAL as per existing aviation protocolAccording to the Ministry of Civil Aviation a full emergency was declared at the Airport at 1039 am The Ministry also informed that the flight landed at 1054 in the morning safely and operations were now normal at the AirportAll 161 passengers and crew members on board were unharmed Authorities confirmed that there was no damage to the aircraftThe Indigo flight was flying from Andhra Pradeshs Visakhapatnam to Delhi IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indigo-flight-evacuated-after-fire-in-passengers-personal-electronic-equipment-flyers-safe-672509.html Tue, 05 May 2026 19:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/madhya-pradesh-govt-to-constitute-trade-welfare-board-672510.html Bhopal May 5 The Madhya Pradesh government on Tuesday announced the establishment of a StateLevel Trade Welfare Board a move aimed at strengthening the states trade and industrial ecosystem officials said The Ministry of Industrial Investment under the stewardship of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will oversee the board with the Chief Minister himself serving as its chair the state Cabinet decided on Tuesday The Department of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises MSME currently under Minister Chetanya Kumar Kashyap will be a key member alongside representatives from seven to eight other departments directly linked to trade and commerce the Minister said here on Tuesday after the Cabinet meeting In addition five to six prominent nongovernmental organisations including FICCI and Laghu Udyog Bharati will be represented along with 10 governmentnominated members tasked with advising on trade growth development and employee welfare The initiative also envisions committees at the district level ensuring that the benefits of this board reach grassroots traders and smallscale industrialists At its core the boards primary mission is to promote exports by educating traders about available schemes and creating a supportive environment for trade expansion across districts A significant responsibility entrusted to the board is the formulation of policy proposals that simplify regulations thereby enhancing the ease of doing business Minister Kashyap addedThe aim is to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and administrative obstacles enabling traders to operate with greater efficiency and confidence he said This decision reflects a broader vision of empowering small traders and industrialists while simultaneously aligning with national priorities of boosting exports and strengthening the economy By involving both government departments and respected nongovernmental institutions the board is expected to provide balanced perspectives and practical solutions the Minister addedThe inclusion of districtlevel committees underscores the state governments intent to ensure that even local traders benefit from these reforms With its focus on regulatory simplification export promotion and welfare of employees the Trade Welfare Board marks a significant step in Madhya Pradeshs industrial and commercial policy framework It is anticipated to foster a more businessfriendly environment encourage investment and contribute to the states economic growth Minister Kashyap said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/madhya-pradesh-govt-to-constitute-trade-welfare-board-672510.html Tue, 05 May 2026 19:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-governor-cm-greet-vice-president-radhakrishnan-on-his-birthday-672267.html Amaravati May 4 Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday greeted VicePresident of India C P Radhakrishnan on his birthday Governor Abdul Nazeer extended his heartiest felicitations and warm greetings to the VicePresident through a post on XâMay God Almighty bless you with good health happiness and long life in the service of the people and the nationâ wrote the GovernorChief Minister Chandrababu Naidu also took to X to wish Radhakrishnan on his birthdayâI extend my sincere wishes for his good health long life and continued dedication in service to the nation May he achieve further success in his endeavours for the progress of our country and the strengthening of parliamentary proceedings through wisdom integrity and steadfast leadershipâ posted NaiduDeputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also conveyed warm birthday greetings to the VicePresidentâHis commitment to upholding constitutional values and maintaining the dignity of the Rajya Sabha is deeply appreciated I pray to Lord Venkateswara to bless him with good health and strength to continue serving the nationâ reads the post by the Jana Sena leaderState minister and TDP national working president Nara Lokesh also greeted the VicePresidentâI pray for his good health long life and continued service to the nation I have had the fortune of having several inspiring conversations with him and truly value his guidance wisdom and leadership His efforts to strengthen our parliamentary traditions and motivate us all in our collective journey towards Indiaâs progress are truly commendableâ wrote LokeshUnion minister for coal and mines G Kishan Reddy also conveyed warm birthday greetings to the VicePresidentâYour unwavering commitment to public service and dedication to strengthening our democratic institutions continue to inspire everyone Praying for your good health long life and many more years of service to the nationâ wrote the BJP leaderâYour life in public service and your dedication to our democratic values are truly inspiring May you be blessed with good health and a long life to continue your impactful work for the nationâ reads the message by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay KumarYSR Congress Party president and former Chief Minister Y S Jagan also greeted Radhakrishnan âMay God bless you with a long and healthy life in the continued service of our nationâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-governor-cm-greet-vice-president-radhakrishnan-on-his-birthday-672267.html Mon, 04 May 2026 18:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/historic-day-even-greater-than-expected-shashi-tharoor-as-udf-leads-in-kerala-672268.html Thiruvananthapuram May 4 With trends indicating a strong advantage for the UDF in Kerala Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Monday described the outcome as a historic day and a victory that has exceeded expectations Interacting with reporters Tharoor said This is a historic day for us Itâs a tremendous victoryâone that I dare say most people would agree is even greater than we had expected We are looking at an extraordinary result in Kerala potentially crossing a hundred seatsHighlighting the significance of the shift he pointed out that the CPIMled Left had maintained a stronghold in the state for decadesYou must realise that since 2001 the CPIM had consistently held around 60 seats which they had never lost This time for the first time in this century they have lost that ground he saidTharoor also placed the Kerala outcome in a broader national context noting that it could mark a turning point for Left parties in IndiaFor the country this is a major development For the first time there may be no Left government anywhere in India They had already lost in West Bengal and Tripura and now this result further reinforces that trend he addedWhile refraining from commenting on developments in other states Tharoor emphasised that the UDFâs performance in Kerala reflects genuine political momentumWhat we are witnessing here is a strong foundation for the Opposition for the years ahead We aim to build on this momentum including in states like Punjab in the future he saidOutlining priorities ahead he stressed governance and reformIn Kerala we will focus on good governance transformation and changing a narrative that many people found disappointing I am looking forward to the work ahead he saidAsked about the UDFâs chief ministerial face Tharoor said the decision rests with the party leadershipThat I donât know only Delhi can decide But I believe we should not delay and must honour the peopleâs mandate by moving forward quickly he statedHe also highlighted the depth of leadership within the allianceOne of the great strengths of the UDF is the abundance of capable leaders There will be no shortage of qualified individuals for the high command to choose from and we hope a decision will be made soon he saidDismissing speculation about his own candidature for the top post Tharoor stressed I am an MP in Delhi and will continue in that role Whoever is chosen I hope a UDF government will bring meaningful change I will be happy to contribute in any way through advice policy inputs or support but the responsibility will lie with someone elseCongress MP K C Venugopal attributed the victory to multiple factors including antiincumbency proactive campaigning collective leadership and strong coordination backed by the partyâs central leadership He also credited Rahul Gandhi for his consistent engagement with votersMeanwhile Congress leader Sachin Pilot expressed confidence in the outcome stating We are very happy that we are heading towards a decisive victory in Kerala After a decade of Left rule the people have clearly indicated their desire for change IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/historic-day-even-greater-than-expected-shashi-tharoor-as-udf-leads-in-kerala-672268.html Mon, 04 May 2026 18:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/early-trends-disappointing-but-we-are-still-hopeful-trinamool-congress-672270.html Kolkata May 4 Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy on Monday expressed disappointment regarding the early trends in the West Bengal Assembly elections However he noted that its too early to draw any conclusions as the final results have not yet been announced After winning six seats the BJP was leading in 192 seats while the Trinamool Congress was ahead in 88 Trinamools Reyat Hossain Sarkar won in the Bhagawangola Assembly seat according to the ECI trends as of 430 pmReacting to this Roy told IANS It is disappointing for us We will do an analysis of it Many people are saying that there are errors in EVM some are saying it was fully charged This is for the counting agents to comment on However the results have not yet been announced so nothing much can be said about thisTrinamool MP Rachana Banerjee speaking to IANS maintained that the party remains hopeful as the counting is still underway while also questioning the delay in the processTheres a lot of time left counting is very slow as we all know as this never happens usually the results become clear around 2 pm However there is no need to be demoralised we dont need to think about anything We are still hopeful Banerjee saidWhy is the progress so slow We dont know that In a democracy the last judgement is given by the people lets see what happens till the end But in the upcoming days we have to see how we can work smoothly we have to look into it and stay beside the people she addedMeanwhile Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee released a video message on Monday as the counting of votes was underway claiming that ultimately Trinamool Congress will have the last laughShe posted the message on her social media handle X and issued an appeal to all her party candidates and counting agents not to leave the counting centres till the endThis is the BJPs plan This I have been saying since Sunday In the initial rounds it will be shown that the BJP candidates are ahead in a majority of the assembly constituencies I heard that in almost 100 assembly constituencies they have stopped counting after the first two to three rounds the Chief Minister said in the video messageShe also accused the Central forces of harassing and assaulting the Trinamool Congress workers in different pockets of the stateAlready they have deleted a number of voters in the course of the special intensive revision Trinamool Congress candidates are leading in another 100 seats which they are not announcing They are feeding total misinformation The Election Commission of India is acting on its own whims and fancies the Chief Minister saidShe also accused the ECI of misusing the Central and state forces in the entire elections Right now even the state police are under the control of the ECI But I request the Trinamool Congress candidates and counting agents not to get disheartened Stick to your respective counting centres counting rooms and counting tables till the end I am assuring you that we will be winning at sunset she saidAccording to her since the counting for many more rounds is yet to be completed there was no reason to worry We are all with you We will win finally Be assured Do not be scared Fight till the end like tigers the Chief Minister said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/early-trends-disappointing-but-we-are-still-hopeful-trinamool-congress-672270.html Mon, 04 May 2026 18:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/common-man-is-our-vitthal-maha-cm-fadnavis-emphasises-citizen-centric-governance-via-tech-wari-20-672277.html Mumbai May 4 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday inaugurated the Maharashtra Training Week under the Tech Wari 20 initiative asserting that the ultimate goal of technology is to simplify the lives of common citizens Comparing the public to the deity Vitthal the Chief Minister highlighted that the administrations pilgrimage Wari is dedicated to their service The event organised by the General Administration Department GAD aims to implement a rapid roadmap for citizencentric administration through technological advancementAddressing the gathering Chief Minister Fadnavis emphasised that in an era of rapidly evolving technology continuous learning is no longer optional The definition of literacy has evolved from basic reading and writing to internet proficiency and now to Artificial Intelligence AI Today only those who understand and can use AI are truly literate the Chief Minister said He predicted that 80 to 90 per cent of administrative work formats would change in the next 1000 days due to AI He stressed that while technology is vital human emotions mental health introspection and the Art of Handling Criticism are equally crucial for a robust administrationThe Chief Minister lauded the iGOT platform noting that Maharashtras officers have shown exemplary enthusiasm in adopting AI and Blockchain He remarked that if these capabilities are harnessed correctly Maharashtra could provide consulting expertise to other statesDeputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar described Tech Wari 20 as a golden opportunity for employees to become futureready Just as the Wari to Pandharpur symbolises discipline faith and unity Tech Wari represents the administrations journey toward digital empowerment This is not just a technical introduction it is a massive movement for human resource development she said She also highlighted that Maharashtra secured the top rank in the national Sadhana Saptah initiative and remains a leader in the Mission Karmayogi training programmesMaharashtra Chief Secretary Rajesh Agarwal noted that Tech Wari 20 focuses on the development of both the Left Brain analytical and Right Brain creative Focus is on AI Data Protection DPDP Act and Project Management There will be integration of music yoga dance and culture to boost mental wellbeing while laying high emphasis on cyber security and digital safety he addedMaharashtra GAD Additional Chief Secretary V Radha provided the programme details noting that 6000 employees are participating in person while the sessions are being livestreamed to more than nine lakh employees across the state The fiveday event features themes like Taalrang Naadrang Yograng Kalarang and SanskrutirangAn innovative AI agent named Vasudev interacted with the audience providing programme information and demonstrating the efficiency of AI Sessions cover Quantum Computing Generative AI Digital Public Infrastructure and Ethics in Administration the government statement saidThe Chief Minister honoured several frontline Mantralaya staff including Pallavi Sawant Nitin Gursale and others for their dedicated service IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/common-man-is-our-vitthal-maha-cm-fadnavis-emphasises-citizen-centric-governance-via-tech-wari-20-672277.html Mon, 04 May 2026 18:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-congress-wins-davanagere-south-by-5-708-votes-672278.html Bengaluru May 4 The counting of votes for the muchawaited Davanagere South Assembly segment in Karnataka has been completed and the Congress has achieved a victory by 5708 votes Earlier in the day the Congress also achieved a victory by a huge margin of 22332 votes in the Bagalkot bypoll The party has attributed the victory in bypolls in Davanagere South and Bagalkot Assembly Constituencies to the guarantee schemesIn the Davanagere South constituency Congress candidate Samarth Mallikarjun secured 69578 votes after the 24th round of counting BJPâs Srinivasa T Dasakariyappa polled 63870 votes The Socialist Democratic Party of India SDPIs Afsar Kodlipet managed to get 18975 votesThe party has attributed its wins in the Davanagere South and Bagalkot byeelections to its guarantee schemesThe Davanagere South byeelection was necessitated by the death of veteran Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa The party fielded his grandson Samarth Mallikarjun as its candidate while the BJP nominated Srinivasa T Dasakariyappa a leader from the oppressed classesThe election was seen as a prestige battle for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar while the BJP was hoping to secure its first victory in Davanagere South Assembly segment The results were crucial for both the ruling Congress and the Opposition BJPIt may be recalled that the partyâs decision regarding candidate selection in Davanagere South had led to internal rifts The Congress removed two MLCs belonging to the minority community from their posts on charges of working against candidate Samarth Mallikarjun There were 15 Muslim contestants from Davanagere SouthIn Bagalkot the byeelection was held following the untimely demise of HY Meti His son Umesh Meti is in a direct contest against the BJPâs Veeranna Charantimath Chief Minister Siddaramaiah campaigned extensively for the Congress candidateResponding after winning both the bypolls Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President DK Shivakumar stated âGuarantee schemes have worked in our favour in Karnataka Our government has responded to peopleâs difficulties That is why we have achieved good results in the byeelectionsâMeanwhile BJP State President and MLA BY Vijayendra stated âWe did not expect to lose in Bagalkot Although the Congress had won earlier we were confident that voters would support us this time Our workers have put in a lot of effort in both constituenciesââMoreover the Chief Minister stayed in Bagalkot for 15 days Members of the Cabinet were also stationed there Despite this we were confident of victory However we accept that we have faced a setback in Bagalkotâ he addedResponding to a question he said that just because the Congress has won the byeelection it cannot be concluded that there is a general shift in favour of the party âWe need to sit with our leaders and discuss the reasons for the setback in Bagalkot After that we will chalk out our strategy for organisational workâ he saidVijayendra further explained that in both constituencies there were no internal differences and local BJP leaders set aside their issues to work unitedly for the party candidate âParty leaders worked in a coordinated manner We also extended our support and workers toiled day and nightâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-congress-wins-davanagere-south-by-5-708-votes-672278.html Mon, 04 May 2026 18:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vijays-sweeping-win-signals-major-shift-in-tamil-nadu-politics-672280.html Chennai May 4 In a stunning political upheaval actorturnedpolitician C Joseph Vijay secured a massive landslide victory from Tiruchy East by over 26000 votes leading his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK to a historic debut triumph that has dramatically reshaped Tamil Naduâs political landscape Polling for all 234 constituencies was held in a single phase on April 23 with counting conducted across 62 centres on MondayWhat began as a fourcornered contest involving the DMK AIADMK NTK and TVK culminated in a sweeping surge for Vijayâs party marking a decisive shift away from the stateâs longstanding Dravidian dominanceIn one of the biggest shocks of the election Chief Minister MK Stalin lost his Kolathur seat to TVKâs VS Babu by a margin of 9192 votes underlining the scale of the political churnHowever key DMK figures such as Udhayanidhi Stalin ChepaukThiruvallikeni and V Senthil Balaji Coimbatore South managed to retain their constituenciesTVK candidates delivered impressive performances across regions reflecting both organisational reach and voter mobilisationAdhav Arjuna won in Villivakkam Thennarasu secured Sriperumbudur and Prabhu emerged victorious in Karaikudi where NTK chief Seeman suffered his third consecutive Assembly election defeatIn Royapuram TVKs Vijay Dhamu an auto driver pulled off a sensational win against former minister D Jayakumar reflecting the partyâs strong grassroots connectThe party also registered key victories in Mylapore where Venkataramanan defeated BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan and in Radhapuram where Assembly Speaker Appavu was unseated by TVKâs SatishAmong other results DMKâs Raghupathi won in Tirumayam while minister Sekar Babu retained Chennai HarbourIn Nagapattinam MMKâs Jawahirullah secured victoryTVK leaders termed the verdict a ânew revolutionâ in Tamil Nadu and alleged that attempts were made to obstruct Vijayâs campaign and discredit the partyActor Sivakarthikeyan congratulated Vijay praising his influence and remarkable success in his first electoral contestCongress leader Girish Chodankar said a report on the results has been submitted to the party high command with further strategy to be decided by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and the senior leadershipWith heightened security at Vijayâs Chennai residence including fullbody screening for visitors the scale of his political ascent is unmistakable Tamil Nadu appears to be entering a new political phase under Vijayâs rising leadership IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vijays-sweeping-win-signals-major-shift-in-tamil-nadu-politics-672280.html Mon, 04 May 2026 19:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-groups-jaypee-plan-gets-nclat-nod-vedanta-plea-dismissed-672075.html New Delhi May 4 IANS Adani Groups resolution plan for Jaiprakash Associates Limited JAL has received approval from the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal NCLAT which dismissed Vedantas appeal challenging the processnbspA Bench comprising Chairperson Justice Retd Ashok Bhushan and Technical Member Barun Mitra upheld the earlier order of the National Company Law Tribunal NCLT and said there were no grounds to interfere with the decision of the adjudicating authorityThe tribunal also held that the Committee of Creditors CoC was justified in rejecting Vedantas resolution planNCLAT observed that the CoCs decision taken in its 24th meeting on November 14 2025 to not consider the addendum was neither invalid nor untenableIt further noted that no material irregularity had been committed in the resolution plan and upheld the commercial wisdom of the CoC effectively validating the processWe do not find any ground to interfere with the order passed by the adjudicating authority the tribunal saidJaiprakash Associates Limited JAL was admitted into the corporate insolvency resolution process by the Allahabad Bench of the NCLT on June 3 2024Earlier the appellate tribunal had declined to grant an interim stay on the implementation of Adani Groups resolution plan despite objections raised by Vedanta which had argued that its bid was financially superiorNCLAT had taken up Vedantas appeal challenging the approval of Adanis Rs 14535 crore bid for JALMoreover Vedanta had contended that its offer carried a higher net present value NPV of Rs 12505 croreHowever the tribunal had clarified at the time that any steps taken under Adanis resolution plan would remain subject to the final outcome of Vedantas pleaJAL entered the insolvency process in June 2024 after defaulting on loans exceeding Rs 57000 croreWith the dismissal of Vedantas appeal the appellate tribunal has now cleared the way for the implementation of Adani Groups resolution plan for JaypeeIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-groups-jaypee-plan-gets-nclat-nod-vedanta-plea-dismissed-672075.html Mon, 04 May 2026 12:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gold-and-silver-prices-slide-as-trump-signals-easing-us-iran-tensions-672076.html Mumbai May 4 IANS Gold and silver prices declined up to 1 per cent on Monday amid signs of easing geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran following remarks by US President Donald TrumpnbspOn the Multi Commodity Exchange MCX gold contracts for June 5 opened at Rs 151150 down Rs 382 or 025 per cent from the previous close of Rs 151532At around 1130 am gold was trading at Rs 150623 lower by Rs 729 or 048 per cent The yellow metal touched an intraday low of Rs 150400 a decline of 062 per cent or Rs 952 and an intraday high of Rs 151347On the other hand silver contracts for July 3 opened at Rs 250699 down Rs 238 or 009 per cent compared to the previous close of Rs 250937 The white metal was trading at Rs 249600 down Rs 1337 or 053 per centSo far in the session silver futures hit a low of Rs 249600 a decrease of 105 per cent or Rs 2599 and a high of Rs 251231Meanwhile in the international market both precious metals remained under pressure COMEX gold was down 055 per cent at 4619 per ounce while silver declined 048 per cent to 76065 per ounceA commodity market expert said gold prices extended last weeks decline hovering near onemonth lows as a stronger dollar and elevated crude oil prices weighed on sentimentThe expert further noted that while easing USIran tensions reduced some safehaven demand supply risks in the Strait of Hormuz continued to fuel inflation concerns prompting a cautiously hawkish stance from major central banks which also weighed on bullionUS President Donald Trump said the United States would initiate efforts to help vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz describing the move as a humanitarian gesture aimed at assisting neutral countries not involved in the ongoing USIran conflictAccording to Trump Washington would launch Project Freedom to guide the stranded ships and their crews safely through the routeHowever he warned that Iran would face a strong response if any threat emergedIn addition crude oil prices declined sharplyBrent crude fell 061 per cent to 10751 per barrel while US West Texas Intermediate WTI dropped 277 per cent to 9911 a barrelIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gold-and-silver-prices-slide-as-trump-signals-easing-us-iran-tensions-672076.html Mon, 04 May 2026 12:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/boxer-turned-cop-inspector-jasbir-singh-honoured-with-presidents-police-medal-672077.html Inspector Jasbir Singh SHO of Maloya Police Station Chandigarh has been awarded the Presidents Police Medal for Meritorious Service on Republic Day 2026A former nationallevel boxer Singh brought the same resilience from the ring into policing Before joining the Chandigarh Police as an Assistant SubInspector in 1992 he represented Punjab and Chandigarh in national boxing championships winning 17 gold and one silver medal between 1988 and 1999 Even during service he stunned the boxing fraternity by defeating Olympian NS Bisht in the 1997 Senior National ChampionshipsOver a spotless 34year career Singh has built a formidable reputation as an investigator handling 14 complex murder cases securing life imprisonment in 10 while others remain under trial His swift handling of kidnappings robbery cases and blind murders has earned him recognition across jurisdictionsAs SHO his leadership delivered an unprecedented featthree consecutive Best Police Station awards from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for Sector 26 2020 2021 and Sector 11 2022 His policing model emphasises transparency public trust and zero tolerance for interferenceCurrently leading antinarcotics operations in Maloya Singh continues to target drug networks while maintaining a peoplecentric approach With 31 commendation certificates and national recognition his journey from the boxing ring to frontline policing stands as a testament to dedication courage and public service https://dailyworld.in/national/boxer-turned-cop-inspector-jasbir-singh-honoured-with-presidents-police-medal-672077.html Mon, 04 May 2026 13:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bihars-win-has-paved-the-way-for-bengal-victory-pm-modis-old-remark-resurfaces-as-bjp-leads-672078.html New Delhi May 4 IANS An old video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has resurfaced in which he had expressed confidence about the BJPs prospects in West BengalnbspDuring victory celebrations after the BJPs landslide win in the Bihar Assembly elections PM Modi had said Ganga Ji flows from Bihar to Bengal Bihars win has paved the way for victory in West BengalAs early trends now indicate a possible shift in power in West Bengal the Prime Ministers remark is being widely discussed The BJPs highenergy campaign driven by PM Modis extensive outreach appears to have made a significant impactIf these trends translate into a final victory it would mark the first time since Independence that the BJP forms a government in West BengalAfter the first three hours of counting of votes on Monday for the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections the number of constituencies where the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP candidates are leading is far more than those where the ruling Trinamool Congress is aheadTill 1230 pm the trend for 266 of the 293 Assembly constituencies where counting is on is available on the Election Commission website Till the period BJP candidates are leading in 173 Assembly constituencies followed by Trinamool Congress at 90 Left Front All India Secular Front AISF in one and former Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabirfounded Aam Janata Unnayan Party AJUP in oneKabir himself is leading from the Rejinagar Assembly constituency in the minoritydominated Murshidabad district As per the trends West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is leading against BJPs Suvendu Adhikari in the highprofile Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in South KolkataAdhikari is leading from his native Nandigram Assembly constituency in East Midnapore district where he is contesting simultaneously this time along with BhabanipurOn Monday morning the Chief Electoral Officer CEO of West Bengal Manoj Kumar Agarwal announced that the winning party will be able to take out a victory procession in the districts only after seeking prior permission from the district magistrate and the district electoral officerAt the same time I appeal to all political parties to maintain restraint after the final results are declared officially In a democratic process some parties will win and some parties will lose But that victory or defeat should not result in violence Agarwal saidThis time the Election Commission of India ECI has decided to retain 700 companies of central forces in West Bengal for an indefinite period till further orders to prevent events of postpoll violence as it happened in 2021The repolling in the entire Assembly constituency at Falta in South 24 Parganas district will be on May 21 and the results will be announced on May 24IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bihars-win-has-paved-the-way-for-bengal-victory-pm-modis-old-remark-resurfaces-as-bjp-leads-672078.html Mon, 04 May 2026 13:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ipl-betting-racket-busted-in-odishas-sundargarh-five-held-672079.html Bhubaneswar May 4 The Rajgangpur Police in Odishas Sundargarh district have successfully busted an Indian Premier League IPL betting racket operating in the area and apprehended five persons involved in illegal betting activities a police official said The senior police official on Sunday added that following the receipt of credible intelligence the Sundargarh Superintendent of Police Amritpal Kaur directed a special team to take prompt action against the illegal IPL betting operationsOn Sunday the team conducted a raid in Rajgangpur and successfully detected the betting racketDuring the raid five individuals were apprehended who were actively engaged in running the betting network and collecting money from various personsAdditionally the police officials seized Rs 600000 cash while froze Rs 1761367 kept in bank account along with five mobile phonesA case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS Orissa Prevention of Gambling Act and Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming PROG Act has been registered at the Rajgangpur Police Station in this regardThe Odisha Police have recently busted similar betting rackets in Puri and BerÌhampur areas of the stateIn April Puri Police busted an IPL betting network arresting four individuals and seizing more than Rs 25 lakh in cash while freezing Rs 3181 lakh in bank deposits linked to the accusedPolice said that interrogation and mobile phone analysis showed the group operated through an online betting platform luring numerous people to bet on IPL matchesDuring searches Rs 304 lakh and six mobile phones were recovered while a raid at one accuseds residence yielded Rs 2231 lakh suspected as betting proceedsPolice added that the frozen Rs 3181 lakh transactions are under probe and the racket had been active in Puri for nearly two yearsMeanwhile the Berhampur police arrested a 21yearold bookie involved in an IPL betting racketThe police also found that the bookie is linked to online gaming website agnoor333com IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ipl-betting-racket-busted-in-odishas-sundargarh-five-held-672079.html Mon, 04 May 2026 13:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/counting-of-votes-for-bypolls-in-seven-seats-across-five-states-set-for-today-672083.html New Delhi May 4 Counting of votes for bypolls to seven assembly seats across five states is set to take place on Monday with results expected to shape key political equations in several regions The bypolls were held on April 9 and April 23 across constituencies in Gujarat Karnataka Maharashtra Nagaland and Tripura The elections were necessitated by the deaths of sitting MLAs in the respective seats leading to closely watched contests between major political partiesIn Maharashtra the Baramati seat in Pune district has drawn major attention as it is considered a stronghold of the influential Pawar family The seat fell vacant after the death of sitting MLA Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on January 28 His wife NCP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar is contesting from the constituency making it one of the most highprofile contests in the bypollsIn Karnataka bypolls were held in Bagalkot and Davanagere South following the deaths of senior Congress MLAs H Y Meti and Shamanur Shivashankarappa The contests are being viewed as a prestige battle between the ruling Congress and the BJP The BJP has fielded Veerabhadrayya Charantimath from Bagalkot and Srinivas T Dasakariyappa from Davanagere South while the Congress has fielded Umesh Meti and Samarth Mallikarjun respectivelyIn Gujarat the Umreth seat in Anand district went to polls after the death of BJP MLA Govind Parmar The main contest is between BJP candidate Harshad Parmar the son of the late MLA and Congress nominee Bhrugurajsinh Chauhan along with other candidatesNagalandâs Koridang seat in Mokokchung district saw a multicornered contest after the death of BJP MLA Imkong L Imchen Six candidates are in the fray including BJPâs Daochier I Imchen who is also the consensus nominee of the ruling alliance along with Congress NPP and Independent candidatesIn Tripura the Dharmanagar seat witnessed a triangular contest between the BJP Congress and CPIMled Left Front after the death of Assembly Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen in December The key candidates include BJPâs Jahar Chakraborti Congressâs Chayan Bhattacharjee and CPIMâs Amitabha DattaMeanwhile the scheduled bypoll in Goaâs Ponda constituency was cancelled by the Bombay High Court just hours before polling was to take place IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/counting-of-votes-for-bypolls-in-seven-seats-across-five-states-set-for-today-672083.html Mon, 04 May 2026 13:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/counting-of-votes-begins-in-tripura-bypolls-amid-tight-security-672121.html Agartala May 4 The counting of votes for the Dharmanagar Assembly bypoll for which the election was held on April 9 began at 8 am on Monday under tight security arrangements officials said Election officials said that postal ballots will be counted first followed by votes cast in EVMs Electronic Voting Machines and there will be four rounds of counting in the North Tripura district headquarters in DharmanagarVotes will be counted in only one counting hall where 14 tables including one for postal ballots have been placed Each counting table will be supervised and monitored by a counting supervisor and counting assistants Central observers appointed by the Election Commission will monitor the counting processThe results are expected to be declared by Monday afternoonDeputy Inspector General of Police Northern Range Ratiranjan Debnath told the media that a threetier security arrangement has been put in place ahead of the counting of votes for the bypoll to the Dharmanagar Assembly constituency in North Tripura districtNorth Tripura District Magistrate and Collector Chandni Chandran who is the District Election Officer along with Returning Officer Debjani Choudhury said that Central Reserve Police Force CRPF the Tripura State Rifles and state Police personnel in adequate numbers were deployed in the threetier security arrangements in and around the counting centreProhibitory orders have been imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita BNSS within a 100metre radius of the counting centre from 6 am on Monday till the end of the counting of votes to ensure peaceful vote countingChoudhury who is the SubDivisional Magistrate of Dharmanagar SubDivision said that 14 counting tables were set up in the counting centre at the district headquarters and votes recorded in 55 Electronic Voting Machines EVMs would be counted in four phasesAround 80 per cent of the 46142 voters including 23758 women exercised their vote in the bypoll for the Dharmanagar Assembly constituency in North Tripura district on April 9 The bypoll was necessitated by the demise of sitting MLA and Tripura Assembly Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen who passed away on December 26 last year at a private hospital in Bengaluru after a prolonged illness at the age of 72Sen had been elected to the Tripura Assembly four times twice as a Congress candidate in 2008 and 2013 and later in 2018 and 2023 as a BJP nominee from the same Assembly constituencyThe Dharmanagar Assembly constituency has remained a stronghold of either the Congress or the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP since 2008 with the CPIM last winning the Assembly seat in 2003A multicornered contest has made the electoral battle highly competitive The six candidates in the fray include nominees from major political parties smaller outfits and an Independent candidateKey candidates include Jahar Chakraborti of the BJP Chayan Bhattacharjee of the Congress and Amitabha Datta representing the CPIMled Left Front Datta had won the seat in the 2003 Assembly elections Chakraborti 59 currently serves as the BJPs North Tripura district VicePresidentIn addition candidates from the Amra Bangali party Socialist Unity Centre of IndiaCommunist and an Independent aspirant are also contesting the bypoll further intensifying the political contestThe Left Front and the Congress which had entered into a seatsharing arrangement during the 2023 Tripura Assembly elections to jointly challenge the BJP contested separately in this bypoll adding another dimension to the contestSupported by the Left parties Congress leader Chayan Bhattacharjee had earlier contested the Dharmanagar Assembly seat in 2023 but lost narrowly to BJP candidate Biswa Bandhu Sen by a margin of 956 votes IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/counting-of-votes-begins-in-tripura-bypolls-amid-tight-security-672121.html Mon, 04 May 2026 13:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-polls-counting-begins-with-the-tallying-of-postal-ballots-672122.html Kolkata May 4 The counting of votes cast in the twophase Assembly polls in West Bengal started at 8 am on Monday with the postal ballots being counted initially This time the Election Commission of India ECI has brought about some changes in the counting pattern In previous elections counting of votes started only after the counting of postal ballots was completed fullyHowever this time counting of only postal ballots will be done for the first 30 minutes that is from 8 am to 830 am From 830 am onwards the postal ballots and the EVM votes will be counted simultaneouslyâThe counting of the postal ballots only for the first 30 minutes is to ensure that the counting of the postal ballots is completed before the completion of the counting of EVM votes In case in any counting room if the counting of postal ballots is not completed before the last two rounds of counting the counting of EVM votes will be kept on hold for some time and only postal ballots will be counted during that period The EVM vote counting will resume after the counting of postal ballots is completedâ said an insider from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer CEOHe also said that by following this new process a clear trend in the results will be available by noonOn Monday the counting is on for only 293 of 294 Assembly constituencies in the state since the ECI on Saturday announced repolling for the entire Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district on May 21 the results for which will be declared on May 24The contest in West Bengal is mainly between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the principal opposition Bharatiya Janata Party BJP In the last elections in 2021 Trinamool Congress ended tally with 216 seats followed by the BJP at 77 and All India Secular Front AISF at oneNeither Congress nor the CPIMled Left Front despite contesting the polls in an alliance could win from a single constituency This time the main challenge for both Congress and Left Front is to open their accounts again in terms of presence in the state Assembly This time Left Front and Congress have contested independently although Left Front had a seatsharing arrangement with AISFThe twophase Assembly polls in West Bengal this time were conducted on April 23 and April 29 with a record turnout of nearly 93 per cent Most of the exit poll predictions this time barring two have predicted the end of the 15year Trinamool Congress regime and the beginning of the BJP rule in West Bengal IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-polls-counting-begins-with-the-tallying-of-postal-ballots-672122.html Mon, 04 May 2026 13:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-polls-postal-votes-counting-underway-as-its-neck-and-neck-between-left-and-cong-672123.html Thiruvananthapuram May 4 Counting of postal votes has begun in Kerala with early indications giving a slight edge to the Left Democratic Front LDF which is leading The Congressled United Democratic Front UDF is close behind while the Bharatiya Janata Party BJPled National Democratic Alliance NDA has opened its account in one seat After months of intense political battles and campaign rhetoric the state is set to learn today who will form the next governmentCounting for the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly elections commenced at 8 am across 140 constituencies with postal ballots taken up first followed by votes recorded in electronic voting machines from around 830 amInitial trends are expected to firm up by 9 am with a clearer picture likely by 10 amExit polls have largely predicted a change of guard in favour of the UDFHowever the LDF remains confident of securing a third consecutive term banking on its welfare measures and governance recordThe NDA on its part is aiming to improve its vote share and position itself as a potential kingmaker in a closely fought contestThe UDF has campaigned on a strong antiincumbency plank citing rising prices corruption allegations and unemploymentIt is targeting a tally of 8090 seats though internal differences over leadership could pose challengesThe LDF led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is relying on its âdevelopment and welfareâ narrative highlighting infrastructure projects and social security schemes even as it faces concerns over voter fatigue in some constituenciesThe NDA is seeking to cross the 20 per cent vote share mark drawing momentum from highprofile campaigning and perceived gains among key communities though its ability to convert this into seats remains under scrutinyKey constituencies to watch include Dharmadam Paravur and Haripad along with Thrissur Palakkad Nemom and NilamburWith counting underway under tight security all eyes are on whether early trends will hold or give way to a dramatic turnaround IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-polls-postal-votes-counting-underway-as-its-neck-and-neck-between-left-and-cong-672123.html Mon, 04 May 2026 13:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/counting-of-votes-underway-in-nagaland-bypoll-amid-multi-layer-security-672125.html Kohima May 4 The counting of votes for the Koridang Assembly constituency bypoll in Nagaland for which the election was held on April 9 commenced at 8 am on Monday under multilayer security arrangements officials said Election officials said that as per the Election Commission guidelines postal ballots were being counted first followed by votes stored in the EVMs Electronic Voting Machines and there will be three rounds of counting at the Mokokchung District Deputy Commissioners officeWith the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces CAPF along with state security personnel a multilayered security arrangement CCTV surveillance and strict access control measures have been put in place at the Mokokchung District Deputy Commissioners officeA senior election official said that all necessary preparations have been undertaken to ensure smooth and transparent counting of votes for the Koridang Assembly Constituency byelectionThe byelection held on April 9 was necessitated following the demise of sitting BJP MLA Imkong L Imchen who passed away on November 11 2024 at a private hospital in Guwahati after a brief illness He was 75 years oldThe bypoll recorded a voter turnout of 8221 per cent out of a total electorate of 22390 voters on April 9 with electors casting their votes across 30 polling stationsThe election official said that the highly secured counting centre has been fully prepared with a structured layout including designated tables for counting personnel observers and agents of contesting candidates to ensure a smooth transparent and orderly processMultiple CCTV cameras have been installed to closely monitor every stage of the counting processIn view of the electionrelated violence reported on April 5 and 6 which resulted in one fatality several injuries and damage to vehicles a robust multitier security arrangement has been deployed in and around the counting centre to prevent any untoward incidentsFollowing Election Commission instructions the Electronic Voting Machines EVMs currently stored in strong rooms under roundtheclock security will be opened in the presence of candidates or their authorised agents prior to the commencement of counting on Monday morningA total of six candidates are contesting the byelection The BJP a constituent of the ruling Peoples Democratic Alliance PDA has fielded Daochier I Imchen son of the late legislator Imkong L Imchen as the consensus candidate of the multiparty allianceOther prominent candidates include I Abenjang of the National Peoples Party NPP and T Chalukumba Ao of the CongressThree Independent candidates Imchatoba Imchen Imtiwapang Kichu and Major Toshikaba Retd are also in the fray making the contest competitiveThe results are expected to be declared by Monday afternoon IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/counting-of-votes-underway-in-nagaland-bypoll-amid-multi-layer-security-672125.html Mon, 04 May 2026 13:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-extends-birthday-greetings-to-vp-radhakrishnan-praises-his-deep-commitment-to-democratic-values-672128.html New Delhi May 4 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday extended birthday wishes to Vice President CP Radhakrishnan praising his contribution to parliamentary functioning and his commitment to the vision of a developed India Posting on X PM Modi said âWarm birthday greetings to Vice President Thiru CP Radhakrishnan Ji He is making numerous efforts to strengthen our collective dream of building a Viksit Bharat His consistent efforts to enhance the productivity and effectiveness of our Parliamentary proceedings reflect his deep commitment to democratic values Equally inspiring is his unwavering passion for allround development with a concern for the poor and marginalised His public life continues to be guided by dedication discipline and a clear sense of purpose I pray for his good health happiness and a long life in the service of the nationâDefence Minister Rajnath Singh also conveyed his wishes highlighting Radhakrishnanâs role in strengthening Parliament and inclusive developmentHe posted âGreetings and warm wishes to Vice President of India Thiru CP Radhakrishnan ji on his birth day He is making noteworthy contributions to our nation especially in ensuring Parliamentary productivity and in ensuring the fruits of development reach all sections of society May he be blessed with a long and healthy lifeâUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath joined in extending greetings praying for his long life and continued service to the nationHe wrote âHeartfelt birthday wishes to the Honble Vice President Shri CP Radhakrishnan Ji May you be blessed with excellent health long life and continuous success and energy on the path of national service by the grace of Lord Shri Ram this is my prayerâCP Radhakrishnan was elected as the 15th Vice President in September 2025 defeating the INDIA bloc nominee Justice B Sudershan Reddy by 152 votes Prior to his election he was serving as the 24th Governor of Maharashtra having assumed office on July 31 2024He has also previously served as the Governor of Jharkhand from February 2023 to July 2024 and held additional responsibilities as Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry between March and July 2024 Over the years Radhakrishnan has been entrusted with multiple gubernatorial roles reflecting his longstanding administrative experience and presence in public life IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-extends-birthday-greetings-to-vp-radhakrishnan-praises-his-deep-commitment-to-democratic-values-672128.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cong-prepares-for-celebrations-in-kerala-tents-erected-ladoos-set-to-arrive-672130.html Thiruvananthapuram May 4 As the counting got underway in Kerala on Monday the Congress leaders appeared to be confident about their performance A specially erected shamiyana in front of the Congress state headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram alongside reports of bulk orders for ladoos clearly signalled that the party was bracing for a victory celebration As counting began for the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly election early postal ballot trends pointed to a closely fought contestThe Left Democratic Front LDF and the Congressled United Democratic Front UDF were involved in a neckandneck raceThe National Democratic Alliance NDA led by the Bharatiya Janata Party opened its account in four seats where it is leadingDespite the early numbers confidence remains high across camps State Communist Party of India Marxist secretary MV Govindan expressed strong optimism that the LDF is on course for a historic third consecutive termThe Left is banking on its governance record welfare delivery and infrastructure push under Chief Minister Pinarayi VijayanThe UDF meanwhile has anchored its campaign on antiincumbency pointing to rising prices corruption allegations and unemploymentBuoyed by exit poll projections favouring a change of guard Congress leaders appear confident that public sentiment has translated into votes even as internal leadership tussles linger in the backgroundThe NDA is aiming to expand its footprint by increasing vote share beyond 20 per cent hoping to emerge as a decisive force if the verdict turns fragmentedHighdecibel campaigning and outreach to key communities are seen as its primary strengthsAcross Keralaâs 140 constituencies counting is progressing under tight security with electronic voting machine tallies expected to sharpen trends through the morningKey battlegrounds include Dharmadam Paravur Haripad Thrissur Palakkad Nemom and NilamburWith early leads offering no decisive advantage yet the state awaits clarity on whether the initial edge for the LDF will hold or if the UDFâs visible confidence will translate into a change in powerAt Kalamassery the constituency of State Industries Minister P Rajeeve voting got delayed as the keys to the strong room appeared to be missing IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cong-prepares-for-celebrations-in-kerala-tents-erected-ladoos-set-to-arrive-672130.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sensex-nifty-surge-1-pc-in-early-trade-over-de-escalation-hopes-assembly-poll-result-trends-672133.html Mumbai May 4 Indian equity benchmarks opened on a strong note on Monday with indices gaining 1 per cent each in the morning trade aided by softer crude oil prices amid indications of easing tensions in West Asia amid early Assembly election trends in key states Sensex surged as much as 833 points or 108 per cent to hit an intraday high of 7774679 in early deals while Nifty touched 2424585 up 250 points or 103 per centOn the sectoral front buying interest was seen across auto realty metal FMCG and energy stocks with Nifty Auto Nifty Realty Nifty Metal Nifty FMCG and Nifty Oil amp Gas indices gaining up to nearly 2 per centHowever some stocks remained under pressure with Kotak Mahindra Bank Dr Reddyâs Laboratories TCS Eternal ITC and Bharti Airtel among top losers on from the 50scrip basketUS President Donald Trump said the United States will initiate efforts to help vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz describing the move as a humanitarian gesture aimed at assisting neutral countries not involved in the ongoing USIsraeli conflict with IranTehran meanwhile said Washington has responded to its 14point peace proposal via Pakistan and that the reply is under review though Trump signalled it may not be acceptableBack home results of Assembly elections in four states including Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and one Union Territory are due during the session which could lend a nearterm sentimentdriven bias to markets particularly tracking West Bengal trendsAccording to market experts the underlying market direction will hinge on crude oil prices which remain sensitive to developments in West Asia Trumpâs remarks on facilitating safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz have already weighed on oil pricesBrent crude fell 66 cents or 061 per cent to 10751 per barrel while US West Texas Intermediate WTI declined 283 or 277 per cent to 9911 a barrelIn global equities Asian markets traded higher with Japanâs Nikkei Hong Kongâs Hang Seng and South Koreaâs KOSPI rising up to 4 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sensex-nifty-surge-1-pc-in-early-trade-over-de-escalation-hopes-assembly-poll-result-trends-672133.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-results-cm-vijayan-trailing-in-early-trends-672135.html Thiruvananthapuram May 4 For the first time Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is trailing as are several of his cabinet colleagues State Congress president and fighting his own battle in his home turf Sunny Joseph said this was a clear trend and nothing is stopping them from storming to power As counting gathers pace it signals a challenging day for the ruling Left Democratic Front LDFAs per the latest trends 14 ministers including CM Vijayan are trailing in their respective constituencies In 2021 Vijayan won Dharmadam with a margin of 50000 votesThe Congressled UDF is leading in 93 the Left in 42 and the BJP in fiveThe broader picture however points to a strong surge by the Congressled United Democratic Front UDF which has established a clear lead after early rounds of EVM countingThe alliance is ahead in a substantial number of seats indicating that its campaign centred on antiincumbency rising prices corruption allegations and unemployment may be striking a chord with votersThe LDF which had aimed for a historic third consecutive term is facing visible resistance in several sitting constituenciesTrailing ministers underline the extent of the challenge raising questions about vote erosion and the limits of its development and welfare narrativeParty leaders including state secretary MV Govindan had expressed confidence ahead of counting but emerging trends suggest a tougher contest than anticipatedIn contrast buoyancy is evident in UDF ranks with early leads reinforcing expectations of a potential return to powerCelebratory preparations that began in the morning at party offices now appear less premature as numbers consolidateThe National Democratic Alliance NDA led by the Bharatiya Janata Party remains limited in terms of seat leads but is looking to make incremental gains and improve its vote shareAs counting progresses across all 140 constituencies under tight security the focus remains on whether the UDF can convert its early advantage into a decisive mandate and whether Vijayanâs personal contest will offer any consolation in an otherwise difficult electoral landscape for the Left IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-results-cm-vijayan-trailing-in-early-trends-672135.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rain-brings-relief-in-delhi-aqi-in-moderate-category-672136.html New Delhi May 4 Residents of Delhi woke up to widespread rainfall on Monday morning offering relief from the recent spell of intense heat The showers follow similar weather over the weekend that helped push temperatures below the 40degree mark According to the India Meteorological Department IMD the capital is expected to witness a generally cloudy day with intermittent light rain along with thunderstorms and lightning Gusty winds are also likely ranging between 40â50 kmph and occasionally reaching up to 60 kmph particularly during the morning hours Another round of showers may occur later in the eveningDaytime temperatures are forecast to remain lower than usual for this time of year with maximum temperatures expected between 32 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius Night temperatures are likely to stay in the range of 22 degrees Celsius to 24 degrees CelsiusIn its monthly outlook the IMD indicated that India is likely to experience aboveaverage rainfall in May While maximum temperatures in many regions are expected to remain normal or slightly below normal some areas particularly parts of southern peninsular India the northeast and the northwest may see higherthanusual daytime temperatures Night temperatures however are predicted to remain above normal across large parts of the country though a few regions in northwest and central India may record relatively cooler nightsThe IMD has also cautioned about an increased number of heatwave days in certain areas including parts of the Himalayan foothills the eastern coastline as well as Gujarat and MaharashtraOverall rainfall for May is projected to exceed 110 per cent of the longperiod average though some eastern and northeastern regions could receive less rain than usualMeanwhile Delhiâs air quality remained in the âmoderateâ category with AQI readings ranging from 85 to 142 across various monitoring stationsAshok Vihar 121 Bawana 124 Burari Crossing 127 DTU 108 DwarkaSector 8 122 IGI Airport 100 IIT Delhi 99 JNU 85 North Campus 114 Pusa 103 Sonia Vihar 126 Wazirpur 142 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rain-brings-relief-in-delhi-aqi-in-moderate-category-672136.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/assam-results-gaurav-gogoi-trails-in-early-trends-himanta-sarma-leads-672137.html Guwahati May 4 Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi was trailing behind BJP rival Hitendra Nath Goswami after the first round of counting in Assams Jorhat Assembly constituency on Monday According to early trends Goswami secured 4993 votes taking a lead of 1056 votes while Gogoi polled 3937 votes in the opening round of countingOfficials said that only one out of the 14 rounds of counting has been completed so far and the margin is likely to fluctuate as more rounds are taken upThe Jorhat seat remains a key battleground with both parties closely tracking the evolving trendsMeanwhile Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was leading from the Jalukbari Assembly constituency seat giving an early boost to the ruling alliance as counting progressed across the state amid tight security arrangementsThe BJPled NDA was leading in 80 Assembly seats while the Congressled opposition alliance was ahead in 26 constituencies in the early rounds of counting for the Assembly electionsPolling for the Assembly elections was held on April 9 with an impressive voter turnout of 8596 per cent from an electorate of more than 250 croreA total of 722 candidates are in the fray including 59 women contenders The Congress fielded the highest number of candidates at 99 followed by the BJP with 90 The All India United Democratic Front AIUDF contested 30 seats Among NDA allies the Asom Gana Parishad fielded 26 candidates while the Bodo Peoples Front contested 11 seatsWithin the opposition bloc Raijor Dal fielded 13 candidates Assam Jatiya Parishad contested 10 CPIM three and the All Party Hill Leaders Conference two seats Other parties in the contest include the Aam Aadmi Party and United Peoples Party Liberal with 18 seats each the Trinamool Congress with 22 and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha with 16 There are also 258 Independent candidates IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/assam-results-gaurav-gogoi-trails-in-early-trends-himanta-sarma-leads-672137.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/formation-of-bjp-govt-certain-in-bengal-leaders-confident-of-historic-win-672140.html New Delhi May 4 As vote counting continues in West Bengal BJP leaders have expressed strong confidence in forming the government citing early trends that show the party ahead in several constituencies West Bengal BJP State President Samik Bhattacharya said âWhatever ups and downs took place during the elections let that be now let people enjoy The formation of the BJP government is certainâ His statement reflects growing optimism within the party camp as counting progressesBJP leader Shishir Bajoria also claimed that the trends indicate a historic outcome for the party He said âIt is clearly visible today that everything will become clear in some time and the BJP is going to create history here with a massive majorityâBJP National Secretary Anil K Antony highlighted that the party is witnessing positive momentum across states where counting is underwaySpeaking to IANS Antony said âThese are initial trends and the initial trends are very positive We are very sure that as the day progresses further our party is going to increase its mandate in each of these states where the current trends are very positive In West Bengal the party is moving towards a decisive victory right now We are leading in more than half the states For the first time ever we are going to see a doubleengine government in West Bengal something which is becoming normal these daysâAccording to early trends as of 10 am the BJP is leading in 48 seats in West Bengal as counting continuesThe electoral contests across the state have drawn significant attention with both the ruling Trinamool Congress and opposition BJP closely tracking constituencywise developments as results begin to take shapeAs counting progresses through the day both parties remain on edge with final outcomes expected to determine the political direction of West Bengal in the coming term IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/formation-of-bjp-govt-certain-in-bengal-leaders-confident-of-historic-win-672140.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/section-of-vikramshila-setu-collapses-in-bihars-bhagalpur-traffic-suspended-672143.html Patna May 4 A portion of the Vikramshila Setu in Bihars Bhagalpur district has collapsed disrupting connectivity and causing difficulties to the general public The Vikramshila Setu serves as a crucial link between Bhagalpur and Naugachhia connecting North and South BiharAccording to an official following subsidence in the approach section on the Bhagalpur side a stretch of nearly 33 meters of the bridge gave way and fell into the Ganga RiverThe incident occurred at around 1250 am on Monday when a large slab near Pillar Number 133 suddenly collapsed into the riverThe sudden structural failure created panic in the area and brought traffic to a complete haltA major tragedy was narrowly averted due to the alertness of police personnel and administrative officials present at the siteSeveral vehicles were reportedly on the bridge at the time but were quickly moved to safety before the collapseUpon receiving information Bhagalpur District Magistrate Naval Kishore Chaudhary rushed to the spot and assessed the situationHe stated that in the interest of public safety all vehicular movement across the bridge has been completely suspendedBarricades have been installed at both ends and a team of technical experts has been called in to inspect the damageSenior Superintendent of Police Pramod Yadav confirmed that traffic is being diverted through alternative routesThe administration is closely monitoring the situation and has urged the public to avoid rumours and strictly follow designated diversionsWith the closure of the bridge commuters travelling between Bhagalpur Naugachhia and the Seemanchal region will now have to take longer routes via Munger and SultanganjThe Vikramshila Setu is a lifeline for the region and its closure is expected to severely impact daily commuting as well as commercial activities across the areaThe collapse of the important link has once again raised serious concerns over infrastructure safety in the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/section-of-vikramshila-setu-collapses-in-bihars-bhagalpur-traffic-suspended-672143.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-bypolls-bjp-leads-in-davanagere-south-congress-ahead-in-bagalkot-672145.html Bengaluru May 4 The counting of votes for two Assembly segments in Karnataka Davanagere South and Bagalkot where byelections were held began on Monday The results are crucial for both the ruling Congress party and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party BJP In the muchawaited Davanagere South constituency BJPâs Srinivasa T Dasakariyappa is leading over Congress candidate Samarth Mallikarjun Srinivasa has polled 3711 votes while Samarth Mallikarjun has secured 3134 votes after the first round of counting There are a total of 21 rounds of countingIn the Bagalkot Assembly segment at the end of the second round of counting Congress candidate Umesh Meti has taken a lead of more than 5000 votes over BJP candidate Veeranna Charantimath Umesh Meti has secured 10996 votes while Veeranna Charantimath has polled 5980 votes There are a total of 23 rounds of countingIn Bagalkot the byelection was held following the untimely demise of HY Meti His son Umesh Meti is in a direct contest against the BJPâs Veeranna Charantimath Chief Minister Siddaramaiah campaigned extensively for the Congress candidateThe counting of votes began at 8 am and will be conducted in 23 rounds across 14 tables Bagalkot Deputy Commissioner Sangappa said that all preparations had been made for the counting process A total of 63 counting personnel have been deployed and all necessary arrangements are in placeCandidates and election agents arrived at the counting centre by 7 am and the strongroom was opened in their presenceThe Davanagere South bypoll was necessitated by the death of veteran Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa The party fielded his grandson Samarth Mallikarjun as its candidate while the BJP nominated Srinivasa T Dasakariyappa a party leader from the oppressed classesFollowing allegations of antiparty activities Congress removed two MLCs from party positions after announcing its candidate The prestige of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is at stake while the BJP is hoping to secure its first victory in this Assembly segmentElection Officer Santosh Kumar and Deputy Commissioner GM Gangadharaswamy reviewed the preparations in Davanagere The strongroom was opened in the presence of the candidatesâ agentsA total of 14 tables have been set up for counting Postal ballots were counted before 8 am and counting of EVMs began at 830 am The results will be declared after a total of 21 rounds at least Each table has four staff members including a micro observer and all tables are under CCTV surveillance IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-bypolls-bjp-leads-in-davanagere-south-congress-ahead-in-bagalkot-672145.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/eight-killed-in-tragic-road-accident-in-ups-ambedkar-nagar-672146.html Ambedkar Nagar UP May 4 At least eight people lost their lives and several others were injured in a devastating road accident near Ashrafpur Bhua village on the JalalpurâAkbarpur road in Uttar Pradeshs Ambedkar Nagar police said on Monday According to police the tragedy unfolded in two phasesAround 11 pm on Sunday two motorcycles collided headon near the Ashrafpur locality leaving both riders critically injured On hearing the crash locals and passersby rushed to the spot to help the victims and arrange for their transportation to a nearby hospitalHowever moments later a speeding car coming from the Jalalpur side lost control and rammed into the group of rescuers and bystanders gathered along the roadside The vehicle ploughed through the crowd knocking several people to the ground and causing severe injuriesThe injured were immediately rushed to a local hospital where six people were declared dead on arrival Two others who were critically injured were referred to a higher medical facility but later succumbed to their injuriesAdditional Superintendent of Police East Tejveer Singh said that the initial motorcycle collision led to the gathering of people at the spot and the subsequent car accident resulted in multiple casualties He confirmed that all eight victims have diedThe incident triggered panic and chaos in the area Police teams reached the spot promptly and have sent the bodies for postmortem examination Further investigation is underwayMeanwhile a social media reel attempt by five children in Uttar Pradeshâs Siddharth Nagar turned tragic on Saturday when they fell while climbing down an abandoned water tank One child died in the incident while two others sustained critical injuries The remaining two children were stranded atop the structure overnight and were rescued early Sunday in an operation involving an Indian Air Force helicopterThe police said the incident occurred when the staircase the children were using to descend the abandoned water tank suddenly collapsed Three boys â identified as Siddharth 13 Golu 14 and Sunny 11 â fell to the ground from a height of 50 feet Two other children who were following behind remained stranded at the top and were unable to come down IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/eight-killed-in-tragic-road-accident-in-ups-ambedkar-nagar-672146.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/five-killed-as-speeding-vehicle-ploughs-into-group-in-bihars-rohtas-672149.html Patna May 4 A devastating road accident in Sasaram Bihar has claimed the lives of five people turning a moment of celebration into mourning The victims were returning from a Tilak ceremony when the tragedy occurredThe incident took place early Monday morning in the Dinara police station area of Rohtas district near Mathiya village on National Highway 319According to an official a speeding and outofcontrol truck rammed a group of people at around 300 amThe victims had stopped on the highway after getting down from a bus with a pickup vehicle parked behind themIt was during this time that the truck ploughed into the group leading to chaos at the sceneAmong the deceased are Ramadutt Singh from Bhagwanpur village Ashok Singh father of the bride from Mathiya village Pintu Singh maternal uncle of the bride and Rajnish KumarAll are believed to be from the same family More details are awaited as the probe was onThe identity of one victim is yet to be establishedPolice from the Dinara station reached the spot soon after receiving information and initiated rescue and clearance operationsWith the help of a crane damaged vehicles were removed from the road and the truck bus and pickup involved in the incident have been seizedThe bodies of the deceased have been sent to Sasaram Sadar Hospital for postmortem and an investigation into the accident is currently underwayThis tragic incident has left the affected family devastated as what was meant to be a joyous wedding celebration has turned into a scene of grief and mourning with relatives inconsolable over the sudden lossThe district police have lodged an FIR against the rash and negligent driving by the truck driver at the Dinara police stationThe errant driver is on the run The district police are making efforts to nab him IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/five-killed-as-speeding-vehicle-ploughs-into-group-in-bihars-rohtas-672149.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/major-demolition-drive-against-unauthorised-structures-in-jammu-672150.html Jammu May 4 The Jammu Development Authority JDA said on Monday that it has carried out a major demolition drive against unauthorised constructions along the Ring Road Corridor in Jammu district to ensure public safety An official statement said that in a significant enforcement action undertaken on Monday the Jammu Development Authority JDA carried out a major demolition drive along the Ring Road Corridor to curb unauthorised constructions and ensure planned urban developmentDuring the drive more than 15 illegal structures which had been raised without obtaining the requisite building permissions from the competent authority were demolishedThe JDA said these structures were found to be in clear violation of approved land use norms and building regulations Preliminary assessments indicated that the unauthorised constructions posed a serious threat to public safetyMany of these structures were either structurally unsound or had encroached upon critical areas thereby increasing the risk of damage to life and property particularly to nearby residential and commercial establishmentsThe demolition operation was conducted by the Enforcement Wing of JDA with the assistance of local administration and law enforcement agencies ensuring that the drive was carried out smoothly and without any untoward incidentPrior notices as per due legal procedure had been served to the violators providing them with adequate opportunity to comply with the regulations The Authority reiterates its commitment to maintaining planned development in Jammu and urges the general public to strictly adhere to building norms and obtain necessary permissions before undertaking any construction activityUnauthorised constructions not only violate the law but also endanger public safety and disrupt orderly urban growth The JDA further emphasises that similar enforcement actions will continue in the future against all such violations without exceptionThere are two development authorities JDA in Jammu city and Srinagar Development Authority SDA in Srinagar city in addition to the two municipal corporations These control construction and developmental plans in the twin capitals to ensure planned civic and safe development and expansion of these two fastgrowing cities IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/major-demolition-drive-against-unauthorised-structures-in-jammu-672150.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-groups-jaypee-plan-gets-nclat-nod-vedanta-plea-dismissed-672152.html New Delhi May 4 Adani Groups resolution plan for Jaiprakash Associates Limited JAL has received approval from the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal NCLAT which dismissed Vedantaâs appeal challenging the process A Bench comprising Chairperson Justice Retd Ashok Bhushan and Technical Member Barun Mitra upheld the earlier order of the National Company Law Tribunal NCLT and said there were no grounds to interfere with the decision of the adjudicating authorityThe tribunal also held that the Committee of Creditors CoC was justified in rejecting Vedantaâs resolution planNCLAT observed that the CoCâs decision taken in its 24th meeting on November 14 2025 to not consider the addendum was neither invalid nor untenableIt further noted that no material irregularity had been committed in the resolution plan and upheld the commercial wisdom of the CoC effectively validating the processWe do not find any ground to interfere with the order passed by the adjudicating authority the tribunal saidJaiprakash Associates Limited JAL was admitted into the corporate insolvency resolution process by the Allahabad Bench of the NCLT on June 3 2024Earlier the appellate tribunal had declined to grant an interim stay on the implementation of Adani Groupâs resolution plan despite objections raised by Vedanta which had argued that its bid was financially superiorNCLAT had taken up Vedantaâs appeal challenging the approval of Adaniâs Rs 14535 crore bid for JALMoreover Vedanta had contended that its offer carried a higher net present value NPV of Rs 12505 croreHowever the tribunal had clarified at the time that any steps taken under Adaniâs resolution plan would remain subject to the final outcome of Vedantaâs pleaJAL entered the insolvency process in June 2024 after defaulting on loans exceeding Rs 57000 croreWith the dismissal of Vedantaâs appeal the appellate tribunal has now cleared the way for the implementation of Adani Groups resolution plan for Jaypee IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-groups-jaypee-plan-gets-nclat-nod-vedanta-plea-dismissed-672152.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vijays-tvk-surges-across-tn-as-stalin-trails-in-kolathur-early-trends-show-major-upsets-672153.html Chennai May 4 DMK chief Chief Minister MK Stalin is trailing in his home turf of Kolathur even as Vijayled Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK continues its strong surge across Tamil Nadu according to early counting trends on Monday In the Kolathur constituency after the sixth round of counting TVK candidate VS Babu has taken the lead with 24993 votes while Stalin is in second place with 20982 votes The AIADMK candidate trails far behind with 5982 votes followed by Naam Tamilar Katchi NTK with 1801 votes indicating a significant shift in what has long been considered a DMK strongholdTVKâs momentum is visible across several constituencies in the state In Dr Radhakrishnan Nagar the party is leading after the third round with 5142 votes ahead of the DMKâs 3182 and AIADMKâs 1409 The NTK candidate remains a distant fourthThe party has also established leads in key Chennai constituencies including Egmore Anna Nagar Villivakkam and Thousand Lights underlining its growing urban appealMeanwhile senior DMK leader V Senthil Balaji is holding on to a lead in Coimbatore South constituency after the second round offering some relief to the ruling partyIn contrast AIADMK strongman SP Velumani is leading in Thondamuthur after six rounds of countingIn Vriddhachalam DMDK leader Premalatha Vijayakanth is trailing adding to the setbacks faced by smaller allies in the frayTVK chief Vijay himself is maintaining a comfortable lead in both Perambur after four rounds and Tiruchy East after three rounds reinforcing the partyâs impressive debut performance in the Assembly electionsReports have also emerged that the party has booked a resort in Mahabalipuram to house its winning MLAs amid concerns of potential postpoll poachingReacting to the early trends TVK national spokesperson Felix Gerald exuded confidence that the party would secure an absolute majority and form the next governmentHe said the outcome reflects widespread public disillusionment with traditional partiesâThey may have decades of experience but only in looting the state People have placed their trust in TVK as a genuine alternativeâ Gerald saidAs counting progresses the trends suggest a dramatic reshaping of Tamil Naduâs political landscape with TVK emerging as a formidable challenger to the stateâs entrenched Dravidian parties IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vijays-tvk-surges-across-tn-as-stalin-trails-in-kolathur-early-trends-show-major-upsets-672153.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pune-toddler-rape-murder-case-oppn-demands-sit-probe-criticises-maharashtra-home-dept-672154.html Mumbai May 4 The brutal rapeandmurder of a fouryearold girl in Narsapur Pune has fuelled a massive political row in Maharashtra Opposition parties have launched a scathing attack on the State Home Department led by Devendra Fadnavis citing police negligence and a total breakdown of law and order They have demanded an enquiry into the horrific incident by a Special Investigation Team SIT Maharashtra Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar raised serious questions regarding the polices conduct in court He alleged that despite having knowledge of the accusedâs prior criminal record the police failed to present this information to the judiciaryâThe police only updated the remand application after being reprimanded by the court If the police are this negligent how will the child get justice Is their only achievement lathicharging the grieving family and the public he askedHe further demanded a SIT led by a woman IPS officer stating that the Pune polices insensitive handling of the case has eroded public trustShiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut took a direct shot at Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis suggesting that the Home Minister himself should be named as an accused for the systemic failureHe claimed that CM Fadnavis is preoccupied with politics 247 leading to a loss of control over the Home Department If beloved sisters Ladki Bahin receive Rs 1500 a month but their daughters are violated in return should they remain silent Raut questioned referencing the governments flagship welfare schemeThe Mumbai Congress chief and MP Varsha Gaikwad echoed these sentiments stating that the incident is a blot on humanity and proves there is no fear of the law left in the state She remarked that the police no longer seem to answer even to the Home MinisterMaharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Amit Thackeray expressed deep outrage over the incident noting that the child had only come to her grandmothers house for a vacationThe case involves the kidnapping rape and subsequent murder of a toddler in Narsapur from Pune district by an old manThe brutality of the crime led to spontaneous public protests Tensions escalated when police reportedly used force lathicharge to disperse angry citizens and the victims family members who were demanding immediate justice further fueling the Oppositions claims of government insensitivityEarlier CM and Home Minister Fadnavis condemned the act in the strongest terms describing it as a blot on humanityHe directed the Pune Rural Police to ensure a watertight case and announced that the trial would be conducted in a FastTrack CourtHe assured the public that the true story and all facts will be brought to light soon and that the government would seek the death penalty for the accused to set a stern precedentHe has ordered increased police patrolling in the Bhor region to restore a sense of security among residents IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pune-toddler-rape-murder-case-oppn-demands-sit-probe-criticises-maharashtra-home-dept-672154.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-hsc-results-2026-announced-general-stream-at-9271-pc-science-at-8433-pc-672157.html Gandhinagar May 4 The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board GSHSEB on Monday announced the Class 12 examination results for 2026 with the Science stream recording a pass percentage of 8433 and the General stream achieving 9271 per cent The results were formally declared in Gandhinagar by state Education Minister Dr Pradyuman Vaja in the presence of Minister of State for Education Rivaba JadejaAccording to official data more than 501 lakh students across Gujarat appeared for the Class 12 board examinations held between February 26 and midMarch 2026 across Science General and Vocational streamsIn the Science stream alone 118256 students appeared at 156 centres of whom more than 93000 passedThe Science stream result improved by one percentage point compared to last year Boys recorded a pass percentage of 8404 while girls performed slightly better at 8465A total of 209 schools achieved 100 per cent results The highestperforming centre was Kumbhariya in Banaskantha district with 9862 per cent while Dahod recorded the lowest at 4298 per centAt the district level Morbi led with 9485 per cent whereas Dahod ranked lowest at 5744 per cent Groupwise results stood at 9079 per cent for Group A 7987 per cent for Group B and 6444 per cent for the AB GroupThe board reported 15 cases of malpractice and 36 students passed by securing the minimum qualifying marks of 20 per centIn the General stream the overall pass percentage of 9271 marked a decline of one percentage point from the previous year More than four lakh students appeared for the examinationGirls outperformed with a pass rate of 9541 per cent while regular students recorded 9010 per centA total of 2030 schools achieved 100 per cent results while 13 schools recorded less than 10 per cent results The highestperforming centres included Tadava Kotda Kagwai and Prashnavada all with 100 per cent results while Karath recorded the lowest at 6488 per centDangAhwa district recorded the highest pass percentage at 9788 while Ahmedabad city reported the lowest at 8710 per centThe board reported 164 malpractice cases and 612 speciallyabled candidates passed with minimum qualifying marksGUJCET results released alongside showed that 695 students in Group A and 764 in Group B scored above the 99 percentile At the 98 percentile level 1233 students in Group A and 1563 in Group B were successfulStudents can access their results by visiting the official website using their seat numbersThe board has also enabled result access through SMS by sending GJ12S or GJ12G followed by the seat number to 58888111 for Science and General streams respectively as well as via WhatsApp by sending the seat number to 6357300971Officials advised students to rely only on official sources for results and to remain cautious of fraudulent linksThey also stated that the process for merit lists and admissions to engineering pharmacy and other higher education courses will commence following the declaration of results IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-hsc-results-2026-announced-general-stream-at-9271-pc-science-at-8433-pc-672157.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/as-bjp-eyes-govt-formation-in-bengal-bjp-mp-mahesh-sharma-credits-pm-modi-and-amit-shah-672159.html New Delhi May 4 As vote counting continues in West Bengal BJP MP Dr Mahesh Sharma expressed strong confidence over emerging trends suggesting that the party is moving towards forming the government in the state and credited the partyâs central leadership workers and voters for the performance as counting progresses Sharma said the early trends reflect the efforts of the party leadership and cadre on the ground He stated that the BJP expects to form the government and bring development to the state He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modis exemplary leadership and Home Minister Amit Shahs astute election management and also committed work by the partys grassroot workers for the partys stupendous performanceSharing further details on the partyâs internal leadership efforts Mahesh Sharma said âOur Chanakya of all our policies Amit Shah along with party workers here Suvendu Adhikari Dilip Ghosh all of them had started this with great enthusiasm and the result is now in front of usâBJP leader Agnimitra Paul also expressed confidence in the partyâs prospects stating that the BJP is on course to form the next government She emphasized the partyâs development agenda and inclusive approach She said âWe are going to form a government For every person for all religions for all castes we have one mantra and that is developmentâThe statements come amid closely watched counting trends in West Bengal where both the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress are tracking constituencywise developments closely as results begin to take shapeThe election battle in the state has been intense with both sides projecting competing narratives of governance development and political change Early trends have triggered strong reactions from leaders across party lines as counting continuesAs the day progresses both parties remain focused on final outcomes that will decide the political direction of West Bengal in the coming term with supporters of both camps awaiting clarity as counting enters crucial rounds IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/as-bjp-eyes-govt-formation-in-bengal-bjp-mp-mahesh-sharma-credits-pm-modi-and-amit-shah-672159.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-government-intervenes-to-help-woman-stranded-in-oman-672160.html Amaravati May 4 The Andhra Pradesh government has come to the rescue of a woman from the state stranded in Oman Dudekula Shehnaz a native of Vayalapadu village in Annmayya district was held in confinement by her employerFollowing intervention by the state government and Andhra Pradesh NonResident Telugu Society APNRTS she is now expected to return home on May 7According to an official release on Monday the woman was held in confinement and the agents office demanded Rs 2 lakh to cover expensesShahnaz had travelled to Muscat last November in search of a job Dissatisfied with the work she wished to return home but was not allowed to leaveHer family members had expressed deep concern after her phone was confiscated Her husband Abubaker had lodged a complaint with the APNRTSThe state government and the APNRTS responded immediately A letter was sent to the Indian embassy in MuscatPolice intervened to facilitate negotiations with the agent who agreed to bear the costs and send Shahnaz back to Andhra Pradesh the release saidChief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu stated that the state government is committed to ensuring the safety and security of migrant workers He commended the APNRTSEarlier the office of Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan stated on Sunday that he responded to a woman in distressThe Deputy Chief Ministers office contacted the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the diplomatic missionShehnaz who had gone to Muscat to work for her familys sustenance was unable to bear the harassment in her workplace and sent a video message to Pawan Kalyan via social mediaThe video she sent showing her weeping and saying Pawan Kalyan anna save me deeply moved the Deputy Chief Minister Hearing her words that they were beating her not even giving food or water and that her life was in danger Pawan Kalyan was profoundly affected He immediately instructed his office staff to take the necessary actions to bring her back to the homeland without delay In accordance with the Deputy Chief Ministers orders the office staff initiated efforts to rescue ShehnazThey spoke with the agent in Oman through her husband They also contacted the diplomatic mission and officials from the Ministry of External Affairs IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-government-intervenes-to-help-woman-stranded-in-oman-672160.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ruling-bjps-jahar-chakraborti-takes-commanding-lead-in-tripuras-dharmanagar-bypoll-counting-672161.html Agartala May 4 The ruling BJP candidate Jahar Chakraborti has surged ahead in the Dharmanagar Assembly bypoll leading by around 18300 votes over his nearest rival CPIMâs Amitabha Datta The byeelection was held on April 9 and the vote counting is currently underway at the North Tripura district headquarters in Dharmanagar amid tight security arrangementsAccording to Election Commission data Chakraborti has established a significant lead over both Datta and Congress candidate Chayan Bhattacharya After the second round of counting Chakraborti secured 24291 votes while Datta and Bhattacharya received 6001 and 5936 votes respectivelyThe counting of votes for the Dharmanagar Assembly bypoll began at 8 AM on Monday under tight security arrangements officials saidElection officials said that postal ballots were counted first followed by votes cast in Electronic Voting Machines EVMs and there will be four rounds of counting in the North Tripura district headquarters at DharmanagarVotes will be counted in only one counting hall where 14 counting tables including one for postal ballots have been placedEach counting table will be supervised and monitored by a counting supervisor and counting assistants Central observers appointed by the Election Commission will monitor the counting processThe results are expected to be declared by Monday afternoonDeputy Inspector General of Police Northern Range Ratiranjan Debnath told the media that a threetier security arrangement has been put in place ahead of the counting of votes for the bypoll to the Dharmanagar Assembly constituency in North Tripura districtNorth Tripura District Magistrate amp Collector Chandni Chandran who is the District Election Officer along with Returning Officer Debjani Choudhury said that the Central Reserve Police Force CRPF the Tripura State Rifles and state police personnel in adequate numbers were deployed in the threetier security arrangements in and around the counting centreProhibitory orders have been imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita BNSS within a 100metre radius of the counting centre from 6 AM on Monday till the end of the counting of votes to ensure peaceful vote countingOver 80 per cent of the 46142 voters including 23758 women exercised their vote in the bypoll for the Dharmanagar Assembly constituency in North Tripura district on April 9The bypoll was necessitated by the demise of sitting MLA and Tripura Assembly Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen who passed away on December 26 last year at a private hospital in Bengaluru after a prolonged illness at the age of 72Sen had been elected to the Tripura Assembly four times twice as a Congress candidate in 2008 and 2013 and later in 2018 and 2023 as a BJP nominee from the same Assembly constituencyThe Dharmanagar Assembly constituency has remained a stronghold of either the Congress or the BJP since 2008 with the CPIM last winning the Assembly seat in 2003A multicornered contest has made the electoral battle highly competitive The six candidates in the fray include nominees from major political parties smaller outfits and an Independent candidateKey candidates include Jahar Chakraborti of the BJP Chayan Bhattacharjee of the Congress and Amitabha Datta representing the CPIMled Left FrontDatta had won the seat in the 2003 Assembly elections Chakraborti 59 currently serves as the BJPs North Tripura district VicePresidentIn addition candidates from the Amra Bangali party Socialist Unity Centre of IndiaCommunist and an Independent aspirant are also contesting the bypoll further intensifying the political contestThe Left Front and the Congress which had entered into a seatsharing arrangement during the 2023 Tripura Assembly elections to jointly challenge the BJP contested separately in this bypoll adding another dimension to the contestSupported by the Left parties Congress leader Chayan Bhattacharjee had earlier contested the Dharmanagar Assembly seat in 2023 but lost narrowly to BJP candidate Biswa Bandhu Sen by a margin of 956 votes IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ruling-bjps-jahar-chakraborti-takes-commanding-lead-in-tripuras-dharmanagar-bypoll-counting-672161.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/asim-munirs-india-rants-aimed-at-reviving-proxy-war-as-terror-groups-lose-steam-672164.html New Delhi May 4 Pakistans army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has been ferociously pushing a narrative in his country blaming India for attacks by the TehreekeTaliban TTP and Balochistan Liberation Army BLA While it is clear that these are problems that have been created by the Pakistani state the narrative that Munir is pushing is a clear sign that he wants terrorist groups such as the JaisheMohammad and LashkareTaiba to buck up The push to blame India for attacks by the BLA and TTP became even more intense post Operation Sindoor and Munir is likely to make more such remarks in public in the days to come An Intelligence Bureau official said that Munirâs tactic is clear and he wants terror groups such as the Lashkar and Jaish to be more proactive in their battle against India Both these outfits which were hit hard post the operation by the Indian armed forces have been reluctant to put their heart out and fight No doubt there is regrouping that is taking place However it is not at the pace that the Pakistan army or ISI would have hoped for The ISI is pumping in money and providing all resources but the top leadership appears to be reluctant to put up a strong fight immediately For Munir Operation Sindoor was a loss of face He had made tall promises prior to the operation that was carried out to avenge the Pahalgam attack He had said that Pakistan would start by destroying India from the East Following this they would move westwards and continue with the destruction he had also said An official said that these statements in reality actually set the trap for Munir Now many within Pakistan particularly the hardliners are asking Munir questions about the tall promises that he had made The official also said that for Munir the commencement of the proxy war against India is very crucial However he cannot do that without the Jaish and the Lashkar the two terror groups which are familiar with Jammu and Kashmir The official said that what these terror groups are lacking is morale and will They are not short of funds or other facilities as the ISI has been providing these to them Munir feels that these terror groups and the hardliners need to feel angry The hatred against India is already there but it needs to be much fiercer the army chief feels Another official said that this explains why this extreme push is being made by Munir to blame India for attacks by the BLA or the TTP Munir has another reason to go on this antiIndia rant His war in Afghanistan was meant to be a distraction for the public after the humiliation that Pakistan faced during Operation Sindoor The war against the Afghan Taliban did not go as planned as many within Pakistan too were angry that the army chief would take such a call Although the Afghan Taliban and Pakistan have fallen out a large number of people within the country want better ties They feel that the relationship with the Afghan Taliban is natural and should not be forced Officials say that Munir could not have gone on with that war forever Eventually he has to strike a peace with the Afghan regime officials added These developments have prompted the army chief to sharpen his attacks against India so that the terror groups which are Pakistanâs biggest proxies could muster up some willpower and strike in India While Munir may hope that this plan would work the fact is that both the Lashkar and the Jaish have failed to infiltrate into India The borders are on high alert and multiple attempts at infiltration have failed miserably Taking into account all these factors Munir feels that he could agitate these groups by blaming India excessively where the TTP and BLA are concerned Officials point out that when it comes to Jammu and Kashmir the time now is very crucial The Pakistanis are getting desperate and with Munir ranting every day an audacious attempt to strike in the Valley is likely to be made IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/asim-munirs-india-rants-aimed-at-reviving-proxy-war-as-terror-groups-lose-steam-672164.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nagaland-bypoll-bjps-daochier-imchen-leads-by-over-3-000-votes-672165.html Kohima May 4 BJP candidate Daochier I Imchen has taken an early lead in the Koridang Assembly constituency bypoll in Nagaland ahead by around 3100 votes over his nearest rival Independent candidate Major Toshikaba Retd The byelection was held on April 9 Counting of votes is underway with initial trends indicating a good performance by the BJP nomineeAfter the second round of counting Imchen secured 7317 votes Independent candidates Major Toshikaba Retd and Imtiwapang Kichu followed with 4194 and 3633 votes respectivelyThe BJP is a constituent of the ruling Peoples Democratic Alliance PDA The party nominee Daochier I Imchen who is the son of the late legislator Imkong L Imchen was the consensus candidate of the multiparty PDA allianceA total of six candidates are contesting the byelection Other candidates include I Abenjang of the National Peoples Party NPP and T Chalukumba Ao of the Congress Three Independent candidates Imchatoba Imchen Imtiwapang Kichu and Major Toshikaba Retd are also in the fray making the contest competitive The complete results are expected to be declared by the afternoonThe counting of votes for the Koridang Assembly constituency bypoll in Nagaland commenced at 8 am on Monday under a multilayer security arrangement officials said Election officials said that as per the Election Commission guidelines postal ballots were counted first followed by votes stored in the EVMs Electronic Voting Machines and there will be three rounds of counting at the Mokokchung District Deputy Commissioners officeWith the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces CAPF along with state security personnel a multilayered security arrangement CCTV surveillance and strict access control measures have been put in place at the Mokokchung District Deputy Commissioners officeA senior election official said that all necessary preparations have been undertaken to ensure smooth and transparent counting of votes for the Koridang Assembly Constituency byelectionThe byelection held on April 9 was necessitated following the demise of sitting BJP MLA Imkong L Imchen who passed away on November 11 2024 at a private hospital in Guwahati after a brief illness He was 75 years oldThe bypoll recorded a voter turnout of 8221 per cent on April 9 with electors casting their votes at 30 polling stations IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nagaland-bypoll-bjps-daochier-imchen-leads-by-over-3-000-votes-672165.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-bjps-dn-jeevaraj-wins-sringeri-after-postal-ballot-recount-calls-it-victory-for-truth-672166.html Bengaluru May 4 In the recounting of postal ballots in Sringeri BJP candidate DN Jeevaraj has emerged victorious against sitting Congress MLA TD Rajegowda Election Officer Gaurav Kumar Shetty officially announced the result on Monday The process of reverification and recounting of postal ballots in the Sringeri constituency in the 2023 Assembly elections on the orders of the Karnataka High Court was completed and a report was submitted to the Election Commission of India on SundayJeevaraj officially received the MLA certificate on Monday and described this victory achieved after three years of continuous legal battle as âa victory for truthâ Jeevaraj who had alleged irregularities during vote counting after the 2023 election said that a significant discrepancy was found in votes that had previously been rejected during the recountHe stated that bundles containing 25 votes each were rejected during the recount âEarlier votes were illegally added to ensure someoneâs victory We had already requested that the ballot papers be securedâ he recalledResponding to the FIR registered against him following his victory Jeevaraj said âIt is not right to allege tampering after losing When they won earlier it was called a constitutional victory when we win they call it tampering There was no basis to register an FIR against me yet it has been done illegally We will challenge this in the Supreme CourtâReacting to the development BJP Yuva Morcha President and Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya stated Heartfelt congratulations to DN Jeevaraj on his victory in the recounting of votes in the Sringeri Assembly constituency conducted as per the High Courtâs order This is a victory that reinforces our faith in the electoral system and the judiciarySincere thanks to all the voters of the Sringeri constituency for their complete support throughout this continuous struggle Surya statedIt can be recalled that Karnataka BJP on Sunday demanded that the result of recounting of Sringeri Assembly constituency should be declared immediately as per the High Court order and also alleged that the Congress government in the state is exerting pressure on officialsThe BJP on Sunday claimed victory based on the figures provided by the Election Officer though the official result is yet to be announced by the ECIHowever on Saturday sitting Congress MLA TD Rajegowda claimed victory following the recount and celebrated with his supporters near the counting centreDeputy Chief Minister and State Congress President DK Shivakumar on Sunday alleged that a largescale conspiracy and systematic crime had taken place in the Sringeri Assembly seat in Chikkamagaluru district calling it a blot on the country and democracy IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-bjps-dn-jeevaraj-wins-sringeri-after-postal-ballot-recount-calls-it-victory-for-truth-672166.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bomb-threat-at-udaipur-court-complex-evacuated-probe-on-672168.html Udaipur May 4 Panic gripped the District and Sessions Court in Udaipur Rajasthan on Monday after a bomb threat was reported prompting authorities to evacuate the entire premises and launch an intensive security operation According to officials the threat was received around 830 am shortly after lawyers and litigants had begun arriving for the dayâs proceedings Acting swiftly the administration ordered an immediate evacuation before court work could commence Within minutes the premises were cleared entry gates were sealed and a tight security cordon was established around the complexTeams from the district police along with the Dog Squad and the AntiTerrorism Squad were rushed to the spot Security personnel are conducting a thorough search of every room corridor and corner of the court building to rule out any threatPreliminary inputs suggest that the threat was sent via email Following this senior police officials reached the site and a technical investigation was initiated to trace the origin of the message and identify the sender The sudden evacuation led to a large crowd outside the court complex particularly around the Court Circle intersection causing temporary traffic disruptionsLawyers and members of the public caught off guard by the incident gathered in significant numbers as the operation unfolded Police have urged citizens to remain calm and avoid spreading panic âAll necessary precautions are being taken The situation is under controlâ officials saidAs of now no suspicious object has been found and the search operation is ongoing said officialsAuthorities have assured that further updates will be shared after a comprehensive sweep of the premises is completedEarlier the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly was evacuated on April 28 after an email claimed five RDX bombs had been planted in the building and would explode at noon but a nearly threehour search found no suspicious object and the threat was declared a hoax It was the third bomb threat to the Assembly in the last two weeks Cyber teams worked to trace the origin of the email and identify the sender The previous two threats also turned out to be hoaxes after searches found nothing suspiciousEarlier on April 13 the High Court and sessions court building also received bomb threat emails however nothing suspicious was found after checks IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bomb-threat-at-udaipur-court-complex-evacuated-probe-on-672168.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-bypolls-congress-secures-leads-in-both-assembly-segments-celebrations-begin-in-bagalkot-672169.html Bengaluru May 4 The counting of votes for two Assembly segments in Karnataka Davanagere South and Bagalkot where byeelections were held were progressing well on Monday According to latest official statistics the Congress is leading in both segments after initial setback in Davanagere South segment The Congress party workers have begun celebrations in Bagalkot segment as the candidate has maintained more than 15000 votes and counting of only four rounds is remainingEarlier the BJP was leading by 3925 votes in Davanagere South and the ruling Congress party had obtained leads by 10321 votes in the initial rounds Currently the Congress candidate Samarth Mallikarjun is leading by 3986 votes in Davanagere South and Umesh Meti the Congress candidate in Bagalkot is leading by 15235 votesThe results are crucial for both the ruling Congress party and the Opposition BJPIn the muchawaited Davanagere South constituency BJPâs Srinivasa T Dasakariyappas is trailing against Congress candidate Samarth Mallikarjun Srinivasa has polled 26544 while Samarth Mallikarjun has secured 30530 votes after the ninth round of counting There are a total of 21 rounds of countingIn the Bagalkot Assembly segment at the end of the 19th round of counting Congress candidate Umesh Meti has maintained a good lead of 15235 votes over BJP candidate Veeranna Charantimath Umesh Meti has secured 78482 votes while Veeranna Charantimath has polled 63607 votes There are a total of 23 rounds of countingIn Bagalkot the byeelection was held following the untimely demise of HY Meti His son Umesh Meti is in a direct contest against the BJPâs Veeranna Charantimath Chief Minister Siddaramaiah campaigned extensively for the Congress candidateThe counting of votes began at 8 AM and will be conducted in 23 rounds across 14 tables Bagalkot Deputy Commissioner Sangappa said that all preparations had been made for the counting process A total of 63 counting personnel have been deployed and all necessary arrangements are in placeThe Davanagere South bypoll was necessitated by the death of veteran Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa The party fielded his grandson Samarth Mallikarjun as its candidate while the BJP nominated Srinivasa T Dasakariyappa a party leader from the oppressed classesFollowing allegations of antiparty activities Congress removed two MLCs from party positions after announcing its candidate The prestige of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is at stake while the BJP is hoping to secure its first victory in this Assembly segmentElection Officer Santosh Kumar and Deputy Commissioner GM Gangadharaswamy reviewed the preparations in Davanagere The strongroom was opened in the presence of the candidatesâ agents IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-bypolls-congress-secures-leads-in-both-assembly-segments-celebrations-begin-in-bagalkot-672169.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-outpaces-china-draws-strong-global-inflows-report-672171.html New Delhi May 4 India has outperformed China in attracting strong global capital flows even as global equity markets rebounded in April after a decline in March according to a report According to an analysis of Quant Mutual Fund the recovery in global markets was driven by easing geopolitical tensions and improved investor sentiment The report noted that Indiaâs nominal GDP growth continues to outpace Chinas positioning it as a preferred destination for global investorsIt added that the recent correction in Indian equities particularly in the smallcap segment appears to have largely run its course with improving corporate earnings expected to support further growthIndiaâs stable fiscal and monetary environment along with supportive liquidity conditions is likely to aid credit expansion and strengthen the outlook for financial servicesThe current phase could present a favourable entry point for investors with portfolios tilted towards largecap stocks and selective exposure to mid and smallcap segmentsPreferred sectors include energy infrastructure financials telecom pharmaceuticals and data centres while manufacturing remains underweight due to input cost and supply chain concernsOn the global front the US Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchangedUS equities rose about 9 per cent during the month while Nifty gained 67 per cent outperforming most major markets Chinaâs Shanghai index rose 56 per cent while Japanâs Nikkei 225 surged 116 per centA ceasefire agreement involving the US Israel and Iran on April 8 later extended indefinitely helped stabilise sentiment although a US naval blockade of Iranian ports remained in place the report saidIn commodities gold and silver prices declined by up to nearly 4 per cent during April while Brent crude rose about 8 per centBetween February 27 and April 30 the Nifty declined 1181 points or 47 per cent from 2517865 to 2399755However in April alone the index gained nearly 1318 points or around 6 per cent rising from 2267940 to 2399755In March IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-outpaces-china-draws-strong-global-inflows-report-672171.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nda-tightens-grip-on-puducherry-as-rangasamy-namassivayam-register-key-wins-672172.html Puducherry May 4 The NDA alliance strengthened its position in the Puducherry Assembly election results on Monday with key victories and early trends indicating a clear edge over the Congressled front In a significant result BJP candidate A Namassivayam secured a decisive victory from the Mannadipet Assembly constituency defeating his Congress rival TPR Selvame by a margin of 6110 votes The win marks a notable improvement for the BJP leader who had won the seat by a much narrower margin of 2750 votes in the 2021 electionsThe expanded margin this time reflects stronger consolidation of support in favour of the BJP in the constituencyMeanwhile Chief Minister N Rangasamy retained his stronghold of Thattanchavady winning the seat by 4441 votes The victory reinforces Rangasamyâs continued political dominance in the constituency and bolsters the position of the All India NR Congress AINRC a key constituent of the NDA alliance in the union territoryAs counting progressed across Puducherry the NDA alliance surged ahead with leads in 13 seats indicating a comfortable advantage in the 30member AssemblyThe AINRC emerged as the principal contributor within the alliance accounting for the majority of these leads while the BJPâs improved performance in select constituencies added to the coalitionâs momentumIn contrast the Congressled alliance struggled to keep pace managing leads in just six seats in early trendsWithin the opposition bloc the DMK was ahead in three constituencies while the Congress led in two reflecting a fragmented performance that has so far failed to challenge the NDAâs dominanceInterestingly candidates outside the major alliances also made their presence feltIndependents were leading in three constituencies while actor Vijayâs Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK opened its account in Puducherry by leading in one seatThese âOthersâ holding a total of four seats in early trends could prove crucial in the event of tighter margins in the final rounds of countingWith counting still underway the trends suggest a clear advantage for the NDA alliance even as the Congressled front looks to regain ground in the remaining rounds IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nda-tightens-grip-on-puducherry-as-rangasamy-namassivayam-register-key-wins-672172.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-air-traffic-dips-in-april-amid-disruptions-due-to-middle-east-crisis-672175.html New Delhi May 4 Indias air traffic registered a sequential slowdown in April compared to March for both domestic and international passengers according to data compiled by the Ministry of Civil Aviation The downturn comes in the backdrop of the Middle East conflict which led to sharp decline in international flightsDomestic air traffic stood at 1408 lakh passengers which represents a 4 per cent drop yearonyear as well as monthonmonth International traffic saw a sharper decline of 20 per cent in April compared to March as the number of air passengers fell to 283 lakh passengersMeanwhile the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority announced full resumption of normal air navigation operations within the UAE airspace and the lifting of temporary precautionary measures on Saturday Consequently Indian and the UAE carriers have started operating more flights from the UAE to various destinations in India according to a statement issued by the Ministry of External AffairsThe overall flight situation in the Middle East continues to improve with additional flights operating from the region to various destinations in IndiaFlights continue to operate from various airports in Saudi Arabia and Oman to various destinations in India Qatar airspace is partially open Air India Air India Express Indigo and Qatar Airways are operating flights from Qatar to various destinations in IndiaKuwait airspace is open Jazeera Airways and Kuwait Airways are operating flights from Kuwait to India Similarly Bahrain airspace is open Air India Express Indigo and Gulf Air are operating flights from Bahrain to various destinations in IndiaIraq airspace is open for limited flight operations to destinations in the region which can be used for onward travel to IndiaIran airspace is also partially open for cargo and chartered flights The Ministry has advised Indian nationals to avoid travelling to Iran and urged those already there to leave via land border routes with our Embassyâs support So far the Indian Embassy in Tehran has facilitated movement of 2504 Indian nationals out of Iran through land border routes the statement saidIsrael airspace is open and limited flight operations have resumed to destinations in the region which can be used for onward travel to India the statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-air-traffic-dips-in-april-amid-disruptions-due-to-middle-east-crisis-672175.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kumaraswamy-hails-nda-victory-as-endorsement-of-pm-modis-viksit-bharat-vision-672176.html BengaluruNew Delhi May 4 Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy on Monday hailed the National Democratic Allianceâs NDA performance in the state election results describing it as a strong endorsement of Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs leadership and his vision for a âViksit Bharatâ In a statement issued as the results pour in Kumaraswamy said the mandate reflects the continued trust of the people in the governmentâs policies and governance model He noted that the outcome demonstrates a clear alignment between public aspirations and the principles of inclusive development encapsulated in âSabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka VishwasâHe further said the NDA has emerged as a platform of credibility performance and inclusive governance adding that the results underline the importance voters place on delivery integrity and strong public connect particularly among the youthKumaraswamy credited Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his strategic leadership and organisational strengthening which he said played a key role in expanding the NDAâs reach across the countryHe also acknowledged the efforts of BJP National President Nitin Nabin in energising the party organisation and maintaining close engagement with party workersExtending his congratulations Kumaraswamy lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi Amit Shah Nitin Nabin NDA candidates party workers and voters describing the outcome as a historic mandate in favour of stability and developmentoriented governanceResponding to the fivestate election results Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the outcome in Assam was on expected lines and they accept it In Kerala they have secured more seats than anticipated âWe had said we would win around 76 to 80 seats but we are leading in 95 seatsâ he said He added that he believes there may be an antiincumbency wave in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal Speaking about the TVK party gaining a lead in Tamil Nadu he said he would congratulate VijayChief Minister Siddaramaiah further expressed confidence that the Congress will win the byelections in Davanagere and Bagalkot He said that in Davanagere the victory margin may be lower due to various reasons but they will still win IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kumaraswamy-hails-nda-victory-as-endorsement-of-pm-modis-viksit-bharat-vision-672176.html Mon, 04 May 2026 14:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ktr-meets-brs-leader-in-jail-accuses-congress-government-of-vindictive-politics-672182.html Hyderabad May 4 Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS Working President KT Rama Rao on Monday visited party leader Manne Krishank at Sangareddy Jail where he is lodged in a case relating to alleged assault on a Congress party worker Several senior leaders of the BRS accompanied Rama Rao during this visitKrishank and seven of his associates were arrested on April 24 in Hyderabad for allegedly assaulting a Congress worker over a social media postKTR however termed his arrest illegal He claimed that as a student leader of Osmania University and former Chairman of the Telangana State Mineral Development Corporation Krishank has been continuously fighting for public issuesIt is despicable that for questioning government corruption and maladministration over 35 false cases have been filed against him to harass him The Revanth Reddy government indulging in vindictive politics is trying to throttle the voice of democracy KTR told media personsThe BRS leader accused the Congress government of pursuing vindictive politics and filing fabricated cases against them Manne Krishank is an educated young man a lawyer and a PhD holder Having stood at the forefront of the student movement at Osmania University he served as the Chairman of the Telangana State Mineral Development Corporation following the formation of the Telangana state he saidKTR alleged that a series of cases are being registered against Krishank solely because he has been questioning the governments corruption and irregularities and bringing these issues to the publics attention over the past two and a half years It is atrocious that in cases where the potential punishment is less than four yearsâsituations where station bail should typically be grantedâhe has been kept in jail for 12 days and is being portrayed as a habitual offender he remarkedHe stated that cases were filed against the BRS leaders for various reasonsânotably for raising the issue of harassment against Miss England on social media for exposing the affairs of the Chief Ministers family members and their proxy companies for bringing to light corruption in the allocation of government contracts and for questioning injustices occurring at the rural levelThe BRS leader criticised the government stating that instead of focusing on the rising crime rate within the state it remains preoccupied with filing cases over social media posts Even when shootings occur in broad daylight in Karimnagar the government fails to respond Yet it remains hypervigilant regarding who posts what on social media he remarked IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ktr-meets-brs-leader-in-jail-accuses-congress-government-of-vindictive-politics-672182.html Mon, 04 May 2026 15:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-polls-chandy-oommens-bicycle-campaign-rides-into-history-672186.html Thiruvananthapuram May 4 In a result that blends legacy simplicity and political momentum Chandy Oommen is racing towards a historic victory on a humble bicycle as his margin crossed the 50000 mark on Monday afternoon The son of twotime former Chief Minister late Oommen Chandy Chandy Oommenâs campaign stood out in a crowded and highdecibel electoral seasonEschewing the usual fanfare he ran a lowkey campaign with minimal publicity material relying instead on direct voter engagement While most candidates crisscrossed their constituencies in SUVs and campaign convoys he chose a far humbler mode of outreach a bicycleThat image of him cycling through villages and town centres quickly became symbolic of his approach Accessible grounded and personalThe campaign drew national attention when Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi joined him for a bicycle ride amplifying the message of simplicity and connectThere is also a strong emotional undercurrent to his victoryHis father Oommen Chandy represented Puthuppally continuously from 1970 until his passing two years ago never losing the seatHis highest winning margin had been a little over 30000 votes a benchmark that Chandy Oommen had already surpassed in the byeelection that followed his fatherâs deathNow as he crosses the 50000 vote margin he is set to rewrite that legacy in emphatic fashionParty workers and supporters see the mandate as both a tribute to a towering political figure and an endorsement of a newgeneration leader carving his own pathA bachelor known for his relatively understated public persona Chandy Oommen is now widely expected to be inducted as a minister in the new governmentAs Kerala delivers a decisive verdict his story stands out not just for the scale of victory but for the way it was achieved one pedal at a time IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-polls-chandy-oommens-bicycle-campaign-rides-into-history-672186.html Mon, 04 May 2026 15:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nagaland-bypoll-bjp-retains-koridang-assembly-seat-672193.html Kohima May 4 The Bharatiya Janata Party BJP constituent of the ruling Peopleâs Democratic Alliance PDA retained the Koridang Assembly seat in Nagaland where the byelection was held on April 9 and the results were declared on Monday According to the Election Commission BJP candidate Daochier I Imchen defeated Independent candidate Major Toshikaba Retd by a margin of 3123 votesImchen secured 7317 votes while the Independent candidate Major Toshikaba Retd bagged 4194 votesImchen 35 has been elected to the Nagaland state Assembly for the first timeNagaland Chief Minister and PDA supremo Neiphiu Rio congratulated BJP candidate Daochier I Imchen for his election to the state AssemblyThe Chief Minister said in a post on his X handle âCongratulations to PDA consensus candidate Shri Daochier I Imchen of BJP on winning the 28 Koridang AC byelection The mandate reflects public confidence in our shared vision We remain committed to advancing development and progress and are grateful for the supportââGrateful to the electorate for reposing faith in the PDA coalition and appreciation to all the party workers of the alliance for their dedication and hard work We are motivated to work harder for the allround progress of Nagalandâ Rio statedThe BJP is a constituent of the ruling Peoples Democratic Alliance PDA headed by Chief Minister Neiphiu RioBJP nominee Imchen is the son of the late legislator Imkong L Imchen and was the consensus candidate of the multiparty PDA allianceA total of six candidates were contesting the byelection Other candidates included T Chalukumba Ao of the Congress and Independent candidate Imchatoba Imchen The Congress nominee secured only 144 votesThe results were declared after three rounds of counting at the Mokokchung District Deputy Commissioners office Election officials said that as per the Election Commission guidelines postal ballots were counted first followed by votes stored in the EVMs Electronic Voting MachinesThe byelection held on April 9 was necessitated following the demise of sitting BJP MLA Imkong L Imchen who passed away on November 11 2025 at a private hospital in Guwahati after a brief illness He was 75 years oldThe bypoll recorded a voter turnout of 8221 per cent on April 9 with electors casting their votes across 30 polling stations In view of the electionrelated violence reported on April 5 and 6 which resulted in one fatality several injuries and damage to vehicles a robust multitier security arrangement had been deployed in and around the counting centre to prevent any untoward incidents IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nagaland-bypoll-bjp-retains-koridang-assembly-seat-672193.html Mon, 04 May 2026 15:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-cm-rekha-guptas-jhalmuri-rasgulla-party-as-bjp-inches-closer-to-victory-in-bengal-672204.html New Delhi May 4 IANS Jhalmuri a Bengali snack popularised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the West Bengal election campaign was the flavour of the celebrations in Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Guptas office on Monday as the BJP registered an emphatic win in the eastern statenbspChief Minister Gupta and her Cabinet colleagues ate Jhalmuri and Rasgulla in the Delhi Secretariat to celebrate the BJPs win in the West Bengal Assembly electionsnbspIn a celebratory message on X CM Gupta said Under the leadership of the esteemed Prime Minister Shri narendramodi ji every state in the country is turning saffron With Assams hattrick victory BJP government has also come to power in Bengal Heartiest congratulations on the resounding victory Celebrating the win with jhalmuri and rasgullaEarlier Chief Minister Gupta joined star BJP campaigners in wooing voters in Bengal and campaigned enthusiastically for the twophase elections in the 294 seats whose results were declared on Monday bringing the party to power in the state for the first timeWhile campaigning for BJP candidates in Kharagpur and Durgapur among other areas she highlighted the terrorbased rule of the Trinamool government headed by Mamata BanerjeeShe visited a tea stall and interacted with its women owner in Durgapur and even hit out at suspected TMC workers who allegedly switched off streetlights during her roadshow in Kolkata in an attempt to disrupt the eventIn one of her election speeches earlier she said Every resident of Bengal who has endured 15 years of politics marked by fear and intimidation is now determined for changeThe sense of oppression has only increased over time but today people appear to have firmly made up their minds This time they are ready to bring a government of the Lotus symbol in Bengal After the results on May 4 it will feel like a sunrise where everyone is respected she saidThe Delhi Chief Minister also criticised the Trinamool Congress administration alleging that West Bengal has been in a difficult situation for several years She raised concerns about the safety of women claiming that there is an atmosphere of fearIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-cm-rekha-guptas-jhalmuri-rasgulla-party-as-bjp-inches-closer-to-victory-in-bengal-672204.html Mon, 04 May 2026 16:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-bypolls-congress-wins-bagalkot-davanagere-south-sees-close-contest-672208.html Bengaluru May 4 The counting of votes for the Bagalkot Assembly segment in Karnataka has been completed with Congress securing a huge victory margin of 22332 votes Meanwhile Davanagere South is witnessing a close contest and the Congress party is leading by 5657 votes The Congress party workers are celebrating in the Bagalkot segment as the candidate has secured a win with a huge margin of votes Bagalkot Congress candidate Umesh Meti has secured a decisive victory in the byelection Meti polled a total of 98919 votes while the BJP candidate secured 76587 votes at the end of the counting of all 23 rounds Responding to the development Congress candidate from Bagalkot Umesh Meti stated âEvery Congress worker and leader worked as if they themselves were the candidateHe further expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi Minister for Textiles Sugarcane Development and Sugar Shivanand Patil and Excise Minister RB Timmappur and the entire cabinetUmesh Meti said he will focus on development in the constituency and fulfil his late father Metiâs dream of establishing a medical collegeIn the muchawaited Davanagere South constituency BJPâs Srinivasa T Dasakariyappa continued to trail against Congress candidate Samarth Mallikarjun Srinivasa polled 54335 while Samarth Mallikarjun has secured 59992 votes after the 18th round of counting There are a total of 21 rounds of counting The Socialist Democratic Party of India SDPIs Afsar Kodlipet managed to get 18203 votesThe results are crucial for both the ruling Congress party and the Opposition BJPIn Bagalkot the byelection was held following the untimely demise of HY Meti His son Umesh Meti is in a direct contest against the BJPâs Veeranna CharantimathChief Minister Siddaramaiah campaigned extensively for the Congress candidateThe Davanagere South bypoll was necessitated by the death of veteran Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa The party fielded his grandson Samarth Mallikarjun as its candidate while the BJP nominated Srinivasa T Dasakariyappa a party leader from the oppressed classesFollowing allegations of antiparty activities Congress removed two MLCs from party positions after announcing its candidate The prestige of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is at stake while the BJP is hoping to secure its first victory in this Assembly segment IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-bypolls-congress-wins-bagalkot-davanagere-south-sees-close-contest-672208.html Mon, 04 May 2026 16:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/left-staring-at-loss-of-last-state-to-be-out-of-power-after-50-years-672210.html New Delhi May 4 Indias Left parties once a powerful force in national and regional politics are now confronting the possibility of being out of power across all states for the first time in more than five decades To understand the magnitude of this moment it helps to revisit the past In 1996 veteran CPIM leader Jyoti Basu who had already served as Chief Minister of West Bengal for two decades came close to becoming Prime Minister as part of the United Front coalition Although Basu was willing to accept the role his partyâs Politburo declined the proposal a decision he later famously termed a historic blunderBy 2008 the Left still held significant sway at the national level The Congressled United Progressive Alliance government headed by Manmohan Singh depended on Left support in Parliament However the alliance fractured when Left parties withdrew backing over the IndoUS nuclear agreement forcing the government to prove its majority in a crucial trust vote At the time Left parties governed three states West Bengal Kerala and Tripura and had a sizable presence in the Lok SabhaFast forward to the present and the political landscape has shifted dramatically With voter preferences increasingly leaning toward rightofcentre parties the influence of Communist parties has steadily diminished Current trends in Kerala suggest that the Left Democratic Front LDF led by Pinarayi Vijayan may lose power If confirmed this would mark the first instance since around 1970 that no Left party holds office in any Indian stateThe history of Left politics in India however is both rich and significant In the countryâs first general elections in 1951â52 the Communist Party of India emerged as the largest opposition group in Parliament Just a few years later in 1957 Kerala witnessed a landmark event when a Communist government was democratically elected the first such occurrence anywhere in the worldThe late 1970s marked another high point In 1977 the CPIM established its dominance in West Bengal initiating what would become the longest uninterrupted tenure by any political party in an Indian state Under Jyoti Basuâs leadership the Left Front governed the state for over two decades with Basu himself serving as Chief Minister for 23 years before handing over to Buddhadeb Bhattacharya in 2000 The Left retained control in the state until 2011Tripura too emerged as a stronghold Beginning in 1993 the Left Front secured repeated electoral victories Leaders like Manik Sarkar became synonymous with stable governance holding office for 20 years and cementing the partyâs dominance in the northeastern stateHowever the decline began to accelerate in the last decade In 2011 a wave of public discontent in West Bengal fueled by protests over land acquisition in regions like Nandigram and Singur paved the way for Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress to sweep the elections The Left Frontâs strength in the Assembly dropped sharply signalling the end of its long rule in the stateThis further reduced the Leftâs political presence to a single state Kerala The rise of the BJP at the Centre in 2014 was followed by a saffron wave in states and in 2018 it conquered the Lefts Tripura fortress as well The party won 36 seats in the 60member Assembly bringing the Communists tally down from 50 to a mere 16 This further reduced the Leftâs political presence to a single state KeralaKerala then became the final bastion In 2016 the Left returned to power under Vijayan and even broke the stateâs longstanding pattern of alternating governments by securing a second consecutive term in 2021 This victory offered a temporary revival for the LeftNow with the latest electoral trends indicating a strong lead for the Congressled United Democratic Front even this last foothold appears uncertain Early counting suggests the UDF is significantly ahead in the majority of constituencies raising the likelihood of a political shift in the stateMeanwhile celebrations have already begun among Congress workers in Thiruvananthapuram reflecting confidence in a decisive win If these trends hold the Leftâs long journey in Indian governance may enter an unprecedented phase one without direct control of any state government IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/left-staring-at-loss-of-last-state-to-be-out-of-power-after-50-years-672210.html Mon, 04 May 2026 16:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ambuja-cements-clocks-record-quarterly-revenue-of-rs-10-915-crore-in-jan-march-672213.html Ahmedabad May 4 Ambuja Cements Limited part of the Adani Group portfolio on Monday reported a robust financial performance for the quarter and financial year ended March 31 achieving its highestever quarterly revenue of Rs 10915 crore and marking a 9 per cent yearonyear YoY growth The cement major also recorded its highestever quarterly sales volume at 199 million tonnes up 10 per cent compared to the same period previous fiscal year according to its stock exchange filingOperating EBITDA for the quarter stood at Rs 1464 crore with a margin of 134 per cent while EBITDA per million tonne was reported at Rs 735The company maintained its strong balance sheet position remaining debtfree and announced a dividend of Rs 2 per equity shareVinod Bahety Whole Time Director and CEO Ambuja Cements Limited said âFY26 has been year of resilience for the Cement sector which has witnessed consolidation GST 20 reforms on one side while adverse weather conditions global geopolitical factors and state elections affected some or the other wayââAgainst this backdrop Ambuja Cements delivered a resilient performance for the yearâ he addedDuring the quarter Ambuja Cements completed the amalgamation of Sanghi and Penna Cement businesses with Sanghi Cement getting delisted from stock exchanges effective April 6 2026Meanwhile ACC and Orient Cement have filed applications with stock exchanges and are awaiting regulatory approvalsOn the operational front the company commissioned a 3 MTPA clinker line at Jodhpur and initiated trial runs for a 12 MTPA grinding unit at DahejIts focus on sustainability also strengthened with the share of green power rising to 32 per cent in Q4 from 26 per cent a year ago as per its regulatory filingHowever the quarter was not without challenges The company flagged cost pressures arising from fuel prices diesel costs packaging constraints and rupee depreciation largely driven by the ongoing West Asia conflictThese pressures are expected to persist into the first half of FY27 In response Ambuja is intensifying costcontrol measures including optimising fuel mix increasing renewable energy usage and improving logistics efficiency through rail and sea transportAmbujaâs financial strength remained intact with a net worth of Rs 71846 crore and cash reserves of Rs 1770 crore backed by toptier AAAA1 credit ratings from CRISIL and CAREâWe remain focused on stabilising new capacities strengthening operating efficiency and improving asset utilisation supported by a debtâfree balance sheet strong liquidity and the highest credit ratingsâ Bahety stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ambuja-cements-clocks-record-quarterly-revenue-of-rs-10-915-crore-in-jan-march-672213.html Mon, 04 May 2026 16:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/peoples-endorsement-of-pm-modis-govt-setback-for-india-bloc-bjp-mp-sudhakar-672214.html Chikkaballapur Bengaluru May 4 BJP MP K Sudhakar said that the party has secured an unprecedented victory in four out of five states in the Assembly elections reflecting the peopleâs appreciation for the development work carried out by the NDA government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and serves as a strong rebuke to the Congress and the INDIA bloc He stated that the resounding victory of the BJPled NDA alliance in the Assembly elections in Assam West Bengal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry is a clear indication that people have endorsed PM Modiâs development agenda Since the last Lok Sabha elections the Congress party and its allies had formed the INDIA bloc in an attempt to weaken public support for the BJP However he said it has once again been proven that the INDIA bloc is a major failureIn West Bengal he alleged that people frustrated with the misrule of Mamata Banerjeeâs TMC communal politics hooliganism antiindustry policies and policies favouring illegal immigrants from Bangladesh have supported the NDA and voted out the Trinamool He added that the BJP has put an end to what he described as authoritarian rule where âDidiâs word was finalâ and that the NDA has achieved a historic victory in the state He said West Bengal will now move on the path of development like other BJPruled statesIn Tamil Nadu he said the team led by MK Stalin an ally of the Congress has suffered a major setback while the AIADMKled NDA alliance has achieved a remarkable victory He added that the BJP has also performed strongly in Assam and Puducherry Sudhakar remarked that this outcome should serve as a lesson to the Congress government which he alleged has focused on populist guarantees rather than development He claimed that a similar result would emerge in the next Assembly elections in Karnataka bringing an end to what he termed antipeople governanceHe expressed gratitude to the voters for supporting the BJP and the NDA alliance He also extended congratulations to PM Modi Union Home Minister Amit Shah BJP National BJP President Nitin Nabin and party workers IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/peoples-endorsement-of-pm-modis-govt-setback-for-india-bloc-bjp-mp-sudhakar-672214.html Mon, 04 May 2026 16:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/baramati-bypoll-sunetra-pawar-scripts-history-wins-by-record-margin-of-over-218-lakh-votes-672216.html BaramatiMumbai May 4 The Baramati Assembly byeelection reached a definitive conclusion on Monday with Sunetra Ajit Pawar the candidate for the Nationalist Congress Party Ajit Pawar faction and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra securing a landslide victory In a historic performance Sunetra Pawar shattered all previous records including the 2019 victory margin set by her husband the late Ajit PawarAccording to data available at the end of the 24th round of counting Sunetra Pawar has emerged victorious with a recordbreaking margin of 218930 votesThis victory is now being hailed as the highest winning margin for any legislative candidate in the history of IndiaThe election saw a total consolidation of power behind Sunetra Pawar Appeals from her sons Jay Pawar and Parth Pawar along with support from various political parties and organisations translated into a massive wave of votesNot a single opponent managed to cross the 1000vote mark There were in all 23 nominees including Sunetra PawarKaruna Munde received 125 votes while Abhijit Bichukale secured 121 votes With this result Sunetra Pawar has officially overtaken the previous national record held by Sunil Kumar Sharma from Sahibabad Uttar Pradesh who won by a margin of 214835 votes in 2022Speaking to the media following the announcement NCP MP Parth Pawar expressed a mix of gratitude and solemnity âI thank the people for electing us with a record margin We never imagined we would have to face this election under such circumstances None of us feel today is a day for celebration he statedParth Pawar further announced that he would remain dedicated to the people planning to hold public grievance meetings once the Model Code of Conduct concludesSpeaking to reporters in Mumbai Sunetra Pawar said it is a tribute to Ajit Pawar and she dedicated her monumental win to the memory of her late husbandShe urged supporters to maintain decorum and avoid loud celebrations or the throwing of gulal The trust shown by the people of Baramati through their votes is dedicated to the sacred memory of respected Ajit Dada We are all emotional today I request all workers not to take out processions or celebrate excessively Let us maintain restraint in a manner that honours Dadaâs thoughtsShe further stated âDedicate the trust shown by all of you through your votes to the sacred memories of the revered Ajit dada As this result is being declared today the memories of the revered Dada have been illuminated and we are all feeling emotional I humbly request all the workers who loved Dada dearly that as a celebration of this victory no one should take out processions or throw gulal Let us maintain restraint and behave in a manner befitting Dadas idealsââI sincerely thank all the people of Baramati for giving me the opportunity to shape the Baramati of Dadas dreams This is not the end this is just the beginning Of determination of struggle and of a new Baramatiâ she saidShe concluded by promising a New Baramati stating This is not the end it is just the beginning A beginning of determination struggle and a new Baramati IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/baramati-bypoll-sunetra-pawar-scripts-history-wins-by-record-margin-of-over-218-lakh-votes-672216.html Mon, 04 May 2026 16:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-mandate-reflects-shift-in-voter-mood-kc-venugopal-672229.html Thiruvananthapuram May 4 Framing the election outcome as a decisive shift in public sentiment Congress General Secretary and Lok Sabha member KC Venugopal on Monday said the results validate the oppositionâs reading of a prochange undercurrent across Kerala The Congressled UDF is leading in 102 seats the Left Democratic Front in 36 and the BJP has picked up two including NemomThroughout the campaign we maintained that a wave was building Even when exit polls suggested otherwise we were confident of a strong tally expecting to cross the 100seat mark Venugopal said adding that the assessment was rooted in consistent ground feedbackWe could sense the pulse of the voters and todayâs verdict reflects that sentiment he notedTargeting the ruling dispensation led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Venugopal argued that the governmentâs aggressive publicity push following the December local body poll setback failed to alter voter perceptionAfter that debacle there was a massive publicity campaign backed by significant spending But people were not convinced he said calling the outcome a blow to the arrogance of the CPIM leadership and its rank and fileHe pointed to developments in traditional Left strongholds in Kannur as evidence of a broader churnLook at Payyanur a constituency that has consistently elected CPIMs most prominent leaders and Taliparamba long considered a party citadel The trends emerging from these areas clearly indicate that even core bastions are witnessing a shift Venugopal observedCommenting on the Chief Ministerâs own contest he described the victory as âtechnicalâ noting that Vijayan had trailed during the initial rounds of counting before recovering laterâThe early rounds reflected the mood on the groundâ he saidVenugopal maintained that the verdict signals a wider recalibration in Keralaâs political landscape with voters demanding accountability and responsive governanceâThis is not just an electoral result it is a messageâ he said underscoring that they would seek to build on the momentum in the coming months IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-mandate-reflects-shift-in-voter-mood-kc-venugopal-672229.html Mon, 04 May 2026 17:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/guarantee-schemes-worked-in-ktaka-power-expected-in-kerala-surprising-results-in-tn-dy-cm-shivakumar-672232.html Bengaluru May 4 Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President DK Shivakumar on Monday said that the Congress governmentâs guarantee schemes have yielded positive results in the state expressing confidence over electoral outcomes while also commenting on results in other states âGuarantee schemes have worked in our favour in Karnataka Our government has responded to peopleâs difficulties and that is why we have seen good results in the byeelections Among other states we were confident of coming to power in Keralaâ Shivakumar said while speaking to the mediaResponding to a question on the reduced victory margin in Davanagere South he said âAfter so much confusion we knew a margin of 25000â30000 votes would not be possible But we were confident of winning comfortably SDPI had an impactâOn the role of SDPI votes he said âThe Chief Minister has already spoken about it I do not want to comment further We did not take SDPI lightly It is also a political party and they have drawn minority votesâWhen asked whether the election results would bring any changes in Karnataka he said âNothing will happen to our state Some people may be happy and some may be disappointed Even when there was a doubleengine government they did nothingâOn the UDF allianceâs performance in Kerala Shivakumar said âWe had won the local body elections there earlier The LDF has been in power for 10 years and people wanted a change Even during the campaign people expressed confidence in usâHe described the results in Tamil Nadu as âsurprisingâ saying âA new era has begun there We could not fully understand the public mood Local leaders had indicated this In politics spanning 40 years relationships and affiliations cannot be easily brokenâOn questions regarding the absence of Rahul Gandhi alongside MK Stalin during campaigning he said âI will not comment on that We went there as per the high commandâs decisionâAsked whether celebrity appeal influenced voting he said âWe expected around 30â40 per cent of votes to go that way but they have received even moreâOn Assam he said the party did not achieve expected results âWe had hoped for 50â60 seats and local leaders had also indicated we would reach that markâWhen asked about the reasons for the loss he said âDuring constituency delimitation minorities were consolidated in certain areas This appears to have been done strategicallyâOn West Bengal he alleged misuse of power âThere has been systematic misuse of authority The Election Commission has been misused to the maximum extent possible More than two lakh votes were deleted which has impacted the outcomeâ he claimed IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/guarantee-schemes-worked-in-ktaka-power-expected-in-kerala-surprising-results-in-tn-dy-cm-shivakumar-672232.html Mon, 04 May 2026 17:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/scindia-hails-new-gwalior-delhi-bengaluru-air-service-672234.html New Delhi May 4 Union Communications and Development of Northeastern Region Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia said on Monday that the inauguration of the new GwaliorDelhiBengaluru air service by Akasa Air has given Gwalior a new flight of confidence growth and a bright future The service operated by Akasa Air will run flights between Bengaluru Delhi and Gwalior on three additional days a week according to a statement from ScindiaUntil now IndiGo flights operated only on Tuesday Thursday and Saturday With the new flights on Monday Wednesday and Friday Gwalior will now have air connectivity six days a weekâToday the first flight of Akasa Air took off from Gwalior Now our city is moving beyond its boundaries to connect directly with the countrys major economic and technological hubsâthis transformation will undoubtedly change the destiny of Gwaliorâ Union minister Scindia remarkedHe thanked the Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu for facilitating the air connectivity and congratulated his âfellow Gwalior residents on this new beginningâIn a post on X Scindia said that the new Akasa Air services namely GwaliorâDelhiâBengaluru and BengaluruâDelhiâGwalior will further strengthen the connectivity of the GwaliorChambal region offering passengers faster and more reliable access to major citiesHe said the regular services connecting Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Airport in Madhya Pradeshâs Gwalior with Delhi and Bengaluru will also provide fresh momentum to opportunities in trade industry education and employmentâOur resolve to connect the region to nationallevel air facilities through a modern airport is now taking concrete shape I am fully confident that this initiative will play a pivotal role in propelling Gwaliorâs overall development to new heights he saidFollowing Air India and IndiGo Akasa Air had last month announced a fuel surcharge on its flights following a rise in aviation turbine fuel ATF prices amid evolving geopolitical developments in the Middle EastIn a post on X the airline said the surcharge will range from Rs 199 to Rs 1300 across its domestic and international routesThe surcharge will apply to all bookings made from 1201 am on March 15 2026 while tickets booked before that time will not be affected IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/scindia-hails-new-gwalior-delhi-bengaluru-air-service-672234.html Mon, 04 May 2026 17:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jagan-lokesh-congratulate-vijay-on-astounding-electoral-debut-672235.html Amaravati May 4 Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and state minister and Telugu Desam Party TDP Working President Nara Lokesh congratulated Vijay on the electoral victory of his party TVK in Tamil Nadu Assembly elections âA special and heartfelt shoutout to my dear brother Vijay Emerging as the singlelargest party in your very first election is impressive Wishing you immense strength and success as you embark on this new chapter of service God be with youâ posted Jagan Mohan Reddy on XThe YSRCP chief expressed sympathies for West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the defeat of her party Trinamool Congress âMy sympathies are with Didi Congratulations to BJP and othersâ added Jagan while reacting to results of Assembly polls in West Bengal Assam and KeralaAndhra Pradesh state minister and TDP leader Nara Lokesh also congratulated Vijay on an astounding electoral debut in Tamil NaduâThe outcome reflects the evolving aspirations of the stateâs electorate and adds a new dimension to its political landscape Wishing him the very best as he steps into public life and works towards addressing the expectations of the people with responsibility and commitmentâ wrote LokeshLokesh also conveyed his heartiest congratulations to the NDA on the election results in Assam and West Bengal âThe peopleâs mandate reflects a deep and growing trust in development stability and decisive leadership Under the visionary leadership of Narendra Modi this verdict reinforces the nationâs faith in governance that delivers with speed scale and integrity It is a powerful endorsement of a forwardlooking India that aspires for growth opportunity and inclusive progressâ he addedDeputy Speaker of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly K Raghu Rama Krishna Raju has congratulated Prime Minister Modi and the BJP on securing a âdecisive and historicâ victory in the West Bengal elections He stated that this âremarkableâ mandate reflects the deep trust and confidence the people have placed in the leadership of PM ModiâUnder the dynamic and inspiring leadership of Shri Narendra Modi Ji this victory further reinforces the nationâs confidence in his unwavering dedication decisive governance and relentless pursuit of Indiaâs growth and global stature The verdict stands as a testament to the tireless efforts of the BJP leadership and cadre and to a steadfast commitment to building a stronger more inclusive and prosperous India It also highlights the peopleâs aspirations for stability progress and transparent governanceâ he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jagan-lokesh-congratulate-vijay-on-astounding-electoral-debut-672235.html Mon, 04 May 2026 17:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-murder-suspects-attack-police-main-accused-injured-in-encounter-672236.html Jaipur May 4 A police team was fired upon near Lalsot in Dausa district of Rajasthan when they were attempting to intercept suspects in a murder case in the early hours of Monday officials said The incident led to retaliatory firing by the police in which the main accused Chetram Gurjar alias Rahul Khatana sustained a bullet injury to his leg Two other accused were injured after their motorcycle lost control and crashedAccording to Circle Inspector Pawan Kumar Jat the police received specific intelligence around 215 am on Monday regarding the movement of three suspects wanted in the murder of one Dharmendra Meena The accused were reportedly heading toward Riwaali village in Bamanwas Sawai Madhopur A joint team of the District Special Team and local police intercepted the suspects near the Binori Mod in JaipurAs soon as the police signalled them to stop the accused allegedly opened fire on the police team using a countrymade pistol Police officials first issued a warning but when the firing continued they retaliated During this exchange Chetram Gurjar was shot in the leg In the chaos that followed the suspects motorcycle went out of control and crashed injuring the two other accused Deshraj and KalluAll three injured accused were initially admitted to the district hospital in Lalsot and later referred to Dausa for further treatment Police have taken all the accused into custody The accused are wanted in connection with the April 10 murder of Dharmendra Meena which followed a dispute at a restaurant near Jamat Crossroads in LalsotDuring the altercation Chetram Gurjar allegedly opened fire on Dharmendra Meena resulting in his death Police said further investigation into the case is underway IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-murder-suspects-attack-police-main-accused-injured-in-encounter-672236.html Mon, 04 May 2026 17:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-govt-never-procured-even-a-handful-of-wheat-in-55-years-mp-cm-yadav-672017.html Nainod Indore May 3 IANS Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav launched a sharp attack on the Congress party accusing it of neglecting farmers during its 55year rule in the statenbspHe claimed that Congress governments never purchased even a handful of grain nor did they establish a proper system for wheat procurement despite oftrepeated demands for the same In contrast CM Yadav highlighted his governments achievements pointing to a dramatic expansion in procurement from 75 lakh metric tons in the previous cycle to 100 lakh metric tons this yearnbspChief Minister Yadav was addressing a gathering here after performing Bhoomi Poojan of the first phase of the IndorePithampur Economic Corridor IPEC in Indore on SundayCalling this milestone a triumph of his administrations commitment to farmers CM Yadav drew historical comparisons to underline the scale of progress He noted that in 1956 wheat was priced at only Rs 80 to Rs 100 per quintal Over the next five decades the price rose by just Rs 400 per quintal leaving farmers barely with any benefit By 20022003 wheat in the state was still selling for a modest Rs 400 to Rs 500 per quintalnbspToday he said procurement is being carried out at Rs 2625 per quintal a change CM Yadav credited to the collective efforts of leaders and former chief ministers such as Uma Bharti Babulal Gaur and Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his own governmentThe Chief Minister also pledged additional support for farmers cultivating a third crop specifically Urad black gram with a bonus of Rs 600 He emphasised that previous governments never offered such incentives Recalling his partys manifesto CM Yadav reiterated the promise to raise wheat procurement prices to Rs 2700 per quintal by 2028nbspWith three years remaining in his governments term he expressed confidence that this target would be achieved soon possibly within the coming year Beyond crop procurement CM Yadav outlined a broader vision for agricultural developmentHe said his government was expanding opportunities in dairy production and animal husbandry to diversify income sources for farmersnbspA major announcement was also made regarding the electricity supplynbspCM Yadav assured that once the monsoon season ends and the crop cycle begins farmers will receive power exclusively during the daytime This measure he explained would eliminate the hardships of irrigating fields at night which often expose farmers to biting cold dangerous conditions and the risks of working in mud and slushThe Chief Minister insisted that these reforms would ease the lives of farmers allowing them to work with greater comfort and securitynbspBy combining higher procurement prices crop bonuses and improved infrastructure CM Yadav positioned his governments agricultural policy as a model of farmer welfare and empowermentIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-govt-never-procured-even-a-handful-of-wheat-in-55-years-mp-cm-yadav-672017.html Sun, 03 May 2026 16:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ncw-takes-cognisance-of-pune-rape-and-murder-incident-raises-concern-over-women-safety-672021.html PuneMumbai May 2 The National Commission for Women NCW on Saturday took suo motu cognisance following the heinous incident of rape and murder of a minor girl in Pune officials said In a post on social media platform X the NCW wrote This heinous crime causes profound pain and outrage and it highlights serious concerns regarding the safety of young girlsWhile strongly condemning this grave inhuman act the Commission has stated that such crimes constitute a serious violation of childrens rights and raise questions about the societys security systemThe Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has urged the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights to immediately take cognisance of this case ensure monitoring of the investigation and take necessary action to ensure the strictest possible punishment for the perpetrators the NCW said in the X postAt the same time emphasis has also been laid on providing prompt assistance and compensation to the victims family filing a timebound charge sheet under POCSO and ensuring a speedy trial in a fasttrack courtEnsuring the safety and justice for every girl child is our utmost priority the Commission addedThe horrific sexual assault and brutal murder of a fouryearold girl allegedly by a 65yearold man in Bhors Nasrapur area of Pune district on May 1 has sparked massive outrage across MaharashtraWhile Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis vowed death penalty for the Nasrapur minors rapist and killer the opposition parties in the state criticised the state government over the law and order situation in the stateThe minor girl who had come to Nasrapur for her summer holidays was lured by the accused to a cattle shed under the pretext of giving her foodAfter the rape the accused murdered the child with a stone and hid her body under a pile of dungThe police sources said that the crime was uncovered via CCTV footage leading to the immediate arrest of the 65yearold suspect who reportedly has a history of similar molestation charges dating back to 1998 and 2015Chief Minister Fadnavis who is also the State Home Minister has condemned the act in the strongest terms describing it as a blot on humanity He directed the Pune Rural Police to ensure a watertight case and announced that the trial would be conducted in a FastTrack CourtCM Fadnavis assured the public that the true story and all facts will be brought to light soon and that the government would seek the death penalty for the accused to set a stern precedent He has ordered increased police patrolling in the Bhor region to restore a sense of security among residentsFollowing the massive protests in Nasrapur CM Fadnavis confirmed that senior police officials including the SP of Pune Rural are overseeing the investigation to ensure no loopholes remain in the prosecutionâs caseThe Opposition has slammed the state government over the deteriorating law and order situation in Maharashtra and the failure to protect women and childrenNCPSP Working President Supriya Sule visited the area and expressed her deep grief calling the incident inhuman She criticised the administration for the recurring nature of such crimes in Pune district and demanded that the police act without any political pressure to ensure the highest punishmentCongress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar targeted the Home Ministry questioning how a repeat offender was roaming free He alleged that the fear of the law has vanished under the current Mahayuti government and demanded a complete overhaul of the safety protocols for minorsMaharashtra Legislative Council deputy chairperson Neelam Gorhe demanded a stern action against the culprit while Shiv Sena MP Jyoti Waghmare has called for a death penalty against those involved in the caseBJP legislator Chitra Wagh said the incident has shaken society and the fight for getting justice for a toddler should be fought till the end The local community in Nasrapur reacted with intense angerOn Friday night hundreds of villagers blocked the PuneSatara Highway demanding that the accused be handed over to them A total shutdown was observed in Nasrapur and surrounding villages on Saturday Residents have called for a speedy trial and are demanding the hanging of the culprit within a month IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ncw-takes-cognisance-of-pune-rape-and-murder-incident-raises-concern-over-women-safety-672021.html Sun, 03 May 2026 17:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ysrcp-criticises-cm-chandrababu-naidu-for-using-derogatory-terms-to-describe-party-672022.html Amaravati May 3 IANS YSR Congress Party on Sunday strongly criticised Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for terming YSRCP an axe partynbspHitting hard at CM Naidus remarks the opposition party alleged that Amaravati has turned into a golden goose for him and he has been digging away at peoples welfare like a crowbarnbspSpeaking to the media in Nellore on Sunday former Minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy lashed out at Chandrababu Naidu and TDP for calling the opposition an axe party and said it is he who has been a symbol of a crowbar churning out the exchequer to benefit himself and his coterieChandrababu Naidu and other TDP leaders while accusing YSRCP of practising politics of murder have been calling the opposition party an axe partynbspAmaravati has become a golden goose for Chandrababu and his coterie as they have been digging out huge amounts from the exchequer through inflated contracts on one hand and depriving people of health education medical care besides ditching farmers women youth and other sections of society said Govardhan ReddyHe alleged that state finances are being looted as the government is paying an exorbitant construction price of Rs 20489 per sq ft in Amaravati He remarked that this is unheard of anywhere in the country as the standard rate is just around Rs 4500 per sq ftnbspThe contracts were given to his favoured few who were given work during his earlier term and the rates were increased manifold in an organised manner he saidnbspThe former minister claimed that the Telangana Secretariat and the Parliament Bhavan were constructed at just a fraction of the cost being spent by Chandrababu Naidu in Amaravati which shows the level of corruptionFrom usurping the TDP and the Chief Ministers post from the party founder NTR it has become a pattern for him to dig deep and change colours to further his political career besides rampant corruption and manipulation which has been his nature he saidnbspThe YSRCP leader said that the Mahanadu being held here will have no impact on voters as they have decided to give YSRCP a clean sweep in the ensuing elections His calling YSRCP names has no impact as people have come to believe that they have been cheated once again and Chandrababu Naidu has failed to implement his poll promises he addedIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ysrcp-criticises-cm-chandrababu-naidu-for-using-derogatory-terms-to-describe-party-672022.html Sun, 03 May 2026 17:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/igu-tourney-kicks-off-at-forest-hill-rudra-sharma-shines-672023.html DW Bureau ChandigarhThe 5th edition of the IGU North Zone SubJunior and Junior Feeder Tour got underway at Forest Hill Golf amp Country Club drawing over 100 young golfers from across the countrynbspSet against the challenging course known for its undulating fairways and water hazards the tournament is testing the skill and temperament of budding players BS Gill President of the club said the event offers a strong platform to identify and nurture emerging talentOn Day 1 several impressive performances were recorded across categories In Category A 1517 years boys Samriddh Chand Thakur led with a score of 68 followed by Aryaman Magotra 73 and Anmol Singh 74 In the girls combined Category A amp B Anushka Singh Malik topped with 74In Category B 1314 years boys Devvrat Singh Rajawat carded 68 to lead while in Category C 1112 years Pratham Vir Singh topped with 63 Among girls in this segment Aarushi Sharma led with 68The highlight came in Category D 910 years boys where Rudra Sharma delivered an outstanding 6underpar 60 to take the top spot Maahir Singh 61 and Taanush Kumar 62 followed closely In the girls section Maansvi Rathor topped with 64In the younger categories Shabd Aggarwal and Viraj Krishan Chaudhri shared the lead in Category E boys while Saveer Singh Pruthi topped Category F boys Saira Uppal led the girls Category FThe twoday tournament concludes today with the final round expected to witness keen competition across all categories https://dailyworld.in/national/igu-tourney-kicks-off-at-forest-hill-rudra-sharma-shines-672023.html Sun, 03 May 2026 17:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kolkata-police-again-removes-kalighat-police-station-officer-in-charge-672027.html Kolkata May 3 The Kolkata Police on Sunday removed the Kalighat Police Station OfficerinCharge OC Chameli Mukherjee within 24 hours after appointing her to the post officials said With this the OC of Kalighat Police Station in West Bengals Bhabanipur Assembly constituency has been changed four times in the last 36 days The residence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee falls under Kalighat police station area in south KolkataChameli Mukherjee was appointed to the post on Saturday replacing Gautam Das following a controversy over his social media post However that directive was cancelled within 24 hours This time Balai Bagh has been made the OC of Kalighat Police Station Balai Bagh was the Additional OC of Polerhat Police Station in Bhangar division of Kolkata Police He has been made the OC of Kalighat police station in Kolkata South division The Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand gave this orderSince the announcement of the West Bengal Assembly polls the Election Commission has made several changes in Kolkata and the state policeDuring that period the OC of Kalighat was changed for the first time on March 29 with Utpal Ghosh of the Kolkata Polices Intelligence Department appointed to this post The Election Commission removed Utpal Ghosh within a month of his appointment Gautam Das was made the new OC of Kalighat on April 25 He was in the Special Branch of Kolkata Police Later Gautam Das was suspended by the Kolkata Police on Saturday over his controversial social media post and subsequently removed from the post Chameli Mukherjee was made the OC of Kalighat in his place She was the OC of Ultadanga Women Police Station However that decision was overturned on Sunday This time Balai Bagh was brought to Kalighat from Polerhat Police Station in BhangarVoting was held in two phases on April 23 and 29 in 294 Assembly constituencies of West Bengal The results of the elections will be known after the counting of votes on May 4 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kolkata-police-again-removes-kalighat-police-station-officer-in-charge-672027.html Sun, 03 May 2026 17:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bjp-questions-bhagwant-manns-continuance-as-punjab-cm-cites-assembly-episode-672030.html Chandigarh May 3 IANS A delegation of the Punjab BJP unit led by state President Sunil Jakhar met Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and demanded the replacement of Chief Minister Bhagwant MannnbspJakhar alleged that the conduct of CM Mann during the justheld Assembly session where he reportedly appeared in an inebriated state makes him unfit to continue leading a sensitive border state like Punjab He said If the law does not allow a person under the influence of alcohol to drive then how can such a person be allowed to run a stateJakhar later told the media that the party urged the Governor to ask the ruling party leadership to select a new leader as Mann has lost the moral right to remain Chief Minister He said the party also requested the Governor to summon the Chief Secretary and ascertain whether he is working under any pressurenbspQuoting sources he said that during the May 1 Cabinet meeting held ahead of the Assembly session apart from two ministers the Chief Secretary was also allegedly threatened and humiliatedThe BJP chief said it is necessary to call officials and ensure they can work freely in accordance with the law without fear and to assure them that the Constitution and the Central government will protect them if they act within the rulesnbspJakhar said the Assembly session held on Labour Day ie May 1 was merely a pretext claiming it was actully convened by the Chief Minister to save his positionnbspHe alleged that after the session MLA Raman Arora who has been jailed in a corruption case was provided police protection which shows that the government is shielding corrupt individuals and has effectively given its MLAs a free hand to engage in corruptionnbspHe termed this a dangerous trend that must be stopped and claimed the Chief Minister is making decisions under fear and pressure of losing his chair contrary to his oath of officenbspOn the issue of the drug census being conducted by the state government Jakhar said it would only defame Punjab across the world as a state of drug usersnbspReferring to related advertisements he alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party would use the Rs 250 crore allocated for this census to earn huge commissions adding that it has become the hallmark of the party to use advertisements as a tool to make moneyHe questioned what message the Chief Ministers image would send to the youth alleging a contradiction between antidrug messaging and the CMs conductnbspHe said this census would only defame Punjab and suggested that if such a survey is to be conducted it should begin with the Chief Minister himselfnbspThe BJP leader also questioned the very rationale of people disclosing drug use within their families and called the exercise a waste of time and money stressing instead the need to break the drug supply chainTo a question about a change of Chief Minister in view of the confidence motion having been passed in the Assembly which prevents a noconfidence motion from being brought again within six months he said what would happen if a majority turns against the Chief Minister during that periodnbspResponding to a question regarding the FIR against BJP leader Sandeep Pathak Jakhar said the BJP is not afraid of such cases and alleged that the FIR was filed to intimidate members within the ruling party and prevent them from leavingIANSnbsp https://dailyworld.in/national/bjp-questions-bhagwant-manns-continuance-as-punjab-cm-cites-assembly-episode-672030.html Sun, 03 May 2026 17:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mobile-hashish-oil-manufacturing-unit-busted-in-odisha-chemicals-worth-rs-100-crore-seized-672031.html Bhubaneswar May 3 The Malkangiri Police of Odisha on Sunday busted a mobile hashish oil manufacturing unit and seized around 800 litres of chemicals and solvents used as precursors for manufacturing highly potent Hashish oil said a seniorÌ police official Following the seizure Malkangiri Police stated that the volume of precursors seized on Sunday has the potential to yield finished hashish oil with an estimated market value of around Rs 100 croreFor the past few days Malkangiri Police received intelligence inputs suggesting that a hashish oil manufacturing unit was likely operating in the Chitrakonda area of the district Acting on the tipoff police teams began surveillance and verification of suspected locationsMultiple raids were subsequently conducted across the area to trace and bust the illegal manufacturing unit During the operations the district police intensified search efforts in remote and forested pockets to bust the manufacturing units However due to intense police pressure the whole setup was being transported to various locations by the Syndicate members to avoid getting caughtâFinally on May 3 early morning under the leadership of SDPO Chitrakonda Pradosh Pradhan Malkangiri Police successfully busted the vehicle carrying a complete clandestine hashish oil mobile manufacturing unit near Essar Chowk under Chitrakonda Police Station leading towards the Sileru area of the districtâ the senior police officials addedApart from the seizure of precursors the police also seized one vehicle AP registered with a falsified registration number used for transporting materials which was confiscated 50kg of ganja and two litres of hashish Oil However the driver of the vehicle managed to escape into the dense jungle taking advantage of the difficult terrainThe Malkangiri district superintendent of police has formed multiple specialised teams to apprehend the absconding driver find out details about other syndicate members involved in the illegal activities and the details of the vehicle seized on SundayIt is worth noting that amid heightened vigilance by security personnel against illegal ganja trafficking and growing challenges in transporting it undetected smugglers are increasingly turning to the extraction of hashish oil The product being lower in volume is easier to conceal and transport to buyers in other states IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mobile-hashish-oil-manufacturing-unit-busted-in-odisha-chemicals-worth-rs-100-crore-seized-672031.html Sun, 03 May 2026 17:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indian-heritage-gallery-in-penang-showcases-rare-artefacts-highlights-indias-rich-cultural-legacy-report-672033.html George Town May 3 A newly opened Indian cultural facility in Malaysia is drawing attention for showcasing rare and historically significant artefacts that highlight the depth and diversity of Indias heritage The Indian Heritage Gallery and Cultural Centre at George Town in Penang has emerged as a unique space dedicated to preserving and presenting Indian art traditions and history to a global audience particularly the Indian diaspora in MalaysiaAmong its standout exhibits is a traditional Tanjore painting crafted on wood an art form that is rarely seen outside India The painting depicts a detailed Hindu wedding ceremony complete with priests conducting rituals around a sacred fire alongside musicians and guests offering visitors a vivid glimpse into classical Indian customs and artistic traditionsThe gallery also features a curated collection of traditional Indian artefacts including clay statues antique brass containers and coins from ancient South Indian dynasties such as the Chola and Chera empires as reported by The StarThese exhibits collectively narrate stories of Indias rich civilisational past and its cultural evolution over centuriesDesigned as an immersive storytelling space the centre aims to educate visitors about Indian heritage through visual displays and artefacts that reflect everyday life rituals and artistic expressions from different regions of IndiaIt provides an opportunity for both locals and tourists to engage with Indian culture beyond textbooks and performancesThe initiative is particularly significant in Malaysia which is home to a large Indianorigin community that has played a key role in preserving and promoting Indian traditions abroadCultural centres such as this serve as important bridges strengthening peopletopeople ties and fostering crosscultural understanding between India and MalaysiaThe article published in The Star authored by N Trisha notes that such exhibitions also contribute to soft cultural diplomacy by highlighting shared histories and artistic exchanges between the two nations reinforcing longstanding bilateral relations rooted in migration trade and cultural interactionThe opening of the gallery adds to a growing number of cultural initiatives aimed at showcasing Indian heritage globally ensuring that traditional art forms and historical artefacts remain accessible to future generations IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indian-heritage-gallery-in-penang-showcases-rare-artefacts-highlights-indias-rich-cultural-legacy-report-672033.html Sun, 03 May 2026 17:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-cm-rekha-gupta-orders-new-transparent-system-for-traffic-challan-settlement-672035.html New Delhi May 3 IANS Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced a new structured and timebound system for settling traffic challans signalling a stricter approach to road discipline an official said on SundaynbspThe Chief Minister said the move aims to curb violations improve road safety and bring greater transparency through a fully digital processnbspShe added that the new system is designed to be fully digital timebound and accountableThis will ensure better compliance with traffic rules and help reduce road accidents she said urging citizens to follow traffic norms settle challans on time and act as responsible road usersnbspUnder the new framework avoiding challans will no longer be possible and timely resolution will be mandatory for all citizens a statement saidnbspImportantly violators will not be able to approach courts directly to contest a challan without first going through the prescribed processnbspThe Chief Minister said the Delhi government will soon implement amendments made by the Centre to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989The revised system makes the challan process more stringent transparent and technologydrivennbspAnyone committing five or more traffic violations within a year will be classified as a serious offender Such cases may lead to suspension or disqualification of the driving licence under the amended rules the statement saidnbspChief Minister Gupta said the issuance of challans will now be fully modernisednbspPolice or authorised officers can issue challans either physically or electronicallynbspIn addition violations captured through cameras and digital surveillance systems will automatically generate challans the statement addedIf the department has a violators mobile number the echallan will be delivered within three days while a physical notice will be delivered within 15 days All challans will be recorded sequentially on an online portal to ensure transparency the statement addednbspMotorists have been advised to update their mobile numbers and addresses on their driving licence and vehicle registration certificates to avoid inconveniencenbspOnce a challan is issued the violator will have 45 days to either pay the fine or challenge it before a grievance redressal officer through the online portal supported by documentary evidenceIf no action is taken within this period the challan will be deemed accepted and payment must be made within the next 30 days the statement saidnbspIf a challenge is rejected the individual can either pay the fine within 30 days or approach the court after depositing 50 per cent of the challan amountnbspFailure to act within the stipulated time will result in the challan being treated as accepted with payment required within 15 days thereafter Payments can be made through electronic modes The grievance redressal officer will be required to upload a decision on the portal within 30 days the statement addednbspThe Chief Minister made it clear that once deadlines lapse daily electronic notices will be issuedContinued nonpayment will lead to restrictions on all vehiclerelated services including payment of taxes and processing of driving licence or registrationrelated requestsnbspThe vehicle will be flagged on the portal as not to be transacted effectively blocking any further transactions until the dues are clearednbspIn cases where necessary and subject to court orders police or authorised officers may also impound vehicles involved in violationsnbspAll challans will be issued in the name of the registered vehicle owner who will be notified via SMS email or other digital means the statement saidIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-cm-rekha-gupta-orders-new-transparent-system-for-traffic-challan-settlement-672035.html Sun, 03 May 2026 18:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/peaceful-re-polling-at-15-booths-in-bengal-so-far-5557-pc-voter-turnout-in-first-6-hours-672001.html Kolkata May 2 The repolling for 15 polling booths under two Assembly constituencies in South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal which started at 7 am on Saturday has been peaceful so far with the polling process going on under blanket security coverage of central forces assisted by personnel from the state police forces The average polling percentage in all 15 polling booths combined had been 5557 in the first six hours of polling till 1 pm The average polling percentage for the 11 polling booths under the Magrahat Paschim Assembly constituency stood at 549 till 1 pm On the other hand the average polling percentage in the four polling booths under Diamond Harbour constituency had been 5633 till the same period as per figures provided by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer CEO West BengalVoting is taking place at booths 46 126 127 128 142 214 215 216 230 231 232 in Magrahat Paschim and 117 179 194 243 in Diamond HarbourEven the voters standing at the queues of the polling booths both in Diamond Harbour and Magrahat Paschim constituencies told media persons that there had been absolutely no tension on the repolling dayOfficially the polling at these 15 booths will continue till 6 pm However in case some voters are found standing in the queue at 6 pm then polling will continue until the last voter casts hisher voteBoth Diamond Harbour and Magrahat Paschim Assembly constituencies went to the polls in the second phase of the twophase Assembly elections in West Bengal on April 29The twophase Assembly polls in West Bengal were conducted on April 23 and April 29 In the first phase there was polling for 152 assembly constituencies and in the second phase there was polling for the remaining 142 Assembly constituenciesThe counting of votes will be taken up on May 4 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/peaceful-re-polling-at-15-booths-in-bengal-so-far-5557-pc-voter-turnout-in-first-6-hours-672001.html Sat, 02 May 2026 17:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/peaceful-re-polling-at-15-booths-in-bengal-so-far-over-55-pc-voter-turnout-in-first-6-hours-672002.html Kolkata May 2 The repolling for 15 polling booths under two Assembly constituencies in South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal which started at 7 am on Saturday has been peaceful so far with the polling process going on under blanket security coverage of central forces assisted by personnel from the state police forces The average polling percentage in all 15 polling booths combined had been 5557 in the first six hours of polling till 1 pm The average polling percentage for the 11 polling booths under the Magrahat Paschim Assembly constituency stood at 549 till 1 pm On the other hand the average polling percentage in the four polling booths under Diamond Harbour constituency had been 5633 till the same period as per figures provided by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer CEO West BengalVoting is taking place at booths 46 126 127 128 142 214 215 216 230 231 232 in Magrahat Paschim and 117 179 194 243 in Diamond HarbourEven the voters standing at the queues of the polling booths both in Diamond Harbour and Magrahat Paschim constituencies told media persons that there had been absolutely no tension on the repolling dayOfficially the polling at these 15 booths will continue till 6 pm However in case some voters are found standing in the queue at 6 pm then polling will continue until the last voter casts hisher voteBoth Diamond Harbour and Magrahat Paschim Assembly constituencies went to the polls in the second phase of the twophase Assembly elections in West Bengal on April 29The twophase Assembly polls in West Bengal were conducted on April 23 and April 29 In the first phase there was polling for 152 assembly constituencies and in the second phase there was polling for the remaining 142 Assembly constituenciesThe counting of votes will be taken up on May 4 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/peaceful-re-polling-at-15-booths-in-bengal-so-far-over-55-pc-voter-turnout-in-first-6-hours-672002.html Sat, 02 May 2026 17:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/youth-murdered-in-bihars-begusarai-body-found-in-roadside-ditch--672007.html Patna May 2 A shocking incident has emerged from Biharâs Begusarai district where unidentified criminals allegedly murdered a young man and dumped his body in a roadside ditch triggering panic and outrage in the area The deceased has been identified as 27yearold Arvind Mahto son of Pawan Mahto and a resident of Kumbhi village under Cheria Bariarpur police station limitsThe incident took place near Masuraj village under Bariarpur East Panchayat in the Khodawandpur police station areaOn Saturday morning locals passing near the Panchayat Bhawan noticed a body lying in a ditch alongside a motorcycleWithin minutes a crowd gathered at the scene and police were alerted A blue Apache motorcycle was recovered near the body while a visible injury near the victimâs head raised suspicions of foul playAccording to family members Arvind Mahto had left home around 8 pm on Friday to drop his friend Bablu at his inlawsâ house in Shahpur Bhoja villageIt is suspected that he was attacked by unknown assailants while returning home later that nightPreliminary findings suggest that the murder may have occurred elsewhere with the body later dumped at the roadside location to mislead investigatorsFollowing the incident senior officials including the DSP of Manjhaul along with police teams from Khodawandpur Manjhaul and Chhaurahi police stations rushed to the spot and initiated an investigationA Forensic Science Laboratory FSL team was also called in to collect evidence and examine the scenePolice have stated that all possible angles are being explored and assured that the case will be solved soonInvestigators are analysing call detail records and the last known movements of the deceased while questioning individuals who were in contact with himThe news of Arvind Mahtoâs death plunged his native village Kumbhi into mourningHe is survived by his wife a twoandahalfyearold son and an eightmonthold daughterBeing the only son of his family his death has deeply affected the entire villageGrieving family members and locals have demanded swift action and the immediate arrest of the culpritsThe incident has sparked widespread anger with residents calling for stricter law enforcement measures IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/youth-murdered-in-bihars-begusarai-body-found-in-roadside-ditch--672007.html Sat, 02 May 2026 18:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/after-heatwave-spell-thunderstorms-likely-to-hit-several-mp-districts-672008.html Bhopal May 2 A shift towards unsettled weather conditions moving away from the recent dry spell and heatwave is expected across several districts of Madhya Pradesh in the coming days While the weather remained largely dry in many divisions in recent days significant atmospheric changes are now influencing the region including multiple cyclonic circulations and troughs extending from Rajasthan to the northeast the Bhopal centre of the India Meteorological Department IMD saidA wider swathe of the state will remain under a light thunderstorm watch with wind speeds reaching up to 40 kmph This alert covers Bhopal and Bairagarh Gwalior Datia Ratangarh Shajapur Sehore and Damoh In the eastern and southern belts Jabalpur Bhedaghat Katni Umaria Bandhavgarh Seoni Balaghat Mandla Kanha and Anuppur are included in the forecastFurthermore Rewa Mauganj Sidhi Niwari Orchha and Tikamgarh are likely to witness similar light thunderstorm activity accompanied by lightning the IMD centre saidResidents in several regions should prepare for moderate to intense weather activity during the afternoon and evening hours Raisen Sanchi and Bhimbetka are expected to experience moderate thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and wind speeds reaching up to 60 kmph There is also a high likelihood of hail in these locationsSimilar conditions are predicted for Guna Vidisha Udayagiri Ashoknagar Sagar Rajgarh and Narsinghpur where residents may witness moderate to light thunderstorms These areas could see lightning hail and gusty winds peaking at around 50 kmphMaximum temperatures have reached 432 degrees Celsius in Raisen while the lowest minimum temperature was recorded at 158 degrees Celsius in Damoh Over the past 24 hours rainfall has already been recorded at isolated places in the Shahdol Chambal Jabalpur and Sagar divisions Notable rainfall totals include 86 mm in Panagar and 8 mm in SleemanabadLooking ahead the forecast suggests a slight rise in maximum temperatures by around 2 degrees Celsius over the next 48 hours However a gradual cooling trend is expected thereafter with temperatures likely to drop by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius over the subsequent three daysAuthorities have advised residents to remain indoors during lightning activity and to secure loose structures to prevent wind damage IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/after-heatwave-spell-thunderstorms-likely-to-hit-several-mp-districts-672008.html Sat, 02 May 2026 18:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/assembly-poll-outcome-on-may-4-a-crucial-test-for-lefts-survival-bid-672012.html New Delhi May 2 A peoples mandate to be declared on May 4 following the highvoltage Assembly election exercise would be crucial for the Left parties who stand marginalised except for a coalition government in Kerala Exit polls have however predicted a regime change in ThiruvananthapuramMeanwhile in West Bengal apart from the two main political parties Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party making headlines through the current poll process the Left has found a mention for infusing newer more energetic youth faces in the organisation as well as among candidatesIt fielded 192 candidates across 294 seats in the state emphasising that several of its nominees are from the partys youth wing and aged below 45 yearsHow far these younger leaders will be able to claw into a turf largely divided between the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party is a subject of speculation But that it is a battle for survival in the changing world is apparentThe Left parties in Kerala primarily the Communist Party of India Marxistâled Left Democratic Front LDF have stayed relevant till now unlike other states where they have withered including West BengalThe roots of the Left in Kerala go back to the 1940sâ50s but its decisive breakthrough came in 1957 when a Communistâled coalition formed the worlds first democratically elected Communist governmentAfter periodic setbacks the LDF reâemerged in the 1980s as a stable coalition alternating power with the UDF and winning six government formations between 1980 and 2021The outgoing LDF government led by Pinarayi Vijayan despite portraying able governance and administrative successes is facing inertia factionalism within the CPIM and a growing dependence on charismatic leadership centred on the Chief MinisterThe partys national weight has shrunk and its ability to project ideology has weakened through timesMoreover the Lefts record on jobâcreation and industrial growth has come under criticism especially as Kerala faces rising fiscal stress and youth unemployment despite its high human development indicesIn West Bengal the CPIMâled Left Front held an almost unshakeable grip over state politics shaping the states institutional structures agrarian relations and social movementsIt first came to power postEmergency period in 1977 winning 230 of the 294 Assembly seats and securing around 54 per cent of the voteUnder Jyoti Basu the coalition implemented land reforms strengthened local panchayats and expanded a network of public sector units and cooperativesThe regime styled itself as developmentâoriented but within a socialist framework combining welfare measures with a rigid cadreâdriven party structureHere the Lefts decline was as dramatic as its riseBasus successor Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was in a hurry to attract industries after aggressive trade unionism drove away prospective investors as factories shut shopBy the 2000s inflexibility over industrial policy most visibly in the violent landâacquisition conflicts at Singur and Nandigram eroded its rural baseThe Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee successfully positioned itself as both antiâLeft and antiâCongress winning the 2011 Assembly elections and ending 34 years of uninterrupted Left ruleIn the time that followed and by 2019 it failed to win a single Lok Sabha seat in West BengalThe 2021 Assembly election delivered a nearâtotal wipeout with the Left Front drawing a blank in the 294âseat HouseIn Tripura the BJP triumphed in 2018 ending an uninterrupted Left rule after almost a quartercenturyOverall the Lefts organisational crisis has been compounded by an ageing leadershipFor years key decisionâmaking in the CPIM and its allied parties remained concentrated in the hands of veterans who had cut their political teeth in the 1970s and 1980sIn recent years the party at the allâIndia level has begun institutionalising age limits with 75 set as the upper age limit for central committee membership and a wave of retirements has swept out many senior leadersIn West Bengal the Left Front and its constituent parties have publicly spoken of phasing out functionaries aged above 70 years and consciously bringing in younger faces into the state committee district committees and crucially into election ticketsThis generational transition is not yet complete but it reflects an explicit strategy where the Left hopes that the youth can reconnect with firstâtime voters adapt to social media politics and project a more open less rigid image than the old guard associated with the regimes later years IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/assembly-poll-outcome-on-may-4-a-crucial-test-for-lefts-survival-bid-672012.html Sat, 02 May 2026 18:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ed-again-summons-bengal-minister-sujit-bose-in-municipality-job-scam-case-672014.html Kolkata May 2 The Enforcement Directorate ED has summoned the West Bengal fire minister and the Trinamool candidate from Bidhannagar Sujit Bose again in the municipal recruitment corruption case On Friday he appeared before the central investigation agencys office at the CGO Complex This time he was told that he would have to come again on May 6 At that time the fire minister was also asked to bring some documents related to his movable properties According to ED officials those documents will be verifiedIncidentally the ED summoned Sujit Bose several times before However the minister claimed that he could not appear due to his election campaign After that as soon as the voting was over he appeared at the ED office at the CGO Complex in Salt Lake on Friday Not only Sujit but his son Samudra was also summoned by the central investigation agencyEarlier the ED had raided Sujits house and officeThe central agency has summoned Sujit several times for questioning in the municipal recruitment corruption case However he sent a letter to the ED every time seeking timeSujit approached the Calcutta High Court regarding this He also informed the court about his busy schedule for the Assembly polls The bench of Justice Krishna Rao then said that Sujit will have to appear at the ED office on May 1 After that he appeared at the ED office on FridaySujit entered the ED office at 1025 am on Friday and left at 7 pm He was in the ED office for nine hours straight Coming out of the CGO complex he said I came as a witness If was called to cooperate in the investigation I will definitely come After that his message to the ED was One should never be called for harassment Doing business is never a crime Stealing is a crimeIt is worth noting that apart from Sujit Bose another state minister Rathin Ghosh was also summoned by the ED on the same day He has been summoned in the same caseHe was also summoned by the central investigation agency several times But he also asked the ED for time saying he was busy with the election workThe results of the Assembly election will be declared in the state on MondayHe was summoned to the ED office a day after that The ED had questioned Minister Rathin in the recruitment corruption case in October 2023 At that time his house was searchedIn January 2024 and October 2025 ED raids were conducted at Minister Sujit Boses office and house The officials of the central investigation agency also searched the addresses of some of his close associates IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ed-again-summons-bengal-minister-sujit-bose-in-municipality-job-scam-case-672014.html Sat, 02 May 2026 18:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/writer-lyricist-prasoon-joshi-appointed-chairman-of-prasar-bharati-672015.html New Delhi May 2 The government on Saturday said it has appointed noted lyricist writer and communications expert Prasoon Joshi as the Chairman of Prasar Bharati According to a Ministry of Information and Broadcasting statement Joshi is a distinguished creative professional with wideranging contributions across literature advertising cinema and public communicationâMy heartfelt congratulations to Prasoon Joshi on his appointment as Chairman of the Prasar Bharati Board Prasoon is a rare creative spirit celebrated across the world in advertising literature art and cinema yet his heart beats unmistakably for Indiaâ said Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini VaishnawâHis words carry the fragrance of our soil and his vision reflects the timeless essence of our culture Under his stewardship Prasar Bharati will discover renewed energy deeper purpose and a fresh creative voice My very best wishes to him for a memorable and meaningful tenure aheadâ said the ministerKnown for his impactful writing and deep cultural sensibility Joshi has played a significant role in shaping contemporary Indian media narratives His body of work spans acclaimed film lyrics advertising campaigns and socially resonant storytelling that connects with diverse audiences across the countryBefore this appointment Joshi served as Chairperson Central Board of Film Certification CBFC Mumbai since August 2017 where he contributed to strengthening film certification processes while engaging with stakeholders across the film industryHis tenure at CBFC reflected a balanced approach towards creative expression and regulatory responsibilityEarlier he had also served as CEO McCann World Group India and Chairman McCann World Group Asia Pacific a subsidiary of McCann Erickson He is also one of the Trustees of Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts since 2016Established under the Prasar Bharati Broadcasting Corporation of India Act 1990 and operational since 1997 Prasar Bharati is Indiaâs statutory autonomous public service broadcaster IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/writer-lyricist-prasoon-joshi-appointed-chairman-of-prasar-bharati-672015.html Sat, 02 May 2026 18:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-digital-reforms-boost-small-firms-imf-671930.html Washington May 2 Indiaâs push to digitise public administration has raised productivity among microenterprises with states that adopted more reforms seeing stronger gains and narrower gaps between firms an International Monetary Fund working paper shows The study says âpublic administration digitalisation carried out statebystate in India between 2010 and 2015 led to an improvement in microenterprise productivitiesâ based on national survey dataResearchers examined firmlevel data from two nationwide surveys covering 201011 and 201516 They compared firms across states that implemented different levels of digital reforms in areas such as tax filing permits inspections and dispute resolutionâWe find that states that undertake more public administration digitalisation experience higher productivity growth and lower productivity dispersion among firmsâ the report saidThe reforms were part of a broader effort to improve the business climate In 2014 states agreed to a â98point action planâ aimed at simplifying regulations and expanding digital systemsThe paper groups reforms into six areas tax systems construction permits environment and labour compliance inspections commercial disputes and singlewindow clearances States that implemented more of these reforms recorded higher total factor productivityDigital tools reduced administrative burdens especially for small firms âDigitalisation of administrative processes can significantly reduce compliance costsâ the authors saidThe study says digitised systems â including online tax filing and automated approvals â improve transparency and cut delays They also reduce informal costs and limit discretionary decisionmakingâBy automating and making processes more transparent digitalisation levels the playing field for all businessesâ the report saidThe analysis shows firms in more reformoriented states consistently outperformed those in lessreformed states Gains were seen in both higher productivity and reduced dispersion between firmsThe report also finds that âthe greater the difference in business environment reforms the greater the gains in the total factor productivityâAt the same time returns diminished as reforms increased suggesting early reforms delivered the biggest gainsThe study uses a differenceindifference model with matched firms across states It also tests results using firms in border districts to control for regional variations with similar findingsThe reforms appear to improve how resources are allocated Lower dispersion in productivity suggests more efficient use of capital and labourIndiaâs micro small and medium enterprises sector is a key part of the economy The paper notes MSMEs account for âaround 35 percent of manufacturing outputsâ and employ âaround 110 million workersâMost of these firms operate informally and are sensitive to regulatory costsIndiaâs reform push in the mid2010s coincided with improvements in global business rankings and wider use of digital governance The IMF paper indicates these changes have delivered measurable gains particularly for small firms that dominate the economy IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-digital-reforms-boost-small-firms-imf-671930.html Sat, 02 May 2026 11:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/hit-and-run-in-mumbai-tempo-rams-three-labourers-driver-absconding-contractor-detained-671934.html Mumbai May 2 A distressing hitandrun incident has come to light in the Powai area of Mumbai where a speeding tempo struck three labourers working along the road and fled the scene All three victims sustained severe injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital where they are currently undergoing treatment According to police officials the Powai Police have registered a case against an unidentified driver and launched a search operation to trace and apprehend the accused The incident occurred in Morarji Nagar where a contractor appointed by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation had deployed a team of labourers for sewer cleaning workPreliminary reports indicate that while the labourers were engaged in cleaning activities a tempo moving at high speed rammed into them The driver immediately fled the spot without offering any assistance to the injuredIn connection with the case the contractor has been taken into custody for questioning and further investigations are underway to determine any lapses in safety protocols at the work siteIn a separate incident on May 1 a woman lost her life in a hitandrun accident near Majiwada junction in Thane The victim employed as housekeeping staff at a nearby residential complex was attempting to cross the busy MumbaiâNashik highway while returning home to MumbraPolice said the woman had crossed to the Nashikbound side of the eightlane highway in search of transport but misjudged the speed of oncoming traffic She was struck by a tempo whose driver also fled the scene The victim was taken to Kalwa Government Hospital but was declared dead on arrival informed senior Inspector Manjusha Bhongale of Kapurbawdi police stationData from the city traffic police highlights the growing concern over road safety revealing that hitandrun incidents accounted for 38 per cent of all fatal crashes in Mumbai in 2023 with pedestrians comprising 54 per cent of the victims IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/hit-and-run-in-mumbai-tempo-rams-three-labourers-driver-absconding-contractor-detained-671934.html Sat, 02 May 2026 11:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nadda-patil-to-address-concluding-session-of-vgrc-south-gujarat-today-671936.html Surat May 2 Union Minister Health JP Nadda and Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil are addressing the concluding session of the third edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference VGRC â South Gujarat being held on Saturday in Surat The twoday event draws to a close with participation from senior political leadership diplomats and industry representativesOn the occasion Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is releasing the book titled âSouth Gujarat â The Industrial Catalystâ marking a key programme highlight of the valedictory sessionThe conference began on Friday at Auro University where Chief Minister Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi inaugurated the event and addressed the inaugural sessionSanghavi welcomed delegates from partner countries and various organisations and noted the presence of Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri and Union Minister CR Patil during the opening proceedingsIn his presentation titled âSouth Gujarat as a Growth Centreâ Sanghavi highlighted the role of policy implementation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Patel stating that VGRC is aimed at accelerating regional industrial development attracting sectorspecific investments and strengthening global partnerships in alignment with the vision of Viksit Bharat at 2047At the concluding session State Finance Minister Kanu Desai is delivering the opening addressThe programme also includes participation from industrialist Dr Faruk Patel Rwandas High Commissioner Jacqueline Mukangira and Ukraines Ambassador Dr Oleksandr PolishchukOver the twoday conference VGRCSouth Gujarat has hosted sectoral seminars and discussions covering agriculture horticulture textiles chemicals and petrochemicals startups nuclear energy fertilisers natural gas and womenâs empowermentCountryspecific sessions were also organised by Japan and UkraineThe second day features the Regional MSME Conclave focussing on sectors including gems and jewellery circular economy skill development aerospace and Defence fisheries and cooperatives green energy and green hydrogen ecotourism and urban economic zone developmentA session organised by the Trade Representation of Russia in India is also part of the programmeAlongside the conference the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition is being held from May 1 to 5 across 12000 square metres at a single venueIt includes initiatives such as the Vendor Development Programme International Reverse BuyerSeller Meet RBSM and Udyami Mela with participation from industries MSMEs startups and government departments across Bharuch Dang Navsari Surat Tapi and Valsad districts IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nadda-patil-to-address-concluding-session-of-vgrc-south-gujarat-today-671936.html Sat, 02 May 2026 11:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/may-begins-with-below-average-temperatures-moderate-aqi-imd-predicts-partly-cloudy-skies-671940.html New Delhi May 2 Residents of Delhi are currently experiencing noticeable relief from the intense heatwave that gripped the city in April For Saturday as well the India Meteorological Department IMD has predicted partly cloudy skies throughout the day which is expected to keep the rise in temperature in check Meanwhile air quality in the capital remained in the âmoderateâ category Following rainfall and hailstorms that lashed parts of the city on Thursday temperatures dropped below normal levels on Friday making the weather significantly more comfortable compared to the recent heatwave conditions According to the IMD the maximum temperature settled at 364 degrees Celsius which is 29 degrees below the seasonal average The minimum temperature was recorded at 228 degrees Celsius also 19 degrees below normalFor Saturday similar conditions are likely to persist The IMD has forecast partly cloudy skies with the maximum temperature expected to range between 38 and 41 degrees Celsius While the intensity of the heatwave has reduced residents may still experience some discomfort due to humidity However light winds in the evening are likely to bring partial reliefWeather stations across the national Capital reported lowerthanusual temperatures Safdarjung the cityâs base station recorded the dayâs highest temperature at 364 degrees Celsius Other areas also witnessed a dip with Palam recording a maximum of 351 degrees Celsius Lodhi Road 346 degrees Ridge 349 degrees and Ayanagar 354 degrees all several degrees below normalMinimum temperatures also followed a similar trend across the city Palam recorded 213 degrees Celsius Lodhi Road 218 degrees Ridge 204 degrees and Ayanagar 214 degrees all below the usual range for this time of the yearThis drop in temperature has come as a welcome respite for residents who had been coping with rising heat over the past few daysMeanwhile air quality in the capital remained in the âmoderateâ category with AQI readings recorded at Anand Vihar 136 Aya Nagar 115 Burari Crossing 122 Chandni Chowk 100 Commonwealth Sports Complex 109 DTU 112 Dwarka Sector 8 131 IIT Delhi 116 JNU 95 Jahangirpuri 157 Mundka 136 Narela 140 North Campus 109 RK Puram 108 Rohini 149 Sonia Vihar 141 and Wazirpur 106 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/may-begins-with-below-average-temperatures-moderate-aqi-imd-predicts-partly-cloudy-skies-671940.html Sat, 02 May 2026 11:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/peaceful-re-polling-at-15-booths-in-bengal-so-far-1623-pc-polling-in-1st-two-hours-671947.html Kolkata May 2 The repolling at 15 polling booths under two Assembly constituencies in South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal that started since 7 AM on Saturday has been peaceful so far The polling process is going on under blanket security coverage of central forces assisted by personnel from the state police forcesThe average polling percentage in all the 15 polling booths combined had been 1623 in the first two hours of polling till 9 AMThe average polling percentage for the 11 polling booths under the Magrahat Paschim Assembly constituency stood at 1658 till 9 AM On the other hand the average polling percentage in the four polling booths under Diamond Harbour constituency had been 1583 per cent as per figures provided by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer CEO West BengalEven the voters standing at the queues of the polling booths both in Diamond Harbour and Magrahat Paschim constituencies told media persons that there had been absolutely no tension on the repolling dayHowever some of the voters standing in queues in some booths at Magrahat Paschim said they did not understand the justification for repolling in their respective booths They contended that they did not witness any violence on the main polling day which was on April 29Voting is taking place at booths 46 126 127 128 142 214 215 216 230 231 232 in Magrahat Paschim and 117 179 194 243 in Diamond HarbourOfficially the polling at these 15 booths will continue till 6 PM However in case some voters are found standing at the queue at 6 PM then polling will continue until the last voter will cast his voteBoth Diamond Harbour and Magrahat Paschim Assembly constituencies went for polls in the second phase of the twophase Assembly elections in West Bengal on April 29The twophase Assembly polls in West Bengal were conducted on April 23 and April 29 In the first phase there was polling for 152 Assembly constituencies and in the second phase there was polling for the remaining 142 Assembly constituenciesThe counting will be conducted on May 4 and the results will be declared on the same day IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/peaceful-re-polling-at-15-booths-in-bengal-so-far-1623-pc-polling-in-1st-two-hours-671947.html Sat, 02 May 2026 11:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pune-65-year-old-man-sexually-assaults-kills-four-year-old-girl-with-stone-671948.html Pune May 2 In a chilling reminder of the growing insecurity being faced by the most vulnerable members of our society the Bhor Taluka region of Pune has been rocked by a crime of unimaginable cruelty A 65yearold man stands accused of the sexual assault and brutal murder of a fouryearold girl reportedly ending her life by crushing her with a stone The sheer depravity of this act committed against a child who could barely speak let alone understand the evil she was facing â has sparked a wave of justified furyIn Nasrapur outraged villagers have staged a blockade on the PuneBengaluru Highway Despite the suspect being in police custody the communityâs demand is visceral and clear They want immediate uncompromising justiceAs per the initial information the incident came to light when the girl went missing in the afternoon and her family started a frantic search During the search her mutilated and bloodied body was discoveredCCTV footage from the area reportedly showed the accused old man taking the toddler along which helped police identify and detain himThe gruesome crime has triggered a massive wave of anger among residents On Friday evening when the childâs body was brought near the local police station emotional scenes unfolded as grieving family members broke down and villagers gathered in large numbers demanding justiceA social activist said I stand with this griefstricken community While we operate under a system of law the recurring failure of fasttrack courts to deliver swift verdicts has eroded public trust When justice is delayed for years the deterrent effect vanishes and the cycle of violence continuesSandip Singh Gill Superintendent of Pune Rural Police said within 15 days the chargesheet will be filed against the accused and the cases will be run in fast track court Gill assured the protesters that police will take very strict action in the matterThe accused has been taken into custody and an investigation is underwayThis tragedy is not isolated Just days ago on April 30 a 38yearold man was arrested in Greater Noida for allegedly strangling his 14yearold stepdaughter and dumping her body in a forest Preliminary investigations suggest a history of sexual assault IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pune-65-year-old-man-sexually-assaults-kills-four-year-old-girl-with-stone-671948.html Sat, 02 May 2026 11:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/up-schoolchildren-allegedly-forced-into-manual-labour-in-banda-viral-video-sparks-outrage-671950.html Banda Uttar Pradesh May 2 A shocking incident has emerged from Uttar Pradeshâs Banda district where children studying in a junior high school were allegedly forced to perform manual labour A video showing students dressed in their school uniforms loading sand has gone viral on social media raising serious concerns about the functioning of the Education Department The incident is reported from Achharaund Gram Panchayat in Banda In the viral clip several children can be seen using shovels and metal pans to load sand work considered inappropriate and illegal for minors Allegedly the task was assigned to them by school authorities including teachersThe video was recorded by Mahendra son of Rampal and a resident of Acharaundh village Mahendra claims that his children Riyansh and Riyansi are enrolled in the same junior high school He has alleged that the students are not only being made to carry out manual labour but are also subjected to discriminatory treatment at the schoolExpressing anguish over the situation Mahendra said âMy children go to school to study yet they are being made to perform manual labour there I humbly appeal to the government and the administration to investigate this matter and take the strictest possible action against those responsibleâThe incident has triggered outrage among locals and on social media with many demanding strict action against those involved Forcing children into labour within school premises and outside is not only unethical but also a punishable offence under the lawIn response to these allegations District Basic Education Officer Avyakt Ram Tiwari stated that all schools were closed on Friday He added that the viral video had not yet come to his attention however if such a video is indeed circulating an enquiry will be conducted into the matter and appropriate action will be taken based on the findingsAlthough child labour for children aged 6 to 12 has been declared a criminal offense children are being turned into labourers by their very teachers within the schools IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/up-schoolchildren-allegedly-forced-into-manual-labour-in-banda-viral-video-sparks-outrage-671950.html Sat, 02 May 2026 12:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-tests-nationwide-mobile-emergency-alert-system-to-safeguard-citizens-671954.html New Delhi May 2 The government on Saturday tested indigenous mobile emergency alert system nationwide to safeguard its citizens when nature strikes The system called âCell Broadcast Alertâ is currently under panIndia testing in the form of a flash SMS message from the NDMA National Disaster Management AuthorityâNDMA will test Cell Broadcast Alerts on 2 May 2026 in your area On receiving the message on your mobile phone no action is required Please do not panicâ the notification readWhen the emergency alert arrived on Saturday it made the phone ring rather loudly with a sharp alarm tone and a flashing messageThe alerts were delivered by the indigenous Integrated Alert System SACHET which is developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics CDOTThe system is based on the Common Alerting Protocol CAP which is recommended by the International Telecommunication UnionThe system aims to deliver disaster and emergencyrelated alerts in situations such as tsunamis earthquakes lightning strikes and manmade emergencies like gas leaks or chemical hazards via SMS to mobile users within the targeted areasWhile the government has tested the system a few times in the past these alerts are currently being conducted to assess the systemâs performance and reliability prior to nationwide rollout of this systemThe test alerts were sent by NDMA which is the apex body for disaster management in India The test messages were received on mobile phones that have their Cell Broadcast test channels enabledYou can enable or disable alerts by navigating to Settings Safety and emergency Wireless emergency alerts Test alertsAfter the nationwide testing the mobile alert system will be operationalised across the country and will disseminate emergency alerts in multiple Indian languages across all mobile handsets IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-tests-nationwide-mobile-emergency-alert-system-to-safeguard-citizens-671954.html Sat, 02 May 2026 12:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rain-brings-relief-from-heat-in-jaipur-met-dept-issues-orange-and-yellow-alerts-across-rajasthan-671956.html Jaipur May 2 Intermittent rainfall accompanied by gusty winds brought muchneeded relief from the intense heat in Jaipur on Saturday leading to a noticeable dip in temperatures across the city The sudden change in weather conditions provided respite to residents who had been grappling with soaring mercury levels over the past few daysThe weather changed around 930 am when dense cloud cover engulfed the city followed by spells of light to moderate rain in several areas including Amer Tonk Road and Malviya Nagar The sudden showers reduced visibility and ushered in a cooler atmosphere offering respite to residents who had been grappling with rising heat and humidity over the past few daysAccording to the Meteorological Centre the rainfall activity has resulted in a drop of 1 to 2 degrees Celsius in daytime temperatures The city which had been witnessing mercury levels close to 40 degrees Celsius experienced relatively milder conditions on SaturdayAmid the changing weather patterns the India Meteorological Department has issued Orange and Yellow alerts for several districts of Rajasthan warning of thunderstorms lightning strong winds and rainfall in the coming hoursDistricts including Jaipur Sikar Tonk Dausa and Jhunjhunu have been placed under an Orange alert indicating the likelihood of moderate to intense thunderstorms These areas may experience gusty winds ranging between 40 and 60 kmh lightning strikes isolated hailstorms and light to moderate rainfallAuthorities have cautioned that such conditions could cause damage to trees weak structures electric poles and temporary installations besides posing risks to standing cropsMeanwhile a Yellow alert has been issued for districts such as Dholpur Karauli Sawai Madhopur Alwar Churu Hanumangarh and KotputliBehror These regions are likely to witness thunderstorms with lightning winds of 30â40 kmh and light to moderate rainfall Although the intensity is expected to be lower compared to Orange alert areas residents have been advised to remain vigilantThe met department has urged citizens to take necessary precautions including staying indoors during thunderstorms avoiding shelter under trees or near electric poles and securing loose objects Unnecessary travel should be avoided during adverse weather conditionsWhile the rainfall has brought temporary relief from the heat it has also raised concerns for agriculture and rural infrastructure Farmers have been advised to take preventive steps to protect crops from potential damageThe IMD continues to closely monitor the evolving weather situation and may issue further updates Residents are advised to stay alert and follow official guidelines said officials IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rain-brings-relief-from-heat-in-jaipur-met-dept-issues-orange-and-yellow-alerts-across-rajasthan-671956.html Sat, 02 May 2026 12:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-to-hear-tmcs-plea-today-against-calcutta-high-court-order-671958.html New Delhi May 2 IANS The Supreme Court of India is set to hear on Saturday a petition filed by the Trinamool Congress TMC challenging an order of the Calcutta High Court that dismissed its plea against the Election Commission of India ECI decision to appoint Central government and Central Public Sector Undertaking PSU employees as counting supervisors and assistants for the West Bengal Assembly electionsnbspAs per the cause list published on the official website of the apex court the fresh petition filed by the ruling party from West Bengal will be taken up for hearing on Saturday by a bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Joymalya BagchiThe TMCs legal team is understood to have approached the Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant seeking the constitution of a Special bench for urgent listing of the matterThe move comes a day after the Calcutta High Court rejected TMCs writ petition in its entirety and upheld the ECIs authority to appoint counting personnel from Central government and PSU establishmentsA singlejudge bench of Justice Krishna Rao had reserved the matter earlier on Thursday after hearing the parties and later pronounced the judgment in the eveningIt is the prerogative of the ECI to appoint counting supervisors and counting assistants either from the state government or the Central government This Court does not find any illegality in appointing counting supervisors and counting assistants from Central governmentCentral PSU employees instead of state government employees the Calcutta High Court had saidIt also added that the impugned communication issued by the West Bengal Additional Chief Electoral Officer Vibhu Goel was aimed at ensuring transparency integrity and orderly conduct of counting proceedings and formed part of the ongoing electoral processJustice Rao said that Clause 1579 of the handbook for Returning Officers permits counting supervisors and assistants to be appointed from either Central or state government officials or comparable undertakingsThe judge ruled that the ECIs decision to prefer Central governmentCentral PSU employees was well within its authorityAddressing the Trinamool Congress primary contention that Central government employees being under the administrative control of the Bharatiya Janata Partyled Union government could favour the principal opposition party in the state the Calcutta High Court held that such apprehension was not sustainableIt said that microobservers who are invariably drawn from Central governmentCentral PSU employees would also be present at every counting table along with counting agents of candidates and other officials thereby ensuring adequate checks and balancesThe Calcutta High Court also noted that if any irregularity or favouritism occurs during the counting process the TMC retains the right to challenge it through an election petition after the declaration of resultsCiting Section 100 of the Representation of the People Act 1951 the High Court judgment said If the petitioner proves that the Central governmentCentral PSU employees appointed as counting supervisors and counting assistants helped the opponent by manipulating votes during counting the petitioner has the liberty to raise all such grounds in an election petitionThe writ petition had challenged a communication issued by the West Bengal Additional Chief Electoral Officer which required that at least one among the counting supervisor and counting assistant at each counting table shall be a Central governmentCentral PSU employeeSenior Advocate Kalyan Bandopadhyay appearing for the petitioner said that the impugned directive lacked jurisdiction and deviated from the Election Commissions own handbook which does not mandate Central government personnel for such rolesIt was further contended that while microobservers are required to be Central governmentPSU employees extending this requirement to counting supervisors and assistants was arbitrary and specific to West BengalIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-to-hear-tmcs-plea-today-against-calcutta-high-court-order-671958.html Sat, 02 May 2026 12:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/truck-overturns-in-uttarakhands-tehri-district-traffic-hit-671960.html Tehri May 2 A truck carrying cement went out of control and overturned in the Ghansali area of Uttarakhands Tehri district on Saturday leading to the disruption of vehicular movement along the route officials said Soon after receiving information about the incident police personnel reached the spot and began taking necessary steps to restore normal traffic flow Authorities confirmed that no injuries have been reported in the incident so farThe accident caused significant disruption on the JakhdharâPokhal stretch of NH707A prompting the administration to divert traffic and manage congestion in the areaTraffic Disrupted on JakhdharâPokhal NH707A Route Following Truck Overturn Police Deployed at Site Efforts Underway to Restore Traffic Flow officials said outlining the situation on the groundAs part of traffic management measures vehicles travelling from Chamba and Tehri towards Maletha are being diverted from Tipri towards Devprayag via Hindolakhal Similarly vehicles moving from Maletha towards Chamba and Tehri are being rerouted towards Devprayag to ease congestionPolice teams remain deployed at the site and are continuing efforts to clear the overturned vehicle and restore smooth movement Authorities have urged commuters to follow alternative routes and cooperate with personnel managing the situationMeanwhile in a separate incident earlier on May 1 a tempo traveller en route from Delhi to Gangotri met with an accident near Nagraja Dhar on the NagunSuvakholi motorwayFive passengers sustained injuries in that incident and were shifted to the Community Health Centre in Chinyali Saur with the assistance of the 108 ambulance serviceAccording to reports the tempo traveller was carrying 23 passengers heading towards Gangotri Dham At around 215 pm the vehicle reportedly suffered a sudden brake failure near Nagraja Dhar causing the driver to lose control The vehicle then crashed into a hillsideOfficials said the vehicle eventually got lodged in a roadside drain instead of falling into a deep gorge thereby preventing what could have been a far more serious accident IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/truck-overturns-in-uttarakhands-tehri-district-traffic-hit-671960.html Sat, 02 May 2026 12:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/hearts-beating-faster-for-many-in-kerala-with-dday-just-48-hours-away-671961.html Thiruvananthapuram May 2 As the clock ticks towards Monday morning political Kerala finds itself on edge with anxious anticipation cutting across party lines For the ruling Communist Party of India Marxist and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan this is a defining moment a test of whether the Left can script history a historic third termFor the United Democratic Front led by the Congress it is an opportunity to reclaim powerAnd for the Bharatiya Janata Party the focus is more modest yet significant reopening its account after losing its lone seat in 2021 and if momentum permits expanding its footprintThe counting of votes will begin at 8 AM starting with postal and service votes By 830 AM the counting of votes polled in EVMs will be underway setting the stage for early trends that could shape the narrative of the dayOn Saturday morning the undercurrent of tension was palpable even in casual political interactionsState Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian seeking a thirdconsecutive victory exuded confidence about his own prospectsYet beyond personal optimism he appeared more invested in the larger question confronting the LeftAs he met acquaintances over a routine morning coffee Cherian repeatedly posed a question Wonât the Left return to powerThe responses often delivered with knowing smiles rather than words reflected the uncertainty that now defines this electionDespite public assertions of confidence by leaders the absence of a clear decisive narrative has left room for doubt across campsIf Cherian wins from his Chengannur seat he would be rewriting a new piece of history as the famed Manmohan Bungalow which was his official residence for the past five years is believed to be jinxed It is said that anyone who stays in this residence will either not last a full term as a minister or will not get reelected to the Kerala Legislative AssemblyFor the Left the stakes are historic a hat trick of wins would break a longstanding electoral pattern in KeralaFor the UDF the contest represents a potential comeback built on perceived shifts in voter sentimentMeanwhile the BJPâs performance will be closely watched for signs of incremental growthAs dawn breaks on counting day one thing is certain hearts are beating faster and by midday Kerala could well have a clearer answer to its most pressing political question IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/hearts-beating-faster-for-many-in-kerala-with-dday-just-48-hours-away-671961.html Sat, 02 May 2026 12:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-rs-2-lakh-online-car-fraud-case-solved-one-arrested-671962.html New Delhi May 2 The Cyber ââPolice Station of East District Delhi has solved a cyber fraud case involving the cheating of Rs 200000 on the pretext of selling a secondhand car officials said on Saturday One accused has been arrested in connection with the case According to the police the accused impersonated an employee of a reputed online carselling platform to gain the victimâs trust He allegedly induced the complainant to transfer money as booking and processing charges and later absconded without delivering the vehicleThe case was registered following a complaint by Harish a resident of Trilokpuri in East Delhi An EFIR No 12726 dated April 16 was lodged under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Cyber ââPolice Station East District In his complaint Harish stated that he was approached by an unknown person offering to sell a secondhand car through an online platformâThe accused convinced the complainant of the authenticity of the deal and persuaded him to transfer Rs 200000 However after receiving the money he neither delivered the car nor returned the amount and stopped respondingâ Delhi Police saidAfter the registration of the case an investigation was initiated A dedicated team comprising SI Nikhlesh Head Constable Rahul Woman Head Constable Bhawna and Constable Mohit was formed under the supervision of Inspector Pawan Yadav SHO of Cyber ââPolice Station East District and under the overall guidance of Rajeev Kumar Deputy Commissioner of Police East DistrictDuring the investigation the team carried out a detailed financial and technical analysis It was found that the defrauded amount had been transferred to a bank account maintained with the State Bank of India Further examination of KYC documents account activity and digital evidence led to the identification of the suspect as Aman SethiPolice teams conducted multiple raids in DelhiNCR but the accused had vacated his known address and was evading arrestDuring interrogation the accused allegedly tried to mislead investigators but was arrested based on available evidence Further probe revealed that he had been previously involved in a similar cheating case registered at Krishna Nagar Police Station indicating a pattern of habitual offendingThe accused identified as Aman Sethi 32 is a resident of Hazara Park in Shiv Puri Extension Delhi He is a graduate and was previously engaged in the business of selling used carsPolice said the accused targeted individuals searching for secondhand vehicles online He posed as a representative of platforms such as Cars24 shared photographs and details of cars and demanded advance payments in his personal bank account After receiving the money he would delay responses and eventually stop communication thereby cheating the victimsDuring the operation police recovered one SBI debit card one ICICI debit card two mobile phones LAVA and OPPO and two SIM cards of Vodafone and Jio which were allegedly used in the commission of the offenceEfforts are underway to trace the complete money trail identify possible accomplices and recover the cheated amount Further investigation into the case is in progressMeanwhile the East District Police have advised citizens to remain cautious while dealing with online sellers They urged people to verify the authenticity of sellers and avoid transferring money to personal bank accounts without proper verification In case of cyber fraud citizens can report incidents by calling the helpline number 1930 or visiting the nearest cyber police station IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-rs-2-lakh-online-car-fraud-case-solved-one-arrested-671962.html Sat, 02 May 2026 13:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jp-nadda-arrives-in-gujarat-for-vgrc-concluding-session-meets-state-bjp-chief-671964.html SuratAhmedabad May 2 Union Health Minister and former Bhartiya Janata Party BJP J P Nadda arrived in Gujarat on Saturday to attend the concluding session of the third edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference VGRC â South Gujarat in Surat He is scheduled to address the valedictory programme alongside Union Jal Shakti Minister C R PatilAhead of the closing session Nadda held a courtesy meeting in Ahmedabad with state BJP president Jagdish VishwakarmaThe interaction took place shortly after his arrival in the state as senior leaders gathered for the final day of the twoday conferenceThe VGRCSouth Gujarat event which concludes on Saturday has drawn participation from senior political leadership diplomats and industry representativesChief Minister Bhupendra Patel is releasing a book titled âSouth Gujarat The Industrial Catalystâ during the valedictory session marking a key programme highlightState Finance Minister Kanu Desai is delivering the opening address at the concluding sessionThe conference began on Friday at Auro University in Surat where Chief Minister Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi inaugurated the event and addressed the inaugural sessionSanghavi welcomed delegates from partner countries and various organisations and noted the presence of Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Patil during the opening proceedingsIn his presentation titled âSouth Gujarat as a Growth Centreâ Sanghavi said âVGRC is aimed at accelerating regional industrial development attracting sectorspecific investments and strengthening global partnerships in alignment with the vision of Viksit Bharat at 2047â while highlighting the role of policy implementation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister PatelThe concluding session is also being attended by industrialist Dr Faruk Patel Rwandaâs High Commissioner Jacqueline Mukangira and Ukraineâs Ambassador Oleksandr PolishchukOver the twoday conference sectoral seminars and discussions have been held covering agriculture horticulture textiles chemicals and petrochemicals startups nuclear energy fertilisers natural gas and womenâs empowermentCountryspecific sessions were also organised by Japan and UkraineThe second day features a Regional MSME Conclave focusing on sectors including gems and jewellery circular economy skill development aerospace and defence fisheries and cooperatives green energy and green hydrogen ecotourism and urban economic zone developmentA session organised by the Trade Representation of Russia in India is also part of the programmeAlongside the conference the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition is being held from May 1 to 5 across 12000 square metres at a single venueIt includes initiatives such as the Vendor Development Programme International Reverse BuyerSeller Meet and Udyami Mela with participation from industries MSMEs startups and government departments across Bharuch Dang Navsari Surat Tapi and Valsad districts IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jp-nadda-arrives-in-gujarat-for-vgrc-concluding-session-meets-state-bjp-chief-671964.html Sat, 02 May 2026 13:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/loan-fraud-case-delhi-court-extends-anil-ambanis-former-aides-ed-custody-till-may-15-671965.html New Delhi May 2 IANS A Delhi court on Saturday extended the judicial custody of two former senior officials of the Anil Ambaniled Reliance Group Amitabh Jhunjhunwala and Amit Bapna until May 15 in connection with a money laundering probe linked to Reliance Home Finance Limited RHFLnbspThe Special Judge PMLA at the Rouse Avenue Courts allowed the Enforcement Directorate ED plea for custodial interrogation extending the custodyJhunjhunwala and Bapna were produced before the Rouse Avenue Court following the expiration of their judicial custody Jhunjhunwala was produced before the Court via video conferencing from jail due to his poor health The Court directed the jail authorities to submit a report regarding Jhunjhunwalas healthJhunjhunwala and Bapna close aides of industrialist Anil Ambani were arrested by the ED in an ongoing investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act PMLA based on multiple Enforcement Case Information Reports ECIRs registered on the basis of cases filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation CBIThe case pertains to alleged financial irregularities involving group entities such as Reliance Home Finance Ltd RHFL and Reliance Commercial Finance Ltd RCFL where the two are suspected to have played key roles during their tenureJhunjhunwala who earlier served as Group Managing Director of the Reliance Group and Vice Chairman and Director of Reliance Capital Ltd is alleged to have been among the key decisionmakers in the functioning of RHFL and RCFL during the relevant period sources saidBapna who served as Chief Financial Officer of Reliance Capital Limited and Director of RHFL is also alleged to have been involved in financial decisions under scrutinyThe ED arrested the duo after finding their alleged involvement in the laundering of proceeds of crime linked to the suspected diversion and misuse of bank loan fundsEarlier the CBI registered a case against Reliance Communications Ltd RCom Anil Ambani unknown public servants and others on allegations of causing wrongful loss of Rs 3750 crore to Life Insurance Corporation LIC of IndiaAnil Ambani was earlier questioned by the CBI in connection with the matterMeanwhile the Anil Ambaniled Reliance Group said Jhunjhunwala and Bapna are no longer associated with the group and are not presently working with any of its companiesIn a statement the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group said Jhunjhunwala had left in December 2019 while Bapna exited in September 2019 and that neither has any current association with group companies including Reliance Infrastructure Limited and Reliance Power LimitedIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/loan-fraud-case-delhi-court-extends-anil-ambanis-former-aides-ed-custody-till-may-15-671965.html Sat, 02 May 2026 14:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/road-rage-incident-west-bengal-couple-attacked-near-electronics-city-in-bengaluru-671966.html Bengaluru May 2 In a road rage case reported on Saturday from Bettadasanapura near Electronics City in Bengaluru a couple from West Bengal was allegedly assaulted by a group of miscreants in broad daylight The group had not only assaulted the couple in the middle of the road but also damaged the vehicleThe incident of assault has been captured by the dashboard camera of the car and raised concerns The visuals have gone viral on social media The police have launched a hunt for the accused personsAccording to police the victims identified as Soumyadeep Sen and Vyundreela Pradhan originally from West Bengal were travelling from Bettadasanapura towards Electronics City when the incident occurred The couple was in their Tata Altroz car KA 51 MR 0491 at the timeThe trouble reportedly began when a group of youths performing dangerous wheeling on the road were advised by the couple to ride slowly This warning is said to have triggered the attackEnraged the miscreants allegedly stopped the coupleâs vehicle smashed the carâs window and physically assaulted them The entire incident was captured on the carâs dashboard camera which recorded visuals of the attack The injured couple has been admitted to a private hospital for treatmentVyundreela Pradhan recounting the ordeal said âAs they were driving dangerously we asked the bike riders to be careful because if they touched our vehicle and something happened it would become our responsibility They came in front of our vehicle and questioned what we had said to them We explained that if an accident occurred we would be in trouble and again asked them to drive carefully They then called more people to the spot and began quarrelling with usââAbout 10 to 15 people gathered at the spot and started assaulting my husband I intervened and tried to stop them but they grabbed my neck and pushed me They also assaulted me People nearby asked us not to fight We later had to go to the hospital for my husbandâs treatmentâThe incident took place under the jurisdiction of the Electronics City Police Station and further investigation is underway IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/road-rage-incident-west-bengal-couple-attacked-near-electronics-city-in-bengaluru-671966.html Sat, 02 May 2026 14:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/helper-held-within-36-hours-of-rs-385-lakh-theft-at-shop-in-delhis-chawri-bazar-671968.html New Delhi May 2 A 47yearold man has been arrested within 36 hours for allegedly stealing Rs 385 lakh from a shop in Chawri Bazar in Delhi where he had been working police officials said on Saturday The case came to light on April 29 when information regarding a theft was received at Hauz Qazi Police Station The complainant registered eFIR under Section 305 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS stating that he runs a shop named Shyam Sweets in the Chawri Bazar areaAccording to the complaint on April 28 at around 900 PM he left the shop after instructing his manager and helper identified as Sanjay to shut the premises by 1000 PMHowever during the intervening night the helper allegedly took the shop keys reopened the establishment and decamped with Rs 385000 kept in the cash boxPolice said the incident was corroborated through CCTV footageOfficials stated that a dedicated police team comprising ASI Pankaj Head Constable Manoj and Head Constable Ravi was formed under the close supervision of the SHO of PS Hauz Qazi and overall monitoring of the ACP of Kamla Market to trace and apprehend the accusedDuring the investigation the accused was found to be absconding with only his mobile number available as a crucial lead Technical surveillance was initiated which revealed Ctype tower locations suggesting his movement between Morena and Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh officials saidDespite frequent location changes by the accused to evade arrest the team persistently tracked and followed the trail Demonstrating determination and coordination the team conducted an interstate chase and successfully apprehended the accused from Gwalior Madhya Pradesh police saidThe accused has been identified as Sanjay Sharma a resident of GwaliorDuring sustained interrogation he allegedly confessed that he had recently joined the shop as a helper and carried out the theft after becoming familiar with the premises and gaining access to the keysPolice further revealed that the accused is educated up to Class 8 and has been working intermittently at sweet shops in Delhi for the past 12 to 13 years He had also worked at the same shop briefly during the Deepawali period officials added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/helper-held-within-36-hours-of-rs-385-lakh-theft-at-shop-in-delhis-chawri-bazar-671968.html Sat, 02 May 2026 14:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/our-effort-is-to-give-strictest-punishment-to-pune-minors-rape-murder-accused-yogesh-kadam-671969.html Mumbai May 2 On the Pune minors rape and murder case Maharashtra Minister Yogesh Kadam on Saturday said that the investigation is currently underway and the effort is on to ensure that the strictest punishment is given to the rapist Speaking to IANS Yogesh Kadam said The investigation is currently underway and it is our effort that the strictest punishment be given to that personShiv Sena National Spokesperson Shaina NC said What has our society come to A fourâyearâold girl and a 65âyearâold man who lured her who sexually assaulted her and killed her The CCTV footage shows how she was shoved under cow dung This has triggered such outrage Hundreds of villagers have rushed to the police chowki The police are taking cognisance of it But I think as a society itâs a larger question on what has become of us This is not just Kalyug This is the worst kind of atrocity against a fourâyearâold child And POCSO charges have been filed as has the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita under various SectionsIn a chilling reminder of the growing insecurity being faced by the most vulnerable members of our society the Bhor Taluka region of Pune has been rocked by a crime of unimaginable cruelty A 65yearold man stands accused of the rape and brutal murder of a fouryearold girl reportedly ending her life by crushing her with a stoneThe sheer depravity of this act committed against a child who could barely speak let alone understand the evil she was facing â has sparked a wave of justified furyIn Nasrapur outraged villagers have staged a blockade on the PuneBengaluru Highway Despite the suspect being in police custody the communityâs demand is visceral and clear They want immediate uncompromising justiceAs per the initial information the incident came to light when the girl went missing in the afternoon and her family started a frantic search During the search her mutilated and bloodied body was discoveredCCTV footage from the area reportedly showed the accused old man taking the toddler along which helped police identify and detain himThe gruesome crime has triggered a massive wave of anger among residents On Friday evening when the childâs body was brought near the local police station emotional scenes unfolded as grieving family members broke down and villagers gathered in large numbers demanding justiceA social activist said I stand with this griefstricken community While we operate under a system of law the recurring failure of fasttrack courts to deliver swift verdicts has eroded public trust When justice is delayed for years the deterrent effect vanishes and the cycle of violence continuesSandip Singh Gill Superintendent of Pune Rural Police said within 15 days the chargesheet will be filed against the accused and the cases will be run in fast track court Gill assured the protesters that police will take very strict action in the matterThe accused has been taken into custody and an investigation is underwayThis tragedy is not isolated Just days ago on April 30 a 38yearold man was arrested in Greater Noida for allegedly strangling his 14yearold stepdaughter and dumping her body in a forest Preliminary investigations suggest a history of sexual assault IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/our-effort-is-to-give-strictest-punishment-to-pune-minors-rape-murder-accused-yogesh-kadam-671969.html Sat, 02 May 2026 14:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-drug-peddlers-property-worth-rs-1-crore-demolished-in-anantnag-district--671971.html Srinagar May 2 Police in Jammu and Kashmirâs Anantnag district said that they have demolished property worth Rs 1 crore belonging to a notorious drug peddler A police statement said on Saturday that in a major crackdown against the drug menace Anantnag Police demolished an illegally acquired property worth approximately Rs 1 crore belonging to a notorious drug peddler Sajad Rather a resident of Waghama Bijbehara The action was carried out as part of the ongoing intensified campaign against narcotics trafficking and to dismantle the financial networks of drug peddlers operating in the districtOfficials said that the property had been identified as illegally acquired through proceeds generated from drugrelated activitiesActing under relevant provisions of law the police in coordination with civil administration executed the demolition after completing all necessary legal formalitiesThe action sends a strong message to individuals involved in drug trafficking that unlawful assets will not be tolerated and will be dealt with strictly Anantnag Police reiterated its firm commitment to eradicating the drug menace from society and urged the public to come forward with any information related to drug peddlingAuthorities emphasised that such decisive measures will continue in the future to ensure a drugfree and safe environment for the communityUnder the 100daylong âNasha Mukht Jammu Kashmir Abhiyanâ Lt Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the campaign last month The LG said drugs were intended to destroy the entire future generation and antidrug campaigns must be carried out with public supportHe also directed the cancellation of the Aadhaar card driving licence passport and attachment of property created through the unlawful activityPolice and the security forces carry out antidrug operations in the hinterland while the army and the border security force BSF carry out operations in border areasJammu and Kashmir has 740km long LoC and 240km long international border IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-drug-peddlers-property-worth-rs-1-crore-demolished-in-anantnag-district--671971.html Sat, 02 May 2026 15:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/i-dont-believe-in-exit-polls-says-manickam-tagore-urges-all-to-wait-for-counting-day-671972.html New Delhi May 2 Dismissing the credibility of exit polls Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Saturday said the actual mandate of the people will only be clear on counting day âI dont believe in exit polls Let us wait for the real counting on the 4th People have already decided People have given a verdict That has to be read out also let us wait for another 48 hours peopleâs mandate should not be manipulatedââ he told IANSHis remarks come amid a sharply divided exit poll landscape in Tamil Nadu where different agencies have projected contrasting outcomes for the major political playersThe contest in the state is seen as a threecornered fight involving the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam DMKled alliance the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam AIADMK in alliance with the BJP and actor Vijayâs Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVKAmong the projections the Axis My India survey has drawn attention by predicting a surprise debut victory for TVK with 98 to 120 seats It places the DMK in the range of 92 to 110 seats while the AIADMK is projected to secure between 22 and 32 seats underlining the unusually fragmented nature of predictions this electionVoting in Tamil Nadu was held on April 24 with the state recording a high voter turnout of 8513 per cent The DMK centred its campaign on its Dravidian Model of governance and welfare initiatives while the AIADMK focussed on promises of corruptionfree governance and an end to what it described as âone family ruleâMeanwhile in West Bengal Assembly elections were conducted in two phases on April 24 and April 29 with counting for both Tamil Nadu and West Bengal scheduled for May 4Repolling is underway on Saturday in 15 polling stations across South 24 Parganas district including 11 booths in Magrahat Paschim and four in Diamond Harbour Assembly constituenciesVoting began at 7 AM and will continue till 6 PM with enhanced security arrangements in place Voters in the Diamond Harbour area have expressed mixed reactions but have largely acknowledged improved arrangements and tighter security during the repoll process IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/i-dont-believe-in-exit-polls-says-manickam-tagore-urges-all-to-wait-for-counting-day-671972.html Sat, 02 May 2026 15:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-to-inaugurate-rs-1-695-crore-textile-park-in-warangal-on-may-10-671975.html New Delhi May 2 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the PM MITRA Kakatiya Mega Textile Park in Warangal Telangana on May 10 Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy said on SaturdaynbspTaking to a microblogging platform X the minister said the park to be inaugurated virtually from Hyderabad is envisioned as a worldclass integrated textile hub that will boost manufacturing employment and exportsHe further highlighted that the project has an estimated cost of Rs 169554 crore with expected investments exceeding Rs 6000 crore of which over Rs 3800 crore has already been groundedSpread across 1327 acres the facility among the largest textile parks in the country and has been selected under the PM MITRA Pradhan Mantri Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel scheme as a brownfield projectThe park is aligned with the governments 5F vision spanning farm to fibre fibre to factory factory to fashion and fashion to foreign aimed at strengthening the textile value chainAccording to the minister about 62 per cent of the park area has already been allotted to anchor investors Internal infrastructure such as roads water supply and street lighting has been completedMoreover major utilities are nearing completion including a 23213233 KV power substation and a 220 KV transmission lineA 12 MLD water supply system is in advanced stages while Phase I of a 5 MLD common effluent treatment plant CETP with zero liquid discharge is under trial runThe project expected to generate more than 24400 jobs upon full operationalisation with around 2000 jobs already created the minister saidWith its strategic location plugandplay facilities and integrated ecosystem the Warangal textile park is set to become a major driver of textile manufacturing and employment in the country the minister saidHe further stated that the initiative has reflected the governments push to strengthen industrial infrastructure and position India as a global textile hubEarlier in March the government finalised the establishment of PM MITRA Parks at seven locations across the country like Virudhunagar in Tamil Nadu Warangal in Telangana Navsari in Gujarat Kalaburagi in Karnataka Dhar in Madhya Pradesh Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh and Amravati in MaharashtraIn the Union Budget for 202627 the government announced a separate scheme for setting up mega textile parks under a challenge mode frameworkIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-to-inaugurate-rs-1-695-crore-textile-park-in-warangal-on-may-10-671975.html Sat, 02 May 2026 15:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/day-before-neet-ug-exam-student-hailing-from-uttarakhand-dies-by-suicide-in-kota-671977.html Jaipur May 2 In a tragic incident ahead of the NEETUG 2026 a 20yearold student preparing for the medical entrance test died by suicide in Rajasthanâs Kota on Saturday morning The student identified as Dixit Prasad was residing in the Kunhari area of Kota for exam preparationAccording to police he allegedly jumped from the roof of his hostel building a day before the examination which is scheduled to be held on May 3Authorities received information about the incident in the morning hours Originally from Uttarakhand Dixit had been staying in a hostel under the Kunhari police station limits while preparing for NEETUG His sudden death has sent shockwaves across the locality and among fellow studentsPolice officials reached the spot soon after receiving the alert and took custody of the body which has been sent for postmortem examination No suicide note has been recovered so farInvestigators are probing all possible angles including examrelated stress and other personal factorsThe studentâs family has been informed and the postmortem will be conducted after their arrival The incident has left the family devastatedWith the NEET UG 2026 exam scheduled on May 3 the National Testing Agency NTA has released key guidelines to help candidates avoid lastminute issues at exam centres In a public notice dated Thursday the agency issued an advisory outlining the dress code and permissible items for candidatesThe NTA has urged all candidates to carefully follow the guidelines to ensure a smooth and hasslefree examination processAccording to the instructions candidates are allowed to carry only transparent water bottles into the examination hall The agency also clarified that articles of faith are permitted under certain conditions Candidates wearing religious or faithbased items must report early to allow sufficient time for proper frisking at the exam centre IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/day-before-neet-ug-exam-student-hailing-from-uttarakhand-dies-by-suicide-in-kota-671977.html Sat, 02 May 2026 15:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/karachi-press-club-signal-pakistan-openly-backing-sfj-push-for-india-referendum-propaganda-war-671985.html New Delhi May 2 On April 29 the Sikhs for Justice SFJ launched a voter registration for a Khalistan Referendum targeting the Sikhs living in India The venue where the announcement was made was the Karachi Press Club The SFJ and its chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun are both proscribed by the Indian government Officials say that this shows the open support that the Pakistan establishment offers the SFJ despite the outfit calling for violent attacks in India and also the assassination of Prime Minister Narendra ModiAn official said that Pakistan is playing this game out in the open and is not even bothering to conceal the fact that it is backing a terrorist organisationThe SFJ has openly called for the assassination of Indian leaders It has praised the likes of Bhindranwale and considers those who carried out the Kanishka bombing as heroesOffering the SFJ space in the Karachi Press Club is a clear sign that the ISI wants to drive the Khalistan narrative from its soil as operations for this group have become harder in Canada and the United KingdomIt is a desperate move to rake up the movement in India after multiple attempts have completely failedEarlier this week the Punjab police uncovered a deeprooted conspiracy hatched by the ISI and Khalistan outfits The police recovered RDX RPGs and grenades which were meant to be used in massive attacks across the stateWith multiple such busts being reported in Punjab and neighbouring states the SFJ which is the mouthpiece of the Khalistani outfits decided to launch a voter registration for a Khalistan ReferendumPannun while launching the voter registration said that 18 million had taken part in the same worldwide He however added that in India it would be carried out in a phased mannerThe registration would be carried out with the Gurdwaras and would begin in Delhi and later move to Himachal Pradesh Haryana and lastly PunjabHe said that he would back Pakistan to the fullest in the event of future tensions with India He also generously praised Pakistan Army chief Asim MunirAn Intelligence Bureau official said that the SFJ has fudged numbers in the past They out an exaggerated figure trying to give an impression that there is a lot of traction for the movement Their numbers are highly doubtful the official said while adding that the very fact that there is no traction for the movement in Punjab suggests just thatOfficials are confident that attempts being made by the SFJ in India to launch the registration movement will fail There is hardly any traction in Punjab and other parts of North India and the SFJ will not succeed in its plans the official addedAnother official said that what is interesting is that Pakistan has allowed this terrorist group to launch a narrative and propaganda war from the Karachi Press ClubThe official however said that the agencies would need to be on high alert to prevent such a voter registration from taking placeThere may be no traction but sometimes a spark is sufficient to set off a fire the official saidThe agencies say that what they would need to watch out for is the narrative and fake propaganda war that the SFJ is set to undertake They would attempt to flood social media and other chat groups with a false narrativeThe focus would largely be on fake videos which would attempt to show the plight of the Sikhs in IndiaThe SFJ has also been playing with the idea of generating content using Artificial Intelligence to show Punjab in a bad state as it is part of IndiaThe Intelligence agencies are closely monitoring activities by the SFJ and will do everything to prevent such fake campaigns from going viral IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/karachi-press-club-signal-pakistan-openly-backing-sfj-push-for-india-referendum-propaganda-war-671985.html Sat, 02 May 2026 16:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/thunderstorms-rain-likely-in-bengal-till-may-5-day-of-vote-counting-to-be-affected-671989.html Kolkata May 2 The Met Office has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by rain across South Bengal districts and Kolkata till May 5 According to the forecast there is a high chance of thunderstorms along with rain on Monday when counting of votes for the West Bengal Assembly polls will be held across 77 counting centres across the stateTill Friday evening Kolkata and the south Bengal districts have witnessed thunderstorm activities since April 29Thunderstorms accompanied by rain have brought down the days minimum and maximum temperatures However sweltering heat conditions due to high humidity will continue to prevail in the daytime However by evening pleasant weather will be felt due to gusty windsThe same weather will remain till next Tuesday and thunderstorms will continue across South BengalAccording to the Met Office the eastwest axis of the cyclonic circulation extends from north Haryana to Manipur It passes through Uttar Pradesh Bihar West Bengal Bangladesh and Assam Due to this a large amount of water vapour is entering West Bengal from the Bay of Bengal That is why favourable conditions for thunderstorms and rain have been created in BengalAccording to the forecast the sky in Kolkata will remain cloudy on Saturday There is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunderstorms by evening A thunderstorm warning has been issued in East Midnapore Hooghly Howrah North 24 Parganas South 24 Parganas and Nadia districts Fishermen have been prohibited from going to the sea till May 3Meanwhile heavy rain is likely in north Bengal as well Five north Bengal districts including Darjeeling and Kalimpong are likely to receive heavy rain The rain will continue in the north for the next four days along with thunderstorms There is a possibility of scattered hail and thundershowers in the rest of the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/thunderstorms-rain-likely-in-bengal-till-may-5-day-of-vote-counting-to-be-affected-671989.html Sat, 02 May 2026 16:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mangaluru-blast-nia-to-seek-life-sentence-for-accused-challenge-10-year-term-671992.html Bengaluru May 2 The National Investigation Agency NIA is preparing to file an appeal before the court challenging the 10year imprisonment awarded to Mohammed Shariq in the Mangaluru cooker blast case seeking a life sentence officials said on Saturday According to NIA officials Shariq has already spent nearly four years in jail with about six years of his sentence remainingInvestigations have revealed that convict Shariq was in contact with terrorist organisations and could pose a potential threat to societyNIA officers stated that before being apprehended by the agency Shariq had earlier been arrested by local police and soon after his release he allegedly carried out trial bomb blasts in the Tunga River catchment area in Shivamogga and later planned the Mangaluru blastNIA officers further said that the appeal would be filed on the grounds that Shariq would be around 33yearsold at the time of his release At that age if he returns to mainstream society there is a possibility that he could reconnect with subversive elements and antinational forces might exploit him against the interests of the nationOfficials said preparations are underway and arguments are being formulated in this regard and the appeal will be filed before the court soonMeanwhile it has come to light that local police allegedly showed negligence after arresting Shariq in 2020 along with another suspect Maaz Muneer on charges of antinational graffiti at two locations It is alleged that the police did not effectively utilise witnesses and filed the chargesheet in a hurried mannerAs a result the accused secured bail from the court and allegedly went on to engage in antinational activities Sources said that if the police had conducted a more thorough investigation or if the case had been handed over to the NIA or CBI the terror module could have been busted and the Mangaluru cooker blast might have been preventedIt can be recalled that a special NIA court on April 27 sentenced Shariq to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment in connection with the Mangaluru cooker blast case Shariq had pleaded guilty before the court during the trial The period of imprisonment already undergone will be set off against the total sentenceShariq sought a reduction in his sentence stating that he has one daughter and is the sole breadwinner of his family Meanwhile the second accused Syed Yasin pleaded not guilty and the trial against him will continue IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mangaluru-blast-nia-to-seek-life-sentence-for-accused-challenge-10-year-term-671992.html Sat, 02 May 2026 16:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/stain-on-humanity-words-fail-us-to-even-express-our-condemnation-athawale-on-pune-minors-rape-murder-671997.html Mumbai May 2 Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Saturday said that the heinous rape and murder of a little girl in Nasrapur Pune is a stain on humanity itself and today words fail us to even express our condemnation Ramdas Athawale took to social media X and said The heinous assault on the little girl in Nasrapur Pune is a stain on humanity itself and today words fail us to even express our condemnation This grief is truly unbearable and beyond endurance The administration must immediately conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that this beast is swiftly sentenced to death by hanging We will not sit in silence until justice is served for this innocent soulEarlier in the day Maharashtra Minister Yogesh Kadam said that the investigation is currently underway and the effort is on to ensure that the strictest punishment is given to the rapistSpeaking to IANS Yogesh Kadam said The investigation is currently underway and it is our effort that the strictest punishment be given to that personShiv Sena National Spokesperson Shaina NC said What has our society come to A fourâyearâold girl and a 65âyearâold man who lured her who sexually assaulted her and killed her The CCTV footage shows how she was shoved under cow dung This has triggered such outrage Hundreds of villagers have rushed to the police chowki The police are taking cognisance of it But I think as a society itâs a larger question on what has become of us This is not just Kalyug This is the worst kind of atrocity against a fourâyearâold child And POCSO charges have been filed as has the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita under various SectionsIn a chilling reminder of the growing insecurity being faced by the most vulnerable members of our society the Bhor Taluka region of Pune has been rocked by a crime of unimaginable cruelty A 65yearold man stands accused of the rape and brutal murder of a fouryearold girl reportedly ending her life by crushing her with a stoneThe sheer depravity of this act committed against a child who could barely speak let alone understand the evil she was facing â has sparked a wave of justified furyIn Nasrapur outraged villagers have staged a blockade on the PuneBengaluru Highway Despite the suspect being in police custody the communityâs demand is visceral and clear They want immediate uncompromising justiceAs per the initial information the incident came to light when the girl went missing in the afternoon and her family started a frantic search During the search her mutilated and bloodied body was discoveredCCTV footage from the area reportedly showed the accused old man taking the toddler along which helped police identify and detain him IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/stain-on-humanity-words-fail-us-to-even-express-our-condemnation-athawale-on-pune-minors-rape-murder-671997.html Sat, 02 May 2026 17:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-four-proclaimed-offenders-arrested-for-electricity-related-offences-671998.html New Delhi May 2 The Delhi Polices West District unit on Saturday has arrested four proclaimed offenders wanted in multiple cases under the Electricity Act The arrests were made by a team from Police Post Madipur under Police Station Punjabi Bagh following a targeted drive to trace absconders According to officials the accused had been declared proclaimed offenders by the Electricity Court at Tis Hazari Courts Delhi for their alleged involvement in electricityrelated offences Acting on directions issued by the Police Headquarters PHQ a special operation was launched to track down such offenders in the areaA dedicated police team comprising Head Constable Sandeep Attari Woman Head Constable Sapna and Constable Gajraj was formed under the supervision of SubInspector Mukesh Yadav Incharge of PP Madipur The operation was further overseen by SHO Punjabi Bagh Sanjay Dahiya and ACP Punjabi Bagh Jai ParkashOn May 1 the team received credible secret information regarding the movement of the accused persons in the Madipur area Acting swiftly the police laid a trap and successfully apprehended all four accused at the instance of the informerThe arrested individuals have been identified as Komal alias Kamlesh 30 Vandana 33 Vinod 40 and Manoj 43 All four were wanted in separate cases filed by BSES Rajdhani Power Limited BRPL including CC No 10782021 BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd vs Komal CC No 11572022 BRPL vs Komal and another and CC No 5572019 BRPL vs Vinod Kumar and anotherPolice stated that necessary legal proceedings under Section 351D of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita BNSS were initiated at Police Station Punjabi Bagh with relevant General Diary entries recorded on May 1Officials confirmed that the accused have no previous criminal involvement on record After their arrest all four were produced before the court which remanded them to judicial custodyFurther investigation into the matter is underway and police said that all necessary legal procedures are being followed IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-four-proclaimed-offenders-arrested-for-electricity-related-offences-671998.html Sat, 02 May 2026 17:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-l-g-ts-sandhu-relives-memories-of-his-student-days-at-st-stephens-college-671999.html New Delhi May 2 Delhi Lieutenant Governor TS Sandhu on Saturday relived memories of his student life at St Stephenâs College of Delhi University as he walked the corridors interacted with faculty saw archive photos and addressed graduating students at the Convocation Addressing the Class of 2026 Sandhu encouraged them to pursue excellence with humility and to serve the nation with both competence and characterâThis occasion marks an important transition in the lives of the graduating class It is a moment that brings together reflection anticipation and a quiet recognition of the journey that has brought you hereâ he saidâFor many of you St Stephenâs has not only been a place of academic pursuit but also a space where ideas were shaped perspectives were challenged and friendships were formedâ said Sandhu in an impassioned speechHe said âSt Stephenâs College is also my alma mater and I have spent some of the most meaningful and formative moments of my life here The memories of those years â of conversations classrooms debates and friendships remain with me even today They shaped not only my academic journey but also my outlook on lifeâSandhu said âWhen I look back at my time here two aspects stand out clearly The first is the emphasis on intellectual curiosity You are encouraged not merely to learn but to questionâto examine assumptions and engage with ideas critically even when they challenge your own beliefsââThe second is the sense of balance between excellence and humility This institution places before you high expectations but it also instils a quiet discipline â an understanding that achievement is not an end in itself but a responsibility he saidThe world you are entering will present opportunities but also complexities How you navigate them will depend not only on your knowledge but on your judgment and values he saidLater Sandhu took to X to share his joy of reliving memories of his days as a college studentâDelighted to visit my alma mater St Stephenâs College for the Annual Dismissal Service Walking through its familiar corridors brought back memories of enriching conversations engaging classrooms spirited debates and lifelong friendshipsâ he saidâAddressing the Class of 2026 I encouraged them to pursue excellence with humility and to serve the nation with both competence and character Heartiest congratulations to the graduating class May you carry forward the rich legacy intellect and unique spirit of the College as you embark on your journeys aheadâ he saidSandhu earned a BA degree in History from St Stephens College in 1982 and later pursued an MA in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University JNU before joining the Indian Foreign Service in 1988 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-l-g-ts-sandhu-relives-memories-of-his-student-days-at-st-stephens-college-671999.html Sat, 02 May 2026 17:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kiren-rijiju-hails-warm-welcome-in-north-sikkim-671796.html Gangtok May 1 Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said he was deeply moved by the warm reception accorded to him during his visit to Mangan district in Sikkim praising the hospitality and spirit of the people of the region Sharing his experience in a post on X Rijiju said the residents of Mangan Lachung and Lachen welcomed him with warmth and affectionHe described the picturesque Himalayan region as a land that beautifully represents âstrength and simplicity in its finest formâThe Union Minister was accompanied by Sikkim minister Samdup Lepcha government officials local leaders and noted singer Mohit Chauhan during the visitThe gathering reflected close coordination between the Centre and the state government in promoting development and public outreach in the regionRijiju also appreciated the cultural richness and peaceful environment of North Sikkim stating that such interactions strengthen bonds between communities and leadershipHis visit is being seen as significant amid continued focus on connectivity tourism and infrastructure growth in the strategically important Himalayan state of SikkimNotably PM Modi on his recent visit to the Himalayan state inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for multiple development projects worth around Rs 4000 crore in Sikkim asserting that the Northeast region is Indiaâs âAshtalakshmiâ and that the Himalayan state is an important part of itAddressing a public gathering at the Paljor Stadium the Prime Minister said the Centre has attached special importance to the development of the Northeast over the past several years and has moved beyond the âAct Eastâ policy to an âAct Fastâ approach IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kiren-rijiju-hails-warm-welcome-in-north-sikkim-671796.html Fri, 01 May 2026 08:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/president-murmu-to-visit-army-training-command-in-shimla-today-671799.html New Delhi May 1 President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to visit the Army Training Command in Shimla on Friday before leaving for Delhi capping a fiveday summer sojourn to her official residence in Mashobra In Mashobra President Murmu took a round of various areas in Rashtrapati Niwas and reviewed the amenities for visitorsShe also planted a Khumani sapling in the lawn of the official residence according to an official statementAhead of the Presidents proposed address at the convocation ceremony of Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya in Palampur on Thursday a security ring was thrown around the city with the local administration restricting aero sports like paragliding for five hoursDuring her visit to Himachal Pradesh which started on April 27 the President made Rashtrapati Niwas at Mashobra in Shimla as her base before heading out to different events over several daysEarlier on Tuesday President Murmu attended a banquet hosted by the Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta at Lok Bhavan in ShimlaThe Rashtrapati Niwas at Mashobra opened its doors to the public in April 2023At present the authorities provide a free bus service to tourists to the Presidents summer retreatThe Shimla to Mashobra service was started to celebrate President Murmus two years in office on July 25 2024The complimentary bus service of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation operates from the lift parking at Mall Road in Shimla on Friday Saturday and SundayA guide at the presidential residence said that visitors can explore the 174yearold Rashtrapati Niwas nature trails and other parts of the building including its lawns and parksConstructed in 1850 by the King of Koti in European architectural style the Rashtrapati Niwas previously known as the Retreat Building is one of four existing presidential residences in IndiaThe other three are Rashtrapati Ashiana a Presidential retreat in Dehradun Rashtrapati Nilayam in Telangana and Rashtrapati Bhavan the official residence of the President in New Delhi IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/president-murmu-to-visit-army-training-command-in-shimla-today-671799.html Fri, 01 May 2026 08:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/hm-amit-shah-to-offer-prayers-at-buddha-relics-in-leh-on-buddha-purnima-671800.html New Delhi May 1 Union Home Minister Amit Shah will join devotees on Friday to pay respects to the sacred relics of Lord Buddha on the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima He arrived in the Union Territory of Ladakh on Thursday on a twoday visitUnion Minister Shah earlier said in a post on X Tomorrow will be a historic day for Ladakh when on the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima the sacred relics of Lord Buddha will be available for the people of Ladakh to pay their respectsI consider myself fortunate that I too will have the rare opportunity tomorrow to have darshan of these holy relicsIn order that these sacred relics may be easily accessible for darshan by the people of Ladakh over the next two weeks I held a meeting today with the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh and the concerned officials in this regardHe was welcomed on arrival by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena senior government officials elected representatives and local residents many of whom were dressed in traditional attireHe Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be paying respects to the holy relics of Lord Buddha on Friday May 1 on the occasion of the 2569th Buddha Purnima The Home Ministers visit and his vision for the development of Ladakh shall motivate us to work towards fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Saxena saidAfter the arrival of the Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha in Leh people have been gathering in large numbers to pay their respectsThis is Union Home Minister Amit Shahâs first visit to Ladakh since protests over demands for statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule in September last year during which four protesters were killed and more than 80 others injuredThe Centre has decided to engage in dialogue with representatives from Ladakh to address their concerns and explore measures to preserve the regions unique environment and cultural heritageUnion Minister Amit Shah is also scheduled to launch major dairy and cooperative sector projects during his visit to Ladakh IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/hm-amit-shah-to-offer-prayers-at-buddha-relics-in-leh-on-buddha-purnima-671800.html Fri, 01 May 2026 08:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/eam-jaishankar-highlights-pm-modis-address-as-key-moment-at-hom-conference-stresses-3ts-in-diplomacy-671802.html New Delhi May 1 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs address as the standout moment of the 11th Heads of Mission HoM Conference underlining the growing importance of trade technology and tourism â the â3Tsâ â in Indiaâs diplomatic strategy In a post on X Jaishankar said the conference deliberations also focused on the Neighbourhood First policy deeper engagement with the Indian diaspora and the need for resilience and derisking âThe Conference benefited from the views of prominent figures from the Government business and technology worlds The active exchange of ideas during its various sessions lived up to the theme âReforming Indian Diplomacy for 2047ââ he wrote in a postPM Modi on Thursday held discussions on foreign policy at the Heads of Missions conference in New DelhiThe 11th Heads of Missions HoMs Conference was organised by the Ministry of External Affairs from April 28 to April 30 at the National Agricultural Science Complex Pusa New DelhiAccording to the Ministry of External Affairs this yearâs HoMs Conference was centred around the theme Reforming Indian Diplomacy for 2047âPrime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Heads of Mission on Thursday and provided valuable guidance on promoting Indiaâs national interests abroad said the Ministry of External AffairsâWe had extensive discussions on strengthening Indiaâs global engagement through advancing trade technology and strategic partnerships while deepening the connection with our diasporaâ posted PM Modi on XExternal Affairs Minister S Jaishankar delivered the inaugural address on April 29He addressed Indiaâs High Commissioners Ambassadors and senior officials from the Ministry of External AffairsâOur interaction recognised the significant expansion of Indiaâs engagement with the world in the last decade In a volatile and turbulent world Indian diplomacy stands ready to advance national interest and secure national goalsâ the Minister posted on XOver the course of three days the Heads of Mission participated in yoga brainstorming sessions tabletop exercises and thematic discussions covering various geopolitical developments emerging technologies 3Ts Trade Technology and Tourism the Bharat story and futureready diplomacy the Ministry of External Affairs addedThe Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson shared that presentations were made to the Prime Minister on futureready diplomacy the promotion of the 3Ts Trade Technology and Tourism and amplifying the Bharat story IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/eam-jaishankar-highlights-pm-modis-address-as-key-moment-at-hom-conference-stresses-3ts-in-diplomacy-671802.html Fri, 01 May 2026 08:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-reunite-194-missing-persons-with-families-under-operation-milap-671814.html New Delhi May 1 Delhi Police have successfully reunited a total of 194 persons including 45 missing or kidnapped children and 149 adults with their families during the period from April 1 to April 30 under the ongoing Operation Milap According to Delhi Police the initiative continues to play a vital role in tracing missing individuals and restoring them safely to their homes The police also highlighted that since the beginning of the year from January 1 to April 30 a total of 542 missing persons comprising 143 minor children and 399 adults have been traced and reunited with their families in the SouthWest DistrictThe police stated that prompt and coordinated action was taken in every reported case of a missing or kidnapped person Special teams were immediately deployed to launch search operations These efforts included extensive local enquiries scanning CCTV footage and circulating photographs of missing individuals at key locations such as auto stands erickshaw stands bus terminals and railway stationsOfficials further added that enquiries were conducted with bus drivers conductors vendors and other local stakeholders to track the movements of the missing persons Local informers were also engaged to gather intelligence In addition records of nearby police stations and hospitals were meticulously examined to ensure no lead was overlookedAs a result of these sustained and coordinated efforts the SouthWest District Police were able to trace all 194 individuals during April 2026 and ensure their safe reunion with their families The initiative reflects the departmentâs commitment to public service and its focus on humanitarian policingProviding details of operations carried out by various police stations the release stated that Police Station Vasant Vihar traced three missing minor girls and three missing adult females all of whom were reunited with their families Police Station South Campus successfully traced two missing or kidnapped minor children including one boy and one girlPolice Station Vasant Kunj North located seven missing persons including six males and one female Meanwhile Police Station Vasant Kunj South traced three minor girls along with seven other missing persons comprising two males and five femalesPolice Station Kapashera recorded significant success by tracing eight missing or kidnapped minor children one boy and seven girls along with 21 missing adults including eight males and 13 females Similarly Police Station Palam Village traced three minor children and four missing adult femalesPolice Station Sagarpur recovered two missing minor girls and 11 other missing persons including three males and eight females Police Station Delhi Cantt traced one missing minor boy along with 29 missing adults including 12 males and 17 femalesPolice Station Sarojini Nagar traced two missing or kidnapped minor children and four other missing persons Police Station Safdarjung Enclave located three missing persons including one male and two females while Police Station Kishangarh traced one missing minor boy and seven other missing personsSpecialised units also played a crucial role in the operations The AntiHuman Trafficking Unit AHTU of the SouthWest District traced 14 missing or kidnapped minor children including seven boys and seven girls Meanwhile the District Missing Persons Unit DMPU traced six missing minor girls along with 53 missing adults including 25 males and 28 females IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-reunite-194-missing-persons-with-families-under-operation-milap-671814.html Fri, 01 May 2026 09:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/national-plot-to-shrink-maratha-history-says-shiv-sena-671820.html Mumbai May 1 The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray UBT on the 67th Foundation Day of Maharashtra on Friday claimed that the Marathi people were being cornered by Maharashtrahaters and subservient local rulers It called upon the Marathis to once again raise the cry of Maharashtra Dharma to protect their identity and pride against this perceived national conspiracy The Thackeray camp in the partys mouthpiece Saamana said that even today rickshaw drivers in Mumbai refuse to speak Marathi Instead of enforcing the language rulers are bowing before them and withholding decisions that would make Marathi mandatoryâProgressive Maharashtra is currently trapped in the clutches of superstition and charlatanism The selfrespect of Maharashtra and the Marathi identity Asmita are being suffocated by the confluence of Maharashtrahaters at the Centre and subservient rulers within the state There is a national conspiracy underway to extinguish the torch of Maharashtra and Marathi pride The Marathi people must thwart this for that the clarion call of Maharashtra Dharma must be sounded once againâ the editorial in Saamana saidIt said that while the government prepares for the usual artificial rain of promises regarding the welfare of the Marathi people tehre is a stark contrast between rhetoric and reality âMumbai was won through the blood and sweat of mill workers farmers and labourers Yet today the question remains does Mumbai truly belong to those workers anymore In the very heart of the capital rickshaw drivers reportedly refuse to speak Marathi Rather than enforcing the language the current administration is accused of prostrating before these elements by staying decisions that would make Marathi mandatoryâ said the editorialThe editorial further claimed that the recent changes in NCERT and CBSE curricula such as removing maps of the Maratha Empire or reducing the glorious history of Shivaji Maharaj to a mere 68 words point toward a systematic erasure of the states heritage and Marathi identityThe Thackeray camp said claims will be made that Mumbai belongs only to the Marathi people and leaders will boast about being the protectors of Maharashtra Dharma Yet as the sun sets these rulers forget the day and begin bargaining away the glory of Maharashtra This is the restless reality of Maharashtra today it saidâMay 1st is not only Maharashtra Day but also International Workers Day The Sacred Vessel Mangal Kalash of Maharashtraâs creation was brought forth on this day because mill workers farmers and labourers fought the struggle to ensure Mumbai remained part of the state Does Mumbai truly belong to those labourers anymoreâ the editorial askedThe editorial stated that while Maharashtra has always been on the path of progress it is now caught in the pythonlike grip of superstition and fake godmen It alleged that there is a visible systematic plan to keep people entangled in these delusions to loot the state yet the Marathi people have not yet risen in protest âWhere has the Maratha valour celebrated in folk songs Powadas vanishedâ it askedThe Uddhav Thackerayled Shiv Sena urged people to remember the 106 martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the formation of Maharashtra and to reclaim the bravery once sung in the ballads of the Shahirs IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/national-plot-to-shrink-maratha-history-says-shiv-sena-671820.html Fri, 01 May 2026 10:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-telangana-cms-greet-workers-on-may-day-highlight-schemes-671827.html Amaravati May 1 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Telangana CM Revanth Reddy greeted workers on the occasion of International Labour Day Chandrababu Naidu took to âXâ to greet âbrothers and sisters in the workforce and the farming communityââRegardless of ones profession it is our duty to accord equal respect to every individual who toils This is a historic day that recognizes the rights of the working class those who labor tirelessly day and night If agriculture the very backbone of our nations economic progress continues to advance it is solely due to the sheer hard work and strength of our farmers and farm laborersâ he said âThe nation can truly move forward on the path of progress only when workers and farmers walk together in unity For this very reason the coalition government is constantly devising strategic plans and taking proactive steps to ensure the welfare of both workers and farmers It is currently implementing numerous welfare and development schemes dedicated to the working communityâ he addedOn the occasion of âMay Dayâ Governor of Andhra Pradesh S Abdul Nazeer extended greetings to all the workers and said the invaluable contribution of workers in building a strong and selfreliant societyTheir hard work and dedication are the foundation of the nationâs growth and prosperity he said Telangana Chief Minister extended heartfelt greetings to all working communities on the occasion of International Workers DayThe Chief Minister said in a message that his government was moving forward in tune with the spirit of the working class and affirmed that the workers would receive due respect and dignity in the governmentThe CM noted that the workers are the true partners in the development of the Telangana State envisioned by his government The new industrial policy being implemented by the state government would contribute significantly to the upliftment and empowerment of the workforce he saidReiterating that the âpeoples governmentâ was giving top priority to the welfare and wellbeing of workers CM Revanth Reddy said that inspired by the spirit of May Day the government was implementing numerous welfare and developmental programmes The Chief Minister said the government already launched the Rs 5 lakh accident insurance scheme for gig workers employed in the unorganised sector and also introduced the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Welfare Act The Chief Minister highlighted that the government introduced a slew of initiatives with the sole objective of workers welfare and lakhs of people are securing employment directly and indirectly Longpending appointments on compassionate grounds in various government departments were also made He noted that the government was releasing bonuses ahead of the Dasara and Diwali festivals to the workers of Singareni company which has been playing an important role in the states development and stands as a beacon of pride for the entire nation The CM also said that for the first time in the history of Singareni the government provided a bonus of Rs 5000 to each contract worker With the cooperation of banks the state government was providing insurance coverage worth Rs one crore to the Singareni workers Special measures are also being taken to ensure the welfare of Telangana workers employed in Gulf countries Rs 5 lakh financial assistance will be provided to the kin of the Telangana workers who passed away in the Gulf countries IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-telangana-cms-greet-workers-on-may-day-highlight-schemes-671827.html Fri, 01 May 2026 12:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/thunderstorm-rain-alert-across-rajasthan-till-may-6-farmers-concerned-671828.html Jaipur May 1 Following recent hailstorms across parts of Rajasthan the Meteorological Department has issued a sixday alert for thunderstorms rain and gusty winds from May 1 to 6 The department has forecast rainfall across Jaipur Bharatpur Ajmer Kota Jodhpur Bikaner and Udaipur divisions during this period A âYellow Alertâ has been issued for Saturday in several districts including Ajmer Alwar Bharatpur Dausa Deeg Dholpur Jaipur Jhunjhunu Karauli Sawai Madhopur Sikar Tonk Barmer Bikaner Churu Hanumangarh Jaisalmer Jodhpur Nagaur Phalodi and Sri Ganganagar warning of thunderstorms lightning and winds of 40â50 kmphIn the last two days districts such as Jhalawar witnessed heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and hail on Wednesday and Thursday leading to a drop in temperatures and temporary relief from the heat However the sudden weather shift has raised concerns among farmers over potential crop damageOfficials said the influence of active Western Disturbances will keep temperatures near normal in the first half of May Weather conditions are expected to follow a pattern of hot days and cloudy evenings with chances of thunderstorms and light rain on most days The alert is likely to remain in effect at least until May 4Meanwhile despite rainfall in several areas daytime temperatures remained high on Thursday Bikaner Churu and Phalodi recorded temperatures between 42 degree Celsius and 43 degrees Celsius while Barmer and Jaisalmer touched 44 degrees Celsius Jaipur the state capital recorded a maximum temperature of 408 degrees Celsius with intense heat during the day Dust storms and light drizzle were reported in the evening Similar conditions are expected over the next 2â3 daysIn Udaipur mercury hovered around 40 degrees Celsius for the second consecutive day with minimum temperatures near 25 degrees Celsius Heatwavelike conditions persist In Ajmer the city saw a maximum temperature of 398 degrees Celsius Evening winds brought partial relief after a hot and humid day Further in Alwar cloud cover strong winds and light rain in the afternoon helped ease temperatures after intense heat earlier in the day In Jodhpur with temperatures around 405 degrees Celsius heat conditions remain severe Authorities have arranged water and cooling facilities for animalsSikar district recorded 39 degrees Celsius with gusty winds and light rain in the afternoon providing some respite Kota recorded a maximum of 40 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 214 degrees Celsius with light rain in the evening According to the Meteorological Centre in Jaipur another Western Disturbance is expected to become active over the next 4â5 days bringing the possibility of dust storms thunderstorms and scattered rainfall across the state While this may offer relief from heatwave conditions it could also disrupt agriculture and outdoor activities IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/thunderstorm-rain-alert-across-rajasthan-till-may-6-farmers-concerned-671828.html Fri, 01 May 2026 12:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/storms-heavy-rain-in-uttar-pradesh-claim-24-lives-in-2-days-up-cm-adityanath-assures-support-671830.html Lucknow May 1 Severe weather conditions including heavy rain strong storms and lightning have caused widespread damage across Uttar Pradesh over the past two days claiming at least 24 lives According to official reports 15 people have been injured while 16 animals have also died in the extreme weather events Several districts in the state have been affected by continuous rainfall gusty winds and frequent lightning strikes significantly disrupting normal life Farmers working in open fields people outdoors and families residing in mud houses have been among the worst hit Reports of fallen trees power outages and waterlogging have emerged from multiple areasChief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep condolences to the families of those who lost their lives He assured that the state government stands firmly with all affected families during this crisisThe Chief Minister has directed officials to ensure immediate and proper medical treatment for the injured along with the availability of all essential healthcare facilities in hospitals He has also ordered that compensation for the deceased injured and livestock losses be provided within 24 hoursDistrict Magistrates and other authorities concerned have been instructed to expedite relief and rescue operations The Chief Minister warned that any negligence or delay in providing assistance will not be toleratedAdministrative teams are actively engaged in relief efforts across the affected districts Doortodoor damage assessments are underway and assistance is being extended to those in needMeanwhile the India Meteorological Department has forecast continued heavy rainfall thunderstorms and lightning in several parts of the state over the next few days indicating that the risk is far from overWeather patterns are also shifting in other parts of northern India Regions including Delhi and the National Capital Region witnessed rainfall and hailstorms on Thursday bringing relief from heatwave conditions The IMD has further predicted light to moderate showers for Uttarakhand Punjab Haryana and Chandigarh on Friday IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/storms-heavy-rain-in-uttar-pradesh-claim-24-lives-in-2-days-up-cm-adityanath-assures-support-671830.html Fri, 01 May 2026 12:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-first-barrier-free-toll-plaza-begins-operations-on-nh48-in-gujarat-671834.html Surat May 1 Indiaâs first barrierfree toll plaza has become operational on the MumbaiDelhi National Highway NH48 near Surat allowing vehicles to pass without stopping and marking a shift towards fully automated toll collection across the country The Choryasi toll plaza situated on the KamrejâChoryasi stretch between Surat and Bharuch was opened after nearly two months of testing that began on February 2The facility eliminates the need for physical barriers enabling uninterrupted vehicle movement through the toll pointThe system is based on MultiLane Free Flow MLFF technology and has been implemented by the National Highways Authority of India NHAI as part of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highwaysâ plan to modernise tolling infrastructureThe government aims to convert more than 1050 toll plazas nationwide to AIbased barrierfree systems by the end of 2026Under the new arrangement toll charges are deducted automatically using a combination of Automatic Number Plate Recognition ANPR technology and FASTag integrationHighresolution cameras mounted on overhead gantries scan vehicle number plates while RFID sensors read FASTag details enabling direct deduction from linked bank accounts without any manual interventionChief Operating Officer of NHAI AR Chitransi said the system removes the need for vehicles to halt at toll pointsâThis barrierless tolling is also called multilane freeflow tolling In this there is no need to stop the vehicle There is no barrier in this The vehicle will pass under the gantry and its toll will be deductedâ he saidOfficials said the process is fully contactless and designed to reduce congestion and waiting timesVehicles can pass through the toll plaza at speeds of up to 80 kmph addressing longstanding issues of queues and traffic buildup particularly on busy highway corridorsIf a vehicle does not have an active FASTag the system identifies it through the number plate and sends an electronic notice to the registered owner for paymentUnion Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has stated that India is expected to become completely barrierfree in toll collection by the end of 2026 with the Surat installation serving as a pilot for wider implementationAuthorities estimate that the adoption of barrierfree tolling could help save around Rs 1500 crore in fuel costs annually while also generating an additional Rs 6000 crore in revenue through improved efficiency and compliance IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-first-barrier-free-toll-plaza-begins-operations-on-nh48-in-gujarat-671834.html Fri, 01 May 2026 12:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/census-2027-rajasthan-cm-sharma-participates-in-self-enumeration-671837.html Jaipur May 1 Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Thursday participated in the selfenumeration process launched under Census 2027 setting an example for citizens across the state Accessing the official portal he filled in his personal details and successfully submitted the required information online appealing to citizens to join the nationbuilding exerciseEncouraging widespread public participation the Chief Minister described Census 2027 as a crucial step towards strengthening governance and planningHe emphasised that accurate and comprehensive data collection would play a vital role in shaping policies and ensuring effective delivery of welfare schemesHighlighting the broader vision Sharma said the exercise aligns with the national goals of Digital India and Viksit Bharat 2047He urged citizens to actively take part in this largescale initiative âI appeal to every resident of the state to participate in this important campaign and extend full cooperation to make it successful Census 2027 is not merely a data collection exercise but a significant step in nationbuildingâ he saidOfficials informed that the selfenumeration facility will remain available from May 1 to May 15 allowing citizens to conveniently submit their details onlineThis digital option is expected to enhance accuracy reduce manual effort and streamline the overall census process Following this phase enumerators will begin doortodoor visits across Rajasthan from May 16 as part of the first phase of the Census operationDuring this stage house listing and housing enumeration activities will be carried out to gather detailed information at the household level The state government has made necessary arrangements to ensure a smooth and efficient process combining digital tools with onground verificationCitizens are encouraged to make use of the selfenumeration facility within the stipulated timeframe and contribute to building a reliable national database IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/census-2027-rajasthan-cm-sharma-participates-in-self-enumeration-671837.html Fri, 01 May 2026 13:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-police-launches-month-long-helmet-drive-begins-checks-at-govt-offices-671839.html Gandhinagar May 1 Gujarat has begun enforcing helmet rules within its own government offices as part of a monthlong statewide drive aimed at reducing road accidents and improving compliance with traffic laws The Helmet Enforcement Special Drive running from May 1 to May 31 marks a shift in strategy by placing initial responsibility on public servants with traffic police deployed at the entrances of government offices to check adherenceOfficials and employees arriving without helmets will face action under the law signalling what authorities describe as enforcement âbeginning from withinâAccording to a circular issued on Thursday wearing a helmet is mandatory for both riders and pillion passengers under Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988âStrict compliance will be ensured and violators will be fined on the spot the directive statedThe campaign extends across all districts where police have been instructed to carry out roundtheclock checks on twowheeler ridersThe directive also requires Police Commissioners and Range Heads to submit daily reports to the state headquarters by 8 AM detailing the number of violations recorded among both the general public and government personnelThe move follows a review meeting chaired by the Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi last year where Suratâs model of stricter helmet enforcement was noted for its effectivenessAuthorities have decided to replicate the approach in other major cities including Ahmedabad Rajkot and Vadodara as well as in smaller districtsOfficials said the deployment of traffic personnel at government office gates is intended to address lapses among public servants who are expected to set an example in following the lawThe circular emphasises that no leniency will be shown in cases of noncompliance regardless of position Police have reiterated that fines will be imposed immediately on those found violating the rule during the driveWhile enforcement measures have been intensified authorities maintain that the primary aim is to improve road safety awareness and reduce accident rates across the stateThe outcome of the campaign will be assessed through daily monitoring with attention focussed on levels of compliance and any corresponding decline in road accidents during the period IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-police-launches-month-long-helmet-drive-begins-checks-at-govt-offices-671839.html Fri, 01 May 2026 13:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gautam-adani-outlines-groups-growth-strategy-with-focus-on-local-jobs-better-lives-with-dignity-671840.html Ahmedabad May 1 Gautam Adani Chairman of the Adani Group on Friday outlined a growth strategy centred on worker welfare local employment and entrepreneurship as the conglomerate accelerates capital expenditure capex backed by strong liquidity Addressing the workforce across the Group on International Labour Day Gautam Adani said the organisation which operates more than 700 assets across 24 states and engages nearly 400000 employees partners and contractors will measure its progress by assets created livelihoods enabled and communities strengthened positioning its workforce at the core of nationbuildingâYou are not just employees you are nation builders When we complete a project we are not just delivering work we are shaping the future of the countryâ the billionaire industrialist saidThe Group will prioritise local hiring at project sites offering opportunities first to nearby communities then to candidates from within the state and finally from outside where requiredWorker welfare remains a central pillar of the strategy The infrastructure major is building airconditioned accommodation for 50000 workers in Mundra and Khavda along with a centralised cloud kitchen in Mundra Gujarat which will serve up to 100000 nutritious meals daily aimed at improving living standards at remote locationsâThis is not a privilege It is a necessity Every worker has the right to live and work with dignityâ Gautam Adani saidThe strategy is anchored in three pillars and supported by strong liquidity and access to capital enabling accelerated capex deployment and faster project execution A threelayer organisational structure is being implemented to speed up decisionmaking strengthen accountability and improve execution efficiency with sitelevel decisions expected to move from days to hours Gautam Adani said that as organisations grow larger decisionmaking often becomes slower and more layered and the threelayer model is designed to address this by simplifying structures reducing approval levels and improving speed and ownership at the site levelA strengthened partnership model will see the Group work with fewer larger contractors to improve coordination and execution speed while enabling them with access to capital assured returns and longterm engagementOn the Groupâs evolving approach to working with contractors Gautam Adani said âWe endeavour to work with a select group of strong and reliable partners who can take endtoend responsibility and deliver with greater speed and efficiency We donât just want to sign contracts we want to build longterm partnershipsâHe said this approach is already fostering grassroots entrepreneurship citing the example of Hadhubhai Rabari in Gujaratâs Kutch who grew from operating a single water tanker into a multiequipment enterprise supporting major projects and generating local employmentThe third pillar focuses on learning and development Through the upcoming Adani skills centre workers will progress from unskilled roles to skilled supervisory and leadership positions Gautam Adani highlighted the journey of Subbu who began as a worker and through continuous learning and skill development advanced to a corporate role reflecting the Groupâs focus on internal career growth and capability buildingLinking key projects including Mundra port the Khavda renewable energy park Navi Mumbai International Airport and the Ganga Expressway which was inaugurated earlier this week to national development Gautam Adani said these initiatives are strengthening Indiaâs logistics energy and infrastructure backboneâThese projects are not just assets They are instruments of national progressâ he saidThese pathbreaking measures are aimed at building a more agile inclusive and executionfocused organisation aligned with Indiaâs longterm growth ambitions IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gautam-adani-outlines-groups-growth-strategy-with-focus-on-local-jobs-better-lives-with-dignity-671840.html Fri, 01 May 2026 13:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-governor-launches-census-2027-via-self-enumeration-at-lok-bhawan-671844.html Jaipur May 1 Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde formally launched the âCensus 2027â process in the state on Friday at Lok Bhawan by undertaking selfenumeration With this the first phase of census activities has officially commenced across the state On this occasion the Governor appealed to citizens to actively participate in the crucial national exercise and ensure the submission of accurate and complete information through the selfenumeration facilityHe noted that the Census Web Portal developed by the Government of India is simple secure and userfriendly allowing individuals to conveniently fill in their detailsBagde particularly called upon youth and social organisations to extend support to those unfamiliar with digital platforms ensuring that no one is excluded from the process He emphasised that public participation in âCensus 2027â reflects a direct contribution to the nationâs inclusive and holistic developmentThe Governor also urged citizens to cooperate with census enumerators during the forthcoming doortodoor survey provide correct information and make use of helpline services in case of any doubts or queriesHighlighting a key feature officials noted that this will be Indiaâs first fully digital census with data collection being conducted entirely through digital devices In addition citizens have been given the option of selfenumeration through a secure webbased systemCensus Director Vishnu Charan Malik informed that the selfenumeration facility will be available on the official portal from May 1 to May 15 prior to the commencement of field surveys Citizens can log in using their mobile numbers and required credentials to submit details about themselves and their familiesThe Governorâs Secretary Dr Prithvi was also present during the launch ceremonyEarlier Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma participated in the selfenumeration process launched under Census 2027 setting an example for citizens across the state Accessing the official portal he filled in his personal details and successfully submitted the required information online appealing to citizens to join the nationbuilding exerciseEncouraging widespread public participation the Chief Minister described Census 2027 as a crucial step towards strengthening governance and planning IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-governor-launches-census-2027-via-self-enumeration-at-lok-bhawan-671844.html Fri, 01 May 2026 13:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/commercial-lpg-cylinder-rates-hiked-by-rs-993-no-change-for-household-gas-consumers-671848.html New Delhi May 1 IANS The price of a 19kg commercial LPG cylinder has been increased by Rs 993 starting Friday and after the revision a 19kg cylinder will now cost Rs 30715 in DelhinbspHowever there has been no change in the price of domestic LPG cylinders for 33 crore users the Indian Oil Corporation IOC said in a statementThis is the third time that the price of a 19kg commercial LPG cylinder has been increased since February 28 when the USIsrael and Iran war beganIt first saw an increase of about Rs 115 in early March followed by a further hike of nearly Rs 200 on April 1In a statement IOC said that petrol and diesel prices continue to be the same despite elevated global energy prices It added that there has been no rate revision in key fuels affecting the general publicAviation turbine fuel ATF prices for domestic airlines were left unchanged According to IOC stateowned oil companies chose to absorb the increase in global fuel costs to shield carriers and passengersMeanwhile the government said export levies Special Additional Excise Duty or SAED and Road and Infrastructure Cess or RIC on the exports of petrol diesel and aviation turbine fuel ATF were introduced with effect from March 27 2026 so as to ensure domestic availability of petroleum products by disincentivising exports in the backdrop of the West Asia crisesThe rates are being revised on a fortnightly basis and the last such revision was undertaken with effect from April 11 2026The rates are prescribed based on the average international prices of crude oil petrol diesel and ATF prevailing during the period since the last reviewThe rates for the next fortnight beginning May 1 2026 have been notified by the Central Government todayConsequently the rate of duty on exports of diesel will be Rs 23 per litre SAED Rs 23 RIC Nil Further the rate of duty on exports of ATF will be Rs 33 per litre SAED only The rate of duty on exports of Petrol continues to remain Nil said Finance MinistryThere is no change in the existing excise duty rates on petrol and diesel cleared for domestic consumption it addedIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/commercial-lpg-cylinder-rates-hiked-by-rs-993-no-change-for-household-gas-consumers-671848.html Fri, 01 May 2026 13:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-uae-cepa-boosts-trade-growth-unlocks-new-business-opportunities-piyush-goyal-671849.html New Delhi May 1 IANS The IndiaUAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA is driving robust trade expansion and opening new avenues for Indian businesses Union Minister Piyush Goyal said on FridaynbspFour years after the implementation of the IndiaUAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement the bilateral economic relationship between India and the United Arab Emirates has witnessed significant growth across multiple sectorsHighlighting the progress in a post on social media platform X Goyal said the agreement has created transformational opportunities for Indian farmers MSMEs and businessesFour years ago when the IndiaUAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA came into force it created a transformational opportunity for Indian farmers MSMEs and other businesses Goyal statedHe noted that bilateral merchandise trade between the two nations has crossed the 100 billion mark reflecting strong momentum since the agreement came into forceServices trade has also shown steady growth helping Indian companies access new markets while enhancing value creationBilateral merchandise trade has grown strongly crossing 100 billion with services trade also rising steadily and opening new markets and greater value Goyal mentionedExpansion across key sectors like gems and jewellery engineering goods electronics and agriculture is delivering tangible gains and FDI inflows from the UAE and Indias overseas investments further reflect our deepening economic linkages Goyal explainedAccording to the minister key sectors such as gems and jewellery engineering goods electronics and agriculture have seen notable expansion under the CEPA frameworkThese gains are translating into real benefits for exporters and entrepreneurs strengthening Indias position in global tradeGoyal further said that rising foreign direct investment FDI inflows from the UAE into India along with increased overseas investments by Indian firms underscore the deepening economic partnership between the two countriesMeanwhile earlier in the day he informed about a virtual interaction with UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle to deepen bilateral trade and investment tiesBoth leaders explored ways to enhance trade and investment ties while fully leveraging the IndiaUK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement CETA the minister said in a social media postIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-uae-cepa-boosts-trade-growth-unlocks-new-business-opportunities-piyush-goyal-671849.html Fri, 01 May 2026 13:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-group-to-add-rs-2-lakh-crore-worth-new-assets-this-year-gautam-adani-671855.html New Delhi May 1 IANS Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani said on Friday that the Group would add another Rs 2 lakh crore in new assets within this year as part of the accelerated growth that is taking place across its businessesnbspAddressing 4 lakh employees of the Adani Group on International Labour Day Gautam Adani said In our first 35 years we collectively built assets worth approximately Rs 2 lakh crore And today such is our standing that within this single year alone we are going to add another Rs 2 lakh crore in new assetsHe said that the Adani Group would strive to contribute its share to the journey of making India a developed nation by 2047 as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra ModiCiting the examples of various projects such as Mundra and the just completed Ganga Expressway Gautam Adani said When we complete a project we are not simply finishing a task we are shaping the future of our countryHe highlighted that the Mundra project had transformed a swathe of barren land into Indias largest port accelerating the nations trade and connecting the country to the rest of the worldSimilarly the Vizhinjam Port in Kerala will carve out a new identity for India on the global maritime map and propel the country forward toward becoming a robust transshipment hub And Khavda in Kutch where the group is currently building one of the worlds largest green energy projects is laying the foundation for a safe and clean future for generations to come Gautam Adani explainedHe further stated that the Navi Mumbai International Airport has become the pride of the country as one of the finest airports in the world and will add a new dimension to Indias aviation capacities and increase connectivity and open the doors to new opportunities for millions of peopleHe also underlined the importance of the 594km greenfield Ganga Expressway project in Uttar Pradesh which was inaugurated by the Prime Minister this week The project would transform the lives of over 8 crore people by cutting the journey from Meerut to Prayagraj from 1011 hours to a mere 56 hours Gautam Adani addedBesides he highlighted the Dharavi slum redevelopment project that the group is taking up in Mumbai This is not merely a project it is perhaps the worlds largest and most challenging endeavor in human transformation he saidAll these projects undertaken by the Adani Group with pride and satisfaction represent a humble contribution towards nationbuilding Gautam Adani remarkedIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-group-to-add-rs-2-lakh-crore-worth-new-assets-this-year-gautam-adani-671855.html Fri, 01 May 2026 14:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pakistan-eyes-big-kashmir-strike-to-trigger-global-intervention-671857.html New Delhi May 1 There is desperation drawn all over and Pakistan is attempting another audacious attack on Indian soil It would once again look to target Jammu and Kashmir and then bring the United States US into the picture Pakistan is planning a massive attack and would hope that India would retaliate like the way it did during Operation SindoorConsidering the newfound ties with the US under President Donald Trump Pakistan would hope for an external interventionAn official said that the intervention that Pakistan would be seeking would not just be restricted to the retaliation for the terror strike This is a long planned goal of Pakistan to internationalise the Kashmir issue the official saidIndia has always maintained that Kashmir is an internal issue Even after the abrogation of Article 370 Pakistan had tried to raise the issue internationally However India made it clear that it remains an internal matter and the abrogation of the Article that gave Jammu and Kashmir special status was only meant to integrate it with the rest of IndiaFor Field Marshal Asim Munir there is a lot at stake He tried to push for a peace deal between the US and Iran However with that not going exactly as planned he is bound to shift his focus back to IndiaThere is a lot at stake for Field Marshal Munir and his reputation The domestic pressure is growing and he has to attempt something big in India so that his image correction can take place the official addedAnother official went on to add that Field Marshal Munir is also making out a case for him to become the President of Pakistan Although he can take that post by bullying any government in Pakistan he would still want to make it seem as though he has earned itWhat better than the Kashmir issue and internationalising it to make out a case for him to become the next President of Pakistan the official pointed outFor now the focus of Pakistan remains on rebuilding its terror network in Jammu and Kashmir It has been pushing for more homegrown modules This becomes important for Pakistan as these modules would continue to carry out attacks in the ValleyAn Intelligence Bureau official said that it is a twopronged strategy that Munir has planned On one hand Pakistan wants homegrown modules to undertake strikes This causes losses to the tourism industry It also diverts the attention of the security forces which are currently focussed entirely on the borderIf the diversion does happen then Pakistan would look to send in its terrorists who are waiting in large numbers in launch pads across the borderGiven the current situation Pakistan would want attacks to continue in Jammu and Kashmir However the larger goal would be to carry out a big attack in Kashmir using Pakistani terrorists with the hope that the Indian armed forces would retaliateThis is a big game that Munir is playing He is ready to allow terror infrastructure in Pakistan to be hit again His larger aim is to get the international community to intervene and then internationalise the Kashmir issuePakistan watchers point out that the Iran negotiations were of extreme importance for Munir More than wanting to stop the war he wanted to project to the people of Pakistan that he is putting their country on the international stageAs of now it has not gone the way Pakistan would have hoped This explains why Munir wants to strike big in Kashmir and then get countries such as the US to intervene the experts also pointed out IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pakistan-eyes-big-kashmir-strike-to-trigger-global-intervention-671857.html Fri, 01 May 2026 14:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/buddha-purnima-and-labour-day-a-shared-call-for-compassion-and-dignity-671859.html New Delhi May 1 âSukhino va khemino hontu Sabbe satta bhavantu sukhitatta May all beings be happy and secure May all beings be inwardly at peaceâ Buddha Purnima marks the birth enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana of Gautama Buddha It is not merely a commemorative day but a moment of inward reflection on the timeless truths he revealed His teaching was simple in expression yet profound in implication Human suffering arises from craving and ignorance Its cessation lies in right understanding right conduct and right mindfulness At the heart of his Dhamma lies compassion not as an abstract virtue but as a lived discipline Compassion in the Buddhaâs teaching is inseparable from wisdom One sees the interconnectedness of all life and naturally develops care for others No being exists in isolation Every action every livelihood and every form of existence is interdependentThe Buddhaâs words from the Karaniya Metta Sutta remain among the most direct expressions of this ideal âJust as a mother would protect her only child at the risk of her own life even so let one cultivate a boundless heart towards all beingsâThis is not poetry alone It is a standard for human conduct It asks for a transformation of perception Others are not instruments for our use but participants in the same web of existenceBuddha Purnima therefore is not about ritual observance It is a reminder to examine how we live how we earn how we relate and how we respond to suffering around usCompassion in action The meaning of Labour DayThe coincidence of Buddha Purnima with International Workersâ Day on 1st May offers a deeper layer of reflection Labour Day recognises the dignity of work and the central role of workers in shaping society Every structure we inhabit every system we rely upon and every comfort we take for granted rests on the labour of countless individualsYet modern life often distances us from this reality Labour becomes invisible The worker becomes a function rather than a human being Efficiency replaces empathy Profit overshadows dignityThe Buddhaâs teaching directly challenges this imbalance Right livelihood one of the components of the Noble Eightfold Path emphasises ethical earning without exploitation or harm It recognises that work is not merely an economic activity but a moral oneTo see labour through the lens of Dhamma is to recognise effort as sacred The farmer the mason the driver the cleaner the artisan and the daily wage worker are not peripheral to society They are its foundation Their work sustains life in visible and invisible waysCompassion in this context is not limited to charity It is about respect fairness and awareness It is about recognising the human story behind every act of labour It is about ensuring dignity in wages safety in conditions and honour in social recognitionThe Buddha also emphasised gratitude In another teaching he reminds us that one should be mindful of those who contribute to oneâs wellbeing When seen deeply every meal every shelter and every service carries the imprint of labour Gratitude becomes the first step towards compassionExtending compassion to nature and shared resourcesThe Buddhaâs insight into interdependence extends beyond human relationships to nature itself The environment is not separate from human existence It sustains labour livelihood and life itselfTo exploit nature without restraint is to ignore this interdependence The same principle that applies to human labour applies to natural resources What is taken must be balanced with care and responsibilityIn todayâs world where climate stress and resource depletion are realities this teaching becomes even more relevant Labourers are often the first to be affected by environmental degradation Their livelihoods are tied directly to the health of land water and climateCompassion therefore must expand to include ecological awareness Respect for labour and respect for nature are not separate values They arise from the same understanding of interconnected existenceA double occasion for reflection and renewalThe convergence of Buddha Purnima and Labour Day is not coincidental in spirit One speaks of inner transformation The other speaks of social recognition Together they offer a complete framework for a just and compassionate societyBuddha Purnima reminds us to purify intention reduce greed and cultivate empathy Labour Day reminds us to translate these values into social structures that uphold dignity and fairnessThis is a moment to reflect on how we treat those whose labour sustains us It is also a moment to examine whether our own actions contribute to harmony or imbalance Compassion begins with awareness and matures through practiceIf the teaching of the Buddha is to be meaningful it must find expression in daily life It must be visible in how we speak how we employ how we consume and how we acknowledge the contributions of othersOn this day one can pause and consciously extend respect to every form of labour A simple act of acknowledgement a fair decision a mindful choice can carry the spirit of Dhamma into lived realityConclusion Compassion as the foundation of societyEthical DutyâDasakammakara ca bhariya Anukampaya passati One should regard workers and servants with compassion and treat them with care and fairnessâBuddha Purnima and Labour Day together offer a powerful message A society cannot be stable without compassion and compassion cannot be complete without recognising the dignity of labourThe Buddhaâs path is not removed from worldly life It refines it When compassion guides action labour gains dignity and society gains balanceThis dual observance is an opportunity to move from reflection to responsibility To see clearly to act justly and to live with a sense of shared humanityIn doing so one honours both the wisdom of the Buddha and the silent strength of those whose labour sustains the world IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/buddha-purnima-and-labour-day-a-shared-call-for-compassion-and-dignity-671859.html Fri, 01 May 2026 14:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarats-per-capita-income-crosses-rs-3-lakh-60-pc-above-national-average-671860.html Gandhinagar May 1 Gujaratâs per capita income has crossed Rs 3 lakh for the first time reaching a level around 60 per cent higher than the national average according to official data released on Friday The figure is said to show the stateâs sustained economic expansion with Gujarat contributing 83 per cent to Indiaâs Gross Domestic Product GDP despite accounting for about five per cent of the population and six per cent of the land areaThe state also holds a 19 per cent share in the countryâs total industrial production and contributes 26 per cent to Indiaâs exportsOfficials said the growth reflects âefficient financial management and probusiness policiesâ noting that Gujarat has recorded an average growth rate of 114 per cent over the past decade higher than the national averageThe state has also maintained a real growth rate of 842 per cent in recent years Prime Minister Narendra Modi who led the state government between 2001 and 2014 had laid the foundation for Gujaratâs development trajectory which has continued through a positive approach proactive policymaking and public participation the government saidGujaratâs industrial strength is complemented by its role in global tradeAround 40 per cent of Indiaâs cargo is handled through the stateâs ports a figure officials said demonstrates that âGujarat is Indiaâs most important gateway for global tradeâThe state leads the countryâs chemical industry with a 33 per cent share and has expanded into emerging sectors such as semiconductors and financial technologyAuthorities said Gujarat has achieved balanced development from agriculture to fintech contributing to the broader goal of a developed IndiaDigital governance initiatives have also been expanded with programmes such as eGram and Seva Setu aimed at extending technology and public services to remote areas allowing paperless administration and citizen services at the fingertipsMajor infrastructure projects are underway including the AhmedabadMumbai bullet train which is expected to reduce travel time between key cities such as Ahmedabad Vadodara and Surat as well as boost economic activityConstruction is also in progress at Lothal on the National Maritime Heritage Complex intended to revive and showcase Indiaâs maritime legacyTourism and religious infrastructure are being upgraded with developments including the Sagar Darshan Path Promenade near the Somnath temple and a corridor project at Ambaji along with the 51 Shaktipeeth Parikrama PathMarking the 66th Foundation Day the state government said Gujarat through strong financial discipline transparent governance and entrepreneurial effort is moving towards contributing to the national vision of âViksit Bharat at 2047â The state has emerged as the countryâs growth engine IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarats-per-capita-income-crosses-rs-3-lakh-60-pc-above-national-average-671860.html Fri, 01 May 2026 14:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-notifies-customs-tariff-cuts-under-rodtep-scheme-to-help-export-sector-671863.html New Delhi April 30 IANS The Department of Commerce on Thursday notified the revised schedules under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products RoDTEP Scheme as part of the strategy to help the countrys export sector amid global disruptions due to the Middle East conflictnbspThe revisions pertain to DTA exports and for exports by Advance Authorisation AA Export Oriented Units EOUs and Special Economic Zone SEZ units in line with amendments made in the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act 1975 through the Finance Act 2026The notification provides for the technical alignment of RoDTEP tariff lines with the revised Customs tariff structure The revision covers 194 tariff lines including the addition of 142 new 8digit tariff lines deletion of 50 tariff lines and modification in the descriptions of two tariff lines in the RoDTEP schedulesThe revised schedules will enable seamless implementation of RoDTEP benefits in the Customs Automated System with effect from May 1 The alignment is expected to reduce classificationrelated ambiguity ensure consistency between Customs tariff entries and RoDTEP schedules and facilitate smoother processing of eligible export claims according to an official statement issued by the Department of CommerceThe measure is RoDTEPspecific and is aimed at improving ease of doing business for exporters by ensuring timely convergence of related compliance frameworks minimising systemlevel discrepancies and maintaining continuity in the remission of eligible duties taxes and levies on exported products the statement explainedThe Centre has rolled out a series of relief measures aimed at shielding Indian industry and consumers from the adverse economic impact of the West Asia war which has disrupted supply chains and hit exportsThe Finance Ministry has outlined steps spanning customs duty cuts for key raw materials export incentives fuel price controls and financial support mechanisms with a focus on ensuring stability across key sectorsThe government has allowed Special Economic Zone SEZ units to sell goods in the domestic market at concessional customs duty rates Earlier such sales attracted full importequivalent duties which have now been reduced to approximately 5 to 125 per cent to support manufacturing unitsCustoms duties on critical petrochemical products have also been reduced in a targeted move to offset supply disruptions due to the West Asia conflict The relief is expected to benefit sectors including plastics packaging textiles pharmaceuticals chemicals and auto componentsIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-notifies-customs-tariff-cuts-under-rodtep-scheme-to-help-export-sector-671863.html Fri, 01 May 2026 14:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-groups-new-3-layer-model-to-cut-decision-time-from-days-to-hours-gautam-adani-671865.html Ahmedabad May 1 Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Friday said the Adani Group will adopt a threelayer organisational model to speed up decisionmaking and boost execution across its businesses Addressing employees on the occasion of International Labour Day Gautam Adani outlined a sweeping internal overhaul aimed at flattening hierarchies strengthening partnerships and enhancing workforce capabilities linking the groupâs transformation to Indiaâs broader development ambitionsThe threelayer model is designed to eliminate bureaucratic delays and bring greater clarity in responsibility the Adani Group Chairman saidâWe want decisions that currently take three days to be made in just three hoursâ Gautam Adani said stressing that faster decisionmaking is critical as organisations scale upAccording to him reducing layers within the organisation will help improve speed accountability and overall efficiencyAs companies grow larger decisionmaking often slows down due to multiple levels of approvals something the group now aims to address through structural changes Gautam Adani explainedAlongside this Gautam Adani also introduced a âpartnership modelâ that seeks to streamline engagement with contractors and vendorsâAt several project sites over 100 contractors operate simultaneously making coordination complex and timeconsumingâ the Adani Group Chairman statedThe new approach will focus on working with a smaller pool of reliable partners who can take endtoend responsibility for projects thereby improving execution and reducing delaysâThe new approach will focus on working with a smaller pool of reliable partners who can take endtoend responsibility for projects thereby improving execution and reducing delaysâ Gautam Adani addedMeanwhile the Adani Group Chairman said that the group would add another Rs 2 lakh crore in new assets within this year as part of the accelerated growth that is taking place across its businessesâThe Adani Group would strive to contribute its share to the journey of making India a developed nation by 2047 as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modiâ Gautam Adani explained IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-groups-new-3-layer-model-to-cut-decision-time-from-days-to-hours-gautam-adani-671865.html Fri, 01 May 2026 15:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/prez-murmu-visits-army-training-command-in-shimla-appreciates-role-in-fostering-innovation-671868.html Shimla May 1 IANS President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Droupadi Murmu visited Headquarters of Army Training Command ARTRAC in Shimla on Friday lauding its role in the operational preparedness of the Indian ArmynbspShe was received by Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta and Lieutenant General Devendra Sharma GOCinC ARTRAC on her arrival at the training command headquartersThe President was briefed by GOCinC on the evolution of ARTRAC its role in providing quality training to Indian Army personnel to enhance operational efficiency as well as on salient initiatives of ARTRAC said a statementElaborating on the novel initiatives of ARTRAC the GOCinC highlighted the impetus provided for drone training steps taken to absorb niche technologies introduction of the concept of Red Teaming and initiatives towards Digitisation and Automation in the ArmyThe President acknowledged the fact that ARTRAC has an allencompassing role of designing concepts of warfare resource development for the Indian Army and widespread engagements with Friendly Foreign Countries and Sister ServicesIt is a critical gear in the path to Military Glory Atmanirbharta and Viksit Bharat The ARTRAC through its 32 premier training establishments vitalises the domain of professionalism in the Indian Army which gives it a unique perspective on the art and science of warfightingThe President also exchanged views with Lieutenant General Devendra Sharma in the presence of Governor Kavinder Gupta on training in the Army in order to make the nation secure and strongThe President exhorted ARTRAC to continue to work with fervour to enhance the operational preparedness of the Indian ArmyShe complimented all ranks of ARTRAC and Defence Civilians for the stellar work being done and urged them to continue working with enhanced zeal and fervourThe President appreciated the significant role of the Army Training Command in fostering innovation and strengthening institutional training and thereby shaping futureready leadersThe visit to ARTRAC marked the culmination of the Presidents fiveday summer sojourn to her official residence in Mashobra ShimlaEarlier on Tuesday President Murmu attended a banquet hosted by the Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta at Lok Bhavan in ShimlaThe Rashtrapati Niwas at Mashobra opened its doors to the public in April 2023At present the authorities provide a free bus service to tourists to the Presidents summer retreatThe Shimla to Mashobra service was started to celebrate President Murmus two years in office on July 25 2024IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/prez-murmu-visits-army-training-command-in-shimla-appreciates-role-in-fostering-innovation-671868.html Fri, 01 May 2026 15:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-arrests-additional-director-of-cghs-meerut-aide-for-taking-rs-50-000-bribe--671869.html Meerut Uttar Pradesh May 1 IANS The Central Bureau of Investigation CBI has arrested an Additional Director of the Central Government Health Scheme CGHS centre in Meerut along with her private assistant in connection with a bribery case linked to the transfer of a staff member officials said on FridaynbspThe accused have been identified as Natasha Verma Additional Director CGHS Meerut and her Private Assistant SunnyAccording to the agency the case was registered on April 30 against the Private Assistant posted at Swasthya Bhawan CGHS Suraj Kund Road Meerut following allegations that a bribe of Rs 80000 was being demanded on behalf of officials to facilitate the transfer of a CGHS employee from Moradabad to MeerutActing swiftly on the complaint the CBI laid a trap to catch the accused in the act During the trap proceedings both the accused Natasha Verma Additional Director CGHS Meerut and her Private Assistant Sunny allegedly agreed to accept a reduced bribe of Rs 50000 from the complainantThe agency said that the Private Assistant was caught redhanded while accepting the bribe amount of Rs 50000 on behalf of the Additional Director Subsequently both Verma and Sunny were taken into custodyOfficials said the bribe was sought in exchange for facilitating the transfer process of the CGHS staffer indicating alleged misuse of official positionThe arrests were made after due verification of the complaint and execution of the trap operation a standard procedure followed by the CBI in corruption casesThe accused are expected to be produced before a competent court where the agency may seek their custody for further questioningThe CBI said that further investigation in the case is underway to ascertain the involvement of other officials if any and to examine the broader pattern of alleged corruption in the departmentIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-arrests-additional-director-of-cghs-meerut-aide-for-taking-rs-50-000-bribe--671869.html Fri, 01 May 2026 15:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/with-maoist-problem-almost-over-telangana-police-set-for-a-revamp-671872.html Hyderabad May 1 With the Maoist problem almost eliminated Telangana Police will revamp the department to focus on new areas of crime said new Director General of Police C V Anand on Friday He told a press conference after taking charge as the state police chief that the functioning of the department will be reviewed and some areas will be revampedHe pointed out that in the 1980s and 1990s certain wings like Greyhounds and Special Intelligence Bureau SIB were created to tackle the Naxal problemâNow that the Maoist problem is almost eliminated itâs not correct to continue the personnelâ he saidWhile stating that the chances of revival of the Maoist movement are remote the DGP said they would take all precautions to make sure that the problem does not arise againHe emphasised the need for innovative thinking and redeployment of the personnel to tackle new problemsAnand said some units which are very important but were not given proper attention or sufficient manpower due to a lack of staff in the past would be strengthenedReferring to vacancies the DGP said the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister told the department to focus on revamp by identifying unnecessary attachments and unnecessary deploymentsStating that road safety would be one of the top priorities Anand said the Traffic Management and Road Safety Bureau will be created on the lines of the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau TGCSB and Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement EAGLE established in recent yearsHe said the proposed body would work to standardise traffic management practices and ensure uniformity in the implementation of traffic rules across the state to prevent accidents and reduce the number of fatalitiesHe noted that every year 8500 people die in road accidents across the stateHighlighting the magnitude of the traffic problem he said every day 1600 new vehicles are coming on the roads in four commissionerates in Greater HyderabadStating that Telangana Police emerged as the number one police in the country with revolutionary changes and innovation in all sectors in recent years Anand said under his leadership it would continue its journey in the same direction by using the latest technologySaying that while Telangana Police have a good record in maintaining law and order he acknowledged that in a few places the failure of the fieldlevel officials to anticipate communal incidents and other law and order issues was creating problems âMy effort will be to see that all officials improve this qualityâ he saidAppreciating the work being done by TGCSB in tackling cybercrimes he underlined the need for the active participation of fieldlevel officers Superintendents Police and Commissioners of PoliceThe DGP said narcotics control would be one of his top priorities While noting that EAGLE and Hyderabad Narcotics Enforcement Wing HNE were doing commendable work he stated that all SPs should also conduct antinarcotics operationsAnand said that to prevent the drug menace in school and college campuses the department would focus on awareness Antidrugs committees in educational institutions will be activated with the involvement of education and other departmentsEarlier senior police officials extended a warm welcome to Anand upon his arrival at the DGP office The newlyappointed DGP received a guard of honour from the police and later assumed charge as the head of the police force IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/with-maoist-problem-almost-over-telangana-police-set-for-a-revamp-671872.html Fri, 01 May 2026 16:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nia-court-sentences-two-to-55-years-jail-for-hoisting-khalistani-flag-at-moga-dcs-office-671875.html Mohali May 1 A special National Investigation Agency NIA court in Punjabs SAS Nagar Mohali has convicted and sentenced two men to over five years rigorous imprisonment in a 2020 case involving the hoisting of a Khalistani flag at the Deputy Commissionerâs office in the states Moga the agency said on Friday The convicted accused identified as Inderjeet Singh and Jaspal Singh both residents of Moga have been awarded five years and six months of imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 16000 each The court found them guilty under multiple provisions of the Indian Penal Code the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour ActAccording to the NIA the case relates to an incident on August 14 2020 when the duo allegedly hoisted a Khalistani flag atop the Moga Deputy Commissionerâs office building a day before Independence Day Investigations revealed that the act was carried out at the instigation of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun general counsel of the banned outfit Sikhs for Justice SFJ who has been designated as a terrorist by the Indian governmentThe agency stated that the accused had accessed the administrative complex climbed to the top of the building and replaced the national flag with a saffronyellow flag bearing the word KHALISTAN In the process they allegedly cut the rope of the Indian tricolour causing it to fall and subsequently dragged it amounting to an insult to the national flagThe NIA had earlier filed a charge sheet against the two convicts along with two other arrested accused and two absconders based in the United States â Pannun and his associate Rana Singh alias Harpreet Singh Both absconders were declared proclaimed offenders by the Mohali special court in 2021Further investigations in the case RC302020NIADLI had revealed that Harpreet Singh had facilitated payments to Inderjeet Singh and Jaspal Singh for carrying out the act The agency also pointed to a provocative video uploaded by Pannun between August 10 and 11 2020 in which he urged people in Punjab and Haryana to hoist Khalistani flags at government buildings He had allegedly announced monetary rewards including 125000 for hoisting such a flag at Delhiâs Red Fort and 2500 for similar acts elsewhereThe NIA said the conviction underscores continued efforts to curb activities linked to banned organisations and safeguard national integrity IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nia-court-sentences-two-to-55-years-jail-for-hoisting-khalistani-flag-at-moga-dcs-office-671875.html Fri, 01 May 2026 16:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/meghalaya-launches-self-enumeration-9-000-enumerators-supervisors-to-be-deployed-671877.html Shillong May 1 Selfenumeration for Census 2027 commenced across Meghalaya on Friday marking a significant milestone in Indiaâs first fully digital Census officials said Director of Census Operations Meghalaya Biswajit Pegu described Census 2027 as a landmark exercise noting that it will be the 16th Census overall and the 8th since Independence He informed that around 9000 enumerators and supervisors will be deployed across the state supported by a robust multilayered supervision mechanism to ensure accuracy in data collection The administrative boundaries of Meghalaya have been frozen as of December 31 2025 specifically for Census purposes The exercise will be conducted under the supervision of Deputy Commissioners acting as Principal Census Officers with support from Charge Officers Supervisors and Enumerators the official added Census authorities have urged citizens to actively participate in the selfenumeration process and extend full cooperation to field staff to ensure reliable and comprehensive data for inclusive development and evidencebased governance in the state Highlighting a key feature of this Census Pegu said that for the first time the entire process from enumeration to data analysis will be carried out digitally using mobile applications and the Census Management and Monitoring System CMMS portal Citizens can opt for selfenumeration through an online portal from May 1 to May 15 This facility allows individuals to fill in their household details independently which will later be verified by enumerators during housetohouse visits According to officials this initiative is expected to enhance transparency accuracy and public participation Census 2027 will be conducted in two phases Phase I includes SelfEnumeration and House Listing Operations HLO Following the selfenumeration period HLO will be carried out from May 16 to June 14 During this phase enumerators will gather data on housing conditions assets and basic amenities through a structured questionnaire consisting of 33 questions Phase II the Population Enumeration phase is scheduled for February 2027 with the reference date set as March 1 2027 Pegu also highlighted the legal framework governing the exercise stating that the Census is conducted under the provisions of the Census Act 1948 and the Census Rules 1990 He noted that digital transformation will improve data quality through preloaded questionnaires in mobile applications and enable faster processing for the timely publication of results Elaborating on the methodology the official said that data collection will be conducted using dedicated mobile apps operated by enumerators and supervisors on smartphones The CMMS portal will oversee all activities including training monitoring and the creation of geocoded House Listing Blocks through the HLB Creator HLBC Data submitted through selfenumeration will be verified during field visits before final submission On data security Pegu assured that stringent safeguards have been put in place to maintain confidentiality Individual and householdlevel data will remain undisclosed with only aggregated data released for policy formulation and development planningMobile numbers collected during the process will be used strictly for communication and verification purposes The Census will cover all normal and institutional households However certain categories including foreigners and diplomatic personnel will be excluded during the House Listing Operations phase Subhasish Chatterjee Joint Director Directorate of Census Operations Meghalaya announced that a national tollfree helpline 1855 has been launched to assist citizens ahead of Census 2027 The helpline will address queries related to the census process including house listing and population enumeration while providing guidance and resolving concerns to ensure accurate and timely information dissemination Officials also stressed the importance of public awareness noting that media professionals play a crucial role in spreading accurate information dispelling misconceptions and encouraging citizens to participate confidently and effectively in Census 2027 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/meghalaya-launches-self-enumeration-9-000-enumerators-supervisors-to-be-deployed-671877.html Fri, 01 May 2026 16:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/noida-international-airport-to-begin-commercial-flight-operations-from-june-15-671879.html New Delhi May 1 IANS Noida International Airport on Friday announced that commercial flight operations will commence from June 15 marking a major milestone for aviation connectivity in North IndianbspThe launch follows the airports inauguration by the Prime Minister and the approval of the Aerodrome Security Program ASP by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security confirming that all security systems and operational protocols are in place in line with regulatory standardsThe start of services follows the inauguration of the airport by the Honble Prime Minister and the receipt of approval for the ASP from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security which confirms that the airports security framework systems and operating procedures are in place in line with regulatory requirements ahead of the launch of commercial services the airport said in a statementWith this clearance the airport is set to open as a new gateway for passengers airlines and cargo operators in the National Capital Region and beyondThe start of operations is expected to ease congestion at existing airports while enhancing travel options for flyers across the regionIndiGo will operate the first flight from the airport marking the beginning of scheduled passenger servicesThis will be followed by services from Akasa Air and Air India Express with further details on routes and schedules to be announced in the coming weeksDeveloped to cater to the rising demand for air travel the airport features modern terminal infrastructure efficient operational systems and strong multimodal connectivityIt aims to provide a seamless passenger experience while enabling airlines to operate in a costeffective and reliable environmentThe commencement of commercial operations is also expected to boost regional connectivity and drive economic growth by opening up new opportunities in tourism trade and investment across North IndiaDeveloped to meet the growing demand for air travel Noida International Airport combines modern terminal infrastructure efficient operations and strong multimodal connectivity the airline saidThe airport is designed to offer a smooth passenger journey while supporting airlines with reliable and costefficient operations it addedIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/noida-international-airport-to-begin-commercial-flight-operations-from-june-15-671879.html Fri, 01 May 2026 16:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/foreign-delegates-highlight-semiconductor-renewable-energy-opportunities-at-vgrc-in-surat-671882.html Surat May 1 Foreign delegates at the twoday Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference VGRC South Gujarat in Surat which commenced on Friday highlighted growing international interest in the states industrial ecosystem Representatives from Russia and Japan pointed to growing opportunities in sectors such as semiconductors and renewable energyAleksandr Fursov Deputy Consul General of Russia in Mumbai said the conference reflects the depth of economic ties between the two countriesâRussia and India have a longstanding tradition of bilateral economic cooperation We always view conferences like Vibrant Gujarat as a great opportunity for business people to meet each other get to know each other better and learn about the opportunities each country has and is ready to offer to its partnersâ he told IANSA delegate from Japan Onio underlined Gujaratâs growing role in emerging industriesâToday I joined this conference as a speaker in the Japan session to introduce our organisation From my understanding the semiconductor industry is a very important and rapidly growing sector here in Gujarat Also Gujarat is known as the state with the highest solar panel installations in Indiaâ he saidEarlier in the day Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated VGRC in SuratThe twoday event being held on May 1 and 2 at Auro University is part of the state governmentâs effort to extend the Vibrant Gujarat model to regional hubs and promote localised investment opportunitiesThe conference is being held alongside the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition VGRE bringing together industries MSMEs startups and government bodies from districts across South Gujarat including Surat Bharuch Navsari Valsad Tapi and DangIt features seminars sectorfocused discussions businesstobusiness and businesstogovernment meetings as well as a reverse buyerseller meet aimed at facilitating partnershipsIndustry representatives also pointed to the evolution of the Vibrant Gujarat initiative over the yearsDinesh Navadiya Chairman of the Indian Diamond Institute told IANS âEspecially when it comes to the concept of Vibrant Gujarat the credit for introducing it in India goes to our Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat That is when Vibrant Gujarat was started Since then every Chief Minister of Gujarat has carried forward the Vibrant Gujarat programme But this time Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has given it a new directionâRohit Mehta former president of the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry SGCCI said the initiative continues to create new avenues for industryâVibrant Gujarat is extremely extremely important At the Chamber of Commerce we have been associated with Vibrant Gujarat from the very beginning and we have continuously supported the government New opportunities keep emerging all the time At present Surat has the highest concentration of solar panel manufacturing There are many companies here and now these companies are also focusing more on cell manufacturing So in the field of solar and renewable energy there are tremendous opportunitiesâ he saidSpeaking to IANS Chairman and MD KP Group Faruk Patel said Back in 2012 and 2013 during PM Modiâs tenure we signed an MoU worth Rs 768 crore and later we expanded it nearly 10 times So no one can have greater confidence than us about the fact that this South Gujarat Regional Conference being organised under Vibrant Gujarat is going to benefit many industriesThe South Gujarat conference is one in a series of regional events organised between editions of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit aimed at sustaining investment momentum and strengthening Gujaratâs position as a preferred destination for domestic and international business collaboration IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/foreign-delegates-highlight-semiconductor-renewable-energy-opportunities-at-vgrc-in-surat-671882.html Fri, 01 May 2026 17:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-spending-rs-33-000-crore-annually-on-social-security-pensions-671889.html Amaravati May 1 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said on Friday that the state government is spending Rs 33000 crore every year on social security pensions and this is unparalleled in the country The state government is providing pensions to 6247 lakh beneficiaries every month It has spent more than Rs 63000 crore on pensions during the last 22 monthsWe ensure that Rs 2700 crore is kept ready every single month I do not view this as a burden rather I regard it as a responsibility This programme provides muchneeded relief and support to the poor the Chief Minister said while addressing a public meeting after distributing pensions among some beneficiaries under NTR Bharosa pension scheme in Krishna districtChief Minister Chandrababu Naidu participated in Pedala Sevalo service to the poor programme in Pamidimukkala in Pamarru constituency of Krishna districtStating that he along with Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a promise to rebuild Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu claimed that they have been working tirelessly for the past 22 months to fulfil this promiseEver since the Telugu Desam Partyled coalition government assumed office it has been working to rebuild shattered systems and restore the glory of Andhra Pradesh the Chief Minister saidChief Minister Chandrababu Naidu reiterated that the state government are reducing electricity tariffs as promised during the previous state Assembly elections and made it clear that they would not increase power ratesHe noted that previous administrations had burdened the people with electricity tariff hikes on nine separate occasionsHe affirmed that the peoplecentric government is functioning with great transparency delivering good governance powered primarily by the cooperation extended by the publicThe Chief Minister announced that henceforth at every public meeting he would seek feedback from the people regarding the performance of their respective MLAsHe said he would personally assess the performance of MLAs in the presence of peopleI stand on the side of the people not on the side of the MLAs My commitment lies solely with the people Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu remarkedHe emphasised that as the team leader the state government as a whole would earn a good reputation only if the elected representatives and officials worked together IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-spending-rs-33-000-crore-annually-on-social-security-pensions-671889.html Fri, 01 May 2026 18:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-govt-notifies-five-e-mobility-cities-671891.html Amaravati May 1 The government of Andhra Pradesh on Friday notified five model EMobility cities across the state marking a major step towards building a sustainable technologydriven and futureready urban mobility ecosystem Five model EMobility cities represent the five administrative regions of the state These cities are Visakhapatnam in North Andhra Rajahmundry in Godavari region Vijayawada in Central Andhra Nellore in South Andhra and Tirupati in RayalaseemaThe government issued orders operationalising the Andhra Pradesh Sustainable Electric Mobility Policy 40 2024â29The Municipal Administration amp Urban Development Department approved the Operational Framework and Strategic Roadmap for implementation of the policy in Urban Local Bodies ULBsThe initiative is aimed at transforming Andhra Pradesh into one of Indiaâs leading hubs for electric mobility adoption EV infrastructure development green urban transport systems and sustainable urban planning while aligning with the Stateâs longterm vision of achieving carbon neutrality in the transport sector by 2047 said an official releaseOperational framework envisages development of highdensity EV charging infrastructure green routes green channels battery swapping stations zero emission zones and integrated electric mobility ecosystems in the identified cities The framework also proposes a strategic charging infrastructure network with one EV charging station per 3x3 km grid within EMobility cities and one EV charging station every 30 km along intercity Green ChannelshighwaysThe government has also proposed utilisation of a dedicated Rs 250 crore Corpus Fund under the AP Sustainable Electric Mobility Policy 40 with Rs 50 crore earmarked for each Model EMobility City to support infrastructure deployment grid strengthening fleet electrification innovation pilots viability gap funding and consumer adoption initiativesThe framework provides for a phased and integrated implementation approach covering EV charging stations battery swapping infrastructure green freight corridors electric public transport systems renewable energy integration smart urban mobility planning Zero Emission Zones ZEZs and Dedicated City EMobility Cells CEMCsAs part of the implementation strategy cityspecific interventions have also been proposed Green tourism mobility electric BRTS corridors and green freight corridors have been proposed for Visakhapatnam Model Green Routes along BRTS corridors and logisticsfocused EV infrastructure are proposed for Vijayawada Electrification of river transport systems and green goods corridors are proposed for Rajahmundry EV logistics systems for fisheries and coastal transport infrastructure are mooted for Nellore and Full electrification of Tirumala shuttle systems and Zero Emission pilgrim mobility zones for Tirupati IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-govt-notifies-five-e-mobility-cities-671891.html Fri, 01 May 2026 20:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-cm-promises-to-set-up-labour-addas-to-help-workers-671892.html Amaravati May 1 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday announced that labour âaddasâ will be set up across the state to support workers by upgrading their skills In the first phase 15 such centres will be established in major cities and towns The Chief Minister made the announcement after distributing Shramashakti awards to outstanding workers and employers at Pamidimukkala village in Krishna district on International Workersâ DayChandrababu Naidu stated that these labour addas would be developed into skill development centres where workers can upgrade their skillsNew ESI hospitals will also be set up in places like Achyutapuram Guntur Kurnool Sri City and Amaravati to improve workers healthcareThe Chief Minister emphasised that just as workers work tirelessly the government is equally committed to the development of the state He highlighted that the Telugu Desam Party symbol reflects workers and farmers and reaffirmed commitment to uplift poor families including enabling their children to become entrepreneursNaidu said the welfare measures for workers include Rs 25000 financial assistance for the marriage of construction workers also applicable to their daughters Rs 20000 support for childbirth Rs 60000 assistance in case of natural death and Rs 20000 for funeral expenses In addition four labour courts are also available for dispute resolutionThe Chief Minister said the government derives satisfaction from peopleâs happiness and considers welfare spending a responsibility not a burdenRegarding Machilipatnam Port he said land acquisition was done in 2014 but the previous government cancelled tenders in 2019 causing delays At present breakwater dredging and offshore works are progressing rapidly He stated that the target is to complete the port by December this yearThe Chief Minister stated that major investments are coming into the state including a large data centre investment by Reliance following interest from companies like GoogleHe praised reforms in Panchayati Raj led by Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and education reforms by Education Minister Nara Lokesh He said the reforms in the education sector led to improved Class 10 resultsThe Chief Minister criticised the opposition alleging destructive governance in the past and stating that the current government has been rebuilding systems over the last 22 months IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-cm-promises-to-set-up-labour-addas-to-help-workers-671892.html Fri, 01 May 2026 20:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/uae-telecom-giant-etisalat-may-exit-pakistan-671893.html New Delhi May 1 Leading UAE telecom major Etisalat is reviewing its investment in Pakistan which could lead to its exit from Pakistan TelecomÂmuniÂcation Company Ltd PTCL according to a report in the local media Insiders say Etisalat had indicated that the review is driven by a combination of global macroeconomic uncertainty regional geopolitical tensions and evolving capital allocation strategies among sovereignlinked investors the report in the Dawn saidEtisalatâs plans are still at the preliminary assessment stage with no final decision taken as yet the report statedAsked for comment PTCL told Dawn its longterm business plan had recently been approved by its board and shareholders PTCL is not aware about shareholdersâ plan of any change at this stageâ the company said in its statementFor Pakistan PTCL remains a strategically important entity despite its mixed ownership â the government and its entities still hold around 62 per cent stake in it although 26 per cent shares and management control are in the hands of the Gulf telecom giant which recently rebranded and is in the process of corporate restructuring The remaining 12 pc shares are held by private investors through the Pakistan Stock ExchangePTCL has been facing continuous losses over the past couple of years turning a profit only recently following its acquisition of Telenor PakistanJust recently Islamabad repaid about 35bn to the UAE which had been rolling over these deposits for years to shore up Pakistanâs foreign exchange reserve target under multiple IMF programmesConcurrently Saudi Arabia has increased its role in maintaining Pakistanâs reserves by enhancing the volume of its safe deposits in Pakistan by 3bn to 8bn to fill the financing gap under IMF requirements Meanwhile the IMFâs executive board is set to meet on May 8 to clear the disbursement of another 121bn tranche for PakistanA senior Finance Division official told Dawn that in the event of any portfolio rebalancing by UAE stakeholders Pakistan retained credible downside protection through alternative GCC capital flows noting that strategic interest from Saudi and Qatari investors provided a viable alternative pathway to ensure continuity of investment operational stability and longterm sectoral growthSources referred to the UAEâs recent measured rebalancing toward US dollar reserves and domestic market commitments amid global volatility saying that this reflects standard focus on hardcurrency buffers balanceofpayment stability and capital efficiency the report added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/uae-telecom-giant-etisalat-may-exit-pakistan-671893.html Fri, 01 May 2026 20:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/haryana-guv-emphasises-on-holistic-development-of-schoolchildren-671894.html Chandigarh May 1 Haryana Governor Ashim Kumar Ghosh on Friday visited Government Model Sanskriti Senior Secondary School in Nuh city and PMSHRI Government Senior Secondary School in Ferozepur Namak village During the visit he emphasised the need for holistic development of schoolchild He also reviewed key facilities at both institutions including academic infrastructure drinking water sanitation and electricityHe also visited primary classrooms and interacted with students encouraging them to study diligently and strive to become responsible citizensAddressing parents and students after the visit the Governor emphasised that the holistic development of children is possible only when parents and teachers work together in a coordinated mannerHe said education extends beyond textbooks and includes sports health discipline and moral values all of which are essential for the allround development of studentsGovernor Ghosh stressed the importance of strengthening basic infrastructure in schools highlighting clean drinking water proper sanitation and access to sports facilities as key prioritiesHe said the government is making sustained efforts in this direction with dedicated budgetary provisions to improve these amenitiesOn the occasion the Governor also announced a grant of Rs 10 lakh each for both schools to further enhance facilities for studentsAddressing the gathering he urged parents to spend quality time with their children and pay attention not only to their academic progress but also to their behaviour and interests He advised parents to avoid scolding children emphasising that values and lessons should be imparted with love and affectionHe said that children learn more effectively in a nurturing environment which also brings positive changes in their behaviourObserving that children are often unable to express their concerns he stressed the need for open communication and encouraged parents to build a friendly and trusting relationship with themHighlighting the pivotal role of teachers Governor Ghosh said educators are not merely providers of knowledge but also mentors and sources of inspirationHe urged teachers to instill discipline selfconfidence and a sense of patriotism among studentsThe Governor emphasised that strong coordination between parents and teachers is essential to guide children in the right direction He expressed confidence that such collective efforts would ensure a bright future for children and help them grow into responsible citizensLater Governor Ghosh visited the Primary Health Centre at Ghasera to review healthcare arrangements During the visit he inspected medical facilities availability of medicines cleanliness and the overall quality of services being provided to patients IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/haryana-guv-emphasises-on-holistic-development-of-schoolchildren-671894.html Fri, 01 May 2026 20:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-ahmedabad-civic-body-converts-stray-cattle-dung-into-energy-cutting-waste-and-costs-671896.html Ahmedabad May 1 The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation AMC has begun converting dung from stray cattle into biogas and electricity linking its cattle control measures with a zerowaste energy model and reducing operational costs at municipal shelters The initiative is being implemented through AMCâs Cattle Nuisance Control Department CNCD which captures stray cattle from city roads and relocates them to gaushalas cow shelters at Bakrol and Danilimda known as Karuna MandirAt these facilities dung generated by the animals is processed in biogas plants to produce fuel and electricityMunicipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani said the civic body introduced the Stray Cattle Nuisance Prevention and Control Policy in 2023 to address the issue of roaming cattleâUnder this policy stray cattle were removed from city roads and relocated to shelters where they receive proper care and medical attentionâ he saidThe Bakrol facility spread across 50000 square metres houses around 750 cattle and produces approximately 2800 kg of dung dailyTwo biogas plants each with a capacity of one tonne have been installed at the site Around 1000 kg of dung is processed every day yielding about 46 kg of biogas and generating nearly 35 units of electricityThe Danilimda shelter accommodates around 350 cattle and generates roughly 1700 kg of dung daily A similar biogas system has been set up there to produce gas and electricityAMC said the gaushalas have been developed as zerowaste campuses with all biodegradable waste processed onsiteThe biogas generated is used for cooking for around 32 workers and their families living at the facilityOfficials said the shift has eliminated the need for approximately 27 LPG cylinders per month and resulted in savings of about Rs 10350 in electricity costsAt Bakrol more than 1000 rotis are prepared daily using biogas for feeding cows and dogsThe residue from the biogas plants is used as fertiliser for plantations within the campusDung is also used to manufacture sticks distributed free of cost to temples for rituals such as Vedic Holi and havan religious rituals providing employment to 13 workersAMC said it plans to expand the project by incorporating vegetable waste from city markets into the biogas plants to increase outputThe initiative aligns with broader efforts in Gujarat to improve solid waste management under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel while also addressing urban challenges linked to stray cattle officials noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-ahmedabad-civic-body-converts-stray-cattle-dung-into-energy-cutting-waste-and-costs-671896.html Fri, 01 May 2026 20:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/met-office-warns-of-rain-strong-winds-across-madhya-pradesh-671898.html Bhopal May 1 The India Meteorological Department IMD in Bhopal has released a comprehensive weather report for Madhya Pradesh indicating a phase of significant atmospheric instability along with a temporary cooling trend as of May 1 Friday Looking ahead to May 2 Saturday the forecast predicts continued instability with isolated rainfall or drizzle accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning across several districts including Gwalior Rewa Jabalpur and PannaWinds are expected to be particularly strong reaching speeds of up to 50 kmph in eastern districts such as Sidhi and Balaghat In the state capital Bhopal the sky is likely to remain partly cloudy with temperatures hovering around 39 degrees Celsius during the day and about 23 degrees Celsius at nightOver the previous 24 hours the state witnessed a sharp drop in temperatures particularly in the Rewa and Shahdol divisions where maximum temperatures fell by as much as 103 degrees Celsius Minimum temperatures also recorded a notable decline especially in Gwalior and ShahdolDespite the cooling trend Khargone recorded the highest temperature in the state at 426 degrees Celsius while Pachmarhi registered the lowest minimum temperature at 172 degrees CelsiusThe current weather pattern is being driven by multiple synoptic systems including a western disturbance persisting as a cyclonic circulation over Kashmir and an associated trough extending further northAdditionally lowerlevel cyclonic circulations are active over north Punjab and the Gangetic West Bengal regionThese systems have already triggered widespread rainfall across the Shahdol Gwalior Chambal and Rewa divisions with Tikamgarh and Bhitarwar recording over 30 mm of rainfallSevere weather conditions including hailstorms were reported in districts such as Bhopal Gwalior and Singrauli while dust storms affected areas like Shivpuri and DamohThe outlook for the coming week suggests a gradual rise in maximum temperatures by around 2 degrees Celsius over the next two days followed by a subsequent drop of 2 to 3 degrees CelsiusAuthorities have advised residents to remain indoors during thunderstorms and have urged farmers to harvest mature crops immediately to minimise potential damage from rain and strong winds IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/met-office-warns-of-rain-strong-winds-across-madhya-pradesh-671898.html Fri, 01 May 2026 20:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/clearmedi-bahra-hospital-launches-247-trauma-centre-in-mohali-671900.html DW Bureuanbsp nbsp MohaliClearMedi Bahra Multispeciality Hospital CBMH has launched a stateoftheart 247 Trauma Centre and Critical Care Unit on NH21 KhararKurali aimed at delivering rapid lifesaving care during emergencies especially within the golden hournbspThe facility offers multidisciplinary care for polytrauma cases including orthopaedic neuro and surgical emergencies supported by advanced ICUs modular OTs and a fully equipped emergency departmentExecutive Director and CEO Cdr Navneet Bali said the centre will enhance survival outcomes through timely intervention and specialised care Facility Director Ritu Ruhela highlighted a free ambulance service within 20 km and a 247 helpline 8014280142 to ensure quick responsenbspEquipped with CT MRI Cath Lab and other diagnostic facilities the centre strengthens emergency healthcare services for Mohali and nearby regions https://dailyworld.in/national/clearmedi-bahra-hospital-launches-247-trauma-centre-in-mohali-671900.html Fri, 01 May 2026 20:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-gets-respite-from-intense-heatwave-as-rain-thunderstorms-lower-mercury-671744.html Jaipur April 30 In the last 24 hours Rajasthan has experienced respite from intense heatwave conditions as rain and thunderstorms in parts of the state dipped mercury Under the influence of a Western Disturbance weather conditions across parts of the state particularly in the Jodhpur and Kota divisions shifted noticeably on Wednesday afternoon Several districts witnessed rain accompanied by hailstorms bringing muchneeded relief from the ongoing heatwave The impact was visible as temperatures dropped below 40 degrees Celsius in more than 10 cities including Sri Ganganagar Sikar and PilaniThe Meteorological Centre Jaipur has issued a âyellow alertâ for Thursday warning of thunderstorms and rainfall in eight districtsMeanwhile despite scattered relief Chittorgarh remained the hottest location recording a maximum temperature of 434 degrees Other major cities also experienced high temperatures including Jaisalmer 426 degrees Barmer 42 degrees Kota 413 degrees Bikaner 414 degrees and Jodhpur 413 degrees Jaipur recorded a maximum temperature of 41 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 287 degreesWhile clouds offered slight cover humidity levels made conditions uncomfortable In Udaipur there was a marginal rise in both day and night temperatures with the maximum at 405 degrees Similarly in Jodhpur evening rain followed a humid day Sikar witnessed the temperature drop below 40 degrees after nine days due to early morning rain and a lowpressure systemIn Ajmer after intense daytime heat light rain and cool winds in the evening brought relief Similarly in Alwar hailstorms and rainfall led to a noticeable dip in temperature improving weather conditionsKota witnessed rain and hail over the past two days reducing temperatures by around 4 degreesThe Meteorological Department forecasts continued weather fluctuations with thunderstorms and rain likely in parts of the state over the next couple of daysWhile this may bring intermittent relief heat conditions are expected to persist in several regionsOverall Rajasthan is witnessing a mix of heat and sudden weather changes with residents advised to stay cautious amid ongoing alerts IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-gets-respite-from-intense-heatwave-as-rain-thunderstorms-lower-mercury-671744.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-targets-full-literacy-with-new-drive-to-educate-four-lakh-adults-671749.html Chennai April 30 The Tamil Nadu School Education Department is set to roll out an ambitious literacy initiative for 202627 aiming to educate more than four lakh nonliterate adults and move the state closer to achieving full literacy The programme part of the New India Literacy Programme NILP will focus on individuals aged 15 years and above who lack basic reading writing and numeracy skillsOfficials said the initiative is designed not only to impart foundational education but also to equip learners with essential life skills for everyday functioningTo implement the programme learnersâ literacy centres will be established in schools and community spaces across the state More than 17000 volunteers are expected to support the effort with participation drawn from schools colleges and nongovernmental organisationsA comprehensive survey will be conducted to identify beneficiaries Authorities have been instructed to utilise existing data sources including schoollevel census records primary health centre databases anganwadi records and MGNREGA registersCoordination between headmasters of government and aided schools along with block development offices will play a key role in ensuring accurate identification of nonliterate individualsIn addition to official data the department plans to involve local communities in the identification process School and college students school management committees selfhelp groups and NGOs will be encouraged to locate and motivate nonliterate persons within their neighbourhoods to join the programmeThe initiative is scheduled to begin in June with assessments planned for the second week of October Officials said the curriculum will include foundational literacy and numeracy along with practical knowledge tailored to daily life needs such as basic financial literacy health awareness and communication skillsDistrict Collectors will oversee the implementation through District Literacy Mission authorities ensuring coordination among local bodies education officials and community stakeholdersThe government expects that this decentralised approach will help streamline execution and improve outreachWith a structured framework and community participation at its core the state hopes the initiative will significantly reduce illiteracy levels and set a model for adult education programmes across the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-targets-full-literacy-with-new-drive-to-educate-four-lakh-adults-671749.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/lpg-shortage-forces-menu-changes-at-chennais-amma-canteens-671750.html Chennai April 30 A shortage of LPG cylinders has disrupted operations at Amma Canteens across Chennai forcing authorities to scale down food production and trim menus at several outlets The impact has been most visible in the reduction of idli output and the suspension of chapati preparation in many locations Field visits conducted on Wednesday in areas such as Egmore and Triplicane revealed that canteen staff have been instructed to limit cooking due to inadequate gas supply Chapatis which require relatively higher fuel consumption have been dropped entirely at several outlets while idli production has been significantly curtailed to cope with the constraintsThe canteens run by the Greater Chennai Corporation GCC form a crucial part of the cityâs subsidised food network serving thousands of lowincome residents dailyAccording to officials the scale of LPG supply has reduced drastically over the past 10 days affecting normal functioning âEarlier more than 300 cylinders were supplied daily Now it has dropped to around 150â a Corporation official said highlighting the severity of the shortageTo manage the crisis the GCC has introduced a hubbased cooking model in select areas Under this arrangement food is prepared at designated centres and distributed to a cluster of around 15 to 18 nearby canteens ensuring that basic services continue despite the limited fuel availabilityOn the ground the impact has been stark At the Gengu Reddy Subway canteen in Egmore the weekly supply of LPG cylinders has dropped from five to just two leading to a sharp fall in idli production from 350 to 150 per dayIn Chintadripet canteens are now receiving only two to three cylinders a week reducing idli output from 500 to 300 and replacing evening chapatis with idlis Similarly in Triplicane idli production has declined from 600 to 350 per day while chapati numbers have been cut by halfHowever not all centres have been equally affectedThe canteen at the Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children campus continues to function normally despite broader instructions to suspend chapati preparationOfficials maintain that the situation is temporary and have assured that fullscale operations will resume once LPG supplies stabiliseUntil then authorities are focusing on maintaining essential services while adapting to the constraints IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/lpg-shortage-forces-menu-changes-at-chennais-amma-canteens-671750.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/op-sindoor-demonstrates-transition-from-diplomatic-statements-to-concrete-action-on-terror-rajnath-singh-671751.html New Delhi April 30 IANS Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday that decisive action under Operation Sindoor conveyed an unequivocal global message that India is no longer bound by the old mindset of merely issuing diplomatic statements when terror attacks are perpetrated on its soilAddressing a National Security Summit in New Delhi the Defence Minister said the Prime Minister Narendra Modiled government has moved beyond mere intent and rhetoric by demonstrating its unwavering commitment through decisive actionRajnath Singh asserted that the government has maintained a firm stance that any act of terrorism under any circumstances will not be toleratedHe described the surgical strikes airstrikes and Operation Sindoor as a manifestation of the governments resolute stance against the menaceOn Pakistans continuous support to terrorism he said Both India and Pakistan attained independence at the same time However today India is recognised globally for IT Information Technology while Pakistan is regarded as the epicentre of a different IT International TerrorismRajnath Singh termed Operation Sindoor as a shining example of jointness and synergy of the Indian Defence ForcesHe stated that the Indian Army Indian Navy and Indian Air Force acted in concert and under a unified plan demonstrating conclusively that Indias military might no longer operates in silos instead it has emerged as a joint integrated and global powerThe Defence Minister added that India executed Operation Sindoor on its own terms and at a time of its own choosing and halted it strictly on its own termsDuring the course of the operation we targeted with absolute precision only those who had perpetrated the attack against us We did not halt the operation because our capabilities had been exhausted or diminished We halted it entirely on our own terms We were fully prepared to sustain a prolonged conflict We possess the requisite surge capacity and the inherent strength to rapidly scale up our capabilities in moments of sudden crisis he saidIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/op-sindoor-demonstrates-transition-from-diplomatic-statements-to-concrete-action-on-terror-rajnath-singh-671751.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/talent-driven-ecosystem-positions-vizag-as-emerging-it-growth-hub-671754.html Visakhapatnam April 30 The Andhra Pradesh governmentâs talentdriven ecosystem has positioned Visakhapatnam as an emerging IT growth hub officials said on Thursday Through progressive policies such as IT amp GCC Information Technology amp Global Capability Centres and LIFT Land Incentive for Tech Hubs coupled with industryacademia collaboration robust infrastructure support and employeefriendly urban mobility solutions the state has created an enabling environment for IT companies to scale seamlessly they saidThe ecosystemled approach is helping reverse the longstanding trend of talent migration positioning Visakhapatnam not just as a source of skilled professionals but as a destination where global companies can build and retain highquality teamsVisakhapatnam is rapidly emerging as one of Indiaâs most promising IT destinations powered by a strong local talent base and a maturing ecosystem that is increasingly attracting global technology investments Reinforcing this trend Infosys has been allotted 20 acres of land in Vizag to set up a 7000seater facility said a government releaseOver the last two years Infosys has scaled its workforce in Visakhapatnam from 250 employees in early 2024 to nearly 1900 currently with an additional 750 seats set to become operational in the near termThe company has also outlined plans for a permanent 20acre campus with a longterm seating capacity of 7000 professionals demonstrating strong confidence in the regionâs longterm potentialAccording to the official release a defining feature of this growth is the deep integration with the local talent ecosystem The Visakhapatnam campus has recruited over 1000 freshers and 500 lateral hires from the region reflecting the availability of industryready talent and the success of Andhra Pradeshâs focussed skilling and industryaligned education initiativesâThe growth of Visakhapatnam as an IT hub is a direct reflection of the strength of our local talent and the ecosystem we are building around it For years our youth have powered global technology companies from across the world Today that same talent is choosing to build their careers here in Andhra Pradeshâ said Nara Lokesh Minister for IT Electronics amp EducationâOur vision is to create a vibrant talentfirst ecosystem where industry academia and government work in synergy The expansion of Infosys in Visakhapatnam is a strong validation of this approach and reinforces our commitment to transforming Andhra Pradesh into a global hub for technology and innovationâ he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/talent-driven-ecosystem-positions-vizag-as-emerging-it-growth-hub-671754.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/seven-injured-as-lpg-cylinder-explodes-in-rajasthans-khairthal-tijara-district-671756.html Jaipur April 30 A major tragedy struck Billu Colony in Sathalka village in Rajasthans KhairthalTijara district on Thursday after a gas cylinder exploded inside a residential house At least seven people sustained severe burn injuries in the incident According to initial reports the explosion occurred while cooking was underway in the house which is located under the jurisdiction of the Bhiwadi Phase III Police Station A suspected gas leak triggered a fire which rapidly intensified and led to a powerful blast The impact was so strong that tremors were felt in nearby houses triggering panic across the locality Household items were scattered and flames quickly engulfed those inside as per reports At the time of the explosion around seven individuals were present in the house Hearing their cries local residents rushed to the scene and managed to rescue the victims after considerable effort All injured individuals suffered critical burn injuries The injured were immediately taken to the District Hospital in Bhiwadi where emergency treatment was initiated However due to the severity of their condition and the extent of burns doctors referred all seven victims to a higher medical centre in Alwar for advanced care With the arrival of the victims at the hospital medical teams worked urgently to stabilise them Police personnel from Bhiwadi Phase III Police Station reached the spot soon after receiving information about the incidentA preliminary investigation suggests that a gas leak may have caused the explosion though authorities are examining all possible angles More details are awaitedMeanwhile the administration has appealed to the public to periodically inspect their gas cylinders and pipelines remain alert and immediately report if they detect any smell of gas in order to prevent such accidents Further updates are awaited as officials continue their investigation and the victims undergo treatment in Alwar IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/seven-injured-as-lpg-cylinder-explodes-in-rajasthans-khairthal-tijara-district-671756.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/isis-long-game-distraction-surveillance-and-a-bigger-plot-ahead-of-up-polls-671757.html New Delhi April 30 The ISI is playing a long game and is plotting a big attack leading up to the elections in Uttar Pradesh scheduled to be held next year In the run up to the big plot ISI backed elements are causing major distractions through their propaganda channels officials have learnt The Uttar Pradesh election is a big event and the ISI is plotting to carry out a series of attacks in the lead up an official said The official explained that if one notices the pattern the ISI backed elements are indulging in multiple acts such as setting up CCTV cameras indulging in spying activity among others All this is aimed at gathering information about sensitive locations in IndiaThe sudden surge in activity is to keep the Indian agencies engaged so that these persons can slip in an attack of a huge magnitude an Intelligence Bureau official saidThe official said that these people are not just plotting major strikes but also plan on disrupting communal harmony There are multiple intercepts which have been picked up that suggest that the propaganda channels have been asked to go on overdrive mode to disturb peace and harmony the official also saidThe intent is not just to create problems in major cities in Uttar Pradesh The ISI has its eyes on tier2 cities and villages as well The idea is to confuse the agencies in India and then slip in the surprise element another official saidRecently the Ghaziabad police busted a module that was involved in setting up CCTV cameras at railway stations and other sensitive locations Solar powered cameras were being installed so that live feed could be provided to the handlers based out of Pakistan This prompted a CCTV camera audit across the countryThe agencies worry that these elements may have procured CCTV cameras in large numbers much in advance The official said that they propose to use the same tactic in the run up to the UP electionsThe plan is to install them at roadside dhabas and other shops The aim would be to keep an eye on the routes that the big politicians take during campaigning Officials also say that the ISI is unlikely to use its elements who have set up shop in Uttar Pradesh They are likely to use elements from other states as there is a chance that the police are unlikely to have a record on them Using elements from UP will create suspicion and the ISI wants to avoid that at all cost the official also saidOfficials say that while the agencies bust espionage and terror modules in various states a close eye should also be kept on what is happening elsewhere The constant distraction that the ISI is trying to create in reality is aimed elsewhere and the plan is a big one officials also noteSuch planning also suits the ISIâs larger narrative of having multiple homegrown modules to carry out attacks in India Following the change in doctrine where India would treat every act of terror from Pakistan as an act of war the ISI too has tweaked its tacticsAn official said that while the ISI wants to hit big in India it also wants to ensure that the trail does not lead back to Pakistan While the doctrine change is one factor Pakistan is aware that it is under the watch of the Financial Action Task Force FATFWith an economy that is struggling the last thing Pakistan wants is to get back to the Grey List Islamabad had come out of the Grey List on the promise that it would stop financing terrorPakistanâs ISI has been accused of diverting drug money and funds generated through charities to keep terror groups going This explains the major change in tactic by Pakistan whereby it wants every attack to look like it is homegrown an official also said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/isis-long-game-distraction-surveillance-and-a-bigger-plot-ahead-of-up-polls-671757.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-court-grants-bail-to-i-pac-co-founder-vinesh-kumar-chandel-671758.html New Delhi April 30 A Delhi court on Thursday granted regular bail to Indian Political Action Committee IPAC cofounder Vinesh Kumar Chandel in a money laundering case linked to the alleged coal pilferage probe Additional Sessions Judge Amit Bansal of the Patiala House Courts passed the order in favour of Chandel who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate ED under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act PMLAWhile allowing the bail plea the court recorded that the ED had been given an opportunity to oppose the application but chose not to do soOn April 23 a Delhi court had issued notice to the ED on Chandelâs regular bail plea and sought the federal antimoney laundering agencyâs responseSubsequently on April 28 the Patiala House Court had dismissed his interim bail plea which was filed on medical grounds citing the deteriorating health of his 74yearold mother who is suffering from dementiaRejecting the interim relief the court had then observed âIn view of the foregoing discussion this Court is of the considered opinion that the applicantaccused has failed to make out a case for grant of interim bail The grounds urged though sympathetic do not rise to the level of urgency or exceptionality required to justify such relief particularly in the context of an offence under the PMLAâThe court had further underlined that interim bail in PMLA cases cannot be granted routinely and must be based on âcompelling immediate and exceptional circumstancesâChandel was sent to 14 daysâ judicial custody on April 23 after the expiry of the ED remand in connection with an Enforcement Case Information Report ECIR registered on March 28 on the basis of an FIR lodged by the Economic Offences Wing EOWAccording to the ED Ms Indian PAC Consulting Pvt Ltd through its directors including Chandel was allegedly involved in the generation concealment and laundering of proceeds of crime through structured financial transactions involving unaccounted cash components bogus invoices and hawala channelsThe federal antimoney laundering agency has alleged that the company split receipts between formal banking channels and cash payments including funds purportedly received from political parties and used unaccounted money for electionrelated expenditure and influencing public perceptionThe ED has further claimed that Rs 1350 crore was introduced into the companyâs books in the guise of unsecured interestfree loans without commercial justification while bogus invoices were allegedly raised to justify suspicious fund inflows IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-court-grants-bail-to-i-pac-co-founder-vinesh-kumar-chandel-671758.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/thunderstorms-bring-down-mercury-in-kolkata-by-7-degrees-celsius-with-more-rains-forecast-for-next-few-days-671759.html Kolkata April 30 Thunderstorms accompanied by rain brought down the days minimum temperature in Kolkata by 7 degrees Celsius on Thursday The minimum temperature in the morning was recorded at 204 degrees Celsius while it was 277 degrees Celsius yesterdayThe sharp drop in the mercury in a single night dissipated the sweltering heat prevailing in Kolkata and its surrounding areas The Met office has forecast more thunderstorms along with rain over Kolkata and south Bengal districts for the next few daysOn Wednesday Kolkata was drenched in rain on the night of the second and final phase of voting About 54 millimetres of rain accompanied with gusty winds was recorded which eventually brought down the temperatureThe same pleasant weather will remain till next Sunday and thunderstorms will continue The weather may change from the day of counting of votes on MondayAccording to the Met office the eastwest axis of a cyclonic circulation extends from north Haryana to Manipur It passes through Uttar Pradesh Bihar West Bengal Bangladesh and AssamDue to this a large amount of water vapour is entering West Bengal from the Bay of Bengal That is why favourable conditions for rain have been created in BengalAccording to the forecast the sky in Kolkata will remain cloudy on Thursday There is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunderstorms by afternoonThe maximum temperature in the city will be 32 degrees Celsius Thunderstorms are likely not only in Kolkata but also in other southern districtsThunderstorms warning has been issued in East Midnapore Hooghly Howrah North 24 Parganas South 24 Parganas and Nadia districts Fishermen have been prohibited from going to the sea till May 3Meanwhile heavy rain is likely in north Bengal as well Five north Bengal districts including Darjeeling and Kalimpong are likely to receive heavy rainThe rain will continue in the north for the next four days along with thunderstorms There is a possibility of scattered hail and thundershowers in rest of the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/thunderstorms-bring-down-mercury-in-kolkata-by-7-degrees-celsius-with-more-rains-forecast-for-next-few-days-671759.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-ranks-3rd-nationwide-with-4671-pc-mobile-phone-recovery-rate-surpassing-national-average-671762.html Gandhinagar April 30 Gujarat Police have achieved a mobile phone recovery rate well above the national average ranking third among large states in the country according to official data in a development that underscores the growing use of technology to tackle telecomrelated crime Over the past year Gujarat Police recovered 53564 stolen handsets recording a recovery rate of 4671 per cent compared with the national average of 326 per centAcross India a total of 5048516 mobile phones have been blocked so far of which 183985 were blocked in GujaratThe performance has been attributed to the coordinated efforts of the Department of Telecommunications DoT and Gujarat Police particularly through the effective use of the Central governmentâs âSanchar Saathiâ portal and the Central Equipment Identity Register CEIR moduleThese tools have enabled authorities to trace and recover devices more efficiently placing Gujarat third among large states in terms of recovery percentageOfficials emphasised âThe recovery figures demonstrate the commitment of our teams and the impact of systematic monitoring through CEIRâ while acknowledging the role of field officers in achieving the resultsData for the financial year 202526 showed that Ahmedabad City Dang and Bhavnagar districts emerged as the top performers in CEIR rankingsAhmedabad City ranked first in the state with a final score of 5670 recovering 4935 handsets out of 25500 block requestsIt also secured a full score of 100 out of 100 in the volumebased assessment Dang district ranked second with 5489 points handling 328 block requests and recording an accuracy score of 7733 per centBhavnagar district secured third place with a score of 5344 recovering 273 handsets out of 634 block requestsOfficials said that nodal officers across districts played a significant role in tracing 114670 blocked handsets contributing to the stateâs overall recovery performanceOn Thursday state police chief Dr KLN Rao presented shields and certificates to nodal officers from Ahmedabad City Dang and Bhavnagar districts in recognition of their workThe initiative is aimed at strengthening national security preventing the misuse of stolen mobile phones and curbing telecomrelated fraud officials said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-ranks-3rd-nationwide-with-4671-pc-mobile-phone-recovery-rate-surpassing-national-average-671762.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/op-sindoor-signals-shift-from-words-to-action-on-terror-rajnath-singh-671763.html New Delhi April 30 IANS Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday that decisive action under Operation Sindoor conveyed an unequivocal global message that India is no longer bound by the old mindset of merely issuing diplomatic statements when terror attacks are perpetrated on its soilAddressing a National Security Summit in New Delhi the Defence Minister said the Prime Minister Narendra Modiled government has moved beyond mere intent and rhetoric by demonstrating its unwavering commitment through decisive actionRajnath Singh asserted that the government has maintained a firm stance that any act of terrorism under any circumstances will not be toleratedHe described the surgical strikes airstrikes and Operation Sindoor as a manifestation of the governments resolute stance against the menaceOn Pakistans continuous support to terrorism he said Both India and Pakistan attained independence at the same time However today India is recognised globally for IT Information Technology while Pakistan is regarded as the epicentre of a different IT International TerrorismRajnath Singh termed Operation Sindoor as a shining example of jointness and synergy of the Indian Defence ForcesHe stated that the Indian Army Indian Navy and Indian Air Force acted in concert and under a unified plan demonstrating conclusively that Indias military might no longer operates in silos instead it has emerged as a joint integrated and global powerThe Defence Minister added that India executed Operation Sindoor on its own terms and at a time of its own choosing and halted it strictly on its own termsDuring the course of the operation we targeted with absolute precision only those who had perpetrated the attack against us We did not halt the operation because our capabilities had been exhausted or diminished We halted it entirely on our own terms We were fully prepared to sustain a prolonged conflict We possess the requisite surge capacity and the inherent strength to rapidly scale up our capabilities in moments of sudden crisis he saidIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/op-sindoor-signals-shift-from-words-to-action-on-terror-rajnath-singh-671763.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/over-12-lakh-workers-in-gujarat-get-rs-2-029-crore-bonus-govt-highlights-reforms-671764.html Gandhinagar April 30 The Gujarat government has disbursed more than Rs 2029 crore in bonuses to over 1244 lakh workers during 202425 while expanding digital grievance systems and labour reforms according to official data Marking International Labour Day on May 1 officials said the occasion is ânot just a day but a festival recognising the contribution of crores of labourers devoted to hard workâ and added that âthe progress of any nation is built on the sweat of its workersâUnder the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel the government stated it has sought to combine âtechnology with human sensitivityâ to provide workers with economic justice and security positioning Gujarat as taking a leading role in labour empowermentA central feature of the stateâs initiatives is the âShram Setu Portalâ launched by the Labour Skill Development and Employment Department to enable faster and more transparent resolution of workersâ grievancesThe portal includes a case and claim module designed to handle disputes related to gratuity wage increases termination and other demandsIn 2025 a total of 5550 applications were processed online through this systemOfficials said Workersâ lives have become easier through the integration of technology and sensitivity All procedures from inspections to compliance have also been digitised through an inspection moduleIn 2025 the state conducted 13810 inspections online with industrial establishments submitting compliance digitallyTo support workers further a Labour Support Call Centre has been made operational During 2025 the centre received 18402 callsAppropriate guidance and action were provided on all calls contributing to strengthening workersâ trust officials notedThey further said that reforms introduced during the year were aimed at promoting ease of doing business while reducing unnecessary legal complexitiesReferring to amendments linked to the âJan Vishwas Billâ introduced by the Central government they noted Provisions for compounding offences and revised penalties have been incorporated into the Gujarat Industrial Relations Act and the Gujarat Shops and Establishments Act making administrative processes more transparentIt is asserted that these reforms are expected to make operations easier for traders and industrial units resulting in new employment opportunities for workersThe government also reported that its mediation efforts led to the payment of more than Rs 1113 crore as wage differences to 7655 workers across 1232 institutions in 2025In addition more than 1244 lakh workers received bonus payments totalling Rs 202917 crore during 202425 with disbursement aligned with the Diwali periodSeparately the eShram portal launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment in 2021 to register unorganised workers recorded more than four lakh registrations in Gujarat between January 1 2025 and December 31 2025The government said these measures demonstrate that workers contributing to the stateâs development are being supported through a combination of welfare initiatives and digital systems adding that âwhen workers prosper India becomes truly selfreliantâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/over-12-lakh-workers-in-gujarat-get-rs-2-029-crore-bonus-govt-highlights-reforms-671764.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-appoints-outgoing-dgp-shivadhar-reddy-as-security-advisor-671765.html Hyderabad April 30 The Telangana government on Thursday appointed outgoing Director General of Police B Shivadhar Reddy as the State Security Advisor SSA He will advise the government on the issues concerning police law and order internal security crime control narcotics control and road safety for a period of three years from the date of assumption of charge said a Government OrderHe will have the status and rank of Chief Secretary to the government According to the GO he will be paid a fixed remuneration of Rs 225 lakh per month Shivadhar Reddy is superannuating from service on Thursday April 30 The government has already appointed CV Anand as the next DGPAccording to the GO Shivadhar Reddy is entitled to office accommodation He is also entitled to rentfree accommodation or HRA of Rs 50000 in lieu of a rented or own house The SSA will be provided with a government vehicle The Home Department shall provide him an OSD a private secretary one personal assistant two drivers and four office subordinatesMeanwhile the state government has also appointed senior Congress leader V Hanumantha Rao as advisor to the government for Backward Classes BC welfare and developmentHe will enjoy the rank and status of minister of state in the stateChief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao has issued a Government Order in this regard âHe will rank at Article 18 of the Warrant of Precedence as a measure personal to the dignitary for the duration of the term of the office without formal amendment to the State Table of Warrant of Precedenceâ reads the GOHanumantha Rao a former MP and one of the senior leaders of the Congress party was a strong aspirant for the Rajya Sabha seat in the recent elections held for two seats from TelanganaHowever the party picked Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Vem Narender Reddy Both were unanimously elected to the Upper House of ParliamentSinghvi was elected for the second term while Narender Reddy a close friend of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy made his debut as the MP IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-appoints-outgoing-dgp-shivadhar-reddy-as-security-advisor-671765.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/justice-anupinder-singh-grewal-appointed-as-new-nclt-president-671767.html New Delhi April 30 The Centre has approved the appointment of Justice Retd Anupinder Singh Grewal former judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court as President of the National Company Law Tribunal NCLT According to an official notification issued by the Department of Personnel and Training DoPT the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet cleared the Ministry of Corporate Affairsâ proposal for Justice Grewalâs appointment to the top post in the NCLTâThe Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs for appointment of Justice Retd Anupinder Singh Grewal former Judge of the High Court of Punjab amp Haryana to the post of President National Company Law Tribunal NCLT in the pay scale of Rs 80000 fixed prerevised for a period of five years with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post or till attaining the age of 67 years whichever is earlierâ the notification statedJustice Grewal succeeds Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar who had served as NCLT President with effect from November 1 2021 and demitted office earlier this yearThe NCLT functions as a key adjudicatory body for corporate disputes in India dealing with matters related to the Companies Act and insolvency proceedings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code IBCBorn on March 10 1964 into an agriculturist family from Punjabâs Ludhiana district Justice Grewal pursued his academic journey at St Stephenâs College Delhi where he completed his BA Honours in History in 1985 and MA in History in 1987 He later obtained his LLB degree from the University of Delhi in 1992He began legal practice at the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 1992 and went on to serve in several significant legal positions for the Punjab government including Assistant Advocate General Deputy Advocate General Senior Deputy Advocate General and Additional Advocate GeneralJustice Grewal was also appointed Senior Panel Counsel for conducting Central government cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in November 2009 and continued in that role till his elevation to the BenchHe was elevated as an Additional Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on September 25 2014 Later he was transferred to the Rajasthan High Court in December 2014 and was sworn in as a permanent judge there in May 2016Subsequently he was transferred back to the Punjab and Haryana High Court where he assumed charge in October 2016 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/justice-anupinder-singh-grewal-appointed-as-new-nclt-president-671767.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-enters-new-fiscal-from-position-of-relative-prudence-despite-global-headwinds-finmin-report-671768.html New Delhi April 30 While the West Asia conflict constitutes a significant supply shock Indiaâs domestic demand policy buffers resilient financial system and sustained public investment provide some insulation according to the Finance Ministryâs monthly economic review for April While supplyside stresses are becoming increasingly evident the report said demand conditions in March as evident from retail vehicle sales as well as tractor sales still appear reasonably robust âLooking ahead demand conditions and economic activity will be influenced by emerging pressures stemming from rising input prices and supply chain constraints However as the fragile peace in the Middle East holds on with the ceasefire we expect the situation to improve in H2 of 2026â it addedThe review cautioned that as the evolving West Asia conflict begins to exert pressure on economic activity it will have direct implications for both revenue realisation and expenditure commitments in 202627 It also called for an assessment of fiscal position of states given their critical role in aggregate public spending âNotwithstanding these emerging headwinds the Centre enters the fiscal year from a position of relative prudence The fiscal consolidation path adhered to in recent years coupled with the Budgetâs conservative assumption of a gross tax revenue buoyancy of 08 which is below the historical average and the creation of an Economic Stabilisation Fund in the public account provides room for fiscal interventionsâ the review observesHowever the review also flags the risk of uncertainty in energy and fertiliser supplies in case the Middle East conflict gets prolonged Risks are tilted to the upside for inflation fiscal and external deficits and to the downside for economic growth However while striving to sustain economic growth policy is expected to safeguard mediumterm fiscal and external stability it added Citing external sector trends the review noted that Indiaâs merchandise trade deficit widened to 3332 billion in FY26 from 2835 billion in FY25 while the overall trade deficit rose to 1193 billion from 947 billion during the same period âThe pattern is likely to persist in FY27 with even wider deficits alongside a higher current account deficitâ it said While describing the recent pickup in gross foreign direct investment FDI inflows as encouraging the review warned that the global environment was becoming more competitive âCountries are increasingly weaponising supply chains and investment flows making relocation decisions more complex for businessesâ it saidIndiaâs task is cut out and a coordinated push is required across agencies to attract capital flows through stable tax policies improved logistics better urban liveability stronger research and innovation ecosystems and a skilled and healthy workforce it observes Among other reforms the review said the domestic decriminalisation and deregulation agenda should not be held back due to global uncertainties adding that regulatory simplification â particularly steps that lower the cost of imports and exports â would be âespecially valuable in these timesâAs far as the farm sector is concerned the review sees this as the ideal time to implement longoverdue policies that remove distorted crop choices and improve agricultural productivity In India the forecast of a belownormal spatially uneven monsoon due to the El Nino effect underscores the urgency of getting agricultural and water policies right it added The review also highlights that boosting AIinsulated durable trade skills among the youth will support domestic manufacturing and services while creating export opportunities IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-enters-new-fiscal-from-position-of-relative-prudence-despite-global-headwinds-finmin-report-671768.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/suspended-bureaucrat-b-ashok-slams-cm-vijayan-calls-action-badge-of-honour-671772.html Thiruvananthapuram April 30 A day after his suspension senior IAS officer Dr B Ashok launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan alleging political interference misuse of public funds and an erosion of bureaucratic independence under the current regime Addressing the media on Thursday Ashok who has put in 28 years of service and also serves as President of the IAS Association claimed his suspension was linked to the associationâs legal victories against the government since 2023âThe anger of the Chief Minister is understandableâ he said noting that the association had won five cases during this periodDrawing a contrast between the two Left governments Ashok said the first Vijayan administration 2016â2021 respected and acknowledged the role of civil servants particularly senior ministersHowever he alleged that the second term saw a shift in governance style with around a dozen longretired officials wielding significant influenceHe specifically pointed to the appointment of former Chief Secretary KM Abraham to a newly created role in the Chief Ministerâs Office calling it an unprecedented moveAshok made it clear he would not immediately challenge the suspension in court describing it instead as a âbadge of honourâHe argued that the action reflected a broader pattern in how he had been treated by the governmentâLet the suspension order lie on my table I am sure a new government will address it appropriatelyâ he said suggesting that the electoral verdict on April 9 had already gone against the ruling frontHe further alleged that in the past six months a group of officials had been mobilised to secure a third term for the government including the use of public funds for a largescale publicity campaignAccording to him a Mumbaibased PR agency was awarded a Rs 130 crore contract for this purposeCalling the developments âserious irregularitiesâ Ashok warned that a dangerous precedent was being set one that risked turning the civil service into a body subservient to political authority IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/suspended-bureaucrat-b-ashok-slams-cm-vijayan-calls-action-badge-of-honour-671772.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-and-italy-expand-defence-ties-explore-deepening-industrial-cooperation-671773.html New Delhi April 30 IANS India and Italy explored prospects for further developing industrial cooperation in the defence sector during a meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto in New Delhi on Thursday Both ministers discussed ways to further develop mutually beneficial defence industrial cooperation under Indias Atmanirbhar Bharat programme and Italys defence cooperation initiativeThe two sides also exchanged a Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan MCP 202627 regarding military engagements between the armed forces of India and ItalyHappy to have welcomed my Italian counterpart Mr Guido Crosetto and held extensive talks with him in Delhi today We discussed a wide range of regional and global issues including the current situation in West Asia We also discussed the avenues to further develop mutually beneficial defence industrial cooperation under Indias Atmanirbhar Bharat programme and Italys defence cooperation initiative A Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan MCP 202627 was also exchanged regarding military engagements between the Armed forces of both countries Singh posted on XDescribing his meeting with Singh as cordial and fruitful Crosetto stated that several regional and global issues including the current situation in the Middle East were also discussedCordial and fruitful meeting in India with my counterpart Shri Rajnath Singh We discussed a wide range of regional and global issues including the current situation in the Middle East During the meeting we also delved into prospects for further developing industrial cooperation in the defence sector based on shared interests and mutual benefit Finally the Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan 20262027 was exchanged concerning commitments and collaborative activities between our Armed Forces Italys Ministry of Defence quoted Crosetto as sayingEarlier in the day the visiting minister laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and paid tribute to the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in service of the nationItalys Ministry of Defence has highlighted that the defence cooperation between Italy and India has gained further momentum following Singhs visit to Rome in October 2023Minister Crosettos visit to India underscores the willingness of both countries to expand existing cooperation and explore new areas of collaboration particularly within the framework of industrial partnership it statedItaly mentioned that that the signing of IndiaEU Defence and Strategic Partnership in January 2026 signals increasing strategic convergence and has provided further impetus to defence industrial cooperation in areas of mutual interestAccording to the Ministry of External Affairs MEA initially the defence ties between both nations were focused on import of defence equipment to India which has now expanded to include training industry cooperation including export of defence equipment sharing of information port calls maritime exercises maritime security etcDuring his visit to Italy in 2023 Rajnath Singh had held discussions with Crosetto and both sides had signed a Memorandum of Understanding MoU on defence cooperationIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-and-italy-expand-defence-ties-explore-deepening-industrial-cooperation-671773.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-used-car-market-seen-at-70-billion-by-fy31-report-671774.html New Delhi April 30 IANS Indias usedcar market is projected to reach around 70 billion by FY31 nearly doubling from about 35 billion in FY26 because of rising affordability shorter replacement cycles and increasing formalisation of transactions according to a report on ThursdaynbspThe report by Redseer Strategy Consultants said India is currently the fifthlargest usedcar market globally and is expected to become the thirdlargest by the end of the decade behind the US and ChinaMoreover annual retail usedcar sales are likely to scale up to 10 million units by FY31 supported by strong demand fundamentals and a growing base of vehicle ownership it saidA major driver of this growth is the shortening of the car replacement cycle which is expected to decline from 78 years in FY21 to around 45 years by FY31 particularly in metros and Tier 1 citiesThe report noted that rising incomes premiumisation trends and improved access to financing are expanding both demand and supply in the usedcar ecosystemIndias usedcar market is undergoing a fundamental transition from an informal priceled space to a more structured and trustbased ecosystem said Kushal Bhatnagar Associate Partner at Redseer Strategy ConsultantsHe added that used cars are increasingly being preferred not just as an economical option but for value optimisation quality assurance and the convenience offered by organised platformsThe study also highlighted that around 65 per cent of usedcar buyers in India are firsttime car owners underlining the segments growing importance in the countrys mobility landscapeAdditionally financing penetration in the usedcar segment is expected to rise up to 40 per cent by FY31 improving affordability and boosting volumes according to the reportDespite strong growth nearly 80 per cent of transactions remain unorganised indicating significant headroom for organised fullstack platforms to expand and address trustrelated concernsIndias usedtonew car ratio currently stands at around 14 and is projected to improve to 17 by FY31 though it remains below levels seen in mature markets which signals further growth potentialIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-used-car-market-seen-at-70-billion-by-fy31-report-671774.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/back-to-source-mohali-unveils-traditional-summer-coolers-wellness-menu-671792.html DW Bureaunbsp nbsp Mohalinbsp Back To Source has introduced a range of traditional Indian summer coolers and probiotic beverages at its Sector 66 outlet in Mohali aimed at promoting hydration and gut health during the peak summer seasonFounder Director Puja Aggarwal said the offeringssuch as Gond Katira Almond Milk Cooler Jowar Badam Milkshake and Pineapple Tepachecombine traditional ingredients with modern wellness needs She highlighted the importance of reviving ageold cooling and digestive drinks suited to Indian summersThe brand also unveiled a light nutrientrich summer menu featuring salads avocadobased dishes and lighter versions of popular items along with chef specials like kurkuri bhindi and faluda kulfiOperations Head Dhruv Ahluwalia said the menu focuses on minimal oil usage seasonal ingredients and gutfriendly options to ensure balanced refreshing mealsnbspA tasting session was held for attendees showcasing the new beverages and dishes https://dailyworld.in/national/back-to-source-mohali-unveils-traditional-summer-coolers-wellness-menu-671792.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 19:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/amit-shah-to-start-two-day-ladakh-visit-today-671681.html Ladakh April 30 IANS Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to visit the Union Territory of Ladakh on a twoday tour starting Thursday during which he will pay his respects to the sacred relics of Lord Buddha on the occasion of Buddha Purnima on May 1nbspAhead of the visit the Union Ministry of Home Affairs MHA also announced that a meeting of the SubCommittee will be held on May 22 for discussions with the Leh Apex Body LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance KDAnbspThe previous round of talks between the stakeholders took place on February 4 in New Delhi and the upcoming meeting will be held after a gap of nearly three and a half monthsAccording to officials Shah is scheduled to arrive in Leh later in the day and will offer prayers to the sacred relics of Lord Buddha on May 1 as part of the Buddha Purnima observanceDuring his visit the Home Minister is also expected to review ongoing development projects in Ladakh and hold interactions with prominent citizens of the Union Territory However the administration has not yet released a detailed itinerary of his engagementsThe announcement of Shahs visit was made earlier on April 26 by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar SaxenaIt gives me great pleasure in sharing that Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be arriving in Leh on April 30 for a twoday visit On May 1 he will pay his respects to the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha on the occasion of Buddha Purnima and share his thoughts on the spiritual significance of the sacred exposition being held in Ladakh from May 114 the Lieutenant Governor said in a post on XHe further noted that the visit highlights the Government of Indias continued focus on the development of LadakhShortly after announcing the visit the Lieutenant Governor also informed that the MHA has decided to convene a meeting of the SubCommittee to continue political dialogue with representatives of Ladakhbased groups on May 22I am pleased to announce that the Ministry of Home Affairs Govt of India has taken a decision to convene a meeting of the subcommittee for political dialogue on May 22 This will carry forward the process of constructive democratic dialogue with key stakeholders of Ladakh and pave the way for an enduring solution to meet the aspirations of the people of Ladakh he said in another post on XIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/amit-shah-to-start-two-day-ladakh-visit-today-671681.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vijay-calls-key-meeting-of-tvk-candidates-ahead-of-tn-election-results-671682.html Chennai April 30 IANS With the results of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections set to be announced soon actorturnedpolitician Joseph Vijay is convening a crucial meeting with candidates of his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK on ThursdaynbspnbspThe meeting will take place at 1 pm at the party headquarters in Panaiyur Chennai and is expected to focus on postpoll assessments and preparations ahead of the counting of votesNotably only candidates who contested the election have been permitted to attend the meeting underlining the importance of the discussionsTamil Nadu went to the polls in a single phase on April 23 witnessing a highstakes contest involving major alliances as well as emerging political players This election marked the electoral debut of Vijays TVK which has generated considerable attention across the state particularly among younger votersBarring one setback in the Edappadi constituency where the partys nomination was rejected TVK fielded candidates in 233 out of the 234 Assembly constituencies The partys aggressive expansion and widespread candidate presence have positioned it as a significant new entrant in the states political landscapeIn preparation for the meeting all candidates have been instructed to bring with them the original Form 17C collected from their respective polling stations Form 17C is an official document issued by the Returning Officer that contains detailed data on the number of votes recorded at each polling boothThe directive highlights the partys emphasis on transparency and accuracy in tracking polling data The Form 17C is considered a critical document in the electoral process as it allows candidates to verify the votes polled and crosscheck them during the counting processSources within the party indicated that the meeting may also be used to consolidate boothlevel data and assess voting patterns across constituenciesWith speculation mounting over the role TVK could play in the final outcome the internal review is seen as a strategic move to ensure preparednessAs Tamil Nadu awaits the official verdict on May 4 Vijays initiative signals a methodical approach by his party in navigating its first electoral testIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vijay-calls-key-meeting-of-tvk-candidates-ahead-of-tn-election-results-671682.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ashwini-vaishnaw-to-flag-off-jammu-srinagar-vande-bharat-today-671683.html Jammu April 30 IANS Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will flag off a direct 20coach Vande Bharat train service between Jammu and Srinagar on Thursday while regular services for the public will commence from May 2In addition to giving a fillip to tourism the service will reduce travel time between Jammu and Srinagar while providing allweather connectivity between the two capitals of Jammu and KashmirThe historic rail link between Katra town in Reasi district of Jammu division and Srinagar in the Kashmir Valley was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6 2025For nearly 70 years the dream of a rail link between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country remained elusive and work on the project began in the late 1990sThe first train operated within the Kashmir Valley in October 2008 while it cost a whopping Rs 28000 crore to establish the rail link between the Kashmir Valley and Jammu divisionConsidered one of the most challenging rail link projects in the world laying tracks across the treacherous Himalayan terrain has been described as a marvel of engineering and human endeavourThis rail link remained an unrealised dream for the people of the Kashmir Valley till 2025 although trains had reached Udhampur town in 2005Railway officials said the modern 20coach Vande Bharat train will commence its maiden journey from Jammu Tawi JAT and travel up to Srinagar connecting the region across difficult geographical terrainSimultaneously a train will depart from Srinagar for Jammu on the same day the service begins from Jammu to Srinagar officials saidBefore the commencement of this service a trial run of the JammuSrinagar Vande Bharat was conducted on Tuesday from Jammu to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra officials addedThe inaugural Vande Bharat train equipped with stateoftheart amenities and comprising 20 coaches will cover a total distance of 267 kilometres on ThursdayThe train service will operate six days a week between Jammu and Srinagar There will be no service on this route on TuesdaysConstructed using indigenous technology this Vande Bharat Express will offer passengers a worldclass travel experience Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal saidIt features amenities such as the Kavach safety system for passenger security a GPSbased passenger information system and comfortable rotating seatsThis service will not only reduce travel time but also provide a massive boost to the local economy and tourism he addedAn eightcoach train was earlier operating between Katra and Srinagar The introduction of a 20coach train will allow more passengers to travel on the routeIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ashwini-vaishnaw-to-flag-off-jammu-srinagar-vande-bharat-today-671683.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-to-examine-pil-for-dedicated-revenue-judicial-service-for-land-disputes-671684.html New Delhi April 30 IANS The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to examine a Public Interest Litigation PIL seeking directions to the Centre and states to establish a separate Revenue Judicial Service cadre and prescribe minimum legal qualifications for officers adjudicating land disputesnbspnbspA Bench of Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing the plea filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay which contends that adjudication of title succession inheritance possession and other property rights by revenue and consolidation officers lacking formal legal education and judicial training violates Articles 14 21 and 50 of the ConstitutionDuring the hearing CJI Kantled Bench remarked The point is very interesting also But they will say it is for the legislatureAppearing inperson Upadhyay argued that the issue had emerged as one of the most pressing concerns raised by litigants across districts particularly in rural India No I travel to 23 districts every week Most requests concern this matter A case has been pending before a Chakbandi Adhikari consolidation officer for 40 years to determine which gift deed is valid This also touches on the separation of powers he saidWhile orally observing that the issues raised may largely fall within the legislative domain the CJI Surya Kantled Bench directed Issue notice returnable in four weeksAccording to the petition nearly 66 per cent of civil litigation in India relates to land and property disputes but such matters are frequently decided at the first instance by executive officers without formal legal training resulting in inconsistent delayed and legally flawed decisionsIt argued that vesting adjudicatory powers affecting valuable civil rights in nonjudicial officers under executive control undermines the constitutional mandate of separation of judiciary from executive under Article 50The PIL has sought directions to the Union and state governments to establish an independent judicial cadre for land disputes prescribe uniform legal qualifications and judicial training for adjudicating officers and ensure that such adjudication is supervised by the respective High CourtsIt referred to the principles laid down by the Allahabad High Court in Chandra Bhan vs Deputy Director of Consolidation 2005 which recommended the creation of a Revenue Judicial Service for the adjudication of complex land disputesThe petition further contended that the present framework rooted in colonial revenue administration causes systemic miscarriage of justice burdens constitutional courts with avoidable appeals and disproportionately harms citizens whose livelihoods depend on land rightsIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-to-examine-pil-for-dedicated-revenue-judicial-service-for-land-disputes-671684.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/hm-amit-shah-to-visit-ladakh-attend-first-global-buddha-relics-exhibition-671701.html Srinagar April 30 Union Home Minister Amit Shah will undertake a twoday visit to the Union Territory of Ladakh beginning April 30 Thursday In a post on X he described it as a âmoment of profound good fortuneâ to partake in the firstever international exposition of the holy relics of Lord Buddha which commences on May 1 coinciding with Buddha Purnima Meanwhile the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha Tathagata arrived in Leh on Wednesday for a historic public exposition marking the beginning of a major spiritual celebration in the Union Territory of LadakhHM Amit Shah on Wednesday posted on X âTomorrow will be leaving for Ladakh for a twoday visit It is a moment of profound good fortune for me to be attending on the occasion of Buddha Purnima the first ever international exposition of the holy relics of Lord Buddha commencing on the 1st of MayIn this exposition devotees from different parts of the world will offer veneration to the relics of Lord BuddhaLadakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena along with senior officials and spiritual leaders received the holy relics at Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Airport in a ceremonial welcomeThe Ladakh Police accorded a guard of honour while monks performed special prayers amid an atmosphere of deep devotionSpeaking to the media LG Saxena said the relics were being placed in secure custody before being opened for public viewingToday the holy relics of Buddha were brought to Ladakh and they received a grand welcome here They are currently being taken from the technical area of the airport to the living quarters and will be kept in safe custody there he saidHe further added that the exposition will begin on the occasion of Buddha PurnimaThis will be opened to the public on May 1st the day of Buddha Purnima The Home Minister is visiting on that day and this will be a major event in front of him Saxena saidFollowing the reception the relics were taken in a grand procession to Jivetsal the designated venue for public exposition beginning May 1 which also marks the 2569th Buddha PurnimaThousands of devotees participated in the procession with people in traditional attire lining the route to witness the sacred arrival LG Saxena described the occasion as highly auspicious stating that the relics have been brought to India for public exposition after being displayed internationally in several countriesHe also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for selecting Ladakh for the event noting the regions deep spiritual and cultural connection with BuddhismThe relics will remain open for public veneration at Jivetsal from May 2 to May 10 followed by exposition in Zanskar on May 11 and 12 and then at the Dharma Centre in Leh from May 13 to 14 before being taken back to Delhi on May 15 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/hm-amit-shah-to-visit-ladakh-attend-first-global-buddha-relics-exhibition-671701.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-polls-2nd-phase-recorded-voting-at-9247-pc-till-midnight-average-in-two-phases-at-9285-pc-671729.html Kolkata April 30 The polling percentage in the second phase of elections for 142 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal on April 29 has been recorded at 9247 till midnight thus taking the overall average percentage in the two phases to a record high of 9285 However as clarified by insiders from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer CEO West Bengal on Thursday morning neither of these figures is final as tabulation will be available later in the dayThe polling percentage figure in the second phase of polls till midnight Wednesday is marginally lower than the figure of 9288 till midnight of April 23 when the first phase of polls for 152 Assembly constituencies took place Nationally the previous record of the highest polling percentage was recorded in Tripura in 2013 when the figure was recorded at 9182 per centThe average polling percentage in the two phases at 9285 is also a record high in West BengalIn West Bengal the previous record of polling percentage was in the 2011 Assembly elections the year which marked the end of the previous 34year Left Front regime in the state and the beginning of the Mamata Banerjeeled Trinamool Congress regimeIn the sixphase 2011 West Bengal Assembly polls the average polling percentage was the highest in 15 years at 8433 per cent till it was broken this timeIncidentally the Chief Election Commissioner CEC Gyanesh Kumar has already congratulated the people of West Bengal for participating in the polling process in record numbers in both phases first on April 23 and then on WednesdayâHighest ever percentage of polling in West Bengal in both Phase I amp II since Independence ECI congratulates each voter of West Bengal on this historic feat a statement issued by the Election Commission of India quoting Kumar had readâOne major reason behind the high polling percentage was that the polling was conducted after the deduction of absent missing shifted and duplicate voters from the voters list In simple terms and to put it lightly the polling this time was done with a votersâ list of pure milk minus the dilution by mixing waterâ the CEOâs office insider said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-polls-2nd-phase-recorded-voting-at-9247-pc-till-midnight-average-in-two-phases-at-9285-pc-671729.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/up-engineer-killed-two-injured-in-steam-boiler-explosion-in-jampks-shopian-671733.html Srinagar April 30 One person was killed and two others injured in a steam boiler explosion in Jammu and Kashmirâs Shopian district officials said on Thursday The officials said that a blast occurred at a cold storage unit in the fruit mandi area of Aglar in south Kashmirâs Shopian district late Wednesday eveningOne engineer was killed and two others were injured during repair work The incident occurred at Zum Zum cold store when a steamer being repaired explodedThe injured were shifted to the District Hospital Shopian for treatment where one of them succumbed to injuries while two others are undergoing treatmentThe deceased has been identified as Saurabh Singh while the injured have been identified as Dileep Kumar and Ram KumarAll three are residents of Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh A steamer in such units refers to a steamgenerating system or boiler used for heating pressure control or maintenance operations within the facilityIt operates under high pressure and temperature and any malfunction during repair or operation can lead to explosions making it a highrisk component if not handled properlyThese three employees were reportedly engaged in repair work at the cold storage facility when the explosion took place The cause of the blast is being ascertained More details are awaitedNotably a cold store cold storage facility is a temperaturecontrolled unit used to preserve perishable goods such as fruits vegetables and other agricultural produce by slowing down spoilage and extending shelf lifeTo maintain a steady supply of fruits especially apples in the national markets a number of cold storage units have come up in the south Kashmir districts wherein ripe fruit is kept to be sent to markets outside the valley when apples are in short supplyThe practice of keeping apple crop in cold storage also prevents glut in the markets that happens due to the arrival of large quantities of fruit in the autumn months Glut naturally causes a fall in the rate and growers often complain of poor returns due to flooding of markets with fruit arrivals IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/up-engineer-killed-two-injured-in-steam-boiler-explosion-in-jampks-shopian-671733.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-truck-collides-with-bus-returning-from-char-dham-yatra-25-injured-671735.html Shajapur April 30 A major road accident occurred on Thursday morning near the Thukrana intersection on National Highway 52 under the jurisdiction of Kotwali Police Station A bus belonging to Shri Bhairav Teerth Yatra which was returning after completing the Char Dham pilgrimage was hit forcefully from behind by a truck Around 25 passengers out of more than 50 on board sustained injuries in the incident According to passenger Ramlal Chaudhary all the travellers hail from Khargone district and were returning home in three buses after visiting Badrinath as part of the Char Dham Yatra We were returning after offering prayers at Badrinath The bus was just coming to a halt at the dhaba near the Thukrana intersection when the truck struck us from behind Fortunately a major tragedy was averted There are over 150 of us passengers from the Khargone district travelling across these three busesThe impact of the collision was severe causing panic and chaos among the passengers Eyewitnesses reported hearing screams as the bus shook from the force of the crashUpon receiving information Dial112 teams from Lalghati and Kotwali police stations rushed to the spot With the help of ambulances all injured passengers were shifted to the District Hospital in Shajapur where they are currently undergoing treatmentFollowing the accident the truck driver and cleaner fled the scene The Kotwali police have since impounded the truck registered a case and launched a search operation to apprehend the absconding accusedMeanwhile the Char Dham Yatra continues to witness a heavy influx of pilgrims Over four lakh devotees have arrived in Uttarakhand in the past 10 days Amid concerns over overcrowding the state government has maintained that the Yatra is proceeding smoothlyState Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj emphasised the importance of regulating pilgrim flow to prevent difficulties He noted that the mountainous terrain has limited capacity compared to religious sites in the plains âOnly a limited number of pilgrims who can be safely accommodated should be allowed to travel at one timeâ he saidThe Char Dham Yatra remains a major religious event and a crucial driver of Uttarakhandâs economy supporting the livelihoods of local stakeholders including hoteliers priests shopkeepers and transport operators IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-truck-collides-with-bus-returning-from-char-dham-yatra-25-injured-671735.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/heatwave-intensifies-across-tn-temperature-crosses-38-degrees-in-many-districts-671588.html Chennai April 29 With the onset of peak summer Tamil Nadu is witnessing a steady rise in temperatures with several districts recording extreme heat conditions According to the Regional Meteorological Centre RMC temperatures crossed 38 degrees Celsius in at least 13 locations across the state on April 28 indicating a deepening heatwave trend Tiruchirappalli recorded the highest temperature in the state with the mercury soaring to 405 degrees making it one of the hottest locations of the day Other major districts also reported intense heat with Vellore and Erode registering 394 degrees Karur Paramathi Chennaiâs Meenambakkam observatory and Madurai Airport each recorded temperatures of around 389 degreesSeveral other regions experienced similarly high temperatures Tirupattur and Dharmapuri recorded 383 degrees while Salem Thanjavur Madurai city Tiruttani and Namakkal reported temperatures hovering around 378 degrees reflecting widespread heat stress across both interior and coastal parts of the stateMeteorological officials have warned that the situation is likely to worsen in the coming days The India Meteorological Department IMD has forecast a further increase in maximum temperatures by up to 3 degrees across Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Puducherry by SaturdayThe rise is attributed to prevailing dry weather conditions and increased solar radiation typical of late AprilIn addition to soaring temperatures high humidity levels particularly in coastal districts are expected to exacerbate discomfort among residents The combination of heat and humidity could lead to elevated âfeelslikeâ temperatures increasing the risk of heatrelated illnesses such as dehydration and heatstrokeChennai in particular is expected to experience severe heat conditions with temperatures likely to exceed 39 degrees in the coming days Authorities have advised residents to take necessary precautions including staying hydrated avoiding direct sun exposure during peak hours and limiting outdoor activitiesHealth officials have also urged vulnerable groups including the elderly children and those with preexisting medical conditions to remain cautious as the heatwave conditions persistThe IMD continues to monitor the situation closely and is expected to issue further advisories if conditions intensify IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/heatwave-intensifies-across-tn-temperature-crosses-38-degrees-in-many-districts-671588.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ktaka-bjp-slams-siddaramaiah-govt-over-failure-to-tackle-water-crisis-alleges-neglect-of-farmers-671597.html Bengaluru April 29 Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress government in Karnataka alleging complete neglect of farmers amid severe heatwave conditions and water scarcity across the state He said that crops are being destroyed due to intense summer heat while drinking water is unavailable in several regions questioning the state governmentâs âprofarmer commitmentâAccording to Ashoka nearly 20 per cent of sugarcane crops in parts of Chikkodi and Nippani in Belagavi district have already been damaged due to extreme heat He also said that people in more than 76 villages in Gadag district are facing a severe drinking water crisisâWhile farmers are struggling for survival the Congress government is busy with internal political disputes over powerâ he allegedListing what he called the failures of the state government Ashoka said farmers are suffering due to power shortages despite the availability of water in reservoirs such as Kabini Krishna and Malaprabha He claimed that farmers are unable to operate pump sets due to irregular electricity supplyHe further stated that the situation has created a paradox where âthere is water but no electricity and electricity but no waterâ calling it an administrative failureAshoka also claimed that sugarcane crops are drying up in the field due to both heat stress and power cuts and questioned what measures the government has taken to address farmersâ distressOn the drinking water crisis he said several districts including Gadag are facing severe shortages forcing people and livestock to struggle for basic water needs He also alleged that the government may be indirectly supporting tanker water supply operatorsAddressing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Ashoka urged him to shift focus from political survival to the plight of farmers in North Karnataka He demanded immediate announcement of crop loss compensation and proper arrangements for drinking water supply in affected villagesâIf the government fails to act the suffering of farmers will turn into strong public anger against this administrationâ he warnedIt can be noted that the Karnataka health department has asked all district and taluk hospitals to set up heatstroke management rooms with dedicated beds to treat patients with Heat Related Illness HRI According to a circular issued last Friday the Community Health Centres should mark two beds the Taluk hospitals should have at least five dedicated beds and the district hospitals should have at least ten such beds The rooms should be operational till July 31 and equipped with thermometers fans and ice cubes the circular said Apart from that the medical and paramedical staff should also be trained to ensure they are prepared to test any HRI IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ktaka-bjp-slams-siddaramaiah-govt-over-failure-to-tackle-water-crisis-alleges-neglect-of-farmers-671597.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-crime-branch-registers-fir-in-overseas-job-scam-after-man-trafficked-to-cambodia-671599.html Srinagar April 29 JampK Crime Branch said on Wednesday that it has registered an FIR in a fake overseas job scam after a man was duped and trafficked to Cambodia on the promise of overseas employment A press statement by the Economic Offences Wing EOW of the Crime Branch Kashmir said that in a shocking case of fraud and human trafficking it has registered a case after a man was allegedly duped by a fake job consultancy and trafficked to Cambodia under the pretext of overseas employmentThe Economic Offences Wing Srinagar registered a case following receipt of a complaint alleging fraud in connection with overseas job placementThe complaint states that an individual was lured by an unauthorised consultancy operating from the Pattan area of Kashmir which falsely promised employment abroad as a computer operator with a lucrative monthly salaryActing on these assurances the complainant transferred a substantial amount of money to the operatorâs bank account and incurred additional expenses on travel arrangements and related purchasesâUpon arrival in Cambodia the complainant was reportedly received by unknown persons and instead of being provided the promised employment was allegedly coerced into engaging in fraudulent online activities The complainant refused to participate and subsequently realised that he had been deceived and his money had been dishonestly taken under false pretencesâ the crime branch statement saidPreliminary investigation has revealed that the allegations disclosed the commission of offences punishable under Section 3182 of the Bharatiya Nyaya SanhitaAccordingly cognisance was taken and a formal case was registered at the Police Station Economic Offences Wing SrinagarFurther investigation into the matter is underway More details are awaitedThe JampK Police have been carrying out aggressive operations against those engaged in financial frauds and in order to have dedicated technologyequipped teams of investigators such cases are handled by the crime branch wing of the policeSince territorial police are engaged in maintenance of law and order and prevention of daytoday crimes a focused fulltime attention to investigations of special crimes is being handled by the Crime Branch wing of the JampK Police IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-crime-branch-registers-fir-in-overseas-job-scam-after-man-trafficked-to-cambodia-671599.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-2nd-phase-polls-1839-pc-turnout-recorded-in-first-two-hours-of-polling-671602.html New Delhi April 29 As voting for the second phase of West Bengal is underway voter turnout was recorded at 1839 per cent till 9 am Polling began at 7 am for 142 constituencies across six districts in West Bengal including its capital Kolkata in the second phase of the twophase Assembly pollsThe polling process started with mild tension in certain pockets from the very first hourIn the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in South Kolkata which is witnessing a battle between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Suvendu Adhikari the Chief Ministers brother Kartik Banerjee was cautioned by central forces for assembling near a police station with companions in excess of the permitted numberThe central forces cautioned him not to assemble near a polling station with more than four persons at a timeAt Bhawanipuradjacent Rashbehari constituency also in South Kolkata mild tension broke out following allegations that ruling Trinamool Congress activists were not allowing Congress booth agents to enter a particular polling booth Congress alleged hooliganism in the Rashbehari Assembly constituency by the ruling party activistsPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday morning issued a social media post in Bengal giving a call for the voters in these 142 Assembly constituencies to vote in large numbersâToday is the second phase of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections 2026 I urge all those who are voting today to cast their votes in record numbers to make our democracy more vibrant and participatory In particular it is extremely urgent that the women and youth power of West Bengal turn out in large numbers to exercise their voting rightsâ the social media post by the Prime Minister readMeanwhile tension prevailed at Singur in Hooghly district since Tuesday night with the outgoing Trinamool Congress legislator Bencharam Manna staging a protest demonstration in front of the local police station alleging excesses by the security forcesThe polling process at a booth in Santipur Assembly constituency in Nadia district started late due to an EVM malfunctionMock polling mandatory before the actual polling process was conducted at all polling booths where the elections are being conductedApart from the state capital Kolkata the six districts where polling is being held in the second phase on Wednesday are North 24 Parganas South 24 Parganas Hooghly Howrah Nadia and East BurdwanThe second phase of the Assembly polls is being conducted under unprecedented security cover with the deployment of 2407 companies of central forces including Central Armed Police Forces the India Reserve Battalion and personnel from armed police wings of other states in addition to personnel from West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-2nd-phase-polls-1839-pc-turnout-recorded-in-first-two-hours-of-polling-671602.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-declines-fresh-guidelines-on-hate-speech-says-existing-criminal-law-framework-adequate--671603.html New Delhi April 29 IANS The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to issue any additional directions or frame fresh guidelines to curb hate speech across the country holding that the existing criminal law framework is adequate to address such offencesnbspnbspA Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta dismissed a batch of petitions seeking further judicial intervention against communal hate speeches including matters arising from incidents such as alleged Corona Jihad campaigns UPSC Jihad broadcasts and inflammatory speeches delivered at various religious gatheringsThe Justice Nathled Bench held that the creation of criminal offences and the prescription of punishments fall exclusively within the legislative domain and Constitutional courts cannot compel Parliament or state legislatures to enact new lawsWhile constitutional courts may interpret the law and issue directions to secure the enforcement of fundamental rights they cannot legislate or compel legislation the top court observed adding that at best courts may draw attention to the need for reform while the decision to legislate remains with Parliament and state legislaturesRejecting the argument that hate speech remains insufficiently addressed under current laws the Justice Nathled Bench said that provisions under substantive criminal law including the Indian Penal Code adequately cover acts promoting enmity outraging religious sentiments and disturbing public tranquillityThe field is therefore not unoccupied it said stressing that the real concern lies in effective enforcement rather than any legislative vacuumListing the remedies already available under the Code of Criminal Procedure CrPC and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita BNSS 2023 the Supreme Court reiterated that registration of an FIR upon disclosure of a cognisable offence is mandatoryIt said that in cases where police fail to register FIRs aggrieved persons can approach the Superintendent of Police under Section 1543 CrPC or Section 1734 BNSS and thereafter seek recourse before the jurisdictional magistrate under Section 1563 CrPC or Section 175 BNSS or proceed through a private complaintWhile refusing to pass new directions the Justice Nathled Bench acknowledged the gravity of the issue observing that hate speech and rumour mongering directly impact fraternity dignity and constitutional orderWe deem it appropriate to observe that issues relating to hate speech and rumour mongering bear directly upon the preservation of fraternity dignity and constitutional order the Supreme Court saidIt added that the Union and state governments remain free to consider whether evolving societal challenges require additional legislative interventions including amendments suggested in the Law Commissions 267th Report of 2017The judgment was delivered in petitions tracing back to 2020 when multiple pleas were filed alleging the spread of communal narratives through broadcast media social media platforms and public religious assembliesIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-declines-fresh-guidelines-on-hate-speech-says-existing-criminal-law-framework-adequate--671603.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-rejects-new-hate-speech-guidelines-says-existing-laws-are-enough-671605.html New Delhi April 29 IANS The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to issue any additional directions or frame fresh guidelines to curb hate speech across the country holding that the existing criminal law framework is adequate to address such offencesnbspnbspA Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta dismissed a batch of petitions seeking further judicial intervention against communal hate speeches including matters arising from incidents such as alleged Corona Jihad campaigns UPSC Jihad broadcasts and inflammatory speeches delivered at various religious gatheringsThe Justice Nathled Bench held that the creation of criminal offences and the prescription of punishments fall exclusively within the legislative domain and Constitutional courts cannot compel Parliament or state legislatures to enact new lawsWhile constitutional courts may interpret the law and issue directions to secure the enforcement of fundamental rights they cannot legislate or compel legislation the top court observed adding that at best courts may draw attention to the need for reform while the decision to legislate remains with Parliament and state legislaturesRejecting the argument that hate speech remains insufficiently addressed under current laws the Justice Nathled Bench said that provisions under substantive criminal law including the Indian Penal Code adequately cover acts promoting enmity outraging religious sentiments and disturbing public tranquillityThe field is therefore not unoccupied it said stressing that the real concern lies in effective enforcement rather than any legislative vacuumListing the remedies already available under the Code of Criminal Procedure CrPC and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita BNSS 2023 the Supreme Court reiterated that registration of an FIR upon disclosure of a cognisable offence is mandatoryIt said that in cases where police fail to register FIRs aggrieved persons can approach the Superintendent of Police under Section 1543 CrPC or Section 1734 BNSS and thereafter seek recourse before the jurisdictional magistrate under Section 1563 CrPC or Section 175 BNSS or proceed through a private complaintWhile refusing to pass new directions the Justice Nathled Bench acknowledged the gravity of the issue observing that hate speech and rumour mongering directly impact fraternity dignity and constitutional orderWe deem it appropriate to observe that issues relating to hate speech and rumour mongering bear directly upon the preservation of fraternity dignity and constitutional order the Supreme Court saidIt added that the Union and state governments remain free to consider whether evolving societal challenges require additional legislative interventions including amendments suggested in the Law Commissions 267th Report of 2017The judgment was delivered in petitions tracing back to 2020 when multiple pleas were filed alleging the spread of communal narratives through broadcast media social media platforms and public religious assembliesIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-rejects-new-hate-speech-guidelines-says-existing-laws-are-enough-671605.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-mulls-higher-biofuel-blends-as-alternative-fuels-raises-vehicle-weight-cap-671608.html New Delhi April 29 The government has proposed widening the definition of automotive fuels to include higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel as part of efforts to promote cleaner and more diversified energy use in the transport sector according to a draft notification issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways The draft seeks amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 to enable the use of ethanol blends up to 100 per cent E100 and 85 per cent E85 along with biodiesel blends up to 100 per cent B100The notification has proposed changes to hydrogenCNG terminology replacing Hydrogen CN with Hydrogen CNG along with other technical corrections in emission tablesAt present vehicles manufactured after April 2023 are compliant with E20 fuel and are capable of running on ethanol blends of up to 20 per cent with certain models engineered to support higher blendsIn a related move the draft has proposed increasing the permissible gross vehicle weight for certain categories to 3500 kg from the existing 3000 kgThe draft has been issued for public consultation with the government inviting objections and suggestions within 30 days before finalising the amendmentsAccording to officials the changes aimed at aligning regulatory frameworks with evolving fuel technologies and supporting Indiaâs longterm goal of reducing dependence on fossil fuel importsUnion Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari recently underlined the need to scale up ethanol adoption stating that India should work towards achieving 100 per cent ethanol blending in the future to strengthen energy selfreliance amid global supply uncertaintiesNotably countries such as Brazil have already adopted higher ethanol blending levels offering a potential model for India as it expands its biofuel ecosystemSeparately the government has also taken steps to introduce biofuels in the aviation sectorThe Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has amended norms to allow blending of ethanol in aviation turbine fuel ATF The move is expected to help lower crude oil import dependence and reduce carbon emissions from the aviation sectorIn addition India has set indicative targets for SAF blending aiming for 1 per cent by 2027 2 per cent by 2028 and 5 per cent by 2030 in line with global aviation sustainability goals IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-mulls-higher-biofuel-blends-as-alternative-fuels-raises-vehicle-weight-cap-671608.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bihar-shootout-case-main-accused-ramdhani-yadav-dies-in-police-encounter-671611.html Patna April 29 The sensational Sultanganj shootout case in Bihars Bhagalpur district took a dramatic turn as the prime accused Ramdhani Yadav was killed in a police encounter in the early hours of Wednesday The incident has further intensified concerns over law and order while creating an atmosphere of tension across the regionAccording to the police Ramdhani Yadav along with two of his accomplices surrendered before the police after the daylight murder of EO Krishna Bhushan and critically injured Municipal Chairman Raj Kumar alias GudduRamdhani Yadav was taken to a location to recover the weapon used in the earlier shootout and gather additional evidenceHowever the situation suddenly escalated when the accused allegedly in coordination with unidentified associates opened fire on the police teamIn response police personnel retaliated in selfdefence leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire During the encounter the accused sustained critical injuries and collapsed on the spotHe was immediately taken to Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him deadThe encounter was not without casualties on the police side Three police personnel were injured in the crossfire and have been admitted to the hospitalDoctors are closely monitoring their condition and treatment is ongoingFollowing the incident senior officials including District Magistrate Naval Kishore Chaudhary SSP Pramod Kumar Yadav and SDM Vikas Kumar reached the hospital and reviewed the situationSecurity has been significantly tightened across the district with additional police forces deployed to prevent any untoward incidentsAddressing the media SSP Pramod Kumar Yadav stated that the police action was carried out purely in selfdefenceHe emphasised that the accused had launched a lifethreatening attack leaving the police with no alternative but to retaliateAuthorities have now intensified efforts to dismantle the broader criminal network linked to the caseA search operation is underway to identify and arrest other suspects involvedWhile tension continues to prevail in parts of Bhagalpur the police have assured that law and order remain under controlOfficials reiterated their commitment to thoroughly investigate the case and bring all those involved to justiceOn Tuesday around 4 pm Executive Officer Krishna Bhushan was shot dead inside his office at the Sultanganj Nagar ParishadThree armed assailants barged into his chamber and opened fire killing him on the spot In the same incident Municipal Chairman Raj Kumar alias Guddu was also shot and is currently undergoing treatment in critical condition IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bihar-shootout-case-main-accused-ramdhani-yadav-dies-in-police-encounter-671611.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/we-see-ourselves-as-builders-of-indias-energy-backbone-for-several-decades-sagar-adani-671616.html New Delhi April 29 Sagar Adani Executive Director of renewable energy major Adani Green Energy said on Wednesday that at our core we see ourselves not just as operators of infrastructure but as builders of Indiaâs energy backbone for the next several decades Addressing the Economist Enterprise âResilient Futures Summitâ here Sagar Adani said India has seen a clear consistent and increasingly executionoriented policy directionâFrom accelerating infrastructure development to expanding renewable capacity strengthening transmission networks and enabling longterm investments there has been both clarity of intent and continuity of action And that continuity is a critical enabler of resilienceâ he told the gatheringSagar Adani further stated that our Chairman Gautam Adani has committed over 100 billion towards the energy transition one of the largest privatesector commitments globallyâBut more importantly this is not a set of isolated investments It is an integrated strategy We are building one of the worldâs largest renewable energy portfolios Investing in largescale energy storage expanding transmission networks to move power efficiently across the country and developing green hydrogen ecosystems Beyond energy our presence across ports logistics airports and data centres is part of the same visionâ he explainedSagar Adani stressed that we must reduce structural dependence on imported energyâWe must build an energy backbone anchored in resources that are available within the country because electrification is not just more efficient It is Indiaâs most credible path to longterm stabilityâ he notedHe said that resilience is never built in silos it is built through integrated systemsâEnergy powers industry Logistics enables trade Digital infrastructure drives productivity And when these systems work together you donât just create growth You create durable resilienceâ he emphasisedBecause in the end resilience is not built through intent alone It is built through execution through the ability to create infrastructure at scale at speed and with purpose Sagar Adani said âAnd if India gets this right if we can deliver abundant affordable and clean energy at the scale required we will not just secure our own future We will not just elevate 14 billion people We will help stabilise the future of the global economyâ he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/we-see-ourselves-as-builders-of-indias-energy-backbone-for-several-decades-sagar-adani-671616.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/inderpuri-police-cracks-rs-70-lakh-daylight-robbery-case-within-days-four-accused-arrested-671617.html New Delhi April 29 The Inderpuri Police of the West District have successfully cracked a highvalue daylight robbery case involving Rs 70 lakh within a short span of time Four accused persons have been arrested and Rs 5340 lakh in cash along with the motorcycle used in the crime has been recovered officials said on Wednesday The incident occurred on March 31 at around 330 PM near Krishi Kunj in Inderpuri where three assailants on a motorcycle robbed employees of a business establishment who were carrying Rs 70 lakh in cashFollowing the complaint a case was registered at Inderpuri Police Station under relevant Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita on April 1 and an investigation was initiatedDuring the enquiry it was revealed that the robbery was orchestrated with insider involvement One of the complainantâs employees Vikash allegedly leaked information about the movement of the cash and conspired with his associates Mohd Kaif Rishi Yadav and Sourabh alias Bacha to execute the crimeA dedicated police team was formed under the supervision of senior officers including SHO Kirti Yadav and ACP Inderaj Meena The team conducted a detailed analysis of CCTV footage gathered technical and manual Intelligence and activated local informers to track down the accused who had absconded after the robberyAfter sustained surveillance and multiple raids across Delhi and adjoining areas of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh all four accused were apprehended During the operation police recovered Rs 5340 lakh of the robbed amount and the motorcycle used in committing the offenceThe arrested accused have been identified as Rishi Yadav 22 a student with prior involvement in a criminal case Mohd Kaif 25 engaged in dairy business Sourabh alias Bacha 23 an auto driver with previous criminal records and Vikash 22 employed in a private job and alleged to be the insiderFurther investigation is underway to recover the remaining amount and to ascertain whether more individuals were involved in the conspiracy IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/inderpuri-police-cracks-rs-70-lakh-daylight-robbery-case-within-days-four-accused-arrested-671617.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:49:00 +0530