DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:14:46 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-announces-ex-gratia-of-rs-2-lakh-for-kin-of-deceased-in-andhra-bus-accident-669696.html Kurnool April 16 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condoled the loss of lives in Andhra Pradeshs Kurnool bus accident and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the grieving families In a post on X the Prime Ministers Office PMO said The mishap in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh is deeply painful I extend my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones and pray for the speedy recovery of the injuredAn exgratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased The injured would be given Rs 50000 the PMO addedThe accident occurred when a Bolero vehicle carrying pilgrims collided with a readymix lorry resulting in a devastating impact that left multiple passengers trapped and severely injuredAccording to officials a total of eight people died in the accident Five victims were declared dead at the spot while three others later succumbed to their injuries during treatment at a nearby hospitalAround 10 to 12 individuals were injured in the mishap The injured were promptly shifted to the Emmiganur hospital where they are currently undergoing treatment officials addedAuthorities confirmed that the initial information suggests that the deceased were pilgrims from Karnataka who had travelled to visit the Mantralayam temple and were returning when the accident took placePolice teams rushed to the scene immediately after receiving information about the collision and launched rescue and relief operations Efforts were made to evacuate the injured and clear the wreckage from the site according to the officialsA case was registered in connection with the incident and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the accidentOfficials said further details are awaited as the probe progresses and more information emerges regarding the circumstances leading to the collisionThis comes close on the heels of a bus accident that killed six pilgrims in Punjabâs Fatehgarh SahibAccording to the officials at least six people were killed and around 20 were injured as the bus carrying devotees overturned in Fatehgarh Sahib while returning from Anandpur Sahib on TuesdayThe injured included women and children They were immediately admitted to nearby hospitals where they are currently undergoing treatmentThe bus with around 40 people on board was returning from Anandpur Sahib in Ropar district after paying obeisance on the occasion of Baisakhi when it developed a snag IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-announces-ex-gratia-of-rs-2-lakh-for-kin-of-deceased-in-andhra-bus-accident-669696.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mumbai-police-arrest-accused-for-molesting-minor-girls-in-chembur-669698.html Mumbai April 16 A disturbing incident has surfaced in Mumbaiâs Chembur area where a man identified as Asgar Samsuddin Ansari has been arrested for allegedly stalking and molesting minor girls According to the Chembur Police the accused targeted 12yearold girls while they were playing within a local housing society Following a formal complaint authorities acted swiftly to apprehend the suspectThe Chembur Police Station has registered a case against Ansari under Sections 78 and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS alongside relevant provisions of the POCSO Act The accused remains in custody as police conduct further investigations into the matterMore details are awaitedThis comes as on April 15 a man accused of sexually exploiting at least 180 minor girls and recording more than 350 obscene videos has been arrested in Maharashtras Amravati district police saidThe accused identified as Mohammad Ayaz also known as Tanveer and a resident of Paratwada city allegedly lured minor girls into a love trap before taking them to cities such as Mumbai and Pune where he is suspected of having recorded objectionable videos of themInvestigators had said these videos were then used to blackmail the victims and force them into prostitution with some clips reportedly circulated online as wellAccording to details shared in a memorandum submitted by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Anil Bonde to Superintendent of Police Rural Vishal Anand the accused systematically targeted minors through social media platforms including WhatsApp and Snapchat groupsThe MP had also warned of staging protests outside the SPs office if a Special Investigation Team SIT was not formed to probe the casePolice action followed soon after with the accused being taken into custody and sent to seven days of police custody His mobile phone has been seized and officials confirmed that it contains several objectionable videos which are now being examined as part of the investigationAuthorities are investigating whether the accused shared the videos with associates or a broader criminal network The Cyber Cell has been involved in tracking and analysing any content that may have been circulated onlineThe case has triggered massive outrage in Paratwada and nearby areas Protests erupted across the city with various organisations and political groups expressing anger over the scale of the alleged crimesA complete shutdown was observed in Paratwada in response to the incident while heavy police deployment was put in place to maintain law and orderDuring the course of the investigation police have also taken four additional suspects into custody indicating the possibility of a wider network involved in the crimePublic anger also spread to Achalpur in Amravati district after reports surfaced that the accused had repeatedly uploaded videos depicting the exploitation of young women on social mediaAmid the outrage civic authorities initiated action against alleged encroachments linked to the accusedIn the presence of BJP MLA Pravin Tayade bulldozers were deployed on Wednesday to demolish structures built on encroached land associated with him IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mumbai-police-arrest-accused-for-molesting-minor-girls-in-chembur-669698.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-cm-debate-intensifies-ahead-of-kerala-election-verdict-669702.html Thiruvananthapuram April 16 Even before the votes are counted the Congress party in Kerala is grappling with a familiar problem internal rivalry With polling for the 140member Assembly concluded on April 9 and results due on May 4 growing optimism about a possible United Democratic Front UDF victory has triggered an intense debate over who should be the next Chief Minister What began as murmurs within party circles has now spilled into the public domainSocial media platforms are awash with campaigns backing key contenders while television channels have amplified the narrative turning it into a fullblown political spectacleCongress workers too have joined the fray openly aligning with their preferred leaders and pushing competing claims with unusual aggressionAt the centre of the debate are leaders like VD Satheesan KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala each backed by distinct camps within the partySupporters of Venugopal highlight his proximity to Rahul Gandhi and his role in shaping nationallevel strategies projecting him as a consensus builderSatheesan on the other hand is being positioned as the face of a younger more aggressive leadership credited with energising the UDFâs campaign against the Left governmentChennithalaâs camp leans on seniority and experience arguing that he remains a natural choice if the party returns to powerThis open jockeying however has raised concerns within the partyDuring the campaign the Congress had carefully avoided projecting a Chief Ministerial candidate insisting that the decision would rest with the high commandThe intent was to prevent factionalism from undermining electoral prospectsThat restraint appears to have faded quickly after polling dayReports now suggest that the party leadership in Delhi is unhappy with the public airing of internal differencesThe high command is understood to have reiterated that established procedures not social media campaigns or public posturing will determine the final choiceThere is also unease that the ongoing tussle could send confusing signals to voters and dilute the message of unity that the UDF sought to project during the campaignThe coming weeks therefore are as much about managing internal expectations as they are about awaiting the electoral verdictIf the Congressled front does secure a win the leadership will have to swiftly contain factional pressures and present a united frontFor now the battle for Keralaâs top post has begun well before the ballots are counted and it is playing out in full public viewK Muraleedharan son of fourtime Congress Chief Minister K Karunakaran who has seen it all at close quarters when the party was deeply divided between his father and Antony minced no words saying âitâs unfair to those who have voted for the UDF to see this unnecessary and needless discussions going on and all should maintain clamâ on Thursday morningSunny Joseph State Congress president on Thursday said there is an accepted procedure in the party that starts to work when a chief minister is being selected âWhat we have found out is that this is being done by a section using fake accounts on social media Moreover there will come a time when the legislators will be expressing their views on this topic at the appropriate forum and until then none should go overboardâ said Joseph IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-cm-debate-intensifies-ahead-of-kerala-election-verdict-669702.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jammu-bsf-organises-yoga-session-at-veer-bhumi-park-under-yoga-at-iconic-places-initiative-669705.html Jammu April 16 The Border Security Force BSF on Thursday organised a yoga session at Veer Bhumi Park in Samba district under the âYoga at Iconic Placesâ initiative with 57 personnel participating in asanas pranayama and meditation BSF Jammu took to social media X and said BSF organized a Yoga session at Veer Bhumi Park Samba Jammu under the âYoga at Iconic Placesâ initiative where 57 personnel participated in asanas pranayama and meditation reinforcing the message âKaro Yog Raho Nirogâ and promoting physical fitness mental wellbeing and a disciplined lifestyleYoga has emerged as one of the most trusted means to boost physical and mental wellbeing The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root âyujâ meaning to join to yoke or to unite symbolizing the unity of mind and body thought and action restraint and fulfillment harmony between human and nature and a holistic approach to health and wellbeingRecognizing its universal appeal on December 11 2014 the United Nations proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga The draft resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India and was endorsed by a record 175 member states Prime Minister Narendra Modi first introduced the proposal in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the General Assembly on September 27 2014 The date of June 21 was chosen as it is the Summer Solstice the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere This day represents a symbolic harmony between nature and human wellness and is important in many culturesThis ushered in an era of holistic health revolution in which attention was given to prevention rather than cure Since its first edition in 2015 India has led the celebration globally under the aegis of the Ministry of AYUSH with active support from state governments Indian missions abroad and UN agenciesThe journey of International Day of Yoga has been nothing short of extraordinary From a modest participation of 959 crore individuals in 2018 the celebration has grown exponentially In 2024 an estimated 2453 crore people joined celebrations worldwide showcasing the events massive global appeal The International Day of Yoga has become a global wellness movement uniting millions across countriesPrime Minister Narendra Modi has played a pivotal role in globalising yoga by championing its recognition at the United Nations leading to the annual celebration of International Day of Yoga on June 21 since 2015 He has positioned yoga as a scientific evidencebased therapy for holistic health and sustainable living actively promoting its integration into modern medicine and daily life IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jammu-bsf-organises-yoga-session-at-veer-bhumi-park-under-yoga-at-iconic-places-initiative-669705.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-leaders-condole-death-of-8-pilgrims-in-andhra-road-accident-669724.html Bengaluru April 16 Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka along with other prominent leaders has expressed grief over the death of eight pilgrims in an accident in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday R Ashoka condoned the incident stating News has emerged of a tragic road accident that occurred early this morning near Mantralayam in Andhra Pradesh in which eight devotees from Chikkamagaluru district in Karnataka who were on their way for darshan at Mantralayam lost their lives and several others were injuredThe incident has caused deep shock he noted I express my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this unfortunate incident and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured he said The state government should immediately provide appropriate compensation to the families of the deceased and take necessary steps to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured Ashoka demanded I pray that God grants eternal peace to the departed souls and gives strength to their families to bear this loss Ashoka stated Former Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai said I am deeply saddened to learn about the tragic accident that occurred early this morning near Mantralayam in Andhra Pradesh in which eight devotees from Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka who were on their way for darshan lost their lives and several others were injuredI extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this unfortunate incident I urge the state government to provide immediate and adequate compensation to the families of the deceased and ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured he stated May the departed souls rest in peace I pray that their families find the strength to bear this irreparable loss he said Eight persons from Karnataka were killed and 12 others injured when a car carrying devotees collided with a readymix concrete vehicle near Chilakaladona village in Yemmiganur mandal in the early hours of ThursdayNearly 20 people from Chikkamagaluru district in neighbouring Karnataka were on their way to the pilgrimage centre Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt Mantralayam Six women including a girl child were among the dead police said The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-leaders-condole-death-of-8-pilgrims-in-andhra-road-accident-669724.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/womens-reservation-bill-tabled-in-ls-triggers-heated-debate-669729.html New Delhi April 16 The Centre on Thursday introduced the Womens Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha marking a significant legislative move during the ongoing special session of Parliament Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal initiated the debate by presenting the proposed Constitution One Hundred and ThirtyFirst Amendment Bill 2026 He also tabled the Delimitation Bill 2026 setting the stage for discussions on implementing a onethird reservation for women in legislative bodiesDuring the proceedings Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the Union Territories Laws Amendment Bill 2026 adding to the legislative agenda of the dayThe introduction of the Bills triggered strong reactions from the Opposition Congress MP K C Venugopal opposed all three legislations and formally recorded the partys objections in the House The government wants to completely hijack the Constitution the Congress MP said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Home Minister Amit Shah clarified that the Bills have just been introduced and the discussion on them is yet to followAs Venugopal continued to speak at length Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla intervened reminding him that adequate time would be allotted during the debateSamajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav also objected to the Bills raising concerns over what he described as the exclusion of Muslim women from the reservation framework Rijiju immediately countered the remark terming it unconstitutionalSP chief Akhilesh Yadav said his party supports womens reservation in principle but questioned the government over delays in conducting the Census He remarked They are delaying the census because when it happens we will ask for the castebased census and they dont want itResponding to the charge Amit Shah said The Census process has already started across the country and after that we will also conduct a castebased census Currently the House Listing is underway homes dont belong to a certain caste If SP has its way they will designate a caste to homes alsoThe Home Minister also criticised Dharmendra Yadavs remarks calling them unconstitutional and asserting that the Constitution does not permit discrimination on religious grounds in matters of reservationAkhilesh Yadav in turn described Shahs comments regarding the Muslim community as undemocratic Replying sharply Shah said We are not stopping the Samajwadi Party from giving all their tickets to Muslim womenThe debate in the Lok Sabha is expected to continue with both the government and the Opposition preparing to press their positions on the proposed amendments and the broader issue of womens representation in legislatures IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/womens-reservation-bill-tabled-in-ls-triggers-heated-debate-669729.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/amit-shah-vs-akhilesh-yadav-in-ls-sp-questions-timing-of-womens-quota-govt-hits-back-669731.html New Delhi April 16 IANS A sharp exchange unfolded in the Lok Sabha on Thursday as Samajwadi Party SP chief Akhilesh Yadav questioned the Centres urgency in introducing the Womens Reservation Bill raising concerns over the absence of a recent Census and alleging that the government is avoiding a castebased enumerationnbspThis came as the Centre introduced the Womens Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha marking a significant legislative move during the ongoing special session of ParliamentParticipating in the debate Akhilesh Yadav said Why is the Centre rushing for womens reservation Start with the Census first while reiterating that his party supports womens reservation in principle but opposes its implementation through delimitationHe further alleged that the government is deliberately delaying the Census to avoid triggering demands for a caste census and an expansion of reservationsnbspHe remarked They are delaying the census because when it happens we will ask for the castebased census and they dont want itResponding to the criticism Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Census exercise has already begun and assured the House that a castebased Census would also be conductedThe Census process has already started across the country and after that we will also conduct a castebased census Currently the House Listing is underway homes dont belong to a certain caste If SP has its way it will designate a caste to homes also I want to assure the House that the Census is going to happen with the caste census as well Shah said taking a swipe at the oppositionSamajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav said the party strongly opposes the three proposed Bills on constitutional grounds He alleged that the measures attempt to distort the Constitution particularly by separating delimitation from the Census processSpeaking on behalf of the SP he said the party would not support the Womens Reservation Bill unless it includes provisions for Other Backward Classes and Muslim women He also urged the government to withdraw the proposed Bills and instead implement the law passed in 2023Shah asserted that a reservation based on religion is not permissible under the Constitution Based on religion reservation of any kind for Muslims is unconstitutional Shah saidIn response Akhilesh Yadav questioned whether the Muslim population falls outside the 50 per cent reservation cap pressing the government on its positionReplying to this Shah said We are not stopping the Samajwadi Party from giving all their tickets to Muslim womenThe exchange grew heated before Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla intervened urging members not to engage in such direct backandforth debate and to maintain decorum during the proceedingsIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/amit-shah-vs-akhilesh-yadav-in-ls-sp-questions-timing-of-womens-quota-govt-hits-back-669731.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/lok-sabha-showdown-govt-oppn-spar-over-merits-of-bills-669733.html New Delhi April 16 IANS As the threeday special sitting of Parliament began this morning to debate and discuss three legislations the Lok Sabha witnessed fireworks and uproar with Opposition and treasury benches engaging in a war of words over the merits of the proposed amendmentsnbspLaw Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Constitution One Hundred and ThirtyFirst Amendment Bill and the Delimitation Bill 2026 while Home Minister Amit Shah proposed to introduce the Union Territories Laws Amendment Bill 2026Congress MP KC Venugopal voiced strong opposition to the introduction of the bills claiming that this was an attempt to alter the constitutional fabric of the nation for certain motivesLok Sabha Speaker intervened asking them to reserve their arguments during Rule 72 and assured the Opposition of providing ample time to put forth their objections during the fullfledged debateHM Shah countered Venugopals charges stating that this was the time to raise technical objections to the introduction of the bills but the latter was questioning the merits of the billsSamajwadi Party fiercely opposed the bills on constitutional grounds claiming that this would destroy the federal structure and curtail parliamentary democracySP MP Dharmendra Yadav demanded that the proposed amendments and bills be withdrawn while the womens reservation bill which was passed in 2023 be brought into force with immediate effectThe SP lawmakers scathing criticism however sparked controversy as Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju strongly objected to his demands for inclusion of a special quota for Muslim womenRijiju asserted that the SP leaders demand for special reservation for Muslim women is totally uncalled for and asked him to refrain from adding communal flavour to the debateAIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi also objected to the introduction of bills stating that this is against the very basis of federalism and the Constitutional frameworkThe government and opposition have been at loggerheads over the womens reservation bill and delimitation bill as the former is seeking to operationalise the quota for women from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections while the latter is calling it an attempt to pass delimitation from the backdoor using the womens reservation as a frontIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/lok-sabha-showdown-govt-oppn-spar-over-merits-of-bills-669733.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-holds-bilateral-talks-with-austrian-chancellor-christian-stocker-at-hyderabad-house-669736.html New Delhi April 16 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker held a bilateral meeting at New Delhis Hyderabad House on Thursday focusing on enhancing cooperation in trade investment green technology and critical sectorsEarlier in the day the Austrian Chancellor paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at RajghatnbspIn a post on X the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said Remembering Bapu and his ideals Federal Chancellor Dr Christian Stocker of Austria paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat laying a wreath and reflecting on Gandhijis enduring message of peace nonviolence and global harmonyStocker arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday This is his first official visit to India aimed at strengthening bilateral ties across key sectors including trade investment and emerging technologiesEarlier on Wednesday External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar called on the Austrian Chancellor expressing confidence that his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to be held on Thursday will open new avenues for greater cooperation between the two nationsDelighted to call on Federal Chancellor Dr Christian Stocker of Austria as he begins his first official visit to India Confident that his discussions with PM Narendra Modi tomorrow will open new avenues for greater cooperation across various domains EAM Jaishankar posted on XEarlier in the day Stocker hailed the growth of India stressing that it is investing massively in infrastructure and technology and is the European Unions EU most important trading partner in South AsiaIndia is growing at around seven per cent per year investing massively in infrastructure and technology and is today the EUs most important trading partner in South Asia For Austria a small but highly innovative export nation this is an enormous opportunity that we want to actively seize Stocker posted on X after his arrivalEspecially in times of global uncertainties stable partnerships are the key to economic success That is why I will be in New Delhi for the next three days to create concrete framework conditions so that Austrian companies can benefit from this growth through new cooperations deepened partnerships and even better access to this dynamic market he addedThis visit marks Stockers first trip to India and his maiden official visit to Asia since assuming office in 2025Stocker is accompanied by a highlevel delegation including senior ministers government officials and business leaders underlining the strong economic focus of the visit Both sides are expected to explore opportunities to deepen collaboration in areas such as advanced manufacturing digital innovation and renewable energyThe visit comes amid growing economic engagement between the two countries Discussions are also likely to cover regional and global issues of mutual interest as well as cooperation in multilateral forumsIndia and Austria share longstanding friendly relations rooted in shared democratic values The visit builds on the momentum generated by PM Modis visit to Austria in 2024 and is expected to further strengthen the IndiaAustria partnership opening new avenues for strategic and economic cooperationIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-holds-bilateral-talks-with-austrian-chancellor-christian-stocker-at-hyderabad-house-669736.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gold-silver-edge-higher-on-hopes-of-west-asia-de-escalation-669741.html Mumbai April 16 IANS Gold and silver prices rose on Thursday even after US President Donald Trumps remarks on easing geopolitical tensions and the opening of the Strait of HormuznbspOn the Multi Commodity Exchange MCX gold futures June 5 contract climbed as much as 067 per cent or Rs 1042 to hit an intraday high of Rs 154990 by 1057 amSilver futures also jumped up to 158 per cent or Rs 3993 to Rs 255735 logging an intraday highThe yellow metal was trading at Rs 154911 up Rs 963 or 063 per cent after touching an intraday low of Rs 154501 up 035 per cent or Rs 553 The white metal was trading at Rs 254997 up Rs 3255 or 13 per cent after hitting an intraday low of Rs 253720 up 078 per cent or Rs 1978The surge in precious metals comes after Trump hinted at hopes of an end to the West Asia conflictAccording to commodities experts sentiment remains mildly positive with macroeconomic factors offering support although momentum is still developing and would require confirmation for a sustained uptrendGold is trading in the Rs 154500Rs 155000 range with buying interest at lower levels A sustained move above Rs 155000 could revive momentum towards Rs 157000Rs 158000 while a break below Rs 154000 may lead to a correction towards Rs 152000Rs 151000 and further to Rs 148000 a commodity expert saidFor silver the analysts noted that MCX silver is hovering above Rs 254000 supported by safehaven demand and strength in industrial metals Resistance is seen at Rs 260000Rs 263000 with upside potential towards Rs 268000Rs 270000On the downside a break below Rs 250000 may lead to a correction towards Rs 244000Rs 240000 they addedTrump posting on Truth Social said efforts were underway to create a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon adding that talks between the two sides would take place soonHe also said China was very happy with the permanent opening of the Strait of HormuzI am doing it for them also and the world This situation will never happen again They China have agreed not to send weapons to Iran he saidIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gold-silver-edge-higher-on-hopes-of-west-asia-de-escalation-669741.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/oppn-objects-to-clubbing-of-key-bills-in-ls-amit-shah-cites-past-instances-669749.html New Delhi April 16 IANS Congress MP KC Venugopal on Thursday opposed the governments move to take up the Delimitation Bill alongside the Constitution Amendment Bill for discussion and passage in the Lok Sabha arguing that combining the legislations was not an appropriate parliamentary practicenbspUnion Law Minister Arjun Meghwal rose in the House to table the Constitution One Hundred and ThirtyFirst Amendment Bill 2026 and the Delimitation Bill 2026 marking a key step in the legislative process The introduction follows an earlier round of voting in which Members of Parliament supported bringing the Bill forward for discussionRaising the issue in the House Venugopal said This is against the rule Here one is the Constitution Amendment Bill and the other two are not Clubbing will not be a good practice We cannot allow this there are consequences When the Constitution Amendment Bill is going to be defeated what is the pointResponding to the concerns Union Home Minister Amit Shah defended the governments approach stating that the nature of voting for a Constitution amendment differs from that of a regular legislative amendmentnbspThe votes in a constitutional amendment are different compared to an amendment to a law Shah saidHe further explained that the introduction of multiple Bills together was part of a broader legislative plan aimed at implementing womens reservation effectivelynbspAfter the Bill on Constitution amendment to take the womens reservation to its logical end the other two Bills are important Hence they have been introduced together he addedShah maintained that the discussions on all three Bills revolve around the same subject justifying their simultaneous consideration in the House He also pointed out that such legislative practices have precedentnbspThis has happened several times in the past as well he said citing the passage of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in 2023 when the Opposition agreed to a discussion on all Bills togetherTaking a swipe at the Opposition the Home Minister stated They have come here with a decision to oppose everything so they are opposing everythingIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/oppn-objects-to-clubbing-of-key-bills-in-ls-amit-shah-cites-past-instances-669749.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/faridabad-to-nashik-changing-profile-of-terror-modules-raises-security-concern-669755.html New Delhi April 16 The Faridabad module case linked to the Delhi car bomb blast in November last year has served as a stark wakeup call for Indian security agencies While several whitecollar modules have been uncovered in the past the Faridabad network operated on a far larger and more organised scale An Intelligence Bureau official said that emerging patterns point to a growing preference among terror groups for whitecollar operatives indicating a shift in recruitment and operational strategyThe Tata Consultancy Services case in Maharashtras Nashik also falls within the ambit of such modules Unlike the Faridabad network which was geared towards executing attacks across Delhi and other parts of North India the Nashik module focused primarily on conversion and radicalisationIn Faridabad the network was led by medical professionals whereas in Nashik it comprised IT professionals and an HR manager reflecting the changing profile of those involvedWhile such modules are eventually detected their professional backgrounds often delay suspicion allowing them to function undetected for extended periods the officials saidBoth the Nashik and Faridabad modules are believed to have remained active for three to four years By the time they are uncovered considerable damage has often been done underlining the need for a reassessment of current strategies to counter this evolving threatOfficials indicate that terror groups are likely to place greater emphasis on whitecollar operatives for both terror activity and radicalisation efforts Such individuals often require only minimal prompting as they can access methods and instructions online and act independentlyTheir familiarity with encrypted platforms and secure communication channels further enhances their ability to operate discreetlyIn the Faridabad case members relied on ghost SIM cards and encrypted applications In Nashik the group used dedicated WhatsApp groups to circulate material and identify targetsOrganisations such as the Islamic State and AlQaeda may limit their role to providing initial direction while encouraging these modules to sustain themselves over time These networks may focus either on radicalisation or on carrying out attacks an official saidWhile recent crackdowns have brought these operations into sharper focus officials note that Pakistanbased terror groups have long invested in developing networks involving whitecollar operatives The ISI has in the past targeted schools and colleges in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country as part of this effortOfficials say the investment is aimed at encouraging radicalisation at the school and college level By the time these individuals complete their education they can form networks focused on both radicalisation and potential terror activity While the involvement of medical professionals came into focus after the Faridabad module was exposed officials note that such efforts have long been part of an ISIbacked approachFunding support has reportedly been extended to select individuals for their education Instead of being sent to Pakistan many were encouraged to pursue engineering or medical studies in Turkey and parts of EuropeOfficials believe such locations offer greater scope for targeted indoctrination while also keeping these individuals away from the scrutiny of Indian agencies On returning they are expected to influence others and draw more youth into similar networks There are indications that both the ISI and groups such as the Islamic State may continue to place emphasis on this modelAgencies are examining possible links between the modules that have been uncovered so far However one official pointed out that many of these networks may function independently which allows them to operate longer with a lower risk of detectionFor the ISI officials say the priority appears to be the expansion in number rather than direct coordination between modules IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/faridabad-to-nashik-changing-profile-of-terror-modules-raises-security-concern-669755.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/new-weekly-express-trains-announced-for-andhra-telangana-669758.html Hyderabad April 16 The Union Ministry of Railways has approved the introduction of new trains in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana CharlapalliNarasapurCharlapalli Weekly Express and NarsapurTirupatiNarsapur Weekly Express According to the South Central Railway SCR the ministry approved the introduction of Train No1706117062 Charlapalli Narasapur Charlapalli Weekly Express duly regularising services of Train No 0706107062 Charlapalli Narasapur Charlapalli Special Train ServicesTrain No 17061 CharlapalliNarsapur Express will run every Saturday while Train No 17062 NarsapurCharlapalli Express will be operated on Sundays The first service from Charlapalli will commence on May 2 It will depart at 750 pm and reach Narsapur at 7 am the next day The train will halt at Nalgonda Guntur Vijayawada Gudivada Kaikalur Akividu Bhimavaram Town Viravasaram and PalakolluIn the return direction the train will depart from Narsapur at 8 pm and reach Charlapalli at 750 am the next dayThese trains will consist of 2A 3A Sleeper and General Second Class Coaches the SCR said in a releaseThe Ministry of Railways has also approved the introduction of Train No 1742817427 Narsapur Tirupati Narsapur Weekly Express duly regularising Train No 0713107132 Narsapur Tirupati Narsapur special train service Train No 17428 NarsapurTirupati will be operated every Monday while Train No 17427 TirupatiNarsapur Weekly Express will run every SundayThe weekly train will commence operations on April 27 with the departure from Narsapur at 350 pm and reach Tirupati at 340 am the next day The train will halt at Pakalollu Bhimavaram Junction Bhimavaram Town Akividu Kaikalur Gudivada Vijayawada Tenali Chirala Ongole Nellore and ReniguntaTirupatiNarsapur Weekly Express will depart Tirupati on May 3 at 1010 pm It will reach Narsapur at 930 am the next dayMeanwhile the Railway Board has approved the extension of Train No 2091620915 IndoreLingampalliIndore Humsafar Express to Charlapalli This will come into effect from April 25IndoreCharlapalli train will depart Indore on Saturdays at 1115 am and reach Charlapalli at 215 pm the next day CharlapalliIndore depart from Charlapalli on Sunday at 845 pm and reach Indore at 1215 am Tuesday The Railway Board has also approved to increase the frequency of Train No 1277512776 Kakinada Town Lingampalli Kakinada Town Express from TriWeekly to daily service This will come into effect from April 21 The train has been provided with an additional stoppage at Samalkot Railway Station IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/new-weekly-express-trains-announced-for-andhra-telangana-669758.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-austria-to-strengthen-partnership-in-defence-semiconductors-and-quantum-pm-modi--669760.html New Delhi April 16 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced that India and Austria will strengthen their partnership in defence semiconductors quantum and biotechnologynbspAddressing a joint press meet with visiting Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker PM Modi stated that India and Austria will ensure reliable technology and supply chains for the entire world by combining Austrias expertise with Indias speed and scaleIndia and Austria have remained trustworthy partners in infrastructure innovation and sustainability Be it the Delhi Metro or the Atal Tunnel Austrias tunnelling expertise has made a strong impactFrom green energy to urban development Austrian companies have been actively contributing to Indias engineering projects he saidChancellor Stockers visit will bring new enthusiasm in trade and investment We are glad that he has come to India with a big vision and a large business delegation By combining Austrias expertise with Indias speed and scale we will ensure reliable technology and supply chains for the entire world We will also strengthen our partnership in the areas of defence semiconductors quantum and biotechnology the PM addedExtending a warm welcome to the Austrian Chancellor PM Modi expressed happiness at Stocker choosing India for his first visit outside EuropeWe are pleased that India is your first destination outside Europe This reflects your strong commitment to your vision and to strengthening IndiaAustria relations The Austrian Chancellors visit to India after four decades is highly significant Following the IndiaEuropean Union Free Trade Agreement a new chapter has begun in IndiaEU relations Through Chancellor Stockers visit we are taking IndiaAustria ties into a new eraHe announced that India and Austria would promote mobility in the nursing sector He also announced that the two nations will launch a Working Holiday Programme to encourage youth exchangeIndias talent has the potential to enhance Austrias innovation and productivity In 2023 we signed a Migration and Mobility Agreement with Austria Under this framework we will now promote mobility in the nursing sector We will further boost joint research and startup cooperation To encourage youth exchange we are launching the IndiaAustria Working Holiday ProgrammeCalling for reform of global institutions amid the ongoing tensions in the world PM Modi said Today the entire world is passing through a very serious and tense situation Its impact is being felt on all of us In such a tense global environment India and Austria are in agreement that military conflict cannot resolve problems Whether it is Ukraine or West Asia we support stable sustainable and lasting peace We also agree that reforming global institutions is essential for addressing the growing global challenges and eradicating terrorism is our shared commitmentIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-austria-to-strengthen-partnership-in-defence-semiconductors-and-quantum-pm-modi--669760.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/akasa-air-to-launch-new-gwaliordelhibengaluru-flights-jyotiraditya-scindia-669765.html New Delhi April 16 Union Communications and Development of Northeastern Region Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia said on Thursday that regular flight services of Akasa Air connecting Gwalior with Delhi and Bengaluru will soon commence from the Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Airport in the Madhya Pradesh city In 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 services will also provide fresh momentum to opportunities in trade industry education and employmentâOur resolve to connect the region to nationalâlevel 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/akasa-air-to-launch-new-gwaliordelhibengaluru-flights-jyotiraditya-scindia-669765.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nashik-case-flags-emerging-radicalisation-pattern-pfis-vision-2024-parallels-under-lens-669766.html New Delhi April 16 Radicalisation has become one of the biggest threats facing India The agencies warn that radicalisation camps can come up at unassuming locations as they largely remain off the radar The TCS case is one such example where the police found that professional seniority was used as a leverage to allegedly radicalise and also convert vulnerable junior employees between 2021 and 2026 While the probe is ongoing the agencies are set to look into a larger pattern More such modules may be in the works in various other places and firms and the agencies will study the patterns and possible links to the Nashik case an official saidAnother official said that it is becoming increasingly clear that the larger design is to set up more such radicalisation centres The focus is more on radicalisation and changing the mindset of society rather than going in for conventional terror attacksOutfits such as the Popular Front of India PFI Islamic State and AlQaeda have long focused largely on radicalisation The PFI before its ban had set up several radicalisation camps and centres with the intention of changing the way people thinkIn the Nashik case the modus operandi resembles the Popular Front of Indiaâs Vision 2047 document titled âIndia 2047 Towards Rule of Islam in India This document speaks about increasing radicalisation drives The focus is largely on radicalisation rather than attacksThe vision of the PFI was to have a radicalised Islamic state by 2047 The outfit was however banned by the Narendra Modi government in 2022 The TCS radicalisation case busted by the Nashik Police will be probed by the central agencies such as the National Investigation Agency NIA which would look into the wider ramifications of this caseOfficials say that the agencies would probe to find out if this is an isolated case or if there are many such whitecollar modules in other parts of the country The possible role of the PFI will also be probed indepth the official saidThe outfit has been accused by the NIA of promoting radicalisation by trapping Hindu women In the Nashik case the police have accused IT engineers and an HR manager of attempting to radicalise and forcibly convert Hindu women employees and gain ideological control over them The accused are team leaders Tausif Attar Danish Sheikh Asif Ansari Shafi Sheikh and HRâs Nida Khan Nida Khan who has been accused of allegedly facilitating and introducing the victims to the accused team leaders is currently abscondingInvestigating officials say that she would be able to provide more details which may eventually lead to other similar networks the official also said Another official said that the agencies would examine the similarities between the modus operandi in the Nashik case and what the PFIâs vision document statesAccording to the document the goal is to establish Islamic rule in India by 20247 which marks Indiaâs 100th year of independence The document outlines a fourstage programme involving recruitment training in martial arts and also creating communal tensions across the countryFurther the PFI has also spoken about creating specialised radicalisation cells within the IT sector Officials say that the plan was to target all sections of society It wanted the educated class to be part of this programme so that the ideology could reach a wider audience The uneducated or less educated were the ones to be used on the streets to incite and carry out violent actsThe PFI kickstarted operations in Kerala but managed to spread far and wide to different parts of the country including the northeastern states Although the PFI has been banned the agencies say that there are many out in the open and continue to spread its socalled visionPost the ban the Intelligence agencies had warned that many who were part of the outfit and had not come under the radar of the investigating agencies could push the PFIâs agenda in a hushhush manner IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nashik-case-flags-emerging-radicalisation-pattern-pfis-vision-2024-parallels-under-lens-669766.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/voting-on-passage-of-womens-reservation-delimitation-bills-on-friday-at-4-pm-669767.html New Delhi April 16 IANS Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday informed the Lok Sabha that an extended discussion would be held on the three crucial Bills related to womens reservation and delimitation with voting scheduled for FridaynbspAddressing the House Rijiju said The discussion will be held for 12 hours The speaker should have the authority to extend the time for discussion The voting on the bills will be done tomorrowLok Sabha Speaker Om Birla subsequently clarified that the debate could go on for a longer duration if required indicating flexibility in the schedule to accommodate detailed deliberations by membersHe said Discussion on these three bills will be held for 1518 hours Voting on these bills will be done at 4 pm tomorrow He further assured that everyone will be given appropriate time to speak during the discussionThe introduction of the Constitution One Hundred and ThirtyFirst Amendment Bill 2026 aimed at enabling womens reservation and facilitating delimitation was approved in the Lok Sabha on Thursday following a division of votes in the House The development came after the Opposition pressed for a recorded vote leading to a formal division processUnion Law Minister Arjun Meghwal rose in the House to table the Bill marking a key step in the legislative process The introduction follows an earlier round of voting in which Members of Parliament supported bringing the Bill forward for discussionThe Constitution One Hundred and ThirtyFirst Amendment Bill 2026 and the Delimitation Bill 2026 and Union Territories Laws Amendment Bill 2026 were introducedEarlier the Lok Sabha had voted in favour of introducing the Constitution One Hundred and ThirtyFirst Amendment Bill 2026 after the Opposition demanded a divisionFollowing the use of vote slips the distribution stood at 251 in support and 185 against announced Speaker Om Birla adding that it is subject to changeThe Lok Sabha typically relies on voice voting to pass motions however when the outcome is contested a division is conducted In such cases the Automatic Vote Recorder system is used to register votes under Ayes Noes and AbstainSubsequently vote slips were also utilised during the proceedings after the division with a total of 333 members casting their votes and no abstentions recorded in that roundIf any member wishes to change the vote they may call for voting through slips the Lok Sabha Secretary General had earlier informed the HouseThe Opposition had insisted on a division as the House took up voting on the introduction of the Womens Reservation Bill The motion required a simple majority to be carried and the voting process was conducted accordingly amid heightened political engagementIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/voting-on-passage-of-womens-reservation-delimitation-bills-on-friday-at-4-pm-669767.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-fadnavis-offers-prayers-at-baps-swaminarayan-mandir-prays-for-peace-prosperity-669772.html Mumbai April 16 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday visited the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Mumbai where he devoutly offered prayers and performed darshan of Bhagwan Swaminarayan During his visit CM Fadnavis participated in the sacred abhishek ceremony expressing deep reverence and spiritual devotion He was warmly received by the sadhu Tirthswarup Das of BAPS who apprised him of the organisationâs extensive spiritual cultural and humanitarian activities carried out across India and worldwideMumbai BJP President Amit Satam also joined the Chief Minister during this visit said a media releaseIn his post on X CM Fadnavis said âI visited the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Dadar to seek blessings and offer prayers for everyones wellbeing During the visit I also had the opportunity to perform the Abhishek ritualâBlessed to offer prayers and perform Abhishek at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Dadar Prayed for the peace and prosperity of all Joined by BJP Mumbai President and MLA Ameet Satamâ he saidThe Chief Minister appreciated the valuesbased initiatives of BAPS that continue to inspire society through service sanskar and unity He also spent time on the mandir premises experiencing its serene and spiritually uplifting atmosphere In a spirit of humility and devotion prayers were offered at the feet of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Guruhari Mahant Swami Maharaj for the continued good health strength and dedicated service of Devendra Fadnavis towards the progress and wellbeing of the people of Maharashtra said the releaseThe BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Mumbai holds regular Ravi Sabhas Sunday assemblies where his latest blessings and discourses are shared with thousands of Mumbaikars Mumbaiâs BAPS community is highly active in disaster relief environmental drives like Mumbais green initiatives and blood donation campsA threespired mandir crafted from pink stone with intricate carvings features Murtis of Bhagwan Swaminarayan Gunatitanand Swami Gopalanand Swami Harikrishna Maharaj and RadhaKrishna It serves as a major centre for cultural and spiritual activities It is known for a rotating pillar located where Yogiji Maharajs body was placed in 1971 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-fadnavis-offers-prayers-at-baps-swaminarayan-mandir-prays-for-peace-prosperity-669772.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cargo-service-train-to-operate-between-delhi-and-kashmir-from-friday-northern-railway-669779.html Jammu April 16 A joint parcel product rapid cargo service JPPRCS train will operate from Adarsh Nagar in New Delhi to Budgam in Kashmir from Friday Northern Railway officials said on Thursday A statement by the Northern Railway said that the JPPRCS train will run between Adarsh Nagar station in New Delhi and Budgam in Central KashmirOfficials said this will give relief to traders in the Valley particularly fruit growers and handicrafts artisans The service will run regularly on a trial basis till May 31 after which it is likely to be inducted into regular service subject to satisfactory occupancy levels an official release saidTrain 00462 will depart from Budgam at 615 am and arrive at Delhiâs Adarsh Nagar at 5 am the following dayTo facilitate loading and unloading operations en route the train will also make scheduled halts at Bari Brahmana and Ambala cantonment stationsThe timing for Train 00462 at Bari Brahmana Railway Station has been revised to provide greater convenience to the trading community the statement saidOn the return journey Train 00461 will depart from Adarsh Nagar at 5 am and arrive at Budgam at 1045 am the next day This special parcel train would consist of eight parcel vans and one seatingcumluggage rakeThe railways said the service offers faster transit than road transport covering the distance in 2324 hours and ensuring perishable goods such as apples and cherries remain freshâThis initiative has been undertaken with the objective of strengthening the economy of Jammu and Kashmir and facilitating the rapid transport of local products such as saffron walnuts pashmina shawls and handicrafts to markets across the countryâ the press statement saidSenior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal told reporters that Northern Railway has decided to run the parcel train on a regular basis from April 17 to May 31 following persistent demand from traders and farmers IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cargo-service-train-to-operate-between-delhi-and-kashmir-from-friday-northern-railway-669779.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-can-play-key-role-in-helping-africas-green-energy-push-669781.html New Delhi April 16 India can play a key role in helping Africa scale up its renewable energy as the country has over the last decade successfully added over 130 gigawatts of solar and wind capacity with renewables now accounting for just over half of installed electricity capacity according to an article Across Africa the energy transition is not a distant policy target it is a practical attempt to turn sunlight wind and mineral wealth into hospitals with steady power farms that can irrigate after sunset and factories that can plug into something more reliable than expensive diesel generators according to the India Narrative articleIt points out that 600 million people in Africa are still without electricity although access rates are increasing and renewable energy projects are being set up It sees immense potential for India to provide technology and institutional experience to drive this transition aheadIndiaâs expansion has been driven by competitive auctions clear policy signals and a focus on distributed solar that reaches small town grids and rural households For African governments some of those lessons transparent tenders predictable tariffs and a strong domestic engineering base are transferable even if the exact regulatory design must be adapted to local conditionsâ the article written by Zuri Amondi statesThe African continent receives more solar radiation than almost any other region and between 2020 and 2025 African governments and private investors have already committed roughly 25 gigawatts of renewable capacity with another 11 gigawatts secured through private sector deals and solar alone now accounts for a majority of new capacity Besides in many African countries new solar power is cheaper than building new gasfired plants especially when transmission and fuel price volatility are factored in the article pointed outIt also highlights that Africa is a central piece of the global clean energy supply chain through its critical minerals endowment The continent hosts a substantial share of the worldâs cobalt copper manganese platinum group metals and a growing share of lithiumâmaterials that underpin batteries electrolysers and wind turbines which would enable Africa to participate in the global industrial economyThe article points out that Indian utilities have already begun sharing experience with African counterparts on grid modernisation energy storage and the integration of variable renewables Power Grid Corporation of India for example has partnered with Africa50 and other African institutions on transmission projects which can help pool solar and wind across countries and reduce reliance on isolated fossil fuel plantsIndia can help by scaling up patient financing sharing hardwon lessons on grid integration and solar pump schemes and supporting Africanled rules for critical minerals value addition If those elements are aligned under strong African institutions and transparent contracts the IndiaâAfrica renewable energy partnership can become a model of how two large developing regions can build growth resilience and cleaner power together the article said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-can-play-key-role-in-helping-africas-green-energy-push-669781.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/akhilesh-yadav-questions-haste-in-pushing-bills-says-sp-fully-supports-womens-quota--669784.html New Delhi April 16 IANS Samajwadi Party SP President Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday questioned the governments intent and haste in rushing the three bills on womens reservation a Constitutional Amendment and delimitation in the special threeday sitting of the Parliament contending that this was attempt to deprive the backward and margainalised women from the benefits of reservationnbspnbspAkhilesh Yadav also hurled pointed questions at the Centre over its nari shakti resolve and claimed that the BJP is converting the womens reservation into a poll issue and trying to hijack the national cause by twisting itJoining the marathon debate on womens reservation and delimitation he demanded that the Census and castebased census in particular be conducted before the womens reservation bill is brought into forceAkhilesh Yadav said that his party stands wholeheartedly in support of women and it has consistently worked for their upliftment and empowerment and went on to call out the BJPs poor record of womens representation despite being in power in more than a dozen statesOur party leaders who draw inspiration from the socialist icons like Ram Manohar Lohia have consistently stood up for womens rights We are in support of womens quota but against any conspiracy to shortchange them he statedShowing the ruling dispensation the mirror on women empowerment claims he said that the BJP is in power in 21 statesUTs across the country but it must tell in how many places are the reins of power in womens handsThe party which takes pride in being the worlds biggest party must see its own records on giving women equal rights and share he said while calling out the hurry and haste in pushing through the three billsHe said that the reality is that the government wants to delay the Census and castebased census in particular as it is against giving reservations to backward and marginalised communitiesThe primary purpose of bringing the womens reservation bill is to cultivate a new vote bank as they fear losing support in the upcoming elections he addedThe SP chief also claimed that the delimitations purpose is to distort the federal structure of the nation and give political mileage to the ruling party citing Assam and Jammu ampamp Kashmir as examples of botched proceduresFurther claiming that the number of Legislative Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh will cross the 500 mark after delimitation he said that they suspect a conspiracy behind itIf there is any illwill behind the restructuring of constituencies the BJP will stand to lose much like what happened in Ayodhya he said issuing a note of cautionWe are against rotation of seats this doesnt bode well for democracy We demand that there must be a Census first he also statedIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/akhilesh-yadav-questions-haste-in-pushing-bills-says-sp-fully-supports-womens-quota--669784.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/samrat-choudhary-in-action-mode-holds-series-of-high-level-meetings-at-secretariat-669793.html Patna April 16 A day after taking charge as Bihars new Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary moved swiftly into governance mode on Thursday holding a series of highlevel meetings at the state Secretariat After his swearingin as Biharâs 24th Chief Minister and the first from the BJP Samrat Choudhary wasted no time in setting the administrative tone of the new governmentOn Thursday morning CM Samrat Choudhary reached the Secretariat early and convened a crucial meeting with Principal Secretaries of all departments Key administrative directions are expected to emerge from this meeting signaling the governmentâs priorities in the coming daysDeputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary formally assumed charge at the Water Resources Department located at Irrigation Bhawan He reviewed departmental functioning and took detailed briefings from officialsMeanwhile another Deputy Chief Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav is also expected to take charge of his responsibilities soon Senior leaders from both the BJP and Janata Dal United including Vijay Kumar Sinha had met the Chief Minister on Wednesday eveningThe new government sworn in on Wednesday is currently functioning with a limited cabinet Alongside CM Samrat Choudhary both Deputy CMs Vijay Chaudhary and Bijendra Yadav are managing the administrationCM Samrat Choudhary is holding 29 departments including the Home Ministry while Vijay Kumar Chaudhary is holding 10 departments and Bijendra Prasad Yadav is in charge of 8 departmentsA full cabinet expansion is expected soon after which portfolios will be redistributed among ministersThe Chief Ministerâs immediate engagement with top officials and earlymorning review meetings indicate a strong governance push right from the outset The administration is expected to move quickly on key policy and development decisionsWith the transition from Nitish Kumar to Samrat Choudhary Bihar has entered a new political phase The coming days will be crucial in shaping the direction and priorities of the new government IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/samrat-choudhary-in-action-mode-holds-series-of-high-level-meetings-at-secretariat-669793.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-austria-partnership-to-get-more-innovation-centric-and-future-ready-pm-modi-669795.html New Delhi April 16 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed confidence that the partnership between India and Austria will get more innovationcentric and futureready PM Modis statement came after he met Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker and discussed ways to deepen cooperation in areas like innovation infrastructure and sustainabilityHe stated that both nations are committed to adding new energy to trade and investment linkagesHeld very productive discussions with Chancellor Stocker of Austria We in India are glad that he selected our nation as his first destination to visit outside Europe after he assumed office This reflects his vision and commitment to IndiaAustria relations Equally special is the fact that this is the first visit by an Austrian Chancellor in four decades His visit also comes in the wake of the historic IndiaEU Free Trade Agreement which has ushered in a new chapter in IndiaEU ties PM Modi posted on XOur talks today covered ways to deepen cooperation in areas such as innovation infrastructure and sustainability We are committed to adding new energy in trade and investment linkages Sectors like defence semiconductors futuristic technologies and StartUps present immense potential for closer relations I am confident that the IndiaAustria partnership will get even more innovationcentric and futureready he addedStocker thanked PM Modi for his invitation to India and his hospitality He stated that his visit to New Delhi marks a new chapter in IndiaAustria friendshipIn a post on X Stocker said Thank you Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for the invitation to India and your kind hospitality It is a great honour to be in New Delhiâas the first Austrian Chancellor to visit India in over four decades This visit marks a new chapter in a friendship that has grown stronger for more than 75 years In times of increasing geopolitical uncertainty reliable partners connected by shared values are more important than everEarlier in the day the Austrian Chancellor paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at RajghatIn a post on X the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said Remembering Bapu and his ideals Federal Chancellor Dr Christian Stocker of Austria paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat laying a wreath and reflecting on Gandhijis enduring message of peace nonviolence and global harmonyStocker arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for his first official visit to India after assuming office aimed at strengthening bilateral ties across key sectors including trade investment and emerging technologiesEarlier on Wednesday External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar called on the Austrian Chancellor expressing confidence that his talks with Prime Minister Modi would open new avenues for greater cooperation between the two nations IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-austria-partnership-to-get-more-innovation-centric-and-future-ready-pm-modi-669795.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/women-reservation-bill-will-help-to-change-disha-and-dasha-of-nation-pm-modi-669809.html New Delhi April 16 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that the Women Reservation Bill will help change the disha and dasha direction and condition of the countrys politics by involving half of the population of the nation in decisionmakingnbspOutlining the benefits of womens reservation in achieving Viksit Bharat 2047 PM Modi said all those who have opposed this provision have been taught a lesson by women votersWe are privileged that we have an opportunity to give a new direction to the nations politics and strengthen democracy he said urging parties not to see it through the prism of politicsEarlier the introduction was approved in the Lok Sabha on Thursday following a division of votes in the House The development came after the Opposition pressed for a recorded vote leading to a formal division processUnion Law Minister Arjun Meghwal rose in the House to table the Bill marking a key step in the legislative process The introduction follows an earlier round of voting in which Members of Parliament supported bringing the Bill forward for discussion The Constitution One Hundred and ThirtyFirst Amendment Bill 2026 and the Delimitation Bill 2026 and Union Territories Laws Amendment Bill 2026 were introducedThe Lok Sabha had voted in favour of introducing the Constitution One Hundred and ThirtyFirst Amendment Bill 2026 after the Opposition demanded a division Following the use of vote slips the distribution stood at 251 in support and 185 against announced Speaker Om Birla adding that it is subject to changeThe Lok Sabha typically relies on voice voting to pass motions however when the outcome is contested a division is conducted In such cases the Automatic Vote Recorder system is used to register votes under Ayes Noes and AbstainSubsequently vote slips were also utilised during the proceedings after the division with a total of 333 members casting their votes and no abstentions recorded in that roundIf any member wishes to change the vote they may call for voting through slips the Lok Sabha Secretary General had earlier informed the HouseThe Opposition had insisted on a division as the House took up voting on the introduction of the Womens Reservation Bill The motion required a simple majority to be carried and the voting process was conducted accordingly amid heightened political engagementLok Sabha Secretary General Utpal Singh briefed the members on the functioning of the automatic vote recording system reiterating that while voice votes are the norm a division is invoked when demanded by membersThe votes will not be registered if the votes are kept pressed before the first gong or if they arent pressed simultaneously till the second gong Members can check their vote on the individual results board Singh saidIf any member wishes to change the vote they may call for voting through slips he addedIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/women-reservation-bill-will-help-to-change-disha-and-dasha-of-nation-pm-modi-669809.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/asg-seeks-harshest-punishment-for-congress-mla-vinay-kulkarni-in-bjp-leader-murder-case-669814.html Bengaluru April 16 Additional Solicitor General ASG SV Raju appearing for the CBI urged the Special Court for MLAsMPs in Bengaluru on Thursday to award the harshest punishment to accused MLA Vinay Kulkarni and the other accused in the murder case of BJP leader and Zilla Panchayat member Yogesh Gowda âThe Special Court for MLAsMPs in Bengaluru on Wednesday held senior Congress MLA and former minister Vinay Kulkarni guilty in the murder case of the BJP leader âThe court delivered its final verdict after a prolonged trial Vinay Kulkarni has been named as accused number 15 in the case He is currently serving as the Chairman of the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board The court found him guilty of criminal conspiracy The court is hearing arguments over the quantum of punishment todayPresenting his arguments before the court Additional Solicitor General ASG Raju submitted that the accused should be given the harshest punishment stating that they had hatched a conspiracy and carried out a coldblooded murder He further argued that the deceased Yogesh Gowda was a public figure who was killed due to political rivalry He told the court that initially other individuals had surrendered before the police in connection with the case but the truth emerged only after the CBI investigationASG Raju contended that the accused being a legislator expected to uphold the law had instead orchestrated the killing He alleged that the accused misused the police machinery and violated constitutional principlesHe also stated that Yogesh Gowda was brutally murdered after chilli powder was thrown into his eyes He added that documents were fabricated and attempts were made to destroy evidence According to him the accused misused his position as an MLA and minister and manipulated the entire systemMeanwhile the caseâs approver witness Basavaraj Muttagi had visited the Ganesh temple located at KCD Circle in Dharwad city earlier in the day Muttagi who arrived at the temple under CRPF security offered special prayers and prayed to God to give him greater strength for his fightSpeaking to the media he said that the real struggle would begin now He also stated that he had been haunted by a sense of guilt as he too had been part of the conspiracy when Yogesh Gowda was murderedA total of 21 persons were named as accused in the case by the Central Bureau of Investigation Among 21 accused persons 17 were found guilty and two have turned approvers In this background the court has delivered its verdict holding 19 accused guiltyâAccused number one Basavaraj Muttagi had turned approver and given his statement while accused number 17 Shivanand even after turning approver gave a hostile statement Hence the Central Bureau of Investigation has filed an application to reaccuse accused number 17âThe accused number two Vikram accused number three Keerthi Kumar accused number four Sandeep accused number five Vinayak accused number six Mahabaleshwar alias Mudaka accused number seven Santosh accused number eight Dinesh accused number nine Ashwath accused number ten Sunil accused number eleven Nazeer Ahmed accused number twelve Shanawaz accused number thirteen Nutan accused number fourteen Harshit accused number fifteen Vinay Kulkarni accused number sixteen Chandru Mama accused number eighteen Vikas Kalaburagi and accused number nineteen Channakeshava Tingarikar have been declared guiltyâMeanwhile the court ordered the release of accused numbers 20 and 21 Vasudev Nilekani and SomashekarâThe case dates back to 2016 and the court will also decide the fate of 21 other accused in connection with the incidentâ The case was handed over to the CBI by the state government At the time the allegations surfaced Kulkarni was serving as a minister and district incharge ministerâYogesh Gowda was hacked to death by a group of assailants at a gym in Dharwad city on June 15 2016 He had challenged Kulkarni politically and the incident soon took a turn for the worseâKulkarni was arrested in 2020 and released on bail in 2021 He was accused of influencing witnesses following which the CBI sought cancellation of his bail alleging violation of bail conditions The court accepted the plea and revoked his bailâ Subsequently Kulkarni surrendered before the authorities and was recently released on bail againâKulkarni was accused of conspiring in the murder of Yogesh Gowda At the time he was a Cabinet minister in the Siddaramaiahled government Although his name surfaced no action was taken against him initiallyâThe BJP later made it a major issue with former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa vowing at election rallies that Kulkarni would be sent to jail if the BJP came to powerâThe case was subsequently handed over to the CBI and Kulkarni was arrested He spent more than nine months in jail before securing bail from the Supreme Courtâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/asg-seeks-harshest-punishment-for-congress-mla-vinay-kulkarni-in-bjp-leader-murder-case-669814.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/reliance-says-jhunjhunwala-bapna-no-longer-working-with-group-669815.html New Delhi April 16 Anil Ambaniled Reliance Group said on Thursday that Amitabh Jhunjhunwala and Amit Bapna who earlier held charge of senior positions in the group are currently not working with it The duo has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with an ongoing money laundering investigation linked to an alleged banking fraud involving group entities such as Reliance Home Finance Ltd RHFL and Reliance Commercial Finance Ltd RCFLReliance said that Jhunjhunwala left the group in December 2019 while Bapna left in September 2019 and they no longer have any association with group companies including Reliance Infrastructure Limited and Reliance Power LimitedJhunjhunwala served as the Group Managing Director of the Reliance Group as well as Vice Chairman and Director of Reliance Capital Limited during his association with the group Bapna served as the Chief Financial Officer of Reliance Capital Limited as well as Director of Reliance Home Finance Limited during his tenure at the Reliance GroupThe ED has arrested Jhunjhunwala and Bapna in an ongoing investigation under the PMLA based on multiple ECIRs registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI according to sourcesJhunjhunwala as Director of Reliance Capital Limited is alleged to have been one of the key decisionmakers in various operations of RHFL and RCFL at the relevant time sources addedEarlier this month the CBI registered a case against Reliance Communications Ltd RCom Anil Ambani unknown public servants and unknown others on allegations of causing wrongful loss of Rs 3750 crore to Life Insurance Corporation LIC of IndiaThe case was registered based on a complaint received from Life Insurance Corporation of India Ltd for offences of conspiracy cheating misappropriation and offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act according to an official statementIt is alleged that LIC was fraudulently induced to subscribe to NonConvertible Debentures NCDs worth Rs 4500 crore based on false representations made by Reliance Communications Ltd and its management regarding the financial health of the company and security and asset cover offered to LIC while subscribing to the NCDs Investigation of the case is in progressThe CBI had earlier registered three cases against RCom Ltd Anil Ambani and others on allegations of defrauding many banks Anil Ambani was also interrogated by the CBI at its Delhi headquarters for two days in a row in connection with the alleged Rs 292905 crore SBI fraud caseLate last month the Supreme Court stressed the need for a coordinated fair and timebound investigation into alleged largescale bank frauds linked to Anil Ambaniâs Reliance Communications RCom and its group entitiesA bench headed by Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant observed that investigating agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI must join hands and work in coordination to unearth the truth transparently and independently IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/reliance-says-jhunjhunwala-bapna-no-longer-working-with-group-669815.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-accounts-for-83-pc-of-indias-gdp-says-cm-patel-at-trade-expo-inauguration-669817.html Gandhinagar April 16 Gujarat contributes 83 per cent to Indiaâs gross domestic product GDP along with 18 per cent of the countryâs industrial output and 31 per cent of exports Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said on Thursday after inaugurating a threeday trade expo in the state capital Addressing the opening of the Gujarat Advanced Technology and Economy Expo GATE 2026 organised by the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry GCCI Patel said The stateâs economic performance reflects a development model built on the integration of trade and tradition commerce and culture and industry and entrepreneurship under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra ModiThe event being held from April 16 to 18 at an exhibition centre in Gandhinagar spans 18000 square metres and features more than 16 sectors including automobiles renewable energy information technology pharmaceuticals and textiles with a specific focus on artificial intelligence and cyber securityCM Patel said the expo themed Gujarat Vision Global Ambition is expected to provide a platform for micro small and medium enterprises MSMEs and young entrepreneurs to expand from local markets to global opportunitiesHe expressed confidence that such initiatives would strengthen the stateâs industrial ecosystemReferring to the Vibrant Gujarat summit CM Patel said its continued success has helped position Gujarat as âa global gateway to the futureâHe added that industry bodies such as GCCI play a key role in policymaking by providing groundlevel feedback and have worked in coordination with the state government in both planning and execution of such initiativesGujarat is advancing in emerging sectors including green growth renewable energy electric vehicle manufacturing and semiconductors in line with the national objective of Make in India Made for the World he notedCM Patel also noted that Gujarat is the first state to prepare a Developed Gujarat 2047 roadmap based on the principle of âearning well living wellâ to contribute to the broader goal of a developed IndiaGCCI President Sandeep Engineer said the event marks an important step towards strengthening industrial development in Gujarat and advancing the vision of Viksit Gujarat to Viksit BharatAround 610 exhibitors have registered for the expo with more than 30000 visitors already signed up and the number is expected to reach 50000 he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-accounts-for-83-pc-of-indias-gdp-says-cm-patel-at-trade-expo-inauguration-669817.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/engineer-caught-redhanded-accepting-rs-10-000-bribe-in-bihars-purnea-669818.html Patna April 16 An Assistant Engineer in Bihars Purnea district has been arrested while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 10000 officials said on Thursday The accused Bhushan Prasad posted with the Bihar Education Project was caught redhanded by the Vigilance team The arrest followed a complaint filed by Nandan Kumar Jha a resident of Hemnagar village under Sarsi police station limits in PurneaAccording to the complaint Nandan Kumar Jha had undertaken the construction of a school building in Minapur under the Dagrua block The engineer allegedly demanded a 6 per cent commission on the Measurement Book MB value He had reportedly already taken money in instalments and this time he demanded Rs 10000 and refused to sign the Measurement Book without paymentActing on the complaint the Vigilance team registered a case under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act at its police station in Patna and laid a trap The accused was caught while accepting the bribeOfficials confirmed that Bhushan Prasad is currently being interrogated and further legal proceedings are underway The arrested engineer will be produced before the Vigilance Court in Patna on FridayThe Vigilance Investigation Bureau has intensified its campaign against corruption with frequent raids and arrests across the state Authorities have reiterated their commitment to taking strict action against officials involved in bribery and misuse of powerEarlier on March 13 the Bihar Vigilance Investigation Bureau arrested a government official in a bribery case in Bettiah of West Champaran district The vigilance team caught Anurag Abhishek a Field Officer at the District Dairy Development Office redhanded while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 30000 inside his office premisesThe action was taken following a complaint lodged by Bablu Kumar a resident of Gaunaha Acting on the complaint a special vigilance team from Patna conducted a raid in the Banuchhapar area and arrested the accused official IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/engineer-caught-redhanded-accepting-rs-10-000-bribe-in-bihars-purnea-669818.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ktaka-bjp-leader-murder-case-court-reserves-verdict-on-quantum-of-sentence-for-friday-669826.html Bengaluru April 16 The Special Court for MLAsMPs in Bengaluru on Thursday completed the proceedings of recording the final statements on the quantum of punishment in the BJP leader Yogesh Gowda murder case and reserved the verdict for Friday The final counterarguments by the counsels representing the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI and those of the convicted Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni were completed Judge Santosh Gajanana Bhat then adjourned the matter for the pronouncement of the verdict against the MLA and 16 othersEmotional scenes prevailed on the court premises as family members of the convicts gathered and were seen in tears throughout the proceedings Some of the convicts including MLA Vinay Kulkarni were seen consoling their family members while they themselves were also in tearsIt can be recalled that in a major development the Special Court for MLAsMPs in Bengaluru on Wednesday held senior Congress MLA and former Minister Vinay Kulkarni guilty in the murder case of BJP leader and Zilla Panchayat member Yogesh Gowda âThe court delivered its final verdict after a prolonged trial Vinay Kulkarni has been named as accused number 15 in the case He is currently serving as the Chairman of the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board The court found him guilty of criminal conspiracy Presenting his arguments before the court Additional Solicitor General ASG V Raju submitted that the accused should be given the harshest punishment stating that they had hatched a conspiracy and carried out a coldblooded murder He further argued that the deceased Yogesh Gowda was a public figure who was killed due to political rivalryHe told the court that initially other individuals had surrendered before the police in connection with the case but the truth emerged only after the CBI investigationASG Raju contended that the accused being a legislator expected to uphold the law had instead orchestrated the killing He alleged that the accused misused the police machinery and violated constitutional principlesHe also stated that Yogesh Gowda was brutally murdered after chilli powder was thrown into his eyes He added that documents were fabricated and attempts were made to destroy evidence According to him the accused misused his position as an MLA and minister and manipulated the entire systemConvicted Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni pleaded before the Special Court for MLAsMPs in Bengaluru stating that he has been in politics for 26 years and has not harmed anyoneRecording his statement before the court pronounced the quantum of punishment convict Kulkarni said âThe case has been filed for political reasons I have two daughters who have reached marriageable age and a son I contested the Lok Sabha election as well I am an agriculturist and take care of 3500 cows I have not troubled anyone in my constituencyâSenior counsel Shyam Sundar arguing on behalf of the accused submitted that awarding life imprisonment would be the maximum punishment and would be equivalent to a death sentence He urged the court to impose a sentence that allows scope for reformation He added that Kulkarni is a legislator elected by the people rears more than 3000 cows and is also an industrialistHe further submitted that thousands of people have placed their trust in Kulkarni and that these factors should be considered while determining the punishment This background he said reflects Kulkarniâs good character IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ktaka-bjp-leader-murder-case-court-reserves-verdict-on-quantum-of-sentence-for-friday-669826.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/10-year-yield-may-dip-below-7-pc-as-gdp-seen-at-71-pc-report-669829.html New Delhi April 16 Indias benchmark 10year government bond yield could ease below the 7 per cent mark by June even as nearterm volatility persists due to global and domestic factors a report said on Thursday As per the analysis of Crisil Intelligence bond yields witnessed significant volatility in March driven by a sharp rise in crude oil prices and heightened geopolitical tensions which pushed the benchmark yield to its highs for the current financial yearHowever easing inflationary pressures supportive liquidity conditions and policy expectations are likely to help stabilise yields in the coming months it saidThe report added that in its base case Indiaâs gross domestic product GDP growth is expected at 71 per cent in the current fiscal supported by healthy private consumption and steady investment growthExport growth is also expected to benefit from lower US tariffs although disruptions to global trade due to the West Asia conflict and slower global growth may act as a dragIt further noted that government measures to cap retail fuel prices could support consumptionOn inflation Crisil projected CPI inflation to average 45 per cent in fiscal 2027It said domestic liquidity remains comfortable which is expected to act as a cushion against external shocks even as global uncertainties continue to weigh on sentimentThe report also highlighted that crude oil prices and geopolitical developments particularly in West Asia remain key risk factors for the bond market Elevated oil prices could stoke inflation concerns and limit the pace of any decline in yields it saidAt the same time global cues including movements in US Treasury yields and the US Federal Reserveâs policy trajectory are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the direction of Indian bond yieldsOn the domestic front the Reserve Bank of Indiaâs RBI liquidity management measures and policy stance will be closely watched with the central bank expected to play a stabilising role amid volatile conditionsCrisil added that its base case assumes the Monetary Policy Committee MPC will maintain policy rates during the current fiscalDespite these headwinds Crisil maintained that the outlook remains moderately positive with yields expected to gradually soften as macroeconomic conditions improve and volatility subsides IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/10-year-yield-may-dip-below-7-pc-as-gdp-seen-at-71-pc-report-669829.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indian-railways-setting-new-benchmarks-pm-modi-669845.html New Delhi April 16 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday highlighted that Indian Railways has undergone a fundamental shift and is setting new benchmarks through sustained reforms and technology In this context he shared an article written by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on how the safety ecosystem of Indian Railways has been transformed in the past decade through clear policy the induction of modern technology and continuous injection of fundsThe Prime Ministerâs Office posted on X âThe Indian Railway ecosystem has undergone a fundamental shift and the results are right in front of us Union Minister AshwiniVaishnaw writes how this sector is setting new benchmarks through sustained reforms and technologyFor many of these passengers a railway journey is not a choice but a necessity In a system that carries such volumes across vast distances safety is not a technical metric It is a matter of public trust it addedThe article highlights that during PM Modiâs first term in office a clear message was given that Indian Railways would place âSafety Firstâ In pursuit of this goal the organisation has pursued a techled consistentlyfunded transformation of its safety ecosystemConsequently the train accident rate has come down sharply in the country In 201415 Indian Railways recorded 135 such accidents which has come down to 16 in 202526 a reduction of 89 per cent The decline in the number of accidents has taken place even as the number of train operations and passenger volumes has gone upDuring this period the consequential accident index which measures accidents per unit of train running distance has dropped from 011 to 001 indicating a system far safer for every kilometre runAlso in 201415 rail accidents claimed 292 lives while in 202526 only 16 lives were lost in 16 accidents that took place Emphasising the importance that Indian Railways occupies in the lives of the people the minister wrote âEvery morning as India wakes up its railways are already in motion More than two crore passengers step onto the countryâs trains each day from officegoers students and migrant workers to families and soldiersâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indian-railways-setting-new-benchmarks-pm-modi-669845.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/prez-murmu-visits-sevagram-ashram-in-wardha-impresses-locals-with-simplicity-and-curiosity-669846.html Wardha April 16 President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday visited the historic Sevagram Ashram in Maharashtras Wardha touring Mahatma Gandhiâs residence including Bapu Kuti Ba Kuti and Adi Niwas During her visit she paid tributes to Gandhi toured the premises and took a keen interest in the historical significance of each locationThe President also participated in a prayer meeting planted a sapling to support environmental sustainability and engaged in traditional thread spinning sut katayiAccompanying the President were Governor Jishnu Dev Varma state Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule Guardian Minister Dr Pankaj Bhoyar and Collector Vanmathi C among other dignitariesThe residents of the Ashram were deeply moved by the Presidentâs visit citing her remarkable simplicity and her asking detailed thoughtful questions While examining the preserved artefacts of Mahatma Gandhiâs daily life President Murmu noticed a pair of large tongs in a corner Driven by curiosity she inquired about its purpose Ashram officials explained that during Gandhijiâs time the area was prone to snake sightings However Gandhiji had strictly instructed that no snakes were to be killed Instead volunteers used these tongs to safely catch the snakes place them in baskets and release them into the nearby forest This practice served as a practical application of the principle of nonviolence AhimsaThe President expressed her profound appreciation for this historical anecdote Unlike many highprofile visitors who often rush through the premises President Murmu took the time to personally read every piece of information on the boards and plaques installed at the AshramUsually when a highprofile guest arrives they are short on time and cannot manage to read the displays But Madam President read all the instructions and information noted Vijay Tambe an Ashram member who guided her through the premises In a gesture of respect the President removed her shoes before entering each hut opting instead to wear the bamboo slippers provided by the AshramShe also showed specific interest in the hotline phone once used by BapuFollowing the Ashrams tradition a tree plantation ceremony was organised While the sapling was preselected and ready for the ceremony the President immediately identified it upon arrival Oh this is a Bel tree isnt it It is very useful she remarked Her accurate identification of the species left those present impressed by her deep knowledge of floraPresident Murmu expressed her delight at the peaceful and clean environment of the Ashram and tried her hand at spinning thread on the charkhaBefore departing she complimented the staff on the upkeep of the grounds saying You have maintained this area beautifully continue to preserve itShe also expressed wonder at the ancient clay roof tiles kavelu still preserved on the huts IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/prez-murmu-visits-sevagram-ashram-in-wardha-impresses-locals-with-simplicity-and-curiosity-669846.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-to-visit-karnataka-today-669462.html New Delhi April 15 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Karnataka on Wednesday to inaugurate the Sri Guru Bhairavaikya Mandira at Sri Kshetra Adichunchanagiri in Mandya district At around 11 am the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Sri Guru Bhairavaikya Mandira at He will also address the gathering on the occasionâDuring the visit the Prime Minister will also jointly release the book titled âSaundarya Lahari and Shiva Mahimna Stotramâ along with former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda said a statementâSri Guru Bhairavaikya Mandira is a memorial dedicated to the revered seer Sri Sri Sri Balagangadharanatha Mahaswamiji the 71st Pontiff of Sri Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana MathConstructed in the traditional Dravidian architectural style the Mandira stands as a tribute to the life and legacy of the late seerâThe Mandira is envisioned not only as a place of reverence but also as a source of inspiration for future generations the statement saidâSri Sri Sri Balagangadharanatha Mahaswamiji was widely respected for his lifelong commitment to social service having established numerous educational institutions and healthcare facilitiesâHe firmly believed that service to society is the highest form of worship and his teachings transcended barriers of caste creed and region inspiring millionsâEarlier on Tuesday PM Modi inaugurated a sixlane DelhiDehradun expressway a Rs 12000crore highway project that is set to reduce travel time between the two cities from fivesix hours to about 225 hoursThe 213km accesscontrolled corridor now open for use is expected to significantly improve regional connectivity linking key towns including Baghpat Baraut Shamli and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh before reaching Dehradun It will also integrate with major national corridors including the DelhiMumbai DelhiKatra and DelhiMeerut expresswaysBefore that PM Modi reviewed the wildlife corridor on the elevated section of the Economic Corridor in Uttar Pradeshs SaharanpurDuring this visit Union Highways and Transportation Minister Nitin Gadkari Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy CMs Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak were also presentAn exhibition showcasing the construction procedure of the wildlife corridor was presented and the officials briefed the Prime Minister about the projectPM Modi also held a roadshow along the Wildlife Corridor which saw huge crowds lining up on both sides of the road to catch a glimpse IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-to-visit-karnataka-today-669462.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/dri-busts-gold-smuggling-syndicate-in-mumbai-four-arrested-rs-6-crore-bullion-seized-669474.html Mumbai April 15 The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence DRI has busted a gold smuggling syndicate in Mumbai and arrested four persons During the operation officials seized gold and silver valued at around Rs 6 crore along with cash amounting to approximately Rs 371 crore According to the DRI specific intelligence was developed that two individuals involved in gold smuggling were planning to deliver a consignment of smuggled gold at a shop located on Dhanji Street in Kalbadevi Acting on this input DRI officers mounted surveillance at the location and identified the suspects The duo was intercepted while entering the shopUpon questioning the accused admitted that they were carrying smuggled gold of foreign origin in the form of cut pieces and bars which they intended to sell A search of the shop led to the recovery of cash worth Rs 3950 lakh 354027 grams of gold provisionally valued at Rs 550 crore and 18827 grams of silver valued at Rs 4669 lakhThe recovered silver and cash were seized on the reasonable belief that they were proceeds from the sale of smuggled gold Subsequently searches were conducted at the residence of one of the accused in Madanpura During the search officials recovered large bundles of Indian currency totalling Rs 331 croreIn addition items such as cashcounting machines a gold weighing machine and a gold bar cutter were found at the residence A notebook containing accounting details suspected to be linked to smuggled gold transactions was also seized However the accused failed to provide any satisfactory explanation or supporting documents regarding the entries in the notebookAccording to DRI sources specific intelligence was developed that two persons identified as MI Damudi and IA Damudi involved in gold smuggling were going to deliver a consignment of smuggled gold at a shop at Dhanji Street KalbadeviBased on the said intelligence a vigil was set by the DRI officers at the spot and the suspect duo was identified and intercepted while entering the shop on Monday IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/dri-busts-gold-smuggling-syndicate-in-mumbai-four-arrested-rs-6-crore-bullion-seized-669474.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/chirag-paswan-visits-ailing-uncle-pashupati-paras-in-hospital-calls-him-father-figure-669477.html Patna April 15 Former Union Minister and RLJP chief Pashupati Kumar Paras was admitted to a private hospital in Patna after he suddenly fell ill and experienced breathing difficulties He is currently undergoing treatment and doctors are closely monitoring his conditionUpon receiving news of his uncleâs hospitalisation Union Minister Chirag Paswan rushed to Sai Hospital in Kankarbagh to meet himIn a touching gesture Chirag Paswan first sought blessings by touching his uncleâs feet and then embraced himHe interacted with doctors to get a detailed update on Parasâs health and expressed hope for his speedy recoverySupporters of Pashupati Paras also gathered at the hospital to inquire about his conditionSpeaking to the media Chirag Paswan said that Pashupati Paras is like a father figure to himHe emphasised that beyond political differences his visit was a personal oneâPolitics is separate but I have come here as a son to check on his healthâ he saidThe relationship between Chirag Paswan and Pashupati Paras had deteriorated after the demise of Ram Vilas Paswan leading to a split in the Lok Janshakti Party in 2021Paras led one faction while Chirag Paswan formed his own party the Lok Janshakti Party Ram VilasDespite the earlier political rift recent interactions suggest a thaw in relations raising speculation about possible reconciliation in the futureIn the 2019 Lok Sabha elections the Lok Janshakti Party won six seats in BiharIn 2021 the party split into two factions led by Paras and ChiragIn the 2024 Lok Sabha elections Chirag Paswanâs party won five seats in Bihar under the NDA after which he became a Union MinisterIn the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections his party contested 29 seats and secured 19 victoriesDoctors have not released detailed medical information yet but sources indicate that Pashupati Paras is stable and responding to treatment IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/chirag-paswan-visits-ailing-uncle-pashupati-paras-in-hospital-calls-him-father-figure-669477.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gold-etfs-aum-triples-to-rs-17-lakh-crore-in-march-amid-geopolitical-tensions-669488.html New Delhi April 15 IANS Physical gold may have taken the lead but the precious metal has also surged in the digital space with gold exchangetraded funds ETFs emerging as a favourite among both retail and institutional investors as total assets under management AUM surged to Rs 1714684 crore in March 2026 nearly tripling on a yearonyear basis a report showed on WednesdaynbspAs per the ICRA Analytics analysis the AUM figure represents a fiveyear compound annual growth rate CAGR of 6476 per cent compared to Rs 1412272 crore in March 2021On a yearonyear basis net AUM rose 19118 per cent from Rs 5888799 crore in March 2025 underscoring the accelerating pace of goldlinked investment in India it saidMoreover net inflows into gold ETFs stood at Rs 226568 crore in March 2026 a sharp reversal from net outflows of Rs 7721 crore recorded in the same period last year Meanwhile inflows were a more modest Rs 66245 crore in March 2021However on a monthonmonth basis inflows moderated significantly and declined by 5688 per cent from Rs 525495 crore in February 2026 as gold prices underwent a shortterm correction and global risk sentiment eased temporarilyICRA Analytics Senior Vice President and Head of Market Data Ashwini Kumar attributed the surge in investor interest to the dual pull of global uncertainty and strong gold price performanceGold ETFs have seen a clear rise in preference during the recent phase of heightened geopolitical volatility and sharp gold price appreciation as investors both retail and institutional have actively used them as a defensive and tactical allocation within portfolios he saidThis preference has been driven by the dual impact of global uncertainty and strong returns from gold which reinforced its traditional role as a safehaven asset he addedAdditionally there are currently 26 gold ETF schemes available in the market of which six were launched in the financial year 202526Average oneyear returns across most funds range from approximately 5881 per cent to 6285 per cent while fiveyear CAGR returns range from around 2578 per cent to 2611 per centDespite the monthonmonth dip in inflows Ashwini Kumar said investor commitment to the asset class remained structurally intactEven during periods of shortterm correction Gold ETFs retained investor relevance Although inflows moderated sharply in February and March 2026 due to gold price correction and a temporary easing of global risk aversion flows nonetheless remained positive indicating that investor interest had not structurally reversed he saidAshwini Kumar also drew a distinction between ETFbased and physical gold investments advocating for the former as a financial instrumentGold ETFs are better suited for investment portfolio diversification and tactical asset allocation while physical gold is more appropriate for consumption and longterm holding driven by cultural preference For most financial investors Gold ETFs offer a cleaner more efficient and transparent way to gain exposure to gold prices he saidIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gold-etfs-aum-triples-to-rs-17-lakh-crore-in-march-amid-geopolitical-tensions-669488.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/transparency-accountability-cm-samrat-choudhary-meets-top-officials-issues-directives-669489.html Patna April 15 IANS After taking the oath Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary moved swiftly to assert control over the administrative machinery signalling an actionoriented resultsdriven approach from the outset of his tenurenbspMoments after taking the oath as the states 24th Chief Minister Choudhary proceeded directly to the Secretariat where he formally assumed charge of the Chief Ministers Office underscoring his intent to waste no time in governanceSoon after he convened a highlevel meeting with senior IAS officers including Principal Secretaries and top officials from various departmentsThe meeting focused on accelerating governance streamlining administrative processes and reviewing the status of pending development projectsDuring the meeting the Chief Minister issued firm directives making it clear that the governments foremost priority would be the swift resolution of public grievancesHe stressed that negligence in the implementation of development schemes would not be tolerated and instructed all departments to meet their targets within stipulated timelinesKey sectors such as roads healthcare education and law and order were highlighted as areas requiring immediate and sustained attentionEmphasising transparency and accountability Choudhary directed officials to ensure that citizens are not forced to make repeated visits to government offices for basic servicesHe called for efficient grievance redressal mechanisms and urged the administration to adopt digital governance practices to simplify access to public servicesReviewing ongoing development initiatives he sought detailed progress reports and made it clear that accountability would be fixed in cases of delayAt the same time officials were instructed to fasttrack proposals for new schemes to further accelerate Bihars development trajectoryThe Chief Ministers immediate and proactive engagement with the bureaucracy reflects a government operating in active mode from day oneAs his directives begin to take shape on the ground the coming days will be crucial in determining how effectively this momentum translates into tangible outcomes for the people of BiharIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/transparency-accountability-cm-samrat-choudhary-meets-top-officials-issues-directives-669489.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-hc-directs-police-to-take-down-unauthorised-videos-of-kejriwal-arguing-in-excise-policy-case-669519.html New Delhi April 15 IANS The Delhi High Court has directed the police to ensure the removal of all videos circulating on social media that show Aam Aadmi Party AAP national convenor and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal arguing before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma during the hearing of his plea seeking the judges recusal from the Delhi Excise Policy casenbspThe direction came amid controversy over the unauthorised recording and circulation of the Delhi High Court proceedings with registry officials reportedly stating that action is being initiated against those found to have recorded and uploaded the videos in violation of video conferencing guidelinesThis is not the first instance where action has been taken for posting recordings of court proceedings on social media Similar action has been undertaken in the past as well officials saidEarlier in the day advocate Vaibhav Singh filed a complaint before the Delhi High Court alleging unauthorised recording and circulation of audio and video from the April 13 proceedings before Justice SharmaIn his complaint addressed to the Registrar General Singh alleged that several political leaders including Kejriwal and other AAP members intentionally and deliberately recorded and circulated the proceedings on various social media platforms in violation of rulesHe contended that the act was in clear contravention of the Delhi High Court Rules for Video Conferencing 2021 and the Electronic Evidence and Video Conferencing Rules 2025 which explicitly prohibit any unauthorised recording or publication of court proceedingsThe complaint further alleged that the recordings which were widely shared across platforms such as X Facebook Instagram and YouTube were part of a preplanned conspiracy to malign the image of the judiciary and mislead the publicIt is requested to set up a detailed inquiry into this matter and take appropriate action against all the personspolitical parties for wilfully and deliberately disobeying the rules the complaint statedThe April 13 hearing pertained to Kejriwals plea seeking the recusal of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma from hearing cases linked to the alleged Delhi Excise Policy caseKejriwal had appeared in person and argued his application for nearly 45 minutes In his submissions before the Delhi High Court Kejriwal had asserted that he is no longer an accused in the matter stating that the trial court had discharged him and other accused after finding no material to frame chargesHe argued that Justice Sharmas subsequent ex parte order partially staying the trial courts findings gave rise to a grave and reasonable apprehension in his mind about receiving a fair hearingWhen this order came my heart sank I had serious doubts whether I would get justice Kejriwal told the Delhi High Court adding that he had also written to Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya master of the roster seeking transfer of the case before filing the recusal pleaHe further submitted that the principle governing recusal is based on a litigants reasonable apprehension of bias and not on whether bias actually existsResponding to his submissions Justice Sharma observed that issues relating to the manner or urgency of judicial orders cannot be examined in recusal proceedings and may instead be challenged before the Supreme CourtOpposing the plea Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that the legal threshold for recusal is wellsettled and cautioned against making allegations that could undermine the dignity of the judicial processWhether we win or lose we must remain fair to the court the Centres secondhighest law officer saidAfter hearing arguments from all sides the Delhi High Court has reserved its verdict on Kejriwals recusal plea and directed parties to file brief written submissions within the stipulated timelineIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-hc-directs-police-to-take-down-unauthorised-videos-of-kejriwal-arguing-in-excise-policy-case-669519.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/domestic-innovation-drives-indias-patent-filings-to-record-levels-669521.html New Delhi April 15 IANS Indias patent ecosystem is showing signs of structural strengthening reflecting sustained growth in domestic innovation and wider intellectual property awareness according to a reportnbspAs per the Indian Narrative report startups MSMEs and educational institutions receive an 80 per cent reduction in patent filing fees while expedited examination is available for startups MSMEs female applicants and government institutions categories that have historically been underrepresented in formal IP filingsIn addition the National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission has conducted approximately 9500 awareness programmes across all states and Union Territories reaching over 25 lakh students and faculty members the report saidRecently Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal showed that of the total filings 99721 or around 70 per cent were from Indian residents while foreign filings stood at 44008Moreover the figures mark the highestever annual patent filing count for the country and extend a multiyear growth trend that the government attributes to policy reforms reduced fees and wider intellectual property awarenessHighlighting the data Goyal framed the milestone as evidence of a structural shift in Indias innovation identity from a manufacturing and services destination to an originator of commercially usable ideasDomestic patent filings by Indian citizens have risen from 24326 in FY2021 to 68176 in FY2425 a jump of roughly 180 per cent over five years before the further acceleration seen in FY26The government has simplified patent rules shortened the requestforexamination window from 48 months to 31 months and made electronic filing mandatory for patent agentsFee concessions have played a significant role in widening participationStatewise Tamil Nadu led all states in patent filings in FY 202526 followed by Karnataka and Maharashtra with meaningful contributions from Punjab Uttar Pradesh and TelanganaIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/domestic-innovation-drives-indias-patent-filings-to-record-levels-669521.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/unruly-conduct-by-workers-may-lead-to-blacklisting-of-agencies-warns-up-govt-669522.html Noida April 15 Gautam Buddha Nagar District Magistrate Medha Roopam chaired a meeting with outsourcing agencies and contractors associated with various industrial units where it was decided that strict action including blacklisting and licence cancellation would be taken against agencies linked to any unruly behaviour by their personnel The meeting was convened to ensure full compliance with government guidelines across the district and maintain industrial peace amid ongoing labourrelated concernsAddressing the participants the District Magistrate emphasised the crucial role played by outsourcing agencies and contractors in the functioning of industries and in generating employment opportunities according to an official statement She said that it is the responsibility of these agencies to ensure discipline and maintain order among their workersThe DM directed all contractors to ensure complete adherence to government norms and warned that any misconduct by workers would be attributed to the agency concerned In such cases strict measures including blacklisting and cancellation of licences could be initiated against the agency she saidReferring to the minimum wage rates notified by the state government she informed that unskilled workers are entitled to Rs 13690 per month semiskilled workers to Rs 15059 and skilled workers to Rs 16868She instructed contractors to ensure that these wages are fully complied with and transferred directly into the bank accounts of workers The District Magistrate made it clear that any violation of wage norms or exploitation of labourers would invite stringent action according to the statementHighlighting the interdependence between industries employers and workers she noted that the smooth functioning of industrial units is essential for safeguarding employment while stable employment conditions help secure the future of workers Any disruption in industrial activity she said adversely affects all stakeholders as well as the overall development of the regionThe District Magistrate also urged stakeholders to remain cautious against rumours and misinformation and called for cooperation and mutual trust to maintain industrial harmonyShe assured that the state government remains committed to protecting the interests of both workers and employers and that the administration will take prompt action to address any grievancesThe meeting was attended by Additional District Magistrate Finance and Revenue Atul Kumar Deputy Director Factories Brajesh officials from concerned departments and representatives of various contracting agencies operating in industrial units IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/unruly-conduct-by-workers-may-lead-to-blacklisting-of-agencies-warns-up-govt-669522.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ed-raids-punjabs-lovely-group-locations-linked-to-aap-mp-ashok-mittal-669524.html Chandigarh April 15 The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday conducted raids at multiple locations of the Lovely Group headed by AAP Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Ashok Kumar Mittal in Jalandhar and Phagwara in Punjab Officials said the searches are being carried out in connection with alleged violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act FEMARaids are underway at several locations including Lovely Professional University LPU Lovely Autos Lovely Sweets and the Lovely Distance Education Centre Residential premises and offices linked to Mittalâs family members including his brothers Ramesh Mittal and Naresh Mittal are also being searchedMore details are awaitedMittal the founder Chancellor of LPU and Deputy Leader of the Rajya Sabha is a prominent educationist in the stateAshok Mittal met Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with his family in 2023 where the former stressed the importance of promoting research in higher education âI also mentioned how LPU has been contributing to the national skill development mission by imparting industryrelevant education and training to its studentsâ Mittal was quoted as saying thenHe had said he expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for his support of the education sector and his appreciation for the governmentâs New Education Policy NEP initiative Mittal and his wife Rashmi Mittal had presented a bouquet and a handwoven phulkari shawl to the PM while his daughter and soninlaw Srishti and Sreshtha Khetan had presented a frame that had a picture of PM Modi alongside his late motherLast year LPUâs âOne India2025â the annual mega cultural fest was inaugurated by national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant MannKejriwal expressed his admiration for the fest by saying âIt feels like a grand festival of India is underway The energy among the youth is incredibleâ He had highlighted Indiaâs strength in diversity noting âOne nation many languages cultures philosophy but one Hindustan This diversity is our strengthâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ed-raids-punjabs-lovely-group-locations-linked-to-aap-mp-ashok-mittal-669524.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/court-rejects-lokayukta-closure-reports-in-mp-scholarship-cases-kamal-nath-flags-lapses-669525.html Bhopal April 15 Veteran Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Wednesday raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the states scholarship schemes He raised apprehensions over the functioning of the Lokayukta of Madhya Pradesh after a court rejected closure reports in multiple cases linked to the misuse of scholarshipsIn a statement on Wednesday Kamal Nath said that the rejection of closure reports in 34 cases points to âserious lapses in investigationâ and demanded a transparent probe to ensure accountability He added The courtâs observations clearly indicate that crucial evidence was not collected This raises apprehensions about how these cases were being handledThe cases pertain to alleged irregularities in scholarship schemes in which students were found to have secured admissions to two different colleges simultaneously to avail benefits Colleges and nodal institutions involved in the process were also named as accused parties in the matterOver the past three and a half months the Lokayukta had submitted closure reports in all 34 cases according to reports However the court rejected each of them citing a lack of proper investigation and insufficient evidenceOn April 13 the court also rejected a closure report in a separate bribery case involving a former Additional Commissioner of a Municipal Corporation In its observations the court pointed out that the investigating agency failed to collect key documents from the institutions involvedThese included attendance registers enrollment records of students in various courses examination attendance lists and result sheetsThe court noted that despite clear directions recorded in the official case file to gather such evidence the Lokayukta did not comply adequately As a result the available material could not conclusively establish whether the students were actually enrolled and studying in both institutions simultaneouslyAdditionally the court observed that records related to the disbursal of scholarships were not thoroughly examined further weakening the investigationKamal Nath stressed that such lapses not only undermine the credibility of the investigation but also raise concerns about the misuse of public funds meant for deserving studentsâScholarship schemes are designed to support the underprivileged Any misuse or negligence in probing such matters is unacceptableâ he said He urged the state government to take cognisance of the courtâs remarks and ensure a fair and comprehensive reinvestigation into the cases IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/court-rejects-lokayukta-closure-reports-in-mp-scholarship-cases-kamal-nath-flags-lapses-669525.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indian-railways-reach-996-pc-electrification-transports-741-crore-passengers-in-2025-26-669526.html New Delhi April 15 IANS Indian Railways has electrified 996 per cent of its broad gauge network operates about 25000 trains daily and has carried 741 crore passengers in 202526 the government said on WednesdaynbspIn 202526 the total revenue reached approximately Rs 80000 crore while freight movement touched a record 1670 million tonnes MT according to an official statementOnly about 20 per cent of Indias railway network was electrified by 2014 limiting operational efficiency with increased reliance on diesel fuel As much as 69873 route kilometres rkm have been electrified as of March 2026 up from 21801 rkm in 2014Railway electrification saved approximately 180 crore litres of diesel in 202425 cutting crude oil imports and producing savings of around Rs 6000 crore the government saidThe countrys electrification levels now exceed those of the UK 39 per cent Russia 52 per cent and China 82 per centKavach Automatic Train Protection System commissioned over 3100 route kilometres with implementation underway on an additional 24400 kilometresThe Video Surveillance System VSS has been expanded to 1874 railway stations using AIbased analytics and facial recognition technology to strengthen passenger safety and monitoringThe Integrated Passenger Information System IPIS linked with the National Train Enquiry System NTES has been implemented at 1405 stations ensuring timely announcements and better passenger communicationTrack infrastructure has witnessed strategic strengthening over the past decade A total of 54600 kilometres of railway tracks were renewed during 201426 improving reliability and operational performance the statement saidThe track length capable of supporting speeds above 110 kmph rose from 31445 km to more than 85000 km enabling faster and more efficient operationsThe Vande Bharat Sleeper service launched in January 2026 carried 121 lakh passengers across 119 trips in its first three months of operationApproximately 398 crore passengers travelled on the Vande Bharat Express network in FY 202526 demonstrating strong growth in passenger usage Since its inception the Vande Bharat Express has carried over 91 crore passengers through 1 lakh tripsTo provide affordable transportation for low and middleincome families Indian Railways has introduced the Amrit Bharat Express fully nonAC modern trains designed to improve comfort and safety while maintaining economical travel optionsAs of March 18 2026 60 Amrit Bharat Express services are run across the Indian Railways networkIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indian-railways-reach-996-pc-electrification-transports-741-crore-passengers-in-2025-26-669526.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/three-of-a-family-killed-as-massive-fire-engulfs-slums-in-delhis-rohini-669529.html New Delhi April 15 A massive fire broke out in the early hours of Wednesday in Delhis Rohini area engulfing nearly half a dozen slums and leaving three members of a family dead fire services officials said According to the Delhi Fire Services DFS the deceased include a husband wife and their twoyearold daughter Officials said the fire erupted around 130 am in a cluster of slums located near a 400yard plot filled with plastic waste The presence of combustible material in the vicinity is believed to have contributed to the rapid spread of the flames DFS officials statedUpon receiving information about the incident teams from the fire services rushed to the scene and launched efforts to douse the blaze The blaze was reported to be extremely intense making firefighting operations challenging for emergency responders After prolonged firefighting operations the fire was eventually brought under control officials saidDuring the rescue operation firefighters recovered three bodies from the site which were later sent for postmortem examinationPersonnel from multiple agencies including the fire department local police the Centralised Accident and Trauma Service CATS and the electricity department were present at the scene Relief and rescue efforts continued for several hours following the incidentIn a separate incident earlier on April 12 a fire had broken out in bushes near the Rajghat bus depot in the national capital prompting a swift response from the Delhi Fire ServiceThe blaze reported in a vegetated area adjacent to the depot saw six fire tenders being deployed to the site to contain the flames The dense vegetation in the area posed challenges for firefighting teams in accessing certain pocketsPolice said that the fire was eventually brought under control and no injuries were reported in that incident IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/three-of-a-family-killed-as-massive-fire-engulfs-slums-in-delhis-rohini-669529.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/decline-in-souths-representation-will-trigger-mass-movement-says-ktr-669530.html Hyderabad April 15 Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS working President KT Rama Rao on Wednesday warned the Centre that if delimitation of Parliamentary constituencies results in injustice to South India this will trigger a massive movement in the region He made it clear that if the delimitation exercise is conducted in a manner that diminishes the representation of the Southern states it will not remain merely a political process or a legislative amendment rather it will trigger a powerful mass movement across the entire South India In a statement he reiterated that there has been no change in the BRS partys stance on this matter emphasising that they remain firmly committed to the resolute position they adopted three years agoKTR asserted that they are proud Indians and representatives of exemplary states that play a pivotal role in the nations development He opined that it would be unjust and indeed unreasonable for the Southern states which have achieved remarkable progress in various sectors including population control to face political injustice as a consequence of this delimitation exercise He criticised the move to curtail the representation of developing states rather than encouraging them as being contrary to the very spirit of democracyKTR made it unequivocally clear that if attempts are made to stifle the voices and representation of their people in Parliament they will not stand by in silence He declared that they would wage an uncompromising struggle to uphold the rights of South Indians We hope that the Central Government at least now understands the ground realities and that the rulers in Delhi heed our words and exercise good judgment he statedBarring the BJP all political parties in the state have opposed the proposed pro rata model for delimitationChief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Tuesday wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling for a national political consensus on increasing seats for the Lok Sabha with a hybrid modelâThe proposal to increase in Lok Sabha seats on either population or pro rata model is not acceptable to many states among them southern states I wish to bring to your notice our serious concerns regarding the proposal to increase Lok Sabha seats which if done on a pro rata basis is fraught with dangers for the countryâ wrote Revanth ReddyThe Chief Minister also wrote letters to the chief ministers of other southern states calling for unitedly resisting the Centreâs move to push a pro rata model to increase Lok Sabha seats saying this would be highly detrimental and inimical to the interests of Southern states IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/decline-in-souths-representation-will-trigger-mass-movement-says-ktr-669530.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vishu-beyond-ritual-a-festival-recast-in-modern-kerala-669532.html Thiruvananthapuram April 15 In contemporary Kerala Vishu has gently outgrown the confines of a strictly religious observance emerging instead as a shared cultural moment that cuts across communities lifestyles and generations Rooted in Hindu mythology the festival today carries an inclusive character with people from diverse backgrounds embracing its customs symbols and seasonal warmth Marking the beginning of the Malayalam New Year Vishu falls on the first day of Medam typically aligning with April 14 or 15 in the Gregorian calendar This year it is being celebrated on WednesdayA public holiday in Kerala the day unfolds as a blend of tradition and adaptation At the heart of Vishu lies the Vishukkani the carefully curated first sight of the day believed to usher in prosperity and good fortune Traditionally arranged by women of the household the kani features an image or idol of Lord Krishna seasonal fruits and vegetables flowers gold ornaments or coins and a mirror all placed in a gleaming uruliWhile the essence remains intact the process has evolved with time Supermarkets now offer readymade Vishukkani kits sometimes priced up to Rs 800 reflecting both convenience and a growing trend of commercialisationEqually cherished is the ritual of Vishu Kaineettam where elders gift money to younger family members as a token of blessings Temples across the state witness large footfall even as many households balance devotion with quieter more personal celebrationsThe festivalâs changing social fabric is perhaps most visible in what has faded The large joint family gatherings that once defined Vishu mornings are increasingly rare shaped by migration work pressures and the shift towards nuclear families Yet the visual identity of the day endures women in kasavu sarees men in mundu and children in traditional attire offering a reassuring sense of continuityFood remains central to the celebration The elaborate Vishu sadya often comprising up to 26 dishes continues to be a highlight though regional variations persist While southern and central Kerala largely adhere to a strictly vegetarian spread parts of the north include nonvegetarian dishes alongside the custom of bursting firecrackers on Vishu eveFor businesses Vishu signals opportunity Jewellery and textile sectors witness a seasonal surge while restaurants have turned the festive feast into a commercial offering with packaged sadya meals priced between Rs 300 and Rs 2500In its evolving form Vishu today is as much about identity and adaptation as it is about tradition a festival that mirrors the changing rhythms of Kerala itself IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vishu-beyond-ritual-a-festival-recast-in-modern-kerala-669532.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mumbai-drug-party-case-main-accused-linked-to-ration-mafia-network-fathers-criminal-past-surfaces-669537.html Mumbai April 15 The NESCO drug party case in Mumbai has taken a dramatic turn with investigators uncovering the criminal background of the family of the main accused Anand Patel Officials said he is the son of alleged ration mafia kingpin Lakhan Patel who has a long history of serious criminal cases in the KalyanDombivli regionAccording to police sources multiple cases involving serious offences have been registered against Lakhan Patel across several police stations in Kalyan and nearby areas These include charges under stringent laws such as the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act MCOCA and the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities MPDA ActThe revelations have triggered widespread discussion in KalyanDombivli with locals reacting strongly to the familys alleged criminal links Residents in Anand Patels locality Mohan Heights expressed shock saying they were already surprised by his involvement in a drugrelated case and are now further stunned by his fathers backgroundKalyan Deputy Commissioner of Police Atul Zende said Lakhan Patels activities primarily revolved around the black marketing and smuggling of governmentsupplied ration grains Police records indicate that he was involved in diverting food grains meant for economically weaker sections and selling them in the open market at inflated ratesOfficials stated that due to the scale of his operations action had previously been taken against him under the MPDA Act leading to his detention In addition cases were also registered against him and his associates under MCOCA for running an organised racket involving the illegal trade of ration suppliesInvestigations have further revealed that Lakhan Patel allegedly built an extensive network for the illegal distribution of ration goods involving transport vehicles storage facilities and a network of accomplices He is also facing charges under Sections 420 and 406 of the Indian Penal Code along with violations of the Essential Commodities Act including allegations of fraud criminal breach of trust and obstruction of government officialsAuthorities also pointed to instances where officials from the Supply Department were allegedly threatened when they attempted to initiate action against him The Thane Crime Investigation Department and Zone3 Police had on multiple occasions conducted raids on his warehouses and seized large quantities of rice and wheat worth lakhs of rupeesPolice records show that the highest number of cases against him have been registered at the Kolsewadi Bazarpeth and Khadakpada police stations Officials added that further details may emerge during the ongoing interrogation of Anand PatelThe NESCO drug party case itself is being probed at a fast pace with investigators looking into possible wider links and networks According to Mumbai Police the incident occurred during a music event held on April 11 raising serious concerns over drug consumption at public gatheringsReports suggest that around 15 to 16 students from a reputed Mumbai college attended the event during which two died During the investigation it was found that one of the deceased had consumed ecstasy pills while travelling to the venue in a cab and later ingested another pill during the concert Medical findings confirmed that the intake of two doses led to a fatal overdoseAuthorities said the second death is also suspected to be drugrelated with both victims believed to have consumed narcotic substancesThe probe is ongoing and officials expect more revelations regarding the extent of the network linked to the case in the coming daysFurther details are awaited IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mumbai-drug-party-case-main-accused-linked-to-ration-mafia-network-fathers-criminal-past-surfaces-669537.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ysrcp-leader-arrested-over-social-media-post-against-andhra-cm-669539.html Amaravati April 15 Police have arrested YSR Congress Party General Secretary Media Wing Pudi Srihari for the alleged social media posts against Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Srihari who had served as the Chief Public Relations Officer when YS Jagan Mohan Reddy was the Chief Minister was arrested on Wednesday morning at his residence in VijayawadaThe police have reportedly seized his mobile phone and laptop A case was registered against Srihari in Chittoor for posting a cartoon showing a knife in the hand of Chief Minister Chandrababu NaiduCondemning the arrest in what it called an illegal case YSRCP leader and former Minister Ambati Rambabu said Chittoor 2 Town Circle Inspector Netti Kantayya forcibly took Srihari to Kuppam police stationReacting to the arrest YSRCPâs legal cell posted that Red Book Constitution has once again bared its venomous fangs in the stateâRed Book Constitutionâ is a reference to a redcoloured book carried by TDP leader Nara Lokesh during the 2024 election campaign claiming that it has the names of all those who allegedly harassed TDP leaders and cadres during YSRCP ruleThe YSRCP said that despite repeated reprimands from the High Court the conduct of the police who continue to trample upon democracy by engaging in illegal arrests remains unchangedThe legal cell of the party announced that it will initiate legal action against Circle Inspector Netti Kantayya and has sought the intervention of the High CourtMeanwhile Tirupati MP Dr M Gurumoorthy has strongly condemned the âillegal arrestâ of Srihari He alleged that police illegally seized his mobile phones and laptop during the arrest âThe ruling TDP is making a mockery of democracy by enforcing the âRed book constitutionâ to book illegal and false cases on the YSRCP functionaries and leaders in the state of Andhra Pradesh The arrest of Pudi Srihari is yet another classic example of how desperate the ruling TDP is to divert the peopleâs attention from former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddyâs scheduled visit to the Juvvaladinne fishing harbour in Nellore district todayâ the MP saidâThe YSRCP will not be allowed to be bullied by such false cases and illegal arrests and will knock on the judiciary to fight for justice and to expose the undemocratic practices of the ruling coalitionâ he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ysrcp-leader-arrested-over-social-media-post-against-andhra-cm-669539.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-provides-security-to-raghav-chadha-after-punjab-withdraws-cover-sources-669542.html New Delhi April 15 IANS The Ministry of Home Affairs has provided security cover to Aam Aadmi Party AAP Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha He will receive Z category security in both Delhi and Punjab sources said on WednesdaynbspThis followed the Punjab governments decision to withdraw Chadhas security detail earlier in the day This action also occurred amid a growing rift between Chadha and the AAP in recent weeksAccording to sources paramilitary forces will be deployed to provide security to the AAP leaderThis security cover has been granted based on a threat perception report submitted by the Intelligence Bureau IB and following an assessment conducted by the Ministry of Home AffairsThe developments follow recent changes within the party On April 2 AAP appointed Ashok Mittal as its new Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha replacing Chadha in the role The move was seen as a significant organisational shift bringing in a new face from PunjabEarlier on April 3 Chadha broke his silence on the development stating that he had been silenced not defeatedMeanwhile speculation is mounting about Chadhas position within AAP On April 8 a separate Instagram post shared by him drew attention after it featured a purported supporter suggesting that he should form a new youthled political party instead of joining any existing organisationOn April 10 amid an internal rift within the Aam Aadmi Party AAP the Rajya Sabha member shared a message on Instagram asserting that his parliamentary work would speak for itselfTaking to the social media platform Instagram Chadha posted a video and wrote With respect to those questioning my parliamentary performance Ill let my work do the talkingThe video featured a compilation of his interventions and questions raised in the Rajya Sabha highlighting a wide range of public policy issues he has addressedIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-provides-security-to-raghav-chadha-after-punjab-withdraws-cover-sources-669542.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-sc-denies-bail-to-suspended-ras-officer-in-exam-scam-669585.html Jaipur April 15 IANS The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the bail plea of suspended Rajasthan Administrative Service officer Hanumanaram in connection with an alleged examination scamA bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma heard the matter on Wednesday and declined to grant reliefDuring the hearing the state government strongly opposed the bail application arguing that the accuseds actions strike at the very foundation of public administration and the integrity of competitive examinationsThe government submitted that individuals occupying responsible positions if found to be involved in such misconduct pose a serious threat to the system and should not be granted bail at this stageTaking note of the submissions and the nature of allegations the court observed that no relief could be granted at presentHanumanaram a resident of Bisaraniya village in Barmer district is accused of appearing as a dummy candidate proxy in multiple recruitment examinations including the SubInspector Recruitment2021 and the Patwari Recruitment Examination2021Investigators allege that he appeared on behalf of other candidates during various stages of these examinations indicating involvement in a larger organised racketHe was arrested on April 9 2025 after his role surfaced during the investigation despite his name not being mentioned in the initial First Information Report He was suspended from service the following dayRepresenting the state senior law officers argued that the case is not an isolated instance but reflects a pattern of misconductThey informed the court that the accused had a strong academic record having secured the 22nd rank in the Rajasthan Administrative Service examination but was allegedly involved in facilitating unfair means in competitive examinationsHanumanaram had joined service as a SubDivisional Magistrate in February 2023 and held postings in Chitalwana Bagoda Shiv and Fatehgarh before his arrestThe Supreme Courts refusal to grant bail underscores the seriousness of the allegations as investigations into the wider examination scam continueIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-sc-denies-bail-to-suspended-ras-officer-in-exam-scam-669585.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-to-inaugurate-delhidehradun-economic-corridor-today-669202.html New Delhi April 14 Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the DelhiâDehradun Economic Corridor on Tuesday Ahead of the inauguration he will visit Uttar Pradesh to inspect a wildlife corridor and will also offer prayers at a Kali temple in Uttarakhand The Prime Minister will review the Wildlife Corridor at Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh the official said in a statementAt around 1140 am PM Modi will perform Darshan and Pooja at Jai Maa Daat Kali Temple near Dehradun Thereafter at around 1230 pm he will inaugurate the DelhiDehradun Economic Corridor at a public function in Dehradun and address the gathering on the occasion the Prime Ministers Office said in the statementThe 213 km long sixlane accesscontrolled DelhiDehradun Economic Corridor has been developed at a cost of over Rs 12000 croreThe corridor traverses through the states of Delhi Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and will reduce travel time between Delhi and Dehradun from over six hours at present to around two and a half hours said the statementThe implementation of the project also includes the construction of 10 interchanges three Railway Over Bridges ROBs four major bridges and 12 wayside amenities to enable seamless highspeed connectivityThe corridor is equipped with an Advanced Traffic Management System ATMS to provide a safer and more efficient travel experience for commuters said the statementKeeping in view the ecological sensitivity rich biodiversity and wildlife in the region the corridor has been designed with several features aimed at significantly reducing mananimal conflict it saidTo ensure the free movement of wild animals the project incorporates several dedicated wildlife protection features These include a 12 kmlong wildlife elevated corridor which is one of the longest in AsiaThe corridor also includes eight animal passes two elephant underpasses of 200 metres each and a 370metrelong tunnel near the Daat Kali temple said the statementThe DelhiDehradun Economic Corridor will play a pivotal role in strengthening regional economic growth by enhancing connectivity between major tourism and economic centres as well as opening new avenues for trade and development across the regionThe project reflects the vision of PM Modi to develop nextgeneration infrastructure that combines highspeed connectivity with environmental sustainability and improved quality of life for citizens said the statement issued by the Prime Ministers Office PMO IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-to-inaugurate-delhidehradun-economic-corridor-today-669202.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/imd-predicts-continued-heatwave-across-tn-for-next-few-days-669206.html Chennai April 14 The India Meteorological Department IMD has forecast that intense heat conditions will continue across interior parts of Tamil Nadu over the next few days with maximum temperatures likely to remain up to 3 degrees Celsius above normal until at least Friday The department has warned that hot and dry weather will persist particularly during peak afternoon hours increasing the risk of heatrelated illnesses and public discomfort across several districtsAccording to the IMD interior regions are expected to record temperatures ranging between 39 and 41 degrees Celsius over the coming days while coastal areas will experience high humidity along with elevated temperaturesIn Chennai and its suburbs the maximum temperature is likely to touch 37 degrees with humid conditions making the weather feel significantly hotter than recorded levelsOn Monday the heatwave tightened its grip across Tamil Nadu with temperatures crossing 40 degrees in multiple locations Karur Paramathi recorded the highest temperature at 406 degrees Vellore and Erode followed closely at 40 degrees each Madurai Airport Namakkal and Tirupattur registered around 389 degrees while Coimbatore Madurai city Salem and Dharmapuri recorded temperatures near 383 degrees Palayamkottai and Tiruchirappalli saw the mercury rise to approximately 378 degrees reflecting the widespread intensity of the heatDespite the prevailing heat the IMD has indicated the possibility of some relief later this week A lowpressure system extending from northeast Bihar to southern Tamil Nadu is expected to trigger light rainfall in select regionsIsolated showers are likely over the Western Ghats districts delta regions and coastal areas of Ramanathapuram until Sunday which could bring temporary respite from the heatAuthorities have advised residents to remain cautious stay well hydrated avoid direct exposure to sunlight during peak hours and ensure proper care for vulnerable groups such as children the elderly and those with existing health conditionsWith temperatures continuing to remain above normal Tamil Nadu is expected to face persistent heat stress conditions in the coming days before any gradual weather transition sets in IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/imd-predicts-continued-heatwave-across-tn-for-next-few-days-669206.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 08:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/babasahebs-life-work-continue-to-inspire-generations-to-build-just-and-progressive-society-pm-modi-669208.html New Delhi April 14 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid tributes to BR Ambedkar on his birth anniversary describing his contribution to nationbuilding as deeply inspiring and enduring for generations In a post on X the Prime Minister said âTributes to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on his birth anniversary His efforts towards nation building are deeply motivating His life and work continue to inspire generations to build a just and progressive societyâIn a video message shared on the platform PM Modi said âToday is a very important day in the nationâs history it is Babasaheb Ambedkarâs Jayanti He was not just an individual but a symbol of resolve He did not merely live he connected it to struggle and fought He did not fight for personal pride but for equality for all including the backward and Dalit communities Despite facing many challenges and opposition he never stoppedâHe further added âBy walking on the path shown by Babasaheb the country is bringing positive changes in the lives of everyone be it the poor the middle class or the richâIn another post the Prime Minister said âDr Babasaheb Ambedkarâs personality and contributions will continue to remain a source of inspiration for nationbuildingâPM Modi also shared a Sanskrit verse writing âPeople with a noble and expansive heart rise above narrow thinking and consider the entire world as their family For them no one is a stranger rather every person is their own This very spirit forms the foundation of global unity and harmonyâSeveral Union ministers and leaders also paid tributes on the occasion through posts on social mediaUnion Home Minister Amit Shah said that Ambedkar laid the strong foundation of Indian democracy by providing a Constitution that ensures equal rights and opportunities for all sections of societyâBabasahib Bhimrao Ambedkar Ji laid the strong foundation of our democracy by giving us a Constitution that grants equal rights and opportunities to every class He staunchly opposed Article 370 for the sake of the countrys integrity Babasahib who gave the mantra to society to become educated and stay organised teaches us through his life that when the resolve is for national service and the welfare of the people every obstacle becomes smallâ he saidDefence Minister Rajnath Singh described Ambedkar as a great social reformer and a key architect of modern India noting that his life was dedicated to securing equality and justice for the underprivilegedâBabasaheb dedicated his entire life to fostering equality and harmony in society His whole life was devoted to securing equal rights for the people of deprived sectionsBabasaheb was also a great thinker and the architect of many of the nations institutions Even in adverse circumstances Babasaheb achieved extraordinary accomplishments and made an indelible contribution to nationbuildingâ he addedUnion Minister Nitin Gadkari in an X post paid homage to Ambedkar calling him the architect of the Constitution and a great social reformerUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also offered tributes calling Ambedkar an âinvaluable gem of Mother Indiaâ whose life continues to guide the nation towards equality justice and social harmonyâOn the occasion of the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Ji the architect of the Indian Constitution who laid the foundation of a harmonious and inclusive society illuminated by the lofty ideals of equality justice and fraternity I offer humble tributeâ CM Yogi posted on XâBaba Saheb dedicated to the upliftment of the last and the welfare of the people is truly an invaluable gem of Mother India His inspiring life will forever remain a guiding light for all of usâ he addedDr BR Ambedkar was born on this day in 1891 in Mhow now Dr Ambedkar Nagar Madhya PradeshHe was an Indian jurist economist and social reformer who played a key role in drafting the Indian Constitution He dedicated his life to fighting caste discrimination and promoting equality and social justice in India IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/babasahebs-life-work-continue-to-inspire-generations-to-build-just-and-progressive-society-pm-modi-669208.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vp-radhakrishnan-pm-modi-kharge-pay-floral-tributes-to-ambedkar-at-parliament-complex-669216.html New Delhi April 14 Vice President CP Radhakrishnan Prime Minister Narendra Modi Rajya Sabha Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge along with several other leaders paid floral tributes to Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar at the Parliament on the occasion of his birth anniversary on Tuesday Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal Rajya Sabha member Ramdas Athawale and Congress leader Udit Raj among others also arrived at the Parliament to pay homage to the Father of the Constitution During this PM Modi and Congress National Mallikarjun Kharge also shared a candid chat Earlier in the day PM Modi paid tributes to BR Ambedkar describing his contribution to nationbuilding as deeply inspiring and enduring for generations In a post on X the Prime Minister said Tributes to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on his birth anniversary His efforts towards nationbuilding are deeply motivating His life and work continue to inspire generations to build a just and progressive societyIn a video message shared on the platform PM Modi said Today is a very important day in the nationâs history it is Babasaheb Ambedkars Jayanti He was not just an individual but a symbol of resolve He did not merely live he connected it to struggle and fought He did not fight for personal pride but for equality for all including the backward and Dalit communities Despite facing many challenges and opposition he never stoppedIn another post the Prime Minister said Dr Babasaheb Ambedkars personality and contributions will continue to remain a source of inspiration for nationbuildingSeveral Union ministers and leaders also paid tributes on the occasion through posts on social mediaUnion Home Minister Amit Shah said that Ambedkar laid the strong foundation of Indian democracy by providing a Constitution that ensures equal rights and opportunities for all sections of societyBabasahib Bhimrao Ambedkar Ji laid the strong foundation of our democracy by giving us a Constitution that grants equal rights and opportunities to every class He staunchly opposed Article 370 for the sake of the countrys integrity Babasahib who gave the mantra to society to become educated and stay organised teaches us through his life that when the resolve is for national service and the welfare of the people every obstacle becomes small he saidDefence Minister Rajnath Singh described Ambedkar as a great social reformer and a key architect of modern India noting that his life was dedicated to securing equality and justice for the underprivilegedBabasaheb dedicated his entire life to fostering equality and harmony in society His whole life was devoted to securing equal rights for the people of deprived sectionsBabasaheb was also a great thinker and the architect of many of the nations institutions Even in adverse circumstances Babasaheb achieved extraordinary accomplishments and made an indelible contribution to nationbuilding he addedDr BR Ambedkar was born on this day in 1891 in Mhow now Dr Ambedkar Nagar Madhya PradeshHe was an Indian jurist economist and social reformer who played a key role in drafting the Indian Constitution He dedicated his life to fighting caste discrimination and promoting equality and social justice in India IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vp-radhakrishnan-pm-modi-kharge-pay-floral-tributes-to-ambedkar-at-parliament-complex-669216.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-governor-cm-pay-tributes-to-ambedkar-on-birth-anniversary-669232.html Hyderabad April 14 Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Tuesday paid rich tributes to Dr BR Ambedkar on his 135th birth anniversary The Governor described Babasaheb as one of the greatest sons of India and the chief architect of the Indian ConstitutionHighlighting the enduring relevance of Dr Ambedkarâs vision the Governor remarked Dr Ambedkarâs life remains a shining testament to the triumph of the human spirit over adversity A visionary social reformer and eminent jurist he devoted his life to the pursuit of justice equality and the empowerment of the marginalized His legacy is a clarion call for the protection of the rights of the poor and downtroddenThe Governor emphasised that the occasion is an opportunity for every citizen to reaffirm their commitment to the ideals and mandates of the Constitution He further called upon the people to uphold constitutional values and strive collectively to restore the glory of the nation ensuring a just and inclusive society for allLet us move forward with the spirit of unity and fraternity that Babasaheb championed the Governor added Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also paid rich tributes to the architect of the Indian Constitution Dr BR Ambedkar on the occasion of his birth anniversary The Chief Minister praised Dr Ambedkars tireless efforts for the welfare of the oppressed sections of society and also recalled the national leaderâs yeoman services towards the empowerment of Dalits Adivasis tribals backward and weaker sections and womenDr Ambedkar envisioned the nations future with foresight and drafted the Constitution with profound vision which stands as an inspiration for future generations the CM said adding that his struggle for the rights of the oppressed sections serves as a beacon and a role model for the entire worldCalling upon everyone to strive collectively to realise the ideals and aspirations of this great leader CM Revanth Reddy highlighted that drawing inspiration from Ambedkarâs ideology the âpeoples governmentâ took some important decisions such as the categorisation of SC subcastes and the enhancement of BC reservationsThe Chief Minister noted that in addition to implementing the SCST SubPlan the government is prioritising the welfare of Dalit and tribal communities across the state He noted that the government also increased mess charges and cosmetic allowances in government welfare hostels and took other measures which are unprecedented in the states historyThe CM announced that the government would undertake the construction of a Young India Integrated Residential School in every Assembly constituency and expressed the hope that children from all sections and religions would receive quality education in one place IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-governor-cm-pay-tributes-to-ambedkar-on-birth-anniversary-669232.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/two-mba-students-die-after-suspected-drug-overdose-at-mumbai-music-event-five-arrested-669235.html Mumbai April 14 A music event held at an exhibition ground in Goregaon Mumbai turned tragic after two MBA students allegedly died due to a suspected drug overdose Till now five individuals have been arrested so far in connection with the case including two college students According to Vanrai police both victims died due to an overdose although the exact cause of death will be confirmed after the medical and forensic reports are received The investigation is being led by the Vanrai Police who have already taken three individuals into custody including one person associated with the eventâs organisationMeanwhile the arrests were made following preliminary findings suggesting that prohibited substances may have been consumed during the eventThe deceased have been identified as a 24yearold woman and a 28yearold man both students of a reputed MBA college in Mumbai A 25yearold woman who was also present at the event remains in critical condition and is currently undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit ICU of a hospitalThe incident occurred on the night of April 11 when a large number of students attended the concert Reports suggest that some attendees consumed drugs with initial suspicion pointing towards substances like MDMA However authorities have clarified that the exact nature of the drug will only be confirmed after forensic analysis The music event witnessed the attendance of nearly 3000 to 4000 youthsAround midnight several attendees began experiencing severe breathing difficulties prompting emergency medical assistance The affected individuals were rushed to nearby hospitals While the two women were taken to a trauma care centre the male victim was admitted to a hospital where he later succumbedPolice have recorded statements from several students who attended the event These statements are expected to help authorities trace the source and distribution of the drugs involvedAmong those arrested are event organiser Vihaan alias Akash Samal 31 Sunny Vinod Jain from NESCO Event Organisation and Management and Balakrishnan Balaram a member of the internal security team All the accused have been remanded to three days of police custodyMeanwhile some attendees also suffered due to excessive alcohol and drug consumption during the concert During the concert some young people suffered due to excessive alcohol and drug consumption IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/two-mba-students-die-after-suspected-drug-overdose-at-mumbai-music-event-five-arrested-669235.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/will-fight-till-my-last-breath-to-protect-babasahebs-ideals-rahul-gandhi-669238.html New Delhi April 14 Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday paid tribute to BR Ambedkar on his birth anniversary asserting that he would âfight with all his strengthâ to protect the ideals of the Constitution and Ambedkarâs vision of justice equality and dignity In a post on X Rahul Gandhi said âBabasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar did not just give us the Constitution he gave us the dream of a strong India founded on justice equality and dignity But today certain forces are systematically working to weaken Babasahebs legacy and our Constitution democratic institutions are being hollowed out rights are being trampled and the idea of equality is under attack This country is built on Babasahebs ideals I will fight with all my strength until my last breath to protect them Together we will bring back to life the India of Baba Sahebs dreams Heartfelt wishes to all on Ambedkar JayantiâCongress President Mallikarjun Kharge also paid tribute describing Ambedkar as the moral and constitutional foundation of IndiaIn his post Kharge said Babasaheb was not only the architect of the Constitution but also a relentless champion of liberty equality fraternity and justice He warned that the Constitution was facing âconspiratorial attacksâ and stressed that Ambedkarâs words and warnings remain highly relevant todayKharge added that the time calls for courage and conviction to defend every principle enshrined by AmbedkarCongress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also shared her tribute stating that Babasaheb gave every Indian a protective shield in the form of the Constitution ensuring liberty equality justice and fraternityShe said Ambedkar brought the issues of deprived sections to the centre of Indiaâs freedom struggle and constitutional framework Calling for the protection of constitutional values she said that upholding Ambedkarâs ideas is the true tribute to himAcross party lines Congress leaders collectively highlighted Ambedkarâs enduring legacy as the architect of the Constitution and a lifelong advocate for social justice equal opportunity and dignity for all citizens IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/will-fight-till-my-last-breath-to-protect-babasahebs-ideals-rahul-gandhi-669238.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ai-hologram-campaigns-take-tn-polls-by-storm-as-vijays-virtual-avatar-draws-crowds-669241.html Chennai April 14 Technology is rapidly reshaping the political campaign landscape in Tamil Nadu with artificial intelligencepowered holograms emerging as a striking new tool ahead of the Assembly elections A recent campaign in Kumbakonam has demonstrated how digital innovation is being deployed to bridge the physical absence of star campaigners and capture voter attentionAt the centre of this trend is a holographic projection of actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK President Vijay which has gone viral on social media The projection mounted on a moving vehicle delivered a highly realistic visual of Vijay addressing voters complete with synchronised speech and gestures leaving many in the crowd briefly believing he was physically presentThe initiative has sparked significant interest across political circles According to the company behind the technology there has been a sharp rise in enquiries from candidates across parties as well as requests to recreate holographic avatars of late political icons such as M Karunanidhi and J Jayalalithaa reflecting the emotional and symbolic appeal such technology can generate among votersThe growing demand also points to a wider shift in campaign strategies where digital engagement is increasingly complementing traditional methodsEven in regions not currently facing elections such as Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka political actors are exploring the potential of AIdriven outreach tools to enhance visibility and connect with the electorateThe companies which offere the service said they have been receiving an overwhelming number of enquiries from candidates cutting across party lines with just 10 days to go for the Assembly pollsWhile holographic campaigning is not entirely new Prime Minister Narendra Modi famously deployed the technology during the 2014 general elections the current trend stands apart due to the integration of artificial intelligenceEnhanced lipsyncing realistic body movements and portability have made these projections more immersive and adaptable even in rural settingsPolitical observers note that such innovations underline the deepening reach of advanced technology into grassroots politicsThe novelty of a âvirtual leaderâ addressing crowds even from a moving vehicle has added a new dimension to campaign spectacle and voter engagement particularly among younger audiencesBehind the scenes the campaign was executed by a compact team of six including young engineers who utilised 3D hologram fan display systems to achieve sharper and more dynamic visuals compared to traditional projection methodsDespite its impact the technology is not without challenges Maintaining projection quality on moving vehicles and managing environmental disruptions remain concerns though companies continue to refine their systemsWith pricing starting at around Rs 50000 per day holographic campaigning is steadily carving out a niche as a futuristic highimpact addition to Indiaâs evolving electoral playbook IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ai-hologram-campaigns-take-tn-polls-by-storm-as-vijays-virtual-avatar-draws-crowds-669241.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/upholding-democratic-values-best-tribute-to-ambedkar-cm-chandrababu-naidu-669242.html Amaravati April 14 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said on Tuesday that the greatest tribute that can be offered to Dr BR Ambedkar is to uphold democratic values The Chief Minister through a social media post offered tributes to the architect of the Indian Constitution social reformer and Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on the occasion of his 135th birth anniversaryâDr Ambedkar stands as an exemplary figure despite enduring caste discrimination and the scourge of untouchability he pursued higher education and rose to a stature of such eminence that the entire nation takes pride in him If our country stands today as one of the worlds strongest democracies it is solely due to the Constitution he bestowed upon usâ said the Chief MinisterâBy ensuring equal opportunities and rights he provided constitutional protection to every single citizen Our collective goal must be the realization of Dr Ambedkars ideals The greatest tribute we can offer to this visionary leader is to uphold democratic values and conduct ourselves as responsible citizensâ he addedDeputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also paid tributes to Ambedkar âRemembering the visionary leader scholar and Bharat Ratna Baba Saheb Ambedkar the chief architect and Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution the first Law Minister of independent India on his birth anniversary His relentless fight for social justice equality and empowerment continues to guide usâ posted Pawan KalyanMeanwhile Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS President KT Rama Rao also paid tributes to AmbedkarThe former minister said that Ambedkar was a noble soul who toiled day and night for the upliftment of the marginalised sections of societyâAmbedkar was a universal humanist who fought on behalf of the oppressed people He was a visionary of an egalitarian society who secured rights for people from all walks of life Ambedkar was the towering intellect who designed the Constitution of Indiaâ KTR said in a post on âXâHe stated that Ambedkar was the visionary who ensured the fulfilment of the Telangana peoples aspiration for a separate state through Article 3KTR claimed that the nineandahalfyear tenure of the BRS government has been guided by the inspiration of Babasaheb AmbedkarâTo ensure that Ambedkars teachings ideals and values are passed on to future generations the KCR government has erected a 125ft statue of Ambedkar in the very heart of Hyderabad The government bestowed the highest honor upon him by naming the Telangana State Secretariat after Ambedkar On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar we pay our humble and profound tributes to this towering figureâ KTR added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/upholding-democratic-values-best-tribute-to-ambedkar-cm-chandrababu-naidu-669242.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/scorching-heat-in-kerala-weather-alerts-issued-in-12-districts-669243.html Thiruvananthapuram April 14 Kerala continues to reel under an intense heat wave with authorities issuing temperature alerts across the state barring the highrange districts of Idukki and Wayanad The soaring temperatures have raised concerns over public health prompting officials to urge residents to take adequate precautions particularly during daytime hoursPalakkad remains the hottest district with the mercury expected to touch 40 degrees CelsiusThe district had already recorded 392 degrees Celsius on the previous day marking the highest temperature in the state so far this seasonWeather authorities caution that the heat is likely to persist with little immediate relief in sightKollam is also bracing for high temperatures with forecasts indicating a rise up to 39 degrees CelsiusSeveral other districts including Pathanamthitta Alappuzha Kottayam Ernakulam Thrissur Kozhikode Kannur and Kasaragod are expected to experience temperatures of up to 37 degrees CelsiusMeanwhile Thiruvananthapuram and Malappuram may see temperatures climb to around 36 degrees CelsiusHealth officials have warned of an increased risk of sunstroke and dehydration amid the prevailing conditionsPeople have been strongly advised to limit outdoor activities during peak afternoon hours and ensure adequate hydrationWearing light loosefitting clothing and avoiding direct exposure to sunlight are among the key recommendations issued by authoritiesThe prolonged spell of high temperatures has begun to impact daily life particularly for those engaged in outdoor workWith the heat index rising steadily vulnerable groups such as the elderly children and those with preexisting health conditions are at greater riskAuthorities continue to monitor the situation closely and have reiterated the importance of public awareness and preventive measuresAs Kerala navigates this period of extreme heat adherence to safety advisories will be crucial in mitigating health risks and ensuring public wellbeingMeanwhile pranksters are also out sharing unverified temperature alerts and this forced the authorities to come out against such warnings and asked them to rely only on authorised reportsWith a series of holidays soon after the April 9 polling day many families are heading to the hilly districts to get away from the heat IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/scorching-heat-in-kerala-weather-alerts-issued-in-12-districts-669243.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/barmer-hottest-in-rajasthan-at-418-degrees-chhittorgarh-follows-at-40-669244.html Jaipur April 14 Rajasthans Barmer district recorded its highest maximum temperature of 418 degrees Celsius while the lowest minimum temperature of 172 degrees was observed in Dausa in the last 24 hours The intensity of summer heat has escalated across Rajasthan According to the Meteorological Centre Jaipur clear skies and intense heat conditions are likely to persist across the state over the next 45 days The highest temperature of the season so far was recorded on MondayBarmer bore the brunt of the heat with the temperature soaring above 41 degrees This marks the peak temperature recorded in the state in the current summer season Earlier in March Barmer had recorded a high of 408 degrees Celsius However after a day of intense heat a slight change in weather patterns was noticed late in the evening across the Bikaner division Areas including Bikaner Churu and Hanumangarh witnessed light cloud cover accompanied by dusty winds in several locationsChittorgarh also recorded its hottest day of the season on Monday with the maximum temperature touching 40 degrees higher than that recorded in Jodhpur Phalodi Bikaner and ChuruOther major cities including Jaipur Ajmer Bharatpur Kota and Udaipur also experienced high daytime temperatures due to strong heat since morningRadheshyam Sharma Director of the Meteorological Centre Jaipur stated that clear weather conditions will prevail across the state for the next 45 days He added that heat intensity is expected to increase further in parts of western RajasthanIn eastern Rajasthan covering the Bharatpur Jaipur and Ajmer divisions along with the Udaipur division temperatures are likely to rise by an additional 23 degreesJaipur recorded a maximum temperature of 37 degrees while the minimum temperature was 23 degrees Mount Abu the only hill station in Rajasthan recorded a temperature of 299 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature was 174 degreesAll districts in Rajasthan recorded maximum temperatures under 40 degrees on Monday except Barmer and Chhittorgarh Also many districts recorded a minimum temperature under 20 degrees and had moderate weather at night Sri Ganganagar was the coolest in western Rajasthan with a minimum temperature touching 202 degrees IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/barmer-hottest-in-rajasthan-at-418-degrees-chhittorgarh-follows-at-40-669244.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-fir-registered-in-brigadiers-assault-case-key-accused-identified-669246.html New Delhi April 14 In connection with the recent assault on a serving Army Brigadier along with his son in South Delhis Vasant Enclave action has been initiated by Delhi Police following intervention at multiple levels An FIR was registered and the police have taken cognisance of alleged lapses in the initial response The personnel concerned have reportedly been shifted pending further enquiry Preliminary investigation has led to the identification of the principal accused as Satinder Kumar resident of Mehram Nagar stated to be associated with an aviation companyIt is expected that Delhi Police will proceed expeditiously to apprehend the accused and take the investigation to its logical conclusionThe incident unfolded when the Brigadier stepped out for a walk with his son after dinner on Saturday Just outside their residence they noticed two individuals sitting in a parked white Mercedes car and consuming alcohol When the officer objected an argument broke out between the two partiesAccording to officials the Brigadier and his son were attacked by a group of men after they objected to two men consuming alcohol inside a parked car in their residential area The incident is reported to have occurred on April 11 at around 10 PMTalking to IANS the officers wife recounted the sequence of events saying The whole incident was that two individuals were sitting in a white Mercedes car and drinking alcohol After dinner when my husband and son went out for a walk they objected saying that drinking in a residential colony is not allowed after which the individuals spoke to them inappropriately We did not retaliate and called the PCR PCR took time and after a while they arrived and talked to the men in the Mercedes Till the time the official started taking our statements goons arrived in two cars and started assaulting my son and husbandShe further alleged a lack of police intervention during the assaultInstead of helping us the police personnel went back to their van My husband tried to save my son from the goons but they were also hitting him When I approached the police personnel again he denied the help stating that he alone could not do anything in front of so many goons He said that he will wait for his team His team never arrived The goons kept hitting my husband and son for 20 minutes I was trying to save them and even then the goons passed comments on me she saidDescribing her interaction with the police she added When I asked the police personnel to take me to the police station he opened the vans trunk for me and told me to lie there and he would take me to the station I said I would not sit in the trunk I want to sit on the seat to which the personnel said This is not your place So with our own car we went to the police station where we did not get any assistance and questioned why we were calling the PCR again and again and frustrating themThe family said a complaint was filed in the early hours of April 12 We had filed a complaint on April 12 at around 2 AM However no action was taken till we sought help through the Defence channels He the Brigadier was taken to the hospital by the police We ourselves took him to our Army hospital as the police said they did not have the ambulance to take him to Safdarjung Hospital No police officer went with us they ignored everything eating parathas and everything They ignored our agony she added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-fir-registered-in-brigadiers-assault-case-key-accused-identified-669246.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/alwar-three-killed-33-injured-in-bus-truck-collision-on-delhi-mumbai-expressway-669247.html Jaipur April 14 A horrific road accident occurred early on Tuesday morning around 500 AM on the DelhiMumbai Expressway in Rajasthanâs Alwar district Three people including the bus driver lost their lives while 33 passengers were injured Of the 33 injured 31 have been referred to Alwar for advanced treatment with several reported to be in critical condition According to reports the accident took place near the Channel Number 100 interchange culvert in the Pinan area of AlwarA passenger bus travelling from Indore to Delhi collided with a chemicalladen truck moving ahead of it The impact was so severe that the front portion of the bus was completely mangledTraffic on the expressway was disrupted for some time following the crashThe accident site was filled with chaos and screams immediately after the collision Most passengers were asleep when the crash occurredA loud bang jolted them awake and many found themselves injured and covered in blood The incident left passengers deeply traumatisedPolice reached the scene promptly and with the help of local residents began rescue operations Injured passengers were pulled out of the wreckage and transported to nearby hospitals via ambulanceThe deceased include the bus driver his wife and their son Their bodies have been placed in the mortuary at the Community Health Centre CHC in ReniMeanwhile 31 of the 33 injured were referred to Alwar due to the severity of their condition At the Pinan CHC only one doctor was present when the injured were brought in The doctor provided primary treatment before referring critically injured patients to Alwar for specialised careThe bus had departed from Indore at around 900 PM and was heading toward DelhiThe accident occurred shortly after the bus reached the Pinan area in Alwar district Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the crash Tragically the driverâs wife and children were also traveling on the bus While the driver his wife and their son died in the accident their threeyearold daughter survived with minor injuries After receiving first aid she was handed over to the Rajgarh PoliceThose seriously injured in the accident include Ram Nehar Kasal Rakesh Kasal Rohitashwa Kasal Mannu Sharma Kasal Bittu Bhiwadi Satyanarayan Mahendragarh Anil Kumar Delhi Sanyam Delhi Achhan Kanwar Gurgaon Mahipal Singh Bhiwadi Palwinder Kaur Punjab Nitin Kartar Indore Ruby Bansal Delhi Akshay Yadav Delhi Aditi Verma Himachal Vaibhav Goyal Rohini Delhi Arun Faridabad Divya Pratap Bhiwadi Rohit Sharma Faridabad Kavita Delhi Naveen Gurgaon Dheeraj Bhiwadi Naveen Hisar Manoj Hisar Anshu Hisar and Durga Kanwar BhiwadiAll injured individuals are currently undergoing treatment at a government hospital in Alwar Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances leading to the accident IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/alwar-three-killed-33-injured-in-bus-truck-collision-on-delhi-mumbai-expressway-669247.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/on-ambedkar-jayanti-cm-vijayan-calls-for-vigilance-against-caste-bias-669248.html Thiruvananthapuram April 14 Marking the birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday issued a strong call to uphold the values of equality and social justice even as Kerala grapples with troubling allegations of caste discrimination in higher education In a message on Ambedkar Jayanti the Chief Minister took to his social media to pay tributes to AmbedkarHe described Ambedkar as a towering figure who dedicated his life to building a society free from caste divisionsThe CM noted that Ambedkarâs relentless fight against social inequality and his enduring contributions continue to guide the nationHowever Vijayan expressed deep concern over recent developments particularly the tragic death of a firstyear BDS student at a private medical college in Ancharakandi KannurThe student Nithin Raj from Thiruvananthapuram is alleged to have faced castebased harassment sparking widespread outrageCalling the incident deeply painful the Chief Minister said that any act that drives a promising student to such a fate is unforgivableHe cautioned that the emergence of castebased discrimination even within campuses raises serious questions about whether Keralaâs hardearned progressive values are erodingâThis is a time for introspection as a societyâ he said urging collective responsibility in addressing such issuesVijayan also flagged the Centreâs inaction on the longpending demand for a dedicated law to curb caste discrimination in educational institutions often referred to as the Rohith Vemula ActHe pointed out that existing University Grants Commission guidelines have been stayed by the Supreme Court leaving a regulatory vacuumCalling for unity against all forms of division and hatred the Chief Minister urged society to draw strength from Ambedkarâs idealsHe emphasised that building an equitable and just social order remains an unfinished task that demands renewed commitmentExtending Ambedkar Jayanti greetings Vijayan reiterated that safeguarding dignity and equality must remain central to Keralaâs social fabric IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/on-ambedkar-jayanti-cm-vijayan-calls-for-vigilance-against-caste-bias-669248.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhidehradun-expressway-to-cut-travel-time-to-25-hours-boost-connectivity-as-pm-modi-inaugurates-today-669251.html New Delhi April 14 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the muchawaited DelhiDehradun Expressway on Tuesday a major infrastructure project expected to significantly reduce travel time and strengthen connectivity between the national Capital and Uttarakhands capitalnbspBefore the inauguration the Prime Minister will offer prayers at the historic Dat Kali Temple PM has an event here on the 14th He will have a darshan at Ma Dat Kali You can see that preparations are underway PM will have the darshan for 510 minutes said Shubham Goswami son of Mahant Raman Prasad GoswamiBuilt at an estimated cost of around Rs 12000 crore the 210kmlong expressway starts near Akshardham Temple and stretches to Dehradun passing through key towns in Uttar Pradesh such as Baghpat Baraut Muzaffarnagar Shamli and Saharanpur The corridor will also connect to Haridwar through a dedicated link road and integrate with the broader Char Dham highway networkA major highlight of the project is the sharp reduction in travel time At present the journey between Delhi and Dehradun typically takes around six hours by road With the newexpressway this will come down to nearly 25 hours offering a faster and more seamless travel experienceThe improved road connectivity is also expected to rival other modes of transport While the Vande Bharat Express takes about five hours and the Shatabdi Express over six hours even air travel despite a flight duration of under 70 minutes often takes close to five hours overall when airport transfers and checkin time are included The expressway therefore is likely to emerge as the most timeefficient option for commutersDesigned for highspeed and uninterrupted movement the expressway features seven interchanges two rail overbridges and 10 major bridges For passenger convenience 14 wayside amenities including rest areas food courts fuel stations and washrooms are being developed along the routeEnvironmentally sensitive design has also been incorporated especially along the stretch passing through Rajaji National Park A 12km elevated corridor has been constructed to minimise disruption to wildlife The project includes two large elephant underpasses each around 200 metres long along with six additional animal crossingsOnce fully operational the expressway is expected to ease congestion on existing routes enhance regional connectivity and provide a major boost to travel tourism and economic activity between Delhi and UttarakhandIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhidehradun-expressway-to-cut-travel-time-to-25-hours-boost-connectivity-as-pm-modi-inaugurates-today-669251.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-receives-rousing-welcome-at-roadshow-in-ups-saharanpur-669252.html Saharanpur April 14 Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a roadshow along the Wildlife Corridor in Uttar Pradeshs Saharanpur district on Tuesday just before inaugurating the DelhiDehradun Economic Corridor A large crowd gathered along the road to catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister as he waved back at themParticipants showered flowers at PM Modi while holding the Tricolour in their hands and chanting slogans such as Modi Modi Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Jai Shri RamMany attendees wore costumes and performed traditional folk dances to welcome the Prime MinisterLater in the day PM Modi will perform Darshan and Pooja at Jai Maa Daat Kali Temple near Dehradun Thereafter he will inaugurate the DelhiDehradun Economic Corridor at a public function in Dehradun and address the gathering on the occasionThe 213 km long sixlane accesscontrolled DelhiDehradun Economic Corridor has been developed at a cost of over Rs 12000 croreThe corridor traverses through the states of Delhi Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and will reduce travel time between Delhi and Dehradun from over six hours at present to around two and a half hoursThe implementation of the project also includes the construction of 10 interchanges three Railway Over Bridges ROBs four major bridges and 12 wayside amenities to enable seamless highspeed connectivityThe corridor is equipped with an Advanced Traffic Management System ATMS to provide a safer and more efficient travel experience for commutersKeeping in view the ecological sensitivity rich biodiversity and wildlife in the region the corridor has been designed with several features aimed at significantly reducing mananimal conflictTo ensure the free movement of wild animals the project incorporates several dedicated wildlife protection features These include a 12 kmlong wildlife elevated corridor which is one of the longest in AsiaThe corridor also includes eight animal passes two elephant underpasses of 200 metres each and a 370metrelong tunnel near the Daat Kali templeThe DelhiDehradun Economic Corridor will play a pivotal role in strengthening regional economic growth by enhancing connectivity between major tourism and economic centres as well as opening new avenues for trade and development across the regionThe project reflects the vision of PM Modi to develop nextgeneration infrastructure that combines highspeed connectivity with environmental sustainability and improved quality of life for citizens said the statement issued by the Prime Ministers Office PMO IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-receives-rousing-welcome-at-roadshow-in-ups-saharanpur-669252.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-green-energy-achieves-highest-esg-score-of-873-among-indian-companies-669253.html Ahmedabad April 14 Highlighting its leadership in environmental social and governance ESG climate strategy resource stewardship and transparency Adani Green Energy Limited AGEL has received the ESG 1 rating with a score of 873 from CARE ESG Ratings Limited CareEdgeESG which is a Securities and Exchange Board of India SEBIregistered ESG rating provider The score places AGEL at the top among all Indian companies assessed by CareEdgeESGThe rating reflects the companys leadership in integrating sustainability across its operations as a large utilityscale renewable energy developer CareEdgeESGâs evaluation is based on a comprehensive assessment of environmental social and governance risks and opportunities benchmarking companies across multiple indicators and industry peers The assessment highlights strong performance across climate risk management water stewardship waste management biodiversity conservation and governance practices supported by transparent disclosures and structured oversight mechanisms The rating underscores AGELâs structured approach to managing environmental and social risks through welldefined policies management systems and enterprisewide integration of ESG considerationsAt a broader level the recognition reflects a shift within the Adani Group towards embedding sustainability across its infrastructureled portfolio including renewable energy ports logistics and utilities ESG integration is increasingly shaping governance practices risk management frameworks and longterm capital allocation across businessesThe CareEdgeESG rating also enhances AGELâs positioning with investors and lenders particularly in a capital environment where sustainability performance is increasingly linked to access to financing The rating is expected to support the companyâs ability to mobilise sustainable and transitionlinked capital for largescale renewable energy projectsIn a CareEdgeESG press release Ashish Khanna Chief Executive Officer Adani Green Energy Limited said that Receiving the highest ESG score is a strong endorsement of Adani Green Energys commitment to integrating sustainability at scaleâ âThis recognition validates our disciplined approach to ESG governance proactive climaterisk management and longterm value creation for all stakeholders Our certification across zero wastetolandfill singleuse plasticfree and net waterpositive operations demonstrates that largescale renewable energy development can be both responsible and resilientâ he added According to Saikat Roy Chief Executive Officer CareEdgeESG Adani Green Energy Limiteds ESG rating reflects the companys strong commitment to integrating sustainability considerations into its renewable energy operations and longterm growth strategyâ âAGELs performance demonstrates structured governance of environmental and social risks supported by welldefined policies management systems and transparent disclosures aligned with leading sustainability frameworks strengthening its credibility with investors and lenders in an evolving investment landscape where access to capital is increasingly influenced by sustainability performanceâ said Roy IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-green-energy-achieves-highest-esg-score-of-873-among-indian-companies-669253.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/up-hikes-minimum-wages-after-noida-unrest-police-say-300-arrests-made-669254.html New Delhi April 14 The Government of Uttar Pradesh has increased minimum wages across worker categories following unrest in Noida with revised rates coming into effect retrospectively from April 1 As many as 300 people have been arrested by the police to bring the situation under control The move comes even as police on Tuesday said the situation in the industrial hub has returned to normal after largescale protests a day earlierThe wage revision significantly raises monthly earnings for workers across categories In Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ghaziabad districts unskilled workers will now receive Rs 13690 per month up from Rs 11313 Semiskilled workersâ wages have been increased from Rs 12445 to Rs 15059 while skilled workers will now earn Rs 16868 compared to Rs 13940 earlierIn other municipal corporation areas unskilled workers will receive Rs 13006 semiskilled Rs 14306 and skilled Rs 16025 For the remaining districts wages have been revised to Rs 12356 for unskilled workers Rs 13591 for semiskilled and Rs 15224 for skilled workers Officials said the interim revised rates include both basic pay and Dearness AllowanceThe decision follows widespread protests by factory workers in Noida on Monday over low wages and pending demands for salary hikes The agitation turned violent in parts of the Phase 2 industrial area with reports of vandalism stonepelting and road blockadesTraffic movement was severely affected particularly along the Noida Link Road and routes from the Chilla Border causing long delays for commuters travelling between Delhi and NoidaProviding an update on the situation Joint Commissioner of Police Rajeev Narayan Mishra said âThe situation is normal today and police deployment has been made at all locations Police are continuously conducting flag marches and patrolling while some units are actively performing their dutiesDue to Dr BR Ambedkar Jayanti some groups have announced a holiday at certain places We are maintaining constant communication and coordination with all units and industrial associations and we remain alert If we talk about yesterday more than 40000 workers gathered at over 800 locations and raised their concerns Police reached more than 80 locations and engaged in dialogue with them explaining and resolving the situationââAround 300 arrests have been madeâa few more people have been identifiedâ he addedHeavy police deployment continues in sensitive areas with authorities maintaining close coordination with industrial bodies to prevent any further unrest IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/up-hikes-minimum-wages-after-noida-unrest-police-say-300-arrests-made-669254.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/24-year-old-married-woman-brutally-killed-by-family-for-eloping-with-lover-in-ktaka-669257.html Belagavi April 14 An incident of honour killing was reported from the Yamanakanamaradi police station area in Karnatakas Belagavi district on Tuesday Three people including her brother have been arrested in connection with the case The deceased woman has been identified as 24yearold Satyavva Santosha Helavi a resident of Hanabaratti village in Rayabagh taluk The arrested have been identified as the victimâs uncle Prakash Helavara a resident of Gudikshetra village near Hukkeri the victimâs brother Shyanura Helavara and her brotherinlaw Morabada Kallappa a resident of RayabaghAccording to the police Satyavva was married to Santosh Helavi However she eloped with her lover 28yearold Krishna Patil The family lodged a missing persons complaint at the police station but later tracked her down and allegedly planned to murder her She was hacked to death and her body was burned to destroy evidenceThe incident took place on March 13 but came to light only recently A complaint was later registered following which the police cracked the case and arrested the accusedFurther details are awaitedIt can be recalled that in April Karnataka officially enacted a dedicated law to combat honour killings and violence against intercaste couples titled the Karnataka Freedom of Choice in Marriage and Prevention and Prohibition of Crimes in the Name of Honour and Tradition Eva Nammava Eva Nammava Act 2026 In December 2025 19yearold Manya Vivekanand Doddamani formerly Manya Patil a pregnant woman from the Lingayat community was killed by her father and relatives for marrying a Dalit man The incident took place in Inam Veerapur village Dharwad districtAn 18yearold girl named Kavita Kollura was strangled and her body burnt by her father and relatives for her intercaste relationshipIn June 2023 17yearold Nethravathy was murdered by her father brother and uncle for being in a relationship with a Scheduled Caste SC man She was forcefed pesticides and later strangled Her body was cremated and the family projected it as suicide The incident was reported from the Tumakuru district IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/24-year-old-married-woman-brutally-killed-by-family-for-eloping-with-lover-in-ktaka-669257.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-ahmedabad-on-heat-alert-as-temperatures-may-reach-41c-this-week-669263.html Ahmedabad April 14 Gujarats Ahmedabad is expected to witness a sustained spell of intense heat over the next seven days with maximum temperatures likely to reach up to 41 degree Celsius officials said on Tuesday The India Meteorological Department IMD has forecast that from April 14 until the morning of April 20 the city will experience maximum temperatures ranging between 40 41 degree Celsius and 41 41 degree Celsius while minimum temperatures are expected to remain between 23 41 degree Celsius and 25 41 degree CelsiusThe forecast indicates a rise in the intensity of summer conditions across the city during this periodCivic authorities have activated precautionary measures under the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation AMCs heat action planBased on areawise maximum air temperatures the AMC has developed a system to identify hotspot locations with information on expected temperatures in these areas made available through a dedicated website link and QR codeThis data is scheduled to be updated every three daysArrangements for Oral Rehydration Solution ORS and drinking water have been made at schools Anganwadis construction sites industrial units and labour congregation points situated within identified hotspotsThe health department is also carrying out focussed healthrelated interventions More than 1300 water distribution points have been set up across the city with the support of voluntary organisations including over 200 in highdensity and heavy traffic areasORS and drinking water facilities have been ensured at all health centres and hospitals while AMCrun hospitals and community health centres have designated separate beds for patients affected by heatrelated conditionsMunicipal schools have largely shifted to morning sessions to reduce exposure to peak daytime temperaturesAwareness measures have been undertaken and water breaks have been scheduled at intervals of approximately one and a half hours with provisions for ORS and drinking waterSimilar facilities have been extended to around 2074 Anganwadis across the cityAll construction sites have been equipped with ORS and drinking water Facilities have also been arranged at approximately 66 labour checkpoints and 65 worker congregation locationsMore than 19000 personnel engaged in field duties including those from the health department engineering wing and sanitation workforce have been provided with white caps to mitigate heat exposurePublic amenities have also been adjusted in response to the weather conditions More than 300 gardens in the city are being kept open from 6 AM to 11 PM with drinking water available at all locationsAround 34 shelter homes have been equipped with ORS and drinking water facilitiesIn the public transport network AMTS has installed 25 air coolers and 10 water coolers at various bus depots and terminals along with arrangements for ORS and water containersThe BRTS network has ensured similar provisions across its seven bus depots and 199 bus stationsIn coordination with the traffic police green shade nets have been installed at key junctions including Nirant Crossroads CTM Crossroads Victoria Garden Crossroads Pushpakunj Crossroads Jawahar Chowk Crossroads and Memco CrossroadsAdditionally more than 78 traffic junctions across the city have been placed on blinking mode to facilitate smoother traffic movement and reduce commuter exposure during peak heat hours IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-ahmedabad-on-heat-alert-as-temperatures-may-reach-41c-this-week-669263.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-reviews-wildlife-corridor-on-delhi-dehradun-expressways-elevated-section-in-up-669264.html Saharanpur April 14 Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the Wildlife corridor on the elevated section of the DelhiDehradun Economic Corridor in Uttar Pradeshs Saharanpur on Tuesday During this Union Highways and Transportation Minister Nitin Gadkari UP Governor Anandiben Patel UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy CMs Keshav Pradad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak were also present An exhibition showcasing the construction procedure of the wildlife corridor was presented and the officials briefed the Prime Minister about the project Earlier PM Modi held a roadshow along the Wildlife Corridor A large crowd gathered along the road to catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister as he waved back at themParticipants showered flowers at PM Modi while holding the Tricolour in their hands and chanting slogans such as Modi Modi Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Jai Shri RamMany attendees wore costumes and performed traditional folk dances to welcome the Prime MinisterLater in the day PM Modi will perform Darshan and Pooja at Jai Maa Daat Kali Temple near Dehradun Thereafter he will inaugurate the DelhiDehradun Economic Corridor at a public function in Dehradun and address the gathering on the occasionThe 213 km long sixlane accesscontrolled DelhiDehradun Economic Corridor has been developed at a cost of over Rs 12000 croreThe corridor traverses through the states of Delhi Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and will reduce travel time between Delhi and Dehradun from over six hours at present to around two and a half hoursThe implementation of the project also includes the construction of 10 interchanges three Railway Over Bridges ROBs four major bridges and 12 wayside amenities to enable seamless highspeed connectivityThe corridor is equipped with an Advanced Traffic Management System ATMS to provide a safer and more efficient travel experience for commutersKeeping in view the ecological sensitivity rich biodiversity and wildlife in the region the corridor has been designed with several features aimed at significantly reducing mananimal conflictTo ensure the free movement of wild animals the project incorporates several dedicated wildlife protection features These include a 12 kmlong wildlife elevated corridor which is one of the longest in AsiaThe corridor also includes eight animal passes two elephant underpasses of 200 metres each and a 370metrelong tunnel near the Daat Kali templeThe DelhiDehradun Economic Corridor will play a pivotal role in strengthening regional economic growth by enhancing connectivity between major tourism and economic centres as well as opening new avenues for trade and development across the regionThe project reflects the vision of PM Modi to develop nextgeneration infrastructure that combines highspeed connectivity with environmental sustainability and improved quality of life for citizens said the statement issued by the Prime Ministers Office PMO IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-reviews-wildlife-corridor-on-delhi-dehradun-expressways-elevated-section-in-up-669264.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rahul-gandhi-lends-support-to-protesting-noida-workers-says-pay-hike-not-greed-but-their-right-669266.html New Delhi April 14 IANS The ongoing protests by the underpaid industrial workers in Noida have found support from the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition LoP Rahul Gandhi who termed the demands as their right and not greedThe Congress leader taking note of the unrest in Noida Phase 2 lent support to their demands and protests stating that their remuneration was much less than standard levels a pain which has only been aggravated by the raging conflict in West AsiaHundreds of industrial workers in Noida Phase 2 area took to the streets on Monday protesting against impractical working conditions and demanding a hike in the minimum wages on the lines of the salary hike in Haryana approved by the respective government The protests later turned violent leading to long traffic snarls in the area while at some places some vehicles were torched by the protesting workersTaking note of violence on Noida streets Rahul Gandhi said What happened yesterday was the final cry of this countrys workers one whose every voice was ignored who grew weary from endless pleadingHe argued for commensuration between their salary structure and the tough realities of life in a metro city while stressing how their pay structure purportedly in the range of Rs 12000 remains grossly insufficient in meeting their monthly expensesUntil the salary catches up this runaway inflation chokes life out of him drowns him in the depths of debt thats the truth of Developed India he said in a post on XDrawing a link between the West Asia war and the subsequent impact on workers livelihood he said that its the daily wagers who are the worst affected and therefore were justified in voicing their demandsSlamming the government for acting against them he said The worker whos no part of any war who didnt craft any policy he just worked Quietly Without complaint And what does he get for demanding his due Pressure and oppressionHe further pledged to stand by every protesting worker stating that they are the backbone of the country but unfortunately have been reduced to a burden by the ruling dispensationNoidas worker is demanding 20000 This isnt greed its his right the sole foundation of his life he asserted in a post on XThe Congress leader was also critical of the four labour codes recently notified by the Central government and claimed that this has only added burden to their livesHe said the government acted hastily without consultation and implemented 4 Labour Codes starting in November 2025 extending their work hours to 12 hours a dayIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rahul-gandhi-lends-support-to-protesting-noida-workers-says-pay-hike-not-greed-but-their-right-669266.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bjp-trying-to-change-constitution-says-telangana-deputy-cm-669267.html Hyderabad April 14 Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Tuesday accused the BJP of attempting to change the Constitution of India and undermine democratic values Addressing an event to mark the 135th birth anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar here he alleged that the BJP was trying to make a mockery of democracy putting citizensâ fundamental rights at risk Stating that every citizen faces the risk of losing their fundamental rights he called upon people to unite to safeguard the Constitution âWe must all unite clench our fists in solidarity and raise the slogan Jai Bhim to safeguard the Indian Constitutionâ he saidPaying tributes to the architect of the Indian Constitution he said that it is our collective good fortune that Dr Ambedkar was born in India He called Ambedkar a man of extraordinary genius and a veritable mine of knowledgeVikramarka said Ambedkar was a great visionary who laid the foundations of democracy through the Indian Constitution thereby establishing India as the largest democratic nation in the worldThrough the Constitution he enshrined equal rights for every citizen of the country He was a visionary who secured womens empowerment and rights through the Constitution the Deputy CM saidHe claimed that Ambedkar was the first to address the gender discrimination and hardships faced by women who constitute half of the countrys populationAs the first Law Minister of independent India he introduced the Hindu Code Bill in Parliament to safeguard womens rights Ambedkar was a great leader who went so far as to resign from his ministerial post to advocate for the passage of that bill he saidThe Deputy CM stated that transcending the barriers of caste and religion Ambedkar worked tirelessly for the welfare of every woman He played a pivotal role in the implementation of maternity leave provisions and labour laws He was a great visionary who fought successfully to reduce the working hours for labourers from 12 to 8 hoursâPaving the way for democracy he granted every citizen the Right to Vote a mechanism through which the people themselves could become the rulers Ambedkar provided a remarkable opportunity for every individual to shape the policies and procedures that govern their lives through their chosen representativesâ said Mallu Bhatti VikramarkaHe claimed that the Indiramma Government in Telangana is moving forward in tune with Babasahebs ideals and on the path shown by him Every decision the government makes every law it enacts and every step it takes in governance reflects Dr Ambedkars economic and social philosophy he said while adding that this trajectory will continueHe affirmed that the government is advancing to ensure that resources and political rights are distributed equally among all citizens based on their demographic proportionFor the first time in the nations history the Telangana government has undertaken a caste census thereby moving forward in strict adherence to constitutional principles âWe are committed to the protection of the Constitution and human rights Ours is a government that implements the Indian Constitution in both letter and spiritâ he addedAt the programme held at the 125âfoot statue of Ambedkar near the state Secretariat the Deputy Chief Minister along with ministers and state Congress chief Mahesh Kumar Goud paid tributes and later released a special brochure aimed at spreading Ambedkarâs ideals IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bjp-trying-to-change-constitution-says-telangana-deputy-cm-669267.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/deoria-sp-inspects-police-office--669269.html nbsp nbspRahul Chaubey Daily World Bureau DeoriaSuperintendent of Police Mr Abhijeet R Shankar conducted an inspection of the police office During the inspection he reviewed all branches of the office including the Monitoring Cell IGRS Branch DCRB Summons Cell Statistical Section Public Hearing Cell Public Information Cell and Cyber Police StationDuring the inspection he directed officials to ensure efficiency in work proper maintenance of records cleanliness and systematic recordkeeping He also emphasized timely disposal of cases Additionally while reviewing pending matters he instructed concerned officials to ensure their prompt resolution https://dailyworld.in/national/deoria-sp-inspects-police-office--669269.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/dawood-linked-fake-currency-syndicate-goes-local-as-border-routes-tighten-669271.html New Delhi April 14 Indian agencies have reported a sharp rise in counterfeit currency seizures pointing to a renewed push by organised networks to expand operations Investigators say the syndicate linked to Dawood Ibrahim operating from Pakistan is increasingly directing operatives in India to print fake notes locally instead of relying on crossborder smuggling routes through Pakistan and BangladeshThe trend points to a deliberate attempt to scale up production with signs of a coordinated effort to undermine the Indian economy Recent months have seen multiple seizures in border regions due to tighter security At the same time attempts to drop counterfeit currency using drones are being detected and intercepted with increasing frequencyAn Intelligence Bureau official said that the syndicate is now directing its operatives in India to print fake notes locally and circulate them within the market They have been advised to keep operations small but frequent to maintain overall volume while avoiding attentionâTo reduce the risk of detection members are also shifting bases regularly making it difficult for agencies to track and pin down a single locationâ the official addedThe route through the Bangladesh border has also become increasingly difficult for smugglers to use Enhanced security measures have tightened surveillance making it harder for operatives to push counterfeit currency into IndiaAnother official said the strategy now is to expand printing across multiple states including Gujarat Uttar Pradesh Rajasthan and Punjab In the past the syndicate had set up a localised unit in Malda West Bengal where highquality counterfeit notes were produced and were difficult to detectâHowever after the unit was uncovered intensified action by agencies led to a sharp decline in operationsâ the official saidAnother official said printing capacity in Malda has dropped by more than half after agencies including the National Investigation Agency NIA intensified investigations and enforcementOfficials added that efforts are underway to push in raw materials needed to set up fresh units to expand local production If these consignments reach operatives in India output could increase again Even as the focus shifts to domestic printing attempts to move counterfeit currency across the border using drones are expected to continueLast month the Border Security Force BSF and Amritsar Police seized counterfeit currency worth Rs 25 lakh which officials believe may have been a trial run While drones have been intercepted carrying drugs arms and ammunition on several occasions their use for moving fake currency has emerged as a growing concernAgencies said the syndicate is now relying on smaller consignments that are harder to detect on radar and surveillance systems An official noted that operatives are adopting varied methods to increase the circulation of counterfeit notesEven as local production gathers pace the use of drones is expected to continue The broader objective officials said is to generate funds for terror activities and to inflict economic damage through the sustained circulation of fake currency IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/dawood-linked-fake-currency-syndicate-goes-local-as-border-routes-tighten-669271.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ambedkar-jayanti-stalin-calls-for-defending-constitution-upholding-social-justice-and-pluralism-669278.html Chennai April 14 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday issued a strong message urging citizens to defend the Constitution uphold social justice and protect the rights of the oppressed while reaffirming Indiaâs commitment to pluralism He was speaking at an event organised to mark the 135th birth anniversary of Dr B R AmbedkarStalin quoted Ambedkarâs enduring words âI measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achievedâStalin in a post on X highlighted that the true measure of a societyâs advancement lies in the empowerment and upliftment of women He emphasised that inclusive development and gender equality must remain at the heart of governance and public policyIn his Ambedkar Jayanti message Stalin called upon people to strengthen their resolve to safeguard constitutional values and ensure justice for marginalised communitiesHe stressed that protecting the Constitution is essential to preserving democracy and maintaining the rights and dignity of every citizen particularly those who have historically faced discrimination and exclusionUnderscoring Indiaâs diversity Stalin asserted that the nationâs strength lies in its pluralistic fabric not in any imposed uniformity He cautioned against attempts to dilute this diversity stating that unity must be built on respect for differences rather than enforced samenessâIf progress is the benchmarkâ Stalin noted âwe must reject hierarchy and discrimination and instead choose pluralism and equalityâHe called for a collective commitment to building a society rooted in fairness inclusiveness and justice in line with Ambedkarâs visionThe Chief Ministerâs remarks came at a time when debates around social equity representation and constitutional safeguards continue to shape public discourse across the countryObservers noted that his message reflects a broader political emphasis on reinforcing the principles enshrined by Ambedkar in modern IndiaAs the nation commemorates the legacy of Babasaheb Ambedkar Stalinâs call serves as a reminder of the continued relevance of his ideals The emphasis on womenâs progress social justice and pluralism underscores the need to build a more equitable society where every voice is heard and every citizen is empowered IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ambedkar-jayanti-stalin-calls-for-defending-constitution-upholding-social-justice-and-pluralism-669278.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-notifies-new-rules-on-fees-for-overloaded-vehicles-on-national-highways-669282.html New Delhi April 14 IANS The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified the National Highways Fee Determination of Rates and Collection Fourth Amendment Rules 2026 aimed at strengthening enforcement and ensuring rationalised fee collection for overloaded vehicles on National HighwaysnbspThe amended rules will come into force from April 15 2026The amendment seeks to promote compliance with prescribed load limits and enhance road safety while protecting highway infrastructureUnder the revised fee structure vehicles found carrying excess load will be charged based on the percentage of overloading Those carrying up to 10 per cent excess load will not be charged any overload fee while vehicles that carry excess load of over 10 per cent and up to 40 per cent will slapped a charge at two times the base rateFor vehicles carrying an excess load above 40 per cent the fee will be charged at four times the base rateThe rules also state that overloading will be determined using certified weight measurement devices installed at fee plazas They also make it clear that in cases where weighing facilities are not available at fee plazas no overload fee shall be leviedThe rules further state that overloading fees shall be collected through FASTag only Details of overloaded vehicles will be recorded and reported to the National Vehicle Register VAHANVehicles entering National Highways without a valid FASTag will attract applicable provisions under existing rules The provisions will not apply to certain private investment projects executed prior to commencement unless concessionaires consent to adopt the revised rulesThe notification includes a detailed illustration explaining calculation of overload fees for different categories of vehicles based on permissible weight limits ensuring clarity and transparency in implementationThe amendment is expected to improve compliance reduce road damage caused by overloaded vehicles and promote safer and more efficient movement of goods across National Highways seamless with WIM WeighinMotion technologyAs per the notification a revised framework has been introduced under Rule 10 for levy of fees on vehicles carrying loads beyond the permissible Gross Vehicle Weight GVWIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-notifies-new-rules-on-fees-for-overloaded-vehicles-on-national-highways-669282.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/baba-saheb-is-pillar-of-indian-democracy-delhi-cm-pays-tribute-on-ambedkar-jayanti-669288.html New Delhi April 14 IANS On the 135th birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday visited the Ambedkar Memorial and paid floral tributes describing Baba Saheb as the pillar on which the strong structure of Indian democracy stands todaySpeaking to reporters CM Gupta said Baba Saheb was the pillar of India on which the strong structure of Indian democracy stands today He laid the foundation of our democracy and his contributions will be remembered by every citizen of the country for generations to comeShe further added Today I visited the Ambedkar Memorial in Delhi and paid my respects I consider myself fortunate that the Delhi government is working on the path shown by him His message of equality continues to guide us and we are committed to ensuring that the benefits of governance reach the last person in the national CapitalHighlighting the governments approach she said policies are being framed to improve peoples lives and ensure dignity for allWe strive to create policies that benefit citizens and enable them to live a life of dignity Today I pay my salutations to this great soul whose legacy will be remembered across the world she saidEvery year on April 14 India marks an important day that remembers a leader who played a key role in shaping the nation and its values Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated to honour Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar one of the foremost architects of modern India Born in 1891 in Mhow he was a jurist economist and social reformer and also the principal architect of the Indian ConstitutionThe day is not just a remembrance of his life but also a tribute to his continuous fight for social justice equality and human rights Dr Ambedkar was born on April 14 1891 and this day has now become a symbol of social empowerment and the fight against caste discrimination Over time Ambedkar Jayanti has established itself as an occasion that reiterates the constitutional principles he promoted Liberty equality and fraternityDespite facing discrimination in his early life Dr Ambedkar became the first Dalit to receive a doctorate in economics abroad He studied at Columbia University and the London School of Economics and considered education the most important means of empowerment As Indias first Law Minister he led the process of drafting the Constitution which included special provisions for the underprivileged including protection of civil rightsThe day holds deep emotional and political significance especially for the Dalit community as it commemorates the ongoing struggle against caste inequality and inspires social and economic reformsAmbedkar Jayanti also known as Bhim Jayanti is celebrated in India as well as in countries such as the United Kingdom the United States and Canada where the Indian community celebrates the occasion with special fervourIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/baba-saheb-is-pillar-of-indian-democracy-delhi-cm-pays-tribute-on-ambedkar-jayanti-669288.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/modiji-aapka-swagat-hai-echoes-in-dehradun-as-people-welcome-pm-669289.html Dehradun April 14 Prime Minister Narendra Modi was warmly welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd during a roadshow in Dehradun on Tuesday following his arrival in Uttarakhand to inaugurate the DelhiDehradun Economic Corridor Large numbers of people gathered along the sides of the road chanting phrases such as Modiji aapka swagat hai Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Modi Modi while waving the Tricolour and the BJP flagDressed in traditional attire from Uttarakhand women and children also lined the route to greet the Prime Minister as his convoy passed by the excited crowdEarlier PM Modi offered prayers at the Jai Maa Daat Kali Temple in Dehradun During his visit he was welcomed by children dressed in traditional attire who performed the Durga Devi Stotram He also interacted with other devotees present at the templeThe Prime Minister also reviewed the Wildlife corridor on the elevated section of the DelhiDehradun Economic Corridor in Uttar Pradeshs SaharanpurDuring this Union Highways and Transportation Minister Nitin Gadkari UP Governor Anandiben Patel UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy CMs Keshav Pradad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak were also presentAn exhibition showcasing the construction procedure of the wildlife corridor was presented and the officials briefed the Prime Minister about the projectPM Modi also held a roadshow along the Wildlife Corridor in SaharanpurA large crowd gathered along the road to catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister as he waved back at themMany attendees wore costumes and performed traditional folk dances to welcome the Prime MinisterLater the Prime Minister will inaugurate the DelhiDehradun Economic Corridor at a public function in Dehradun and address the gathering on the occasionThe 213 km long sixlane accesscontrolled DelhiDehradun Economic Corridor has been developed at a cost of over Rs 12000 croreThe corridor traverses through the states of Delhi Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and will reduce travel time between Delhi and Dehradun from over six hours at present to around two and a half hours IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/modiji-aapka-swagat-hai-echoes-in-dehradun-as-people-welcome-pm-669289.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-cm-pays-tribute-to-br-ambedkar-on-135th-birth-anniversary-in-gandhinagar-669290.html Gandhinagar April 14 Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Tuesday paid floral tributes to Dr BR Ambedkar on his 135th birth anniversary as commemorative events were held across the state capital with significant public participation Patel began the day by offering flowers to an oil portrait of Ambedkar at the podium of the state Legislative AssemblyHe later garlanded a fullsize statue of Ambedkar at the Dr Ambedkar Statue Complex at Prerna Bhoomi located opposite the Assembly complex paying homage to the principal architect of the Indian ConstitutionStudents from Rangoli International School delivered a speech highlighting key moments from Ambedkarâs life and legacyThe Chief Minister also joined members of the public at Central Vista Garden where the birth anniversary was marked by large gatheringsThe venue echoed with slogans of âJai Bhimâ as people paid their respectsAmong those present were Legislative Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary and state Education Minister Pradyuman Vaja along with members of the Council of Ministers MLAs Assembly officials organisational representatives and citizensSchool students and religious leaders were also in attendance collectively remembering Ambedkarâs contribution to nationbuildingMeanwhile President Droupadi Murmu paid floral tribute to Ambedkarâs portrait at Lok Bhavan during her visit to Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat also offered homage on the occasionSenior officials from both the Centre and the state government were present and paid their respects recalling Ambedkarâs enduring contribution to the Constitution and the nationPatel is scheduled to attend the convocation ceremony of Rashtriya Raksha Shakti University RRU at Lavad in Dehgam taluka of Gandhinagar district at 5 PM which will also be attended by the PresidentPresident Murmuâs engagements in Gandhinagar on Tuesday are part of her fourday visit to Gujarat and Maharashtra from April 13 to 16 during which she is attending a series of academic and commemorative programmesOn Monday she attended the inaugural convocation of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Rajkot where she addressed graduating students and presented degrees IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-cm-pays-tribute-to-br-ambedkar-on-135th-birth-anniversary-in-gandhinagar-669290.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/from-pharmacy-of-world-to-innovation-hub-pm-modi-bats-for-indias-pharma-leap-669291.html New Delhi April 14 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that Indias pharma sector is moving up from the pharmacy of the world to a hub of innovationnbspHighlighting the countrys growing focus on researchdriven growth PM Modi highlighted Indias transition from a global supplier of affordable medicines to an emerging centre of pharmaceutical innovationSharing an article authored by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda he said that Indias pharma sector is steadily moving up the value chain with a strong push towards research and development biologics biosimilars and nextgeneration therapiesFrom the pharmacy of the world to a hub of innovation Indias pharma sector is moving up the value chain PM Modi said in a post on XUnder the present government the focus has been on extensive RampampD biologics biosimilars and cuttingedge therapies the Prime Minister Modi explainedThe post described Naddas article as a mustread retrospection on how the country is positioning itself to lead the global pharmaceutical raceA mustread retrospection by Union Minister Nadda on how India is preparing to lead the global race in this sector PMO saidThe article outlines how policy support and sustained government focus have helped reshape the sectors trajectory in recent yearsIt emphasises that India is no longer limited to producing generic medicines at scale but is increasingly investing in advanced research capabilities and complex drug developmentAccording to the article the government has prioritised innovationled growth by encouraging RampampD investments and building an ecosystem that supports cuttingedge therapiesThis includes a growing emphasis on biologics and biosimilars segments that are expected to drive the next phase of growth in the global pharmaceutical industryLong termed as the Pharmacy of the World due to its leadership in generic medicines Indias pharma industry is now ready to shift gears from scale to innovation Nadda said in its articleIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/from-pharmacy-of-world-to-innovation-hub-pm-modi-bats-for-indias-pharma-leap-669291.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/must-wage-struggle-to-ensure-number-of-seats-in-south-states-hiked-on-pro-rata-basis-telangana-cm-on-seeking-fair-delimitation-669310.html Hyderabad April 14 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Tuesday slammed the BJP for what he called hatching conspiracies to do injustice to Southern states in delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies and called for a movement for increasing the seats on a prorata basis Addressing the birth anniversary celebrations of Dr BR Ambedkar on Tuesday he reiterated that the BJP is engaging in conspiracies regarding the delimitation of constituencies to do injustice to Southern statesâUnder the pretext of increasing seats based on a 50 per cent criterion they are attempting to reduce the seat quota allocated to the Southern states We must wage a struggle to ensure that the number of seats in the Southern states is increased on a prorata basisâ he saidRevanth Reddy declared that his government will always be at the forefront of any noble causeHe said that delimitation on a 50 per cent criterion will result in an injustice to women as well as to the Scheduled Castes SCs and Scheduled Tribes STs in the Southern statesâAre those serving as Union Ministers truly unaware of this simple calculationâ he askedStating that the government belongs to the people he said the responsibility to safeguard it rests with themRevanth Reddy paid rich tributes to Babasaheb Ambedkar and said his role in steering the nation onto the path of progress is just as significant as that of Mahatma Gandhi He termed them two eyes of this nationâWhile Mahatma Gandhi proved that a war could be won peacefully without shedding a single drop of blood Babasaheb Ambedkar demonstrated that a nation could be governed in a manner that serves as a model for the entire worldâ he saidThe Chief Minister said Ambedkar firmly believed that education alone holds the power to transform lives Ambedkarâs philosophy itself constitutes the very essence of democratic governanceHe stated that it was through the provisions of Article 3 that Congress senior leader Sonia Gandhi facilitated the formation of the state of Telangana He said marginalised and weaker sections of society played a pivotal role in the Telangana movementHe also recalled the role played by revolutionary balladeer Gaddar in the Telangana movement âIf anyone imagines that the role played by Gaddar â who through his songs galvanized the movement to unprecedented heights â will ever be forgotten they are merely deceiving themselvesâ he saidHe claimed that the peoplecentric government has accorded the highest priority to DalitsApparently targeting former Chief Minister and BRS President K Chandrasekhar Rao he remarked that since a Dalit son is serving as the Speaker they are insulting him by refusing to attend the AssemblyâShouldnt Dalit sons and daughters hold positions such as Finance Minister or Health Minister It is this peoplecentric government that has brought about a situation where those who once insulted Dalits now have to ask a Dalit for the microphone We are giving priority to Dalits and Adivasis in every sectorâHe claimed that the government is establishing Young India Integrated Schools with the aim of eliminating castebased disparitiesâWe are upholding the ideals of Dr Ambedkar who envisioned that education should be accessible to the poor We are introducing Telangana Public Schools with the objective of providing quality educationâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/must-wage-struggle-to-ensure-number-of-seats-in-south-states-hiked-on-pro-rata-basis-telangana-cm-on-seeking-fair-delimitation-669310.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-board-class-10-and-12-results-to-be-announced-tomorrow-669311.html Bhopal April 14 The Board of Secondary Education of Madhya Pradesh has announced that the muchawaited results for Class 10 and Class 12 examinations will be declared on Wednesday April 15 Students who appeared in the exams can check their scores on the official websites mpresultsnicin or mpbsenicin by entering their roll number and application numberChief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav will announce the Class 10 and 12 examination results at an event organised at his residence at 11 am This year a record number of students participated in the MP Board examinations Around 16 lakh students appeared in the exams out of which approximately 9 lakh 7 thousand were from Class 10 and nearly 7 lakh appeared for Class 12The state board had set up 3856 examination centres to conduct the examinations smoothly officials saidLast year the overall pass percentage for Class 10 stood at 7622 per cent The pass rate for regular students was about 73 per cent while private or external students recorded a much lower pass percentage of around 28 per cent Students and parents are now eagerly waiting for this years resultsThe board has completed the evaluation process and is fully prepared for the timely declaration of results After the results are announced students will also be able to download their digital marksheets through DigiLocker and the MPBSE mobile applicationTo check the MP Board 2026 results students should first visit the official websites mpresultsnicin or mpbsenicin They need to click on the link for MPBSE HSC Class 10 Results 2026 or MPBSE HSSC Class 12 Results 2026 After that they must enter their roll number and application number exactly as printed on the admit card and click on submit to view and download the marksheet said the officialsStudents are advised to keep their admit cards ready before checking the result They should avoid logging in immediately after the result is declared to prevent any server issues In case of any discrepancy in marks students can apply for revaluation or recounting once the board announces the schedule IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-board-class-10-and-12-results-to-be-announced-tomorrow-669311.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nitish-kumar-dissolves-cabinet-set-to-resign-as-bihar-cm-669313.html Patna April 14 Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday dissolved his Cabinet marking the end of an era in Bihar After nearly two decades at the helm during which he played a pivotal role in shaping the stateâs development trajectory Nitish Kumar is now set to step away from state politics and shift his focus toward national responsibilitiesEarlier in the day Nitish Kumar chaired his final cabinet meeting at the Chief Ministerâs Secretariat The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha along with ministers from all departments and senior officialsDuring the meeting the Chief Minister formally informed his colleagues of his decision to resignThe atmosphere was visibly emotional as ministers reflected on the long political journey shared under his leadershipIn a rare and personal gesture Nitish Kumar interacted individually with ministers who in turn expressed their gratitude and emotionsHe reassured them that although he is heading to Delhi his focus will remain firmly on Biharâs development Nitish Kumar remarked âThis is a deeply emotional moment I am now heading to Delhi but I will continue to keep a watchful eye on everything from thereâFollowing the meeting a photo session was held at the Secretariat where the Chief Minister posed with cabinet colleagues and senior officials capturing the final moments of his tenureNitish Kumar is scheduled to submit his resignation to the Governor later in the day This will formally conclude his tenure and trigger the process for the formation of a new government in the stateAfter taking the oath as a Rajya Sabha member Nitish Kumar will actively shift toward national politicsDespite stepping down his continued influence on Biharâs governance and political direction is expected to remain significantThis marks not just a change in leadership but a defining transition in Biharâs political landscape closing one chapter while opening another IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nitish-kumar-dissolves-cabinet-set-to-resign-as-bihar-cm-669313.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-passenger-vehicle-sales-jump-16-pc-in-march-report-669316.html New Delhi April 14 Domestic passenger vehicle dispatches to dealers increased by 16 per cent yearonyear to 442460 units in March driven by improved demand and inventory buildup at dealerships according to data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers SIAM on Tuesday Passenger vehicle wholesales had stood at 381358 units in March last yearTwowheeler dispatches also recorded strong growth increasing 193 per cent to 1976128 units last month compared to 1656939 units in the corresponding period a year ago the industry body said in a statementSimilarly threewheeler dispatches rose 214 per cent yearonyear to 76273 units in March up from 62813 units in March 2025Moreover domestic passenger vehicle dispatches from companies to dealers had risen 106 per cent yearonyear to 417705 units in February reflecting continued positive market sentiment according to data from Society of Indian Automobile ManufacturersThe broader outlook for the passenger vehicle segment also remains positive though growth is expected to moderate going aheadAccording to an earlier report the industry is likely to clock wholesale volume growth of around 7â9 per cent in FY26 supported by strong festive demand recent GST rate cuts and a steady pipeline of new model launchesHowever growth is projected to ease to 4â6 per cent in FY27 due to a higher base and evolving macroeconomic conditionsThe report also noted that the sector continues to undergo structural changes with utility vehicles accounting for nearly 67 per cent of total passenger vehicle sales highlighting an ongoing premiumisation trend Additionally increasing adoption of alternative fuel options such as CNG and electric vehicles is contributing to demand diversification IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-passenger-vehicle-sales-jump-16-pc-in-march-report-669316.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-inaugurates-delhi-dehradun-economic-corridor-highway-to-enhance-connectivity-669320.html Dehradun April 14 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the DelhiDehradun Expressway on Tuesday which will significantly reduce travel time and enhance connectivity with the national capital The 210km highway built for Rs 11868 crore is expected to cut down travel time to 25 hours The highway distance between the two cities which was 235 kms will now be reduced to 210 kms and the travel time will be reduced from 65 hours to 25 hours once operationalEarlier the Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd during a roadshow in Dehradun after his arrival in Uttarakhand to inaugurate the DelhiDehradun Economic CorridorLarge numbers of people gathered along the sides of the road chanting Modiji aapka swagat hai Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Modi Modi while waving the Tricolour and the BJP flagDressed in traditional attire from Uttarakhand women and children lined the route to greet the Prime Minister as his convoy passed by themWhile on the way to inaugurate the Economic Corridor PM Modi also offered prayers at the Jai Maa Daat Kali Temple in Dehradun He was welcomed by children dressed in traditional attire who performed the Durga Devi Stotram and he also interacted with other devotees present at the templeBefore that PM Modi reviewed the wildlife corridor on the elevated section of the Economic Corridor in Uttar Pradeshs SaharanpurDuring this visit Union Highways and Transportation Minister Nitin Gadkari Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy CMs Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak were also presentAn exhibition showcasing the construction procedure of the wildlife corridor was presented and the officials briefed the Prime Minister about the projectPM Modi also held a roadshow along the Wildlife Corridor which saw huge crowds lining up on both sides of the road to catch a glimpseSupporters and onlookers showered flower petals at PM Modi while chanting Modi Modi Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Jai Shri Ram IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-inaugurates-delhi-dehradun-economic-corridor-highway-to-enhance-connectivity-669320.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ambedkar-bhavan-in-goa-to-be-ready-in-a-year-says-cm-sawant-669322.html Panaji April 14 Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday offered floral tributes to Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on his 135th Jayanti and virtually laid the foundation stone for the Ambedkar Bhavan at Porvorim The project spearheaded by the Directorate of Social Welfare in coordination with the Goa State Scheduled Castes and Other Backwards Classes Finance and Development Corporation is slated for completion within a yearThis Bhavan will be dedicated to the people by the next Ambedkar Jayanti Our government remains committed to the ideals of Babasaheb specifically his belief that education is the most powerful tool for social empowerment Chief Minister Sawant said during the statelevel functionThe Chief Minister felicitated meritorious students from the SC and OBC communities urging them to compete in nationallevel examinations such as NEET and JEEHe emphasised that the state provides extensive scholarship opportunities to ensure financial constraints do not hinder academic progressThe Chief Minister noted that the government aims to reach every section of society through the âSwayampurna Goaâ mission ensuring that welfare schemes penetrate the grassroots levelHe said that the Ambedkar Bhavan would serve as a hub for social advancement and intellectual discourse for marginalised communitiesUnder the Sawantled administration the BJP government has expanded the social safety net for backward classesKey measures include the âKanya Dhanâ scheme which provides financial assistance for the marriage of daughters from SCOBC families and the âGriha Aadharâ initiative that supports housewives from lowerincome bracketsThe government has also streamlined the issuance of caste certificates and enhanced credit facilities through the stateâs finance corporation to encourage entrepreneurship among youthOfficial data indicate a significant increase in budgetary allocations for the Directorate of Social Welfare during Sawantâs tenure These funds support the construction of community halls vocational training centres and the renovation of houses for the underprivileged IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ambedkar-bhavan-in-goa-to-be-ready-in-a-year-says-cm-sawant-669322.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/lop-satheesan-calls-for-round-the-clock-vigil-at-evm-storage-centres-669326.html Thiruvananthapuram April 14 Amid heightened political scrutiny following the conclusion of polling in Kerala Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan on Tuesday urged stringent vigilance at centres where Electronic Voting Machines EVMs are stored calling for continuous monitoring to ensure transparency and safeguard electoral integrity In a letter addressed to all 140 United Democratic Front UDF candidates their election agents District Congress Committee DCC presidents and district UDF chairpersons Satheesan emphasised the need for special caution at EVM storage strongrooms across the stateThe directive comes at a crucial juncture as the state awaits the counting of votes with political tensions running highHighlighting existing provisions Satheesan pointed out that candidates are permitted to deploy representatives in control rooms that monitor surveillance cameras installed at EVM strongroomsHe stressed that this facility must be fully utilised ensuring that a designated representative remains present 24 hours a day to oversee proceedingsTo facilitate this the Opposition leader instructed candidates and their chief election agents to obtain the necessary permissions from respective District CollectorsHe underlined that uninterrupted presence of UDF representatives in these control rooms is essential to reinforce public confidence in the electoral processThe move reflects the Oppositionâs broader strategy to maintain strict oversight during the sensitive post poll phase particularly in light of recurring concerns raised in past elections regarding the security of voting machinesWhile election authorities have consistently maintained that EVMs are stored under robust security protocols political parties often deploy their own monitoring mechanisms as an added layer of assuranceSatheesanâs communication signals a coordinated effort within the UDF to remain vigilant until the declaration of results reinforcing the allianceâs emphasis on procedural transparency and accountability in the electoral processKerala went to the polls on April 9 to elect 140 new legislators and the counting of votes will take place on May 4 a day that is eagerly awaited by all political parties in the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/lop-satheesan-calls-for-round-the-clock-vigil-at-evm-storage-centres-669326.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-polls-bjp-manifesto-promises-rs-2000-for-women-3-free-lpg-cylinders-tough-anti-drug-measures-669327.html Chennai April 14 Union Minister JP Nadda on Tuesday unveiled the Bharatiya Janata Partyâs manifesto for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections outlining an expansive welfare and development agenda with a strong focus on women household finances infrastructure and law enforcement Positioning itself as an alternative to the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government the BJP criticised rising inflation and the cost of living while promising direct financial support to familiesA key highlight is a monthly assistance of Rs 2000 for women heads of households along with a onetime grant of Rs 10000 to every household to ease economic pressuresThe party also pledged three free LPG cylinders annually during major festivals including Pongal Tamil Puthandu and DeepavaliWomenâs welfare and entrepreneurship form a central pillar of the manifesto The BJP has promised interestfree loans of up to Rs 50 lakh for womenled manufacturing units and a 20 per cent procurement quota for womenowned enterprises Additional incentives include a Rs 25000 subsidy for escooters and financial support for gig workers including insurance cover up to Rs 10 lakh and monthly fuel or EV charging assistanceOn law and order the party has proposed a stringent antidrug framework including the creation of a Tamil Nadu Drug Eradication Department with a dedicated intelligence wing helplines and fasttrack courtsMeasures such as zeroFIR registration enhanced CCTV coverage in public transport and institutions and stronger utilisation of the Nirbhaya Fund have also been promised to improve safety particularly for women and childrenInfrastructure development is another major focus area The manifesto proposes highspeed rail corridors connecting Chennai with Bengaluru and Hyderabad regional rapid transit systems in western Tamil Nadu and expanded semiurban rail networksIt also includes plans for sleeper Vande Bharat trains linking Chennai to major metrosIn healthcare the BJP has promised free annual doorstep checkups for senior citizens expanded trauma care facilities and increased support for rare disease treatmentEducation and employment initiatives include interestfree loans for students districtlevel coaching centres and the creation of one lakh government jobsThe manifesto also outlines plans for desalination expansion industrial parks skill universities and pilgrimage tourism initiatives aiming to combine welfare with longterm economic growth IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-polls-bjp-manifesto-promises-rs-2000-for-women-3-free-lpg-cylinders-tough-anti-drug-measures-669327.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/deeply-concerned-have-directed-police-to-provide-full-security-to-army-officer-his-family-delhi-l-g-669330.html New Delhi April 14 Delhi Lieutenant Governor TS Sandhu on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the incident in Vasant Enclave involving the assault on a serving Brigadier of the Indian Army his wife and their son a 23yearold IIT Delhi graduate He said that he has directed the Delhi Police to provide full security to the officer and his family Taking to X Sandhu said âDeeply concerned by the incident in Vasant Enclave involving the assault on a serving Brigadier of the Indian Army his wife and son a 23yearold IIT Delhi graduateHe further added that he has personally spoken with the Brigadier to enquire about the incident and their wellbeingI also spoke with the Police Commissioner and the DCP directing them to ensure a thorough and swift investigation leading to immediate and appropriate action against those responsible Delhi LG addedHe further said that he has directed the Delhi Police to provide full security to the officer and his familyâI have further directed Delhi Police to provide full security to the officer and his family We remain committed to ensuring the safety of our citizens and upholding the rule of lawâ he addedMeanwhile an FIR was registered and the police have taken cognisance of alleged lapses in the initial response Preliminary investigation has led to the identification of the principal accused as Satinder Kumar resident of Mehram Nagar stated to be associated with an aviation companyThe incident unfolded when the Brigadier stepped out for a walk with his son after dinner on Saturday Just outside their residence they noticed two individuals sitting in a parked white Mercedes car and consuming alcohol When the officer objected an argument broke out between the two partiesAccording to officials the Brigadier and his son were attacked by a group of men after they objected to two men consuming alcohol inside a parked car in their residential area The incident is reported to have occurred on April 11 at around 10 pmMeanwhile on Monday the family of a senior army officer has claimed that they received no immediate assistance from the police and that action in the case began only after the matter was taken up through defence channelsTalking to IANS the officers wife recounted the sequence of events saying The whole incident was that two individuals were sitting in a white Mercedes car and drinking alcohol After dinner when my husband and son went out for a walk they objected saying that drinking in a residential colony is not allowed after which the individuals spoke to them inappropriately We did not retaliate and called the PCR PCR took time and after a while they arrived and talked to the men in the Mercedes Till the time the official started taking our statements goons arrived in two cars and started assaulting my son and husband IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/deeply-concerned-have-directed-police-to-provide-full-security-to-army-officer-his-family-delhi-l-g-669330.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/eam-jaishankar-australian-counterpart-penny-wong-discuss-west-asia-conflict-669331.html New Delhi April 14 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar spoke to his Australian counterpart Penny Wong on Tuesday discussing the ongoing West Asia conflict Following their conversation EAM Jaishankar wrote on X Appreciated the exchange of views today with Senator Penny Wong of Australia on the West Asia conflictThe phone call between two ministers took place amid tense security situation in the region after negotiations between the US and Iranian officials failed to produce an agreementOn April 8 the US and Iran agreed to a twoweek ceasefire in the war which erupted on February 28 following joint USIsrael joint strikes in Iran which killed Irans former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top military officials In response Iran launched missile and drone strikes against Israel US bases and USallied countries in the West AsiaOver the past few weeks EAM Jaishankar has spoken with his counterparts from several nations as India remains in touch with the governments of the region as well as other key partners over the conflict in West AsiaEarlier in the day EAM Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar discussing West Asia situation and the Strait of HormuzHad a telecon this afternoon with Israel FM Gideon Saar Our discussion covered different aspects of the West Asia situation EAM Jaishankar posted on XSaar stated that he told EAM Jaishankar that the US stance in the negotiations that would prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons is important for the international communityA good conversation as always with my friend Indiaâs Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar We discussed Iran the Strait of Hormuz and Lebanon I said that the firm American stance in the negotiations on conditions that would prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons no enrichment in Iran removal of enriched material from Iran is critical for the entire international community the Israeli Foreign Minister posted on X after the callI also said that Iranâs harm to freedom of navigation and the global economy through economic terrorism in the Strait of Hormuz requires action that will ensure the freedom of navigation for all countries including India and our friends in the Gulf he addedThe Strait of Hormuz which links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea is one of the worldâs most critical oil transit routes carrying nearly a fifth of global oil shipments IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/eam-jaishankar-australian-counterpart-penny-wong-discuss-west-asia-conflict-669331.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kolkata-cardiologist-offers-rs-500-discount-to-patients-with-jai-shri-ram-poster-says-move-aimed-at-social-service-669332.html Kolkata April 14 A Kolkatabased cardiologist Dr PK Hazra has sparked discussion after announcing a Rs 500 discount on consultation fees for patients who present a poster carrying the phrase Jai Shri Ram a move he says is aimed at contributing to society through his medical practice Speaking to IANS Dr Hazra who is also associated as Director of Interventional Cardiology at Manipal Hospital clarified that the offer is applicable only at his private clinic in the cityâs Ballygunge area and not at any corporate hospitalExplaining his decision Dr Hazra said that he had already been treating several patients free of cost and saw this initiative as an extension of his efforts to help people while also aligning with his personal ideological beliefsI am inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP Jai Shri Ram is not a religious slogan It is a political slogan the veteran doctor told IANSI had been treating patients for free for many days and I had a desire to support the BJP because I follow the ideology of the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi So if I can do even a little for society this is my platform â the medical field There is nothing unethical in it he saidAccording to him patients who show a designated poster with a QR code and the words Jai Shri Ram written on it are eligible for the Rs 500 discount He added that his consultation fee had earlier been reduced from Rs 2000 by Rs 500 ahead of the elections and the current offer provides an additional reductionThis will benefit needy patients It is valid at my clinic because no corporate hospital will promote this due to political pressure from the opposite camp he claimedDr Hazra also emphasised that the scheme is open to all patients irrespective of religion or socioeconomic backgroundIt is for everyone â Hindus Muslims Christians rich and poor alike he said while adding that he views Jai Shri Ram as a political slogan rather than a religious oneSpeaking about his future plans Dr Hazra expressed his intention to formally join politics through the BJP He acknowledged that contesting elections requires significant groundwork within society and community networks which he is yet to fully undertakeI want to get involved in the BJP and I want to serve the country through the BJP To contest elections one has to do a lot of work in society and within the community which I havenât been able to do yet This is just a beginning â maybe next year I will approach the authorities and concerned leaders And if they give me a chance I will definitely contest he saidThe announcement has triggered mixed reactions with some viewing it as a creative form of outreach while others have raised questions over the intersection of medical services and political messaging IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kolkata-cardiologist-offers-rs-500-discount-to-patients-with-jai-shri-ram-poster-says-move-aimed-at-social-service-669332.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kolkata-cardiologist-offers-rs-500-discount-to-patients-with-jai-shri-ram-poster-669333.html Kolkata April 14 A Kolkatabased cardiologist Dr PK Hazra has sparked discussion after announcing a Rs 500 discount on consultation fees for patients who present a poster carrying the phrase Jai Shri Ram a move he says is aimed at contributing to society through his medical practice Speaking to IANS Dr Hazra who is also associated as Director of Interventional Cardiology at Manipal Hospital clarified that the offer is applicable only at his private clinic in the cityâs Ballygunge area and not at any corporate hospitalExplaining his decision Dr Hazra said that he had already been treating several patients free of cost and saw this initiative as an extension of his efforts to help people while also aligning with his personal ideological beliefsI am inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP Jai Shri Ram is not a religious slogan It is a political slogan the veteran doctor told IANSI had been treating patients for free for many days and I had a desire to support the BJP because I follow the ideology of the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi So if I can do even a little for society this is my platform â the medical field There is nothing unethical in it he saidAccording to him patients who show a designated poster with a QR code and the words Jai Shri Ram written on it are eligible for the Rs 500 discount He added that his consultation fee had earlier been reduced from Rs 2000 by Rs 500 ahead of the elections and the current offer provides an additional reductionThis will benefit needy patients It is valid at my clinic because no corporate hospital will promote this due to political pressure from the opposite camp he claimedDr Hazra also emphasised that the scheme is open to all patients irrespective of religion or socioeconomic backgroundIt is for everyone â Hindus Muslims Christians rich and poor alike he said while adding that he views Jai Shri Ram as a political slogan rather than a religious oneSpeaking about his future plans Dr Hazra expressed his intention to formally join politics through the BJP He acknowledged that contesting elections requires significant groundwork within society and community networks which he is yet to fully undertakeI want to get involved in the BJP and I want to serve the country through the BJP To contest elections one has to do a lot of work in society and within the community which I havenât been able to do yet This is just a beginning â maybe next year I will approach the authorities and concerned leaders And if they give me a chance I will definitely contest he saidThe announcement has triggered mixed reactions with some viewing it as a creative form of outreach while others have raised questions over the intersection of medical services and political messaging IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kolkata-cardiologist-offers-rs-500-discount-to-patients-with-jai-shri-ram-poster-669333.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/final-warning-stalin-threatens-massive-agitation-over-delimitation-669334.html Chennai April 14 Issuing a direct warning to Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin cautioned that the state will launch a massive agitation if the Union government proceeds with the proposed delimitation exercise that could reduce its parliamentary representation In a strongly worded video message posted on X Stalin questioned the rationale behind the move particularly in the context of southern states like Tamil Nadu that have successfully implemented population control measures Is delimitation a punishment for Tamil Nadu which succeeded in population control he asked warning that the state would resist what he described as an impending injustice at its doorstep Stalin alleged that the Centre is attempting to push ahead with the delimitation process without consulting states calling it a unilateral decision that undermines the federal structure He stressed that Tamil Nadu would not remain passive if its political voice is weakened If the Union government proceeds with this exercise Tamil Nadu will undertake a massive protest he said adding that the issue goes beyond electoral considerations For us elections and governance are secondary policy and selfrespect come first Stalin asserted underlining the emotional and political weight of the issue The Chief Minister also expressed concern over the timing and manner in which a possible parliamentary session may be convened to take forward the process Referring to reports of a special sitting he remarked that the Parliament may not be convened in the usual manner and could instead be forcibly brought together suggesting a lack of transparency Stalin further warned that if any move affecting state representation is introduced during the session Tamil Nadu would respond with fullscale protests He reiterated that the Centre has not sought the views of states like Tamil Nadu before attempting to implement such a critical exercise In a striking escalation Stalin cautioned that the Union government would witness a Tamil Nadu it has never seen before if delimitation is imposed Invoking the legacy of the Dravidian movement he said the country may once again see a resurgence of the kind of political resistance associated with the DMK in the 1950s and 1960s The remarks signal a deepening CentreState confrontation with Tamil Nadu positioning itself at the forefront of opposition to delimitation The issue is expected to spark wider debate particularly among southern states concerned about losing representation despite better population control outcomes IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/final-warning-stalin-threatens-massive-agitation-over-delimitation-669334.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/demand-for-crude-oil-to-see-biggest-quarterly-slump-since-covid-pandemic-iea-669335.html New Delhi April 14 The International Energy Agency IEA warned on Tuesday that demand for crude oil will likely see the biggest slump in the second quarter Q2 2026 since the Covid pandemic slashed fuel consumption Oil demand is expected to contract by 80000 barrels per day kbd this year as the Iran war upends our global outlookThis is 730 kbd less than in last monthâs Report and a forecast 15 mbd 2Q26 decline would be the sharpest since Covid19 slashed fuel consumption Initially the deepest cuts in oil use have come in the Middle East and Asia Pacific mainly for naphtha LPG and jet fuel However demand destruction will spread as scarcity and higher prices persist the agency said in its reportGlobal crude throughputs continue to struggle with disruptions to feedstock supplies and infrastructure damage that are tightening global product marketsOil prices posted their largestever monthly gain in March in the wake of the most severe oil supply shock in historySpot crude benchmarks and differentials soared outpacing futures markets as refiners anxiously scrambled to replace lockedin Middle Eastern cargoes said the reportThe IEA said that the twoweek ceasefire provided some welcome respite to global oil markets just as the impact of disruptions to supply and trade was spreading globallyHowever at the time of writing it remains unclear whether the ceasefire will turn into a lasting peace and a return to regular shipping flows through the Strait of Hormuz said the reportWith oilimporting nations scrambling to source replacement barrels from an increasingly shrinking pool of supply physical crude oil prices surged to record levels near 150bbl far above the prices in futures markets with the physicalfutures disconnect becoming increasingly acuteEven steeper gains have been seen for refined products with middle distillate prices in Singapore reaching alltime highs above 290bblThe IEA said that resuming flows through the Strait of Hormuz remains the single most important variable in easing the pressure on energy supplies prices and the global economyThe latest development in the fastevolving situation is the announced US blockade on vessels entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areasConsumers and refiners alike are tapping into oil inventories to mitigate the immediate impact of supply disruptionsIn March global observed oil stocks fell by 85 mb despite an accumulation of both onland and offshore inventories in the Middle East and further builds in ChinaThe largest decline came from oil on water following the near halt to sailings from Gulf producers dependent on the Strait Crude oil stocks in importing countries in Asia dropped by 31 mb with further declines expected in AprilâThe prospects for a lasting negotiated settlement to the conflict remain unclear at this stage We present a forecast that assumes a resumption of regular deliveries of oil and gas from the Middle East to international markets by midyear although not back to preconflict levelsâ said the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/demand-for-crude-oil-to-see-biggest-quarterly-slump-since-covid-pandemic-iea-669335.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kolkata-cardiologist-clarifies-over-rs-500-discount-to-patients-with-jai-shri-ram-poster-669338.html Kolkata April 14 A Kolkatabased cardiologist Dr PK Hazra has sparked discussion after announcing a Rs 500 discount on consultation fees for patients who present a poster carrying the phrase Jai Shri Ram a move he says is aimed at contributing to society through his medical practice Speaking to IANS Dr Hazra who is also associated as Director of Interventional Cardiology at Manipal Hospital clarified that the offer is applicable only at his private clinic in the cityâs Ballygunge area and not at any corporate hospitalExplaining his decision Dr Hazra said that he had already been treating several patients free of cost and saw this initiative as an extension of his efforts to help people while also aligning with his personal ideological beliefsI am inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP Jai Shri Ram is not a religious slogan It is a political slogan the veteran doctor told IANSI had been treating patients for free for many days and I had a desire to support the BJP because I follow the ideology of the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi So if I can do even a little for society this is my platform â the medical field There is nothing unethical in it he saidAccording to him patients who show a designated poster with a QR code and the words Jai Shri Ram written on it are eligible for the Rs 500 discount He added that his consultation fee had earlier been reduced from Rs 2000 by Rs 500 ahead of the elections and the current offer provides an additional reductionThis will benefit needy patients It is valid at my clinic because no corporate hospital will promote this due to political pressure from the opposite camp he claimedDr Hazra also emphasised that the scheme is open to all patients irrespective of religion or socioeconomic backgroundIt is for everyone â Hindus Muslims Christians rich and poor alike he said while adding that he views Jai Shri Ram as a political slogan rather than a religious oneSpeaking about his future plans Dr Hazra expressed his intention to formally join politics through the BJP He acknowledged that contesting elections requires significant groundwork within society and community networks which he is yet to fully undertakeI want to get involved in the BJP and I want to serve the country through the BJP To contest elections one has to do a lot of work in society and within the community which I havenât been able to do yet This is just a beginning â maybe next year I will approach the authorities and concerned leaders And if they give me a chance I will definitely contest he saidThe announcement has triggered mixed reactions with some viewing it as a creative form of outreach while others have raised questions over the intersection of medical services and political messaging IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kolkata-cardiologist-clarifies-over-rs-500-discount-to-patients-with-jai-shri-ram-poster-669338.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-chandrababu-naidu-writes-to-all-mps-from-andhra-pradesh-to-support-womens-quota-bill-669339.html Amaravati April 14 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has written a letter to the heads of political parties in the state and Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha members from the state seeking their support in Parliament for the Womens Reservation Bill He has requested them to extend their support to the Nari Shakti Vandan Constitution Amendment Bill which aims to implement 33 per cent reservations starting from the 2029 elections The national president of the Telugu Desam Party TDP said that he has appealed to them to strengthen Prime Minister Narendra Modis resolve to provide onethird reservations for women in Parliament and Assemblies Chandrababu Naidu stated that the introduction of the Womens Reservation Amendment Bill in Parliament on April 16 will be a historic milestone in Indian democracy He believes that Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam will contribute to womens empowerment as well as the nations progress The Chief Minister addressed letters to Jana Sena president K Pawan Kalyan BJP state President PVN Madhav YSR Congress President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy state Congress President YS Sharmila Reddy CPI state Secretary G Eswaraiah and CPIM state secretary V Srinivasa RaoCM Naidu wrote that with the âNari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyamâ coming before Parliament a decadesold dream is finally becoming a reality This marks a monumental stride towards achieving equality and establishing a legacy that will endure forever in Indias democracyâThe allocation of onethird of the seats in legislative bodies to women a measure unparalleled in any other nation across the globe is an occasion that fills every Indian with immense pride It is truly gratifying to witness our aspirations regarding womens empowerment finally taking concrete shapeâ reads the letterThe TDP chief thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on behalf of the people especially the women of Andhra PradeshâI have always held a firm conviction that true progress can only be realised when womens participation in government administration and legislative bodies is significantly enhanced The development of society is inextricably linked to ensuring that women are accorded their rightful place It is my firm belief that women must play a pivotal role in the progress of both the state and the nation The impact women are demonstrating across sectors including education healthcare research technology sports defence industry commerce and services is truly extraordinary Through sheer hard work and unwavering dedication to duty women today are proving their mettle in every single fieldâ wrote the CMI am writing this letter with a deep sense of responsibility on behalf of our daughters to urge that a united voice be raised regarding the issue of womens reservations It is imperative that all political parties and Members of Parliament unanimously extend their support to this cause Let us all consider it a privilege a stroke of good fortune to have this opportunity to honour the women of our households and the women of our nation Let no one miss the chance to be a part of this sacred moment I earnestly urge everyone to extend their wholehearted support toward bringing into effect the legislation that grants women onethird representation in our legislative bodiesâ he saidChandrababu Naidu wrote that as a nation that reveres Mother India all 14 billion Indians must stand ready for these momentous occasion moments dedicated to paying homage to âNari Shaktiâ womens power âThis legislation transcends politics it is a matter concerning the dignity and honor of our nation Every political party and every Member of Parliament must leave their indelible mark on this historic decision I appeal to everyone to collectively extend their support to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the Central Government in the implementation of the âNari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyamââ he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-chandrababu-naidu-writes-to-all-mps-from-andhra-pradesh-to-support-womens-quota-bill-669339.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/annamalai-hits-out-at-stalins-warning-on-delimitation-accuses-him-of-fear-mongering-669344.html Chennai April 14 BJP leader K Annamalai on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin over his remarks on the proposed delimitation process calling his warning to the Centre uncalled for and alleging that it was aimed at creating fear among the public Annamalai said the Modi government is committed to taking all stakeholders along on the issue and dismissed Stalins concerns as an attempt to generate unnecessary apprehension among people in the stateThe remarks come ahead of a Special Session of Parliament scheduled to begin on April 16 during which the amendments to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam 2023 and a proposed Delimitation Bill are expected to be discussed to facilitate onethird reservation for women in ParliamentEarlier Stalin in a video message had cautioned the Centre against proceeding with delimitation in a manner that could adversely impact southern statesHe said Tamil Nadu would launch a largescale agitation if its interests were compromised or if the southern region faced disproportionate consequences He also questioned the timing of the special session noting that it coincides with Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal scheduled for April 23The Chief Minister argued that Tamil Nadu and other southern states had implemented population control measures in line with the Centres guidance and should not now face adverse outcomes as a result He maintained that the state would not remain silent if its interests were underminedResponding to these remarks Annamalai told IANS It is very unfortunate that the Chief Minister is trying to sow discord and create fearmongering in the minds of the Tamil population We all know if you look at the video the kind of language he has used saying that Tamil Nadu will go back to the 1960s threatening the Prime Minister is uncalled forHe further said that the Prime Minister has made a lot of effort to bring everybody togetherSince 1996 it womens reservation issue has been stuck Many senior leaders of various political parties in the current INDIA bloc have opposed reservations for our mothers and sisters The Prime Minister made the effort from September 2023 to pilot this and get this bill passed in both Houses of Parliament by bringing everybody together he saidSlamming Stalin Annamalai said What is the problem of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Nowhere have we said its a populationbased increase Everywhere we have said we will take everybody together The Home Minister in Coimbatore a year back said its going to be a pro rata increaseWhatever increase we are going to bring it is going to be pro rata so that nobody suffers It is very very unfortunate that the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister by putting out this video has gone against the oath he took on the Constitution of India the BJP leader said referring to Stalins video post on X IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/annamalai-hits-out-at-stalins-warning-on-delimitation-accuses-him-of-fear-mongering-669344.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-srp-jawan-found-dead-at-new-secretariat-probe-underway-669345.html Gandhinagar April 14 A State Reserve Police SRP jawan died by suicide while on duty at the New Secretariat complex in Gandhinagar police said on Tuesday The deceased has been identified as Rajendrasinh Gohil 49 a personnel of SRP Group9 based in Vadodara and a native of Bhavnagar districtHe was deployed at Gate No 3 of the highsecurity Secretariat premises at the time of the incidentAccording to police Gohil had taken charge of his shift around midnight from a reliever The incident is believed to have taken place late on Monday nightHis body was discovered at around 5 AM on Tuesday after a fellow jawan unable to find him at his assigned post went in search and found him hanging from a tree near the gate with a plastic ropeA team from Sector7 Police Station reached the spot shortly after being alerted The body was brought down and sent to Gandhinagar Civil Hospital for the postmortem examinationInspector AG Solanki told IANS âThe body was discovered at around 5 AM this morning while the incident occurred late last night The body was found when a fellow jawan could not locate him at his post and went out to search for himâHe added âThe body has been sent for postmortem and medical examination is underway He was originally from Bhavnagar districtâSolanki further said that statements are being recorded as part of the enquiry âThe process of recording statements is underway including those of family members The cause of suicide is being ascertained as of nowâ he saidPolice have registered a case of accidental death and initiated further investigation No suicide note has been recovered so farOfficials said all possible angles including personal and workrelated factors are being examinedThe incident which occurred within a heavily secured government premises is under forensic examination with further details expected after the postmortem and completion of the enquiry IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-srp-jawan-found-dead-at-new-secretariat-probe-underway-669345.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/up-govts-push-for-mushroom-farming-helps-rural-women-earn-up-to-rs-10-lakh-annually-669346.html Lucknow April 14 The Uttar Pradesh governments efforts to promote alternative agriculture and womenled entrepreneurship are transforming rural livelihoods with mushroom cultivation emerging as a lucrative avenue for income generation A notable example is Pappu Devi a resident of Bhadohi district who has broken away from traditional farming practices to build a successful mushroom cultivation enterprise earning between Rs 8 lakh to Rs 10 lakh annuallyIn regions like Bhadohi where agriculture has long been centred around conventional crops such as wheat and paddy Pappu Devis journey reflects a shift towards innovative and highvalue farming practicesWith support from the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission UPSRLM she ventured into mushroom farming a decision that has significantly improved her familys financial conditionThe Rural Livelihood Mission implemented by the state government is increasingly becoming a lifeline for women in rural areas by promoting selfemployment and financial independenceThrough structured training technical guidance and financial assistance the initiative is enabling women to explore nontraditional income sourcesPappu Devi began her venture with an initial investment of around Rs 25 lakh from her personal savings and an additional loan of Rs 50000With technical support from Development Alternatives and guidance under UPSRLM she started mushroom cultivation on a small scale Over time her efforts have expanded into a sustainable and profitable businessHer success story goes beyond personal achievement By creating employment opportunities for other women in her village Pappu Devi has contributed to strengthening the local rural economy Several women are now engaged in various aspects of mushroom production from cultivation to packaging and marketingPappu Devis model has also inspired selfhelp groups SHGs and rural women across the region to adopt similar ventures Her journey underscores the potential of governmentbacked schemes in driving grassroots entrepreneurshipSpeaking about her experience she emphasised that with proper training financial support and determination women in rural areas can achieve substantial success in selfemploymentOfficials note that such initiatives are part of a broader push by the Yogi Adityanathled Uttar Pradesh government to diversify agriculture enhance rural incomes and empower women economicallyMushroom farming in particular is being promoted as a lowinvestment highreturn activity suitable for smallscale farmers and women entrepreneursAs more women take inspiration from success stories like Pappu Devis the Rural Livelihood Mission continues to play a pivotal role in reshaping rural economies and fostering selfreliance among women across Uttar Pradesh IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/up-govts-push-for-mushroom-farming-helps-rural-women-earn-up-to-rs-10-lakh-annually-669346.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/chhattisgarh-police-bust-cyber-crime-racket-arrest-four-from-rajasthan-669347.html Raipur April 14 The Dantewada police in Chhattisgarh have dismantled a large interstate cyber fraud gang involved in the wholesale trading of mule bank accounts officials said Four key accused were arrested from Rajasthan and brought to Dantewada on transit remandThe arrests mark a significant success in the fight against rising cyber crimes that have affected victims across multiple statesThe gang was primarily engaged in buying and selling hundreds of bank accounts used as mule accounts to siphon off money from cyber fraud victims The accused created WhatsApp accounts using international mobile numbers to facilitate these illegal transactionsFunds obtained through various cyber scams were deposited into these accounts and later withdrawn in cash from ATMs abroad using debit cards with high transaction limitsDantewada Superintendent of Police Gaurav Rai Additional SP RK Barman and Cyber Cell Nodal Officer DSP Gaurav Singh led the operation A joint team from Barsur Bacheli and Gidam police stations headed by Inspector Sanjay Ursa was dispatched to Rajasthan earlier this monthAfter meticulous tracking through financial transaction analysis and advanced cyber forensic tools the team successfully nabbed the accused The arrested individuals have been identified as Archit Gujarati 20 resident of Nakas Gate Nagaur Adil Hussain 24 from Bachchakhada Nagaur Amit Verma 21 from Village Kariri Jaipur and Bhupendra Jangid 23 from Balaji Nagar Jodhpur all in RajasthanFrom their possession police seized mobile phones SIM cards ATM cards and cash amounting to Rs 118500 earned through fraudulent means More than 20 cyber fraud complaints have been registered against the gang in states including Chhattisgarh Andhra Pradesh Delhi Uttar Pradesh Gujarat Kerala Maharashtra Tamil Nadu Telangana and KarnatakaThe investigation revealed that the racket was being operated mainly from the Nagaur region in Rajasthan Dantewada police are actively conducting awareness campaigns in towns and villages educating people about various cyber threats such as banking frauds parttime job scams and the dangers of sharing OTPs or suspicious links IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/chhattisgarh-police-bust-cyber-crime-racket-arrest-four-from-rajasthan-669347.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/from-constitution-day-to-panchteerth-pm-modis-efforts-to-carry-forward-ambedkars-legacy-669349.html New Delhi April 14 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spent years quietly consistently and passionately honouring the legacy of B R Ambedkar Over time his efforts have reflected not only in words but also in initiatives institutions and policies ranging from the development of significant memorial sites to the observance of Constitution Day and the launch of transformative welfare schemes Modi Archive a popular social media platform took to X and highlighted key moments that it said demonstrate how the Prime Minister has carried forward Babasaheb Ambedkars vision over the yearsThe social media post described this journey as one marked by consistency commitment and a deep sense of purposeThe words PM Modi lives by If Babasaheb was not there PM Narendra Modi would not be here Modi Archive wrote on XPM Modi has repeatedly emphasised that his own journey beginning from humble beginnings to the Prime Ministers office is possible because of Babasaheb Ambedkars role in creating a democratic India He frequently highlights his own poor and backward roots as proof of the Constitutions success He considers Dr Ambedkars most significant legacy to be a nation where birth is not a barrier to success allowing any citizen the opportunity to lead the country the Modi Archive addedThe post also highlighted the development of the PanchteerthThe Panchteerth are five sacred sites connected to Ambedkars life stretching from his birthplace in Mhow to 26 Alipur Road and London Narendra Modi ensured infrastructural improvement and modernisation He also made sure each site encourages every generation to learn about the man who gave dignity to crores of Indians the Modi Archive saidThe day PM Modi reclaimed Constitution DayIn 2015 PM Modi declared November 26 as the Constitution Day a powerful gesture to promote constitutional values and honour Ambedkars role as the chief architect of the Indian Constitution A day that reminds every Indian that the book which governs this nation was written by a man who once fought for the right to even drink water from a public well the Modi Archive notedThe philosophy PM Modi governs by AntyodayaNarendra Modis governance has always carried Ambedkars fingerprints His policies frequently centre on Antyodaya or uplifting the last person in line which is a direct reflection of Ambedkars lifelong devotion to human dignity It is not about welfare as charity but about empowerment as a right the Modi Archive addedThe schemes launched by PM Modi that changed livesInitiatives like StandUp India and Mudra Yojana put capital in the hands of those the system had long overlooked The BHIM app named after Bhimrao Ambedkar put financial power in everyoneâs hands even in villages Schemes not just announced but delivered to Dalits to tribals to women to every last person standing in the last mile the Modi Archive saidThe vision that connects themOver time India began to see it clearly Ambedkarâs Vision Modiâs Provision The flagship schemes of the Narendra Modi government are the modern implementation of BR Ambedkars intellectual and economic theories brought to life seven decades later by a man who is himself proof that those theories worked the Modi Archive addedThe Constitution that Ambedkar wrote did more than safeguard the powerless It made it possible for someone from their ranks to become the countrys Prime Minister And that Prime Minister has spent every day in office continuing the mission Ambedkar began IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/from-constitution-day-to-panchteerth-pm-modis-efforts-to-carry-forward-ambedkars-legacy-669349.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/there-is-no-duty-higher-than-serving-people-in-need-jampk-lg-669350.html Jammu April 14 Jammu and Kashmir JampK Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Tuesday that there is no duty higher than serving people in need The JampK LG on Tuesday attended the upgradation of âApna Bhojanalayaâ a community kitchen run by Sewa Bharti organisation and supported by the JampK Bank limitedThe LG said on X âToday I attended the ceremony marking the upgradation of Apna Bhojanalayaa community kitchen run by Sewa Bharti amp supported by JampK Bank along with other donors Glad to witness Sewa Bhartis enduring spirit of giving back which empowers individuals and strengthens communitiesâThere is no higher duty than serving those in need Sewa Bharti has honoured that duty by nourishing bodies restoring souls and affirming the dignity of every human life To strengthen Apna Bhojanalaya is to strengthen the very fabric of our societyâSewa Bharti is a prominent Indian NonGovernmental Organisation NGO founded in 1979 dedicated to uplifting marginalised communities through volunteerdriven social service focussing on education healthcare and selfrelianceIt works primarily in slum areas Sewa Bastis to foster development and empowerment Established on October 2 1979 by Balasaheb Deoras the organisation works to serve the poor and neglected foster selfreliance and provide social empowerment to vulnerable groupsTh core activities of the organisation include running Balwadis kindergartens hostels for students from weaker sections and coaching centresIt also operates mobile medical vans clinics and organising health camps The organisation provides vocational training such as shorthand and typing particularly for youth to become financially independentWorking for women empowerment the organisation sets up training centres for sewing and tailoringThe NGO operates on a grassroots level with numerous volunteers and is affiliated with a vast network of trusts and NGOs under the Rashtriya Sewa Bharati umbrella IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/there-is-no-duty-higher-than-serving-people-in-need-jampk-lg-669350.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-democracy-strengthened-by-constitutional-foundations-maha-guv-669362.html Mumbai April 14 Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma on Tuesday said that the Constitution is not just a legal document but a powerful instrument for social transformation He further stated that Bharat Ratna Dr Ambedkarâs thoughts provided selfrespect equal opportunity and a path to justice for the deprived and vulnerableHe was speaking on the occasion of the 135th Birth Anniversary Dr Ambedkar at Chaityabhoomi Dadar to pay floral tributes to the Architect of the Indian Constitution The event was marked by a helicopter flower shower over the memorial and a series of addresses highlighting Dr Ambedkarâs multifaceted legacyThe Governor further highlighted Dr Ambedkarâs pioneering role in womens rights noting that his efforts ensured equal voting rights and personal freedoms for women since India became a Republic As the centenary year of the Mahad Chavdar Tale Satyagraha begins the Governor urged citizens to resolve to build a society free from casteism and discriminationChief Minister Devendra Fadnavis focussed on Dr Ambedkarâs profound impact on the global and national economy The CM noted that Ambedkarâs research at the London School of Economics underscored the need for a central bank leading to the establishment of the Reserve Bank of IndiaâHis scholarly work The Problem of the Rupee laid the foundation for Indiaâs economic structure Even today his views on currency purchasing power and the Gold Standard remain vital in the global context CM Fadnavis explainedIn his speech Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde described Dr Ambedkar as the Architect of Humanity saying that the Constitution is our Rashtradharma National Religion He assured that the internationalstandard memorial being built at Indu Mill is progressing rapidly and will serve as a beacon of inspiration for future generationsDeputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar echoed these sentiments calling Chaityabhoomi an energy centre of thoughts She emphasised that true tribute lies in moving forward with his vision of equality and fraternity to achieve rapid inclusive development for the countryThe event saw attendance from highranking officials including Ministers Chhagan Bhujbal Ashish Shelar Mangal Prabhat Lodha Sanjay Rathod Sanjay Shirsat and Deputy Speaker Anna BansodeA book titled Samajnayak Sanjay Shirsat documenting the oneyear work report of Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat was released by the dignitariesGovernor Jishnu Dev Varma performed Chivardan offering robes to the Buddhist monks Attendees visited a photo exhibition organised by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-democracy-strengthened-by-constitutional-foundations-maha-guv-669362.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 18:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-first-quantum-reference-facilities-unveiled-in-amaravati-669365.html Amaravati April 14 Indiaâs first quantum reference facilities were unveiled here on Tuesday opening a new chapter in quantum technology to mark the World Quantum Day Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated the â1S Open Access Quantum Facilityâ at SRM University as well as the 1Q Quantum Facility situated at Medha TowersThese two quantum testbeds provide the necessary infrastructure to test quantum computing devices and components officials saidWith the unveiling of these two systems Andhra Pradesh has become the first state in the country to have a dedicated Quantum Test Reference Facility With this the Amaravati Quantum Valley has acquired the capability to test and certify quantum computer hardwareQuantum computer testbedsâdesigned to operate at an ultralow temperature of minus 273 degrees Celsiusâhave been established at both locationsThese quantum testbeds are designed to serve the needs of companies manufacturing quantum computing devices as well as researchers students and industry expertsThe Amaravati 1S facility at SRM University will facilitate research while the Amaravati 1Q facility at Medha Towers will cater to industrial applicationsRepresentatives from the National Quantum Mission and the Department of Science and Technology DST along with delegates from various quantum technology companies IIT professors and scientists attended this eventSpeaking on the occasion Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said that Andhra Pradesh has created history by realising this milestone on World Quantum Day coinciding with the centenary of Quantum ScienceâWe have ushered in a new era of quantum history in Amaravati on the birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkarâthe visionary who proclaimed that knowledge is the true symbol of social progressâ he saidHe expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for encouraging the establishment of the Amaravati Quantum Valleyâa key initiative in setting up Indias first openaccess quantum facilitiesThe Chief Minister stated that 1S and 1Q quantum hardware testbeds launched in Amaravati will play a pivotal role in testing and certifying quantum devicesâIt is a matter of great pride that this Telugu landâwhich has already played a pivotal role in the IT sectorâis now emerging as a hub for quantum technologiesâ he saidCM Naidu believed that just as electricity was vital for the industrial age and the Internet is vital for the digital age quantum technology is crucial for modern innovation Nations that achieve mastery in quantum technology are the ones most likely to shape the future he saidHe noted that the AQRF Amaravati Quantum Reference Facility will serve as a vital resource for Indian researchers seeking to test quantum hardwareStating that the quantum computing reference facilities took shape in just 8 months he said they significantly enhanced the nations capabilities in the field of quantum technologyAjay Kumar Sood Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India said that the establishment of Quantum Reference Test Facilities marks a pivotal step forward in achieving selfreliance in quantum technologyHe said that Amaravati is poised to emerge as a national hub for both AI and quantum technologiesâOur focus should not be limited solely to quantum algorithms we must also embrace allied fields such as atomic and cryogenic technologies In light of the evolving global dynamics it is imperative that we strengthen our technological capabilitiesâ he saidHe said the reference facilities will play a crucial role in the indigenous manufacturing of quantum hardware Domestically manufactured equipment will play a pivotal role in achieving selfreliance IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-first-quantum-reference-facilities-unveiled-in-amaravati-669365.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 18:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/raj-cops-seize-absconding-drug-traffickers-assets-worth-rs-55-crore-in-jhalawar-669366.html Jaipur April 14 The Jhalawar Police has taken major action under âOperation Divya Prahar 20â freezing movable and immovable assets worth approximately Rs 55 crore belonging to wanted drug trafficker Bablu Tanwar and his associates Tanwar a resident of Palkhanda in the Ghatoli police station area is currently absconding and carries a bounty on his headAccording to ASP Bhagchand Meena the campaign was launched in January 2026 with the aim of delivering a decisive blow to drug networksThe initiative focusses not only on arresting traffickers but also on dismantling the financial assets built through illegal drug trade assets often used to establish influence and dominanceOver the past three months police prepared a detailed proposal under the NDPS Act targeting Bablu Tanwar son of Gangaram Tanwar a resident of Palkhanda Post Sarkhandiya Police Station Ghatoli Tehsil Aklera District JhalawarFollowing approval from the competent authority orders were issued to permanently freeze his residential properties agricultural land and vehiclesOfficials confirmed that similar actions had been initiated against him earlier as well A confidential database of Tanwarâs movable and immovable assets was compiled by the MOB Modus Operandi Bureau branch of the SP office This Intelligence was shared with the SHO of Ghatoli police station forming the basis for further actionActing on this data police moved swiftly to identify and freeze assets linked to illicit earnings Under the directions of District Collector Ajay Singh Rathod officials from the Revenue and PWD departments assisted in verifying property records and assessing market valueTheir report helped fasttrack legal proceedings Following due process under the NDPS Act the SHO of Ghatoli secured formal approval to freeze the assets As a result Bablu Tanwar and his associates are now barred from selling or using these properties Meanwhile police teams continue efforts to trace and arrest the absconding accused IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/raj-cops-seize-absconding-drug-traffickers-assets-worth-rs-55-crore-in-jhalawar-669366.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 18:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sale-of-5-kg-lpg-cylinders-touches-143-lakh-png-connections-rise-to-44-lakh-669368.html New Delhi April 14 IANS The supply of domestic LPG remains normal in the country and over 11 lakh 5 kg LPG cylinders used by migrant labourers for cooking were sold across the country on Monday taking their total number to 143 lakh since March 23 according to the latest update issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on TuesdaynbspThe daily average of small 5kg cylinders has gone up from 77 000 in February this year before the Iran war started to about 11 lakh as on MondayOnline LPG bookings have increased to 98 per cent across the industry basis as of Monday Deliveries based on the authentication code DAC received on the registered mobile number of the consumer have increased to around 92 per cent to prevent diversion at the distributor levelSince March 2026 about 44 lakh PNG connections have been gasified and about 488 lakh additional customers have registered for new connections Besides more than 33000 PNG consumers have surrendered their LPG connections via MYPNGDin websiteThe equivalent of more than 45 lakh 19 kg cylinders of commercial LPG was also sold on Monday taking the total past the 6928 lakh mark since 14th MarchA threemember committee of Executive Directors from IOCL HPCL and BPCL is coordinating with state authorities and industry bodies to plan commercial LPG distributionCitizens are advised to avoid panic purchase of petrol diesel and LPG and rely only on official sources for information LPG consumers are requested to use digital booking platforms and avoid visiting distributorsDespite the ongoing geopolitical situation the government has prioritised domestic LPG and PNG supply particularly for hospitals and educational institutionsMeanwhile as part of the enforcement action continuing across the country to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG public sector oil companies have strengthened and continued surprise inspections and imposed penalties on 232 LPG distributorships and 56 LPG distributorships have been suspended till TuesdayAll refineries are operating at high capacity with adequate crude inventories in place The country is also maintaining sufficient stocks of petrol and diesel Domestic LPG production from refineries has been increased to support domestic consumption the statement saidThe government is making all efforts to ensure the availability of petrol diesel and LPG and citizens are advised to avoid panic purchase of the fuels as well as unnecessary booking of LPG Citizens are requested to use digital modes for booking of LPG cylinders and avoid visiting LPG distributors unless necessary the statement addedThe government has also announced that the increase in the commercial LPG limit to 70 per cent of the preMarch 2026 bulk consumption level will be extended to industrial units in the pharma food polymer agriculture packaging paint uranium heavy water steel seed metal ceramic foundry forging glass and aerosol sectorsIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sale-of-5-kg-lpg-cylinders-touches-143-lakh-png-connections-rise-to-44-lakh-669368.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 18:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ambedkars-ideals-continue-to-inspire-nation-mp-cm-mohan-yadav-pays-homage-at-mhow-memorial-669369.html Indore April 14 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Tuesday that BR Ambedkar laid a strong foundation for Indias democratic system through the Constitution and his ideals continue to guide the nation He urged people to follow Babasaheb Ambedkars path of equality social harmony and unity to build an inclusive societyThe Chief Minister made these remarks while addressing a gathering on the occasion of Ambedkars 135th birth anniversary during his visit to the grand memorial built at his birthplace in Ambedkar Nagar MhowEarlier Chief Minister Mohan Yadav visited the memorial complex and offered floral tributes to the statue of Dr AmbedkarHe also paid respects at the site where an urn containing Babasahebs ashes has been preserved a place considered highly sacred by followersThe Chief Minister toured the premises and reviewed arrangements as a large number of devotees and Buddhist monks gathered to mark the occasionThe memorial at Mhow developed at Ambedkars birthplace has become a major pilgrimage site attracting visitors from across the country especially on his birth anniversaryAcross Madhya Pradesh several programmes such as rallies wreathlaying ceremonies and public gatherings are being organised with enthusiasm to commemorate the dayUnion Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur State Water Resources Minister Tulsiram Silawat and BJP MLA Usha Thakur along with other public representatives were present during the eventMeanwhile Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari also visited Mhow and paid tribute to Dr AmbedkarSpeaking to the media Patwari alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP was engaging in politics in the name of Ambedkar and raised concerns over issues related to the Constitution reservation and social justiceThe occasion saw a blend of devotion and political reactions as leaders across party lines paid homage to one of Indias foremost architects of democracy IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ambedkars-ideals-continue-to-inspire-nation-mp-cm-mohan-yadav-pays-homage-at-mhow-memorial-669369.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/100-flights-expected-to-arrive-in-india-from-uae-on-tuesday-669372.html New Delhi April 14 Airlines continue to operate from the Gulf countries where airspace remains open with around 100 flights expected to arrive in India from the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday according to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs Airlines are operating limited nonscheduled commercial flights based on operational and safety considerations the statement saidFlights continue to operate from various airports in Saudi Arabia and Oman to destinations in India With Qatar airspace partially open Qatar Airways is expected to operate around 10 flights to India on TuesdayKuwait airspace remains closed Jazeera Airways of Kuwait and Kuwait Airways are operating nonscheduled commercial flights from Dammam Airport in Saudi Arabia to India Travel of Indian nationals to India from Kuwait continues to be facilitated through Saudi ArabiaBahrain airspace is open Gulf Air is expected to begin limited flight operations from Bahrain to India soon and is currently operating nonscheduled flights from Dammam Airport in Saudi Arabia to India Travel of Indian nationals from Bahrain continues to be facilitated through Saudi Arabia to IndiaEmbassy in Tehran has so far facilitated movement of 2313 Indian nationals from Iran to Armenia and Azerbaijan for onward travel to India This includes 1028 Indian students and 657 Indian fishermenIsrael airspace is partially open with restricted flight operations Travel of Indian nationals is being facilitated from Israel through Jordan and Egypt to IndiaIraq airspace is open Iraqi Airways has resumed flights to India Travel of Indian nationals continues to be facilitated from Iraq through Jordan and Saudi Arabia to India the ministry saidAround 955000 passengers have travelled from the Gulf region to India since February 28 when the Iran war startedThe ministry is also in regular contact with State Governments and Union Territories for better sharing of information and coordination Efforts remain focused on ensuring the safety security and welfare of the Indian community in the region the statement addedIndian Missions and Posts continue to operate roundtheclock helplines and are proactively assisting Indian nationals They remain in close contact with the local Governments Updated advisories are being issued regularly including information on local government guidelines flight and travel situations and consular services and various welfare measures being undertaken to support the Indian communityThe missions remain actively engaged with Indian community associations professional groups Indian companies and other stakeholders in the region the statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/100-flights-expected-to-arrive-in-india-from-uae-on-tuesday-669372.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-three-young-reel-makers-killed-as-their-bike-rams-into-stationary-trailer--669380.html BhopalMauganj April 14 Two severe road accidents in Mauganj district of Madhya Pradesh claimed four lives and left nine people injured on Tuesday In an incident on National Highway 135 in Mauganj two motorcycles collided violently with the rear of a stationary trailer parked on the roadside Speaking to IANS investigating officer Reena Singh said they were âmaking reelsâ on moving motorbike and could not see the stationary trailer Another follow bikers also rammed into the same trailer and injured badly They have been admitted to hospital Those who died in the incident include Uplakshya Kol 17 Amrish Kol 22 and Hemraj Kol 17 All of them were resident of Bela villageThose who have received injuries include Prashant Dwivedi 19 and Pradeep Dwivedi 17 Both the injured teens are resident of ChitwaipuraThe crash killed three people on the spot the officer said adding that the injured were first taken to the Civil Hospital in Mauganj and later referred to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital in Rewa for advanced medical care where they are under intensive treatmentThe accident caused a massive traffic jam on the busy highway bringing vehicular movement to a complete halt for several hours Local residents expressed strong anger over the delayed police responseIn a separate tragedy occurred near Mad Raghuvar village under Hanumana police station limits when a speeding âMaruti Ertiga carâ veered off the road and slammed into a roadside tree police saidThe impact was so severe that a young man died instantly while seven other occupants sustained serious injuries All the victims belonged to the same family who were travelling from Banaras in Uttar Pradesh to ChhattisgarhLocal villagers and emergency response personnel rushed to the spot and rescued the trapped family members by breaking open the car doors The injured were shifted to a nearby hospital and are undergoing treatmentPreliminary investigation points to excessive speed and driver negligence as the cause of the crash Police have yet not identified the victim IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-three-young-reel-makers-killed-as-their-bike-rams-into-stationary-trailer--669380.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-mob-justice-woman-assaulted-paraded-4-arrested-after-viral-video-669381.html Jhabua April 14 A disturbing case of alleged mob justice has come to light from the tribal region of Madhya Pradeshâs Jhabua district where a woman was subjected to brutal public humiliation and assault by villagersâ The shameful incident occurred in Balawas village under the jurisdiction of Kakanwani police station on MondayâAccording to information a married woman was accused by members of her community of eloping with another manâInstead of seeking legal recourse a group of villagers allegedly took matters into their own hands and inflicted severe punishment intended to publicly shame and physically abuse herâThe incident came to light after a video of the brutal torture of the woman surfaced on social media on Tuesday which prompted local police to take swift action in the matterâAs per initial information the woman was forced to carry her husband on her shoulders and was paraded throughout the villageâDuring the procession she was allegedly beaten with sticks and assaulted with slaps and punches by those accompanying herâThe act recorded on mobile phones shows a crowd gathering and watching the incident unfold raising serious concerns about bystander inaction and the normalisation of such violenceâIn a further act of humiliation the accused allegedly shaved the womanâs head after the paradeâA video that spread rapidly across social media platforms drew widespread condemnation and prompted authorities to take immediate cognisance of the matterâActing promptly the police arrested four individuals identified as Surya Bhuria Dilip Bhuria Babu Bhuria and Shailesh Bharia all residents of BalawasâA police official said that the accused persons have been booked under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita including Sections 74 76 85 296A 1152 and 3513 which pertain to assault unlawful acts and outraging dignityâAdditional Superintendent of Police Pratipal Singh Mahobia stated that after the video surfaced the police located the victim and provided her with protectionâThe case has sparked widespread outrage and highlighted the dangers of vigilante justice particularly in rural areas where social pressures often override the rule of law It also underscores the urgent need for awareness and stronger institutional mechanisms to safeguard the dignity and rights of womenâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-mob-justice-woman-assaulted-paraded-4-arrested-after-viral-video-669381.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nashik-tcs-row-sparks-political-storm-leaders-demand-probe-accountability-669382.html Mumbai April 14 Allegations of forced religious conversion and sexual exploitation at the Nashik branch of Tata Consultancy Services TCS on Tuesday triggered a major political controversy in Maharashtra with leaders across party lines calling for a thorough investigation while differing on the extent of institutional accountability Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam described the allegations as serious and alarming claiming that Hindu women employees at the Nashik office were allegedly pressured to convert their religion and subjected to exploitationHe questioned how such incidents could take place within a globally reputed company without its knowledgeWe want to ask TCS you are such a prestigious company providing services worldwide yet such wrongdoing was happening right under your nose and you were not even aware of it Nirupam saidHe also asserted that responsibility must be fixed and action taken against company officialsThe issue has also drawn a strong reaction from the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP with MLC Chitra Wagh alleging that coercion and pressure were used in carrying out conversionsShe said that the state government along with Nashik Police and the Home Department is handling the matter very effectively and conducting a detailed probeMeanwhile Union Minister Ramdas Athawale offered a nuanced view saying that while religious conversion itself is not illegal any conversion carried out through coercion inducement or pressure is against the law and must be dealt with strictlyI think there is no legal restriction on voluntary religious conversion But if someone is trapped pressured or influenced improperly then it becomes illegal Athawale saidOffering a contrasting perspective NCPSP National Spokesperson Naseem Siddiqui said Conversion does not happen by feeding beef or by feeding bitter gourd Religious conversion happens for two reasons either someone falls in love and their mind changes or there is financial pressure on them The state government should investigate thisCautioning against tarnishing the image of TCS as an institution Siddiqui added that any wrongdoing should be attributed to individuals rather than the company as a wholeTCS is a very good institution of the country No questions should be raised against it If some individuals within TCS have done something wrong the government should investigate it order a CBI probe and punish the guilty the NCPSP leader said adding If there are rapists sitting in Parliament will you defame Parliament Even after sitting in mosques many people go and commit rape will you defame mosques If a priest sitting in a temple commits an act of lust against someone will you defame templesAccording to officials the Maharashtra Police have taken cognisance of the allegations and the state leadership including the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar has treated the matter with urgencyAuthorities are expected to examine all aspects of the case including the nature of the allegations the role of individuals involved and whether any coercion or organised wrongdoing took place within the companys premisesAccording to reports the controversy began in March after a woman accused a TCS colleague of maintaining a physical relationship with her on the false promise of marriageDuring the investigation authorities uncovered additional complaints leading to several more FIRs linked to similar allegationsMeanwhile the police have arrested at least six employees in connection with the case based on intelligence inputs received by the Nashik Police Commissioners officeAs the probe progresses the controversy has intensified political debate in the state raising broader questions about workplace safety corporate accountability and the legal boundaries surrounding religious conversion IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nashik-tcs-row-sparks-political-storm-leaders-demand-probe-accountability-669382.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mizorams-history-spans-from-conflict-to-peace-guv-singh-669383.html Aizawl April 14 Mizoram Governor Vijay Kumar Singh Retd on Tuesday highlighted that the stateâs history is unique a remarkable journey from struggle and conflict through reconciliation to lasting peace and progress Releasing the book From Guerrilla Fighter to Chief Minister authored by former Chief Minister Zoramthanga at the Aijal Club here the Governor lauded it as a significant and reliable historical document that offers valuable insights into key phases of Mizoramâs political historyHe described the book as far more than a mere personal narrative noting that it chronicles the authorâs remarkable journey from insurgency to responsible democratic governance and statesmanshipSingh said the memoir serves as a powerful reminder that dialogue understanding and perseverance can overcome even the most difficult challengesThe Governor praised Zoramthangaâs dedication and lifelong desire to learn saying these qualities reflect exceptional political acumen and true statesmanship âIt shows that if there is a will there is a wayâ he remarkedHe commended the author for documenting history through his lived experiences and expressed hope that the memoir would help the younger generation better understand the complexities of conflict while appreciating the true value of peace and the strength of democratic institutionsSingh observed that the book will prove to be a valuable resource for students scholars policymakers and citizens alikeAuthor and former Chief Minister Zoramthanga described the release of the book as a deeply significant milestone in his life He revealed that he had meticulously maintained personal diaries for 50 years which served as key references while writing the memoirZoramthanga who is also the President of the Mizo National Front the stateâs principal opposition party emphasised that most of the events described in the book were personally witnessed or experienced by himHe expressed sincere gratitude to all those who assisted in the preparation and publication of the book and said he hoped the memoir would not only benefit the Mizo people but also enable readers from other communities to gain a clearer and deeper understanding of Mizo historyThe former Chief Minister also shared a memorable personal anecdote recalling that he had first met the Governor decades earlier during the IndoPakistani War of 1971 when Singh was serving as a young Lieutenant in the Indian ArmyZoramthanga noted that it was a remarkable and unexpected coincidence that the same officer is now releasing his book as the Governor of MizoramDuring the event Lalnunkimi Colney delivered an insightful preview of the bookOctogenarian veteran Mizo leader Zoramthanga served as the Chief Minister of Mizoram for three terms 19982008 and 20182023 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mizorams-history-spans-from-conflict-to-peace-guv-singh-669383.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/education-most-powerful-weapon-to-break-chains-siddaramaiah-on-ambedkar-jayanti-669384.html Bengaluru April 14 Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that it is because of the Constitution framed by BR Ambedkar that he has become the states Chief Ministerâ He was speaking at the birth anniversary celebrations of Bharat Ratna and architect of the Constitution BR Ambedkar along with the BR Ambedkar Award presentation ceremony organised by the Social Welfare Department on the grand steps of Vidhana SoudhaâRecalling Ambedkarâs views the Chief Minister said that as long as the caste system exists untouchability will continue He noted that Ambedkar had clearly articulated that as long as social and economic inequalities exist casteism will persistâHe said Ambedkar dedicated his entire life to fighting for the oppressed the Scheduled Castes the exploited and deprived sections of society Siddaramaiah added that Ambedkar was not just a leader of Dalits but a champion of all those who faced injustice and discriminationâThrough the Constitution Ambedkar made a sincere effort to ensure liberty equality and fraternity for all Indians Siddaramaiah said that is why Indiaâs Constitution is regarded as one of the finest in the worldâThe Chief Minister said it is unfortunate that complete equality has not yet been achieved He recalled that Ambedkar had warned that unless social and economic inequalities were eradicated Indiaâs independence would remain incompleteâHe said that despite being a scholar Ambedkar not only fought for the oppressed but also made serious efforts to reform Hindu society However when those efforts failed he chose to renounce Hinduism He also rejected âManuvadâ which he described as a system responsible for inequalityâSiddaramaiah said that social and economic empowerment is essential for selfreliance quoting Ambedkarâs words that education is the most powerful weapon to liberate people from all forms of bondageâHe added that had Ambedkar not been educated or possessed a spirit of resistance it would not have been possible for India to have such a Constitution âSiddaramaiah stressed that education must be given utmost importance urging people to strive for the kind of education received by leaders like Ambedkar Ram Manohar Lohia and Jawaharlal Nehru education rooted in rationality scientific temper and humanismâHe further noted that Ambedkarâs deep understanding of the social system enabled him to draft such a comprehensive ConstitutionâThe Chief Minister said that without scientific education building an equal society is impossible âHe added that the governmentâs guarantee schemes are aimed at strengthening social and economic empowerment and represent sincere efforts to build an equitable societyâSiddaramaiah cautioned people against âManuvadisâ whom he described as antiConstitution forces spreading misinformation He said they falsely claim that Congress defeated Ambedkar and did not allow his last rites in Delhi urging people not to believe such liesâHe said it is impossible to imagine what the country would be like without Ambedkar âWe must remember his life and ideals Ambedkar belongs to all timesâ he addedâThe Chief Minister said that 9722 per cent of students in governmentrun hostels have passed their examinations including high scores in the PreUniversity Course exams calling it a matter of pride for the governmentâHe also congratulated the recipients of the Dr BR Ambedkar Award and meritorious students on the occasionâMinisters HC Mahadevappa and KH Muniyappa Legislative Council Chief Whip Saleem Ahmed MLA Rizwan Arshad Council members Bhojegowda and Govindaraju former MP Chandrappa former minister Anjaneya and Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh were among those presentâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/education-most-powerful-weapon-to-break-chains-siddaramaiah-on-ambedkar-jayanti-669384.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/no-matter-how-much-ktaka-cm-cong-beat-their-drums-they-wont-win-bypolls-bjp-669385.html Bengaluru April 14 BJP State President and MLA BY Vijayendra said on Tuesday that no matter how much the Congress and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah beat their drums they will not be able to win in both constituencies where byeelections were held in the state recently Speaking to the media on Tuesday Vijayendra said that the BJP will definitely win in both Davanagere South and Bagalkot constituenciesHe alleged that people were now fed up with the Congress government as the administrative machinery has collapsed and there is lack of developmentHe further alleged that the state government is indulging in minority appeasement while insulting Hindus and due to all these reasons people will bless the BJPVijayendra also challenged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to an open debate comparing development works carried out in Shivamogga district during the BJP government under BS Yediyurappa with those undertaken in Mysuru district under SiddaramaiahHe also criticised the government for allegedly lacking the capability to preserve Mysore Silk in Mysuru accusing it of attempting to shut it down and convert the land into a stadiumHe added that regardless of the speeches made by Congress leaders the results will be clear on May 4 during the counting of votes which will reflect the peopleâs verdictIt can be noted that the main contest in Bagalkot was between Congress candidate Umesh Meti and BJP candidate Veeranna Charantimath The bypoll was necessitated by the death of Congress MLA HY MetiThe Congress had fielded Samarth Mallikarjun while the BJP had nominated Srinivas T Dasakariyappa in Davanagere South Assembly segment Meanwhile the Social Democratic Party of India SDPI was hopeful that the intense contest between the BJP and the Congress would benefit the party and had fielded Afsar Kodlipet as the candidate The byeelection was necessitated by the demise of veteran Congress leader MLA Shamanur ShivashankarappaThe results of the byeelections have become a matter of prestige for the two national parties and also the results are crucial for Vijayendra Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President DK Shivakumar IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/no-matter-how-much-ktaka-cm-cong-beat-their-drums-they-wont-win-bypolls-bjp-669385.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/all-indian-seafarers-ships-in-gulf-region-are-safe-govt-669390.html New Delhi April 14 All Indian seafarers in the Gulf region are safe and no incident involving Indianflagged vessels has been reported in the past 24 hours the Ministry of Ports and Shipping said on Tuesday The Directorate General DG of Shipping has facilitated the safe repatriation of over 2262 Indian seafarers so far including 85 in the past 24 hours from various locations across the Gulf region a ministry statement saidThe DG Shipping Control Room has handled 6292 calls and more than 13228 emails since activation including 219 calls and 361 emails in the past 24 hoursPort operations across India also continue normally with no congestion reported the statement saidThe Ministry continues to coordinate closely with the Ministry of External Affairs Indian Missions and maritime stakeholders to ensure the welfare of Indian seafarers and uninterrupted maritime operations the statement saidAcross the region Indian Missions and Posts remain in close contact with the Indian community while continuing to provide assistance and issue necessary advisories for their safety and wellbeing according to a statement released by the Ministry of External AffairsMeanwhile the Ministry of External Affairs has continued its outreach to countries in West Asia External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to the Foreign Minister of Kuwait and discussed the regional situation and the wellbeing of the Indian community He also spoke with the Foreign Minister of Israel and discussed various aspects of the conflict in West AsiaFurther the External Affairs Minister also spoke to his Singaporean and Australian counterparts to discuss issues related to the conflict in West AsiaThe Ministry is also in regular contact with state governments and Union Territories for better sharing of information and coordination Efforts remain focused on ensuring the safety security and welfare of the Indian community in the region the statement addedIndian Missions and Posts continue to operate roundtheclock helplines and are proactively assisting Indian nationals They remain in close contact with the local governments IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/all-indian-seafarers-ships-in-gulf-region-are-safe-govt-669390.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-issues-notice-on-pil-seeking-biometric-voter-verification-to-curb-electoral-fraud-669185.html New Delhi April 13 IANS The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Centre the Election Commission of India ECI and all states on a Public Interest Litigation PIL seeking implementation of fingerprint and irisbased biometric identification of voters at polling stations to curb electoral malpracticesnbspA Bench of Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi passed the order while hearing a petition filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar UpadhyayIssuing a notice the CJI Kantled Bench made it clear that the relief sought in the petition cannot be considered for the ensuing Assembly elections in certain statesPrima facie the nature of reliefs cannot be considered for the ensuing elections in some of the states However whether such a recourse deserves to be followed for the next parliamentary elections andor elections of state legislatures needs to be examined the apex court saidDuring the hearing the CJI Kantled Bench remarked that implementation of such a mechanism would require major changes in rules and entail a huge financial burdenThe plea contended that fingerprint and iris biometric authentication at polling booths would help curb bribery undue influence personation duplicate voting ghost voting and other electoral malpracticesIt stated that despite various steps taken by the poll body instances of electoral fraud continue to persist undermining public confidence in the electoral processThe injury to citizens is extremely large as bribery undue influence personation duplicate voting and ghost voting still affects the purity and integrity of the electoral process the petition saidAccording to the petitioner adoption of biometric verification at polling booths would ensure that only genuine and dulyregistered electors are permitted to cast their votes and would strengthen the principle of one citizen one voteThe plea claimed that the ECI can exercise its plenary powers under Article 324 of the Constitution to introduce such biometric authentication measures for ensuring free and fair electionszUpadhyay said he had submitted a representation to the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners on March 28 seeking implementation of fingerprint and iris biometric identification at polling booths but no action was taken necessitating the filing of the PILIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-issues-notice-on-pil-seeking-biometric-voter-verification-to-curb-electoral-fraud-669185.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-oman-cepa-to-unlock-new-trade-investment-opportunities-piyush-goyal-669197.html New Delhi April 13 IANS Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said that India and Oman have discussed unlocking opportunities under the proposed CEPA to boost bilateral trade and investment ties for the mutual growth of both nationsnbspThe minister shared details of his telephonic conversation with Omans Minister of Commerce Industry and Investment Promotion Anwar bin Hilal bin Hamdoun Al Jabri stating that both sides explored ways to deepen economic engagement between the two countriesIn a post on social media platform X Goyal said the discussions focused on leveraging the IndiaOman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA to enhance trade flows and investment opportunitiesThe agreement signed in Muscat in December 2025 is yet to be implemented but is expected to significantly strengthen economic ties once it comes into forceHeld a telecall with HE Anwar bin Hilal bin Hamdoun Al Jabri Omans Minister of Commerce Industry and Investment Promotion Goyal saidDiscussed unlocking opportunities under the IndiaOman CEPA to boost bilateral trade and investment ties for the mutual growth of both nations he addedUnder the proposed CEPA about 98 per cent of Indias exports including textiles agricultural products and leather goods are set to receive dutyfree access to the Oman marketIn return India will reduce tariffs on key Omanese exports such as dates marble and petrochemical products paving the way for more balanced tradeThe latest engagement is part of a series of highlevel interactions by Goyal with key partners in the Gulf regionIn recent days he has held discussions with trade ministers from Saudi Arabia the United Arab Emirates Bahrain and Kuwait to expand Indias economic footprint in West AsiaIndia and Oman share a strong and longstanding trade relationship with bilateral trade reaching about 105 billion in 202425Of this Indias exports stood at around 4 billion while imports were valued at 654 billionIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-oman-cepa-to-unlock-new-trade-investment-opportunities-piyush-goyal-669197.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/fadnavis-announces-establishment-of-music-institute-as-envisioned-by-asha-bhosle-669198.html Mumbai April 13 IANS Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday announced that the state government will take proactive steps to establish a music institute based on the vision of the legendary singer the late Asha BhoslenbspThe decision was shared during a meeting of the State Cabinet where members gathered to pay a solemn and heartfelt tribute to the iconic playback singer The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar and other members of the state cabinetFadnavis highlighted that the late Ashatai had previously submitted a proposal to establish an institution dedicated to the field of music The government remains committed to moving this proposal forward We will take every necessary positive step to ensure that the institute as envisioned by Ashatai becomes a reality he statedDuring the proceedings Chief Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal read out the official condolence motion honouring the life and unparalleled contributions of Asha Bhosle to the world of art and cultureThe cabinet observed a moment of silence to mark her passing recognising her as a monumental figure in Indias musical historyEarlier CM Fadnavis on the demise of Asha Bhosle said that the beautiful garden of melodies has been deserted todayPaying tribute to the veteran singer he stated Asha Tais voice was the very soul of music She represented an eternal green season in singing and was a vast ocean of musical emotions From soulful tracks like Tora Man Darpan Kehlaye to highenergy numbers like Khallas she mastered every mood with ease Whether it was Bhakti Geeta Bhavgeet Natyasangeet Ghazals Classical Rabindra Sangeet Folk or Pop she left an indelible mark on every genre she touchedThe Chief Minister further highlighted her prolific career noting that she sang over 12000 songs across 20 Indian languagesincluding Marathi Hindi and Bengalias well as foreign languages He remarked that she was a rare versatile artist who embraced change effortlessly earning prestigious honours like the Maharashtra Bhushan and the Bangla BibhushanRecalling a personal moment the Chief Minister shared We were together recently for a World Radio Day programme She insistently made me sing Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar and playfully remarked Look I made the Chief Minister sing It is hard to imagine that we will no longer have her presence among usI offer my heartfelt tributes to her We share in the grief of her family and her countless fans across the nation the Chief Minister concludedIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/fadnavis-announces-establishment-of-music-institute-as-envisioned-by-asha-bhosle-669198.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/lpg-ship-jag-vikram-reaching-kandla-on-tuesday-with-20-400-tonnes-cargo-669199.html New Delhi April 13 IANS Indiaflagged LPG vessel Jag Vikram which safely sailed out of the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday carrying approximately 20400 metric tonnes of LPG cargo with 24 seafarers onboard is expected to arrive at Kandla port on Tuesday according to a government statementnbspAll Indian seafarers in the region are reported to be safe and no incident involving Indianflagged vessels has been reported in the past 24 hours the statement saidThe DG Shipping Control Room has handled 6073 calls and 12867 emails since activation including 20 calls and 80 emails in the past 24 hoursDG Shipping has facilitated the safe repatriation of over 2177 Indian seafarers so far including 93 in the past 24 hours from various locations across the Gulf regionPort operations across India continue normally with no congestion reported Ports on the western coast of India have ensured that a total of 3383 TEUs of West Asiabound backtotown containers have been received of which 3228 TEUs have been facilitated for returnThe balance of only 155 TEUs is on account of shipping line operational factors with no congestion at any portThe Ministry of Ports and Shipping continues to coordinate closely with the Ministry of External Affairs Indian Missions in the Gulf region and maritime stakeholders to ensure the welfare of Indian seafarers and uninterrupted maritime operationsAcross the region Indian missions and posts remain in close contact with the Indian community while continuing to provide assistance and issue necessary advisories for their safety and wellbeing the Ministry of External Affairs saidExternal Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited the United Arab Emirates from April 11 to 12The government continues to closely monitor developments in the Gulf and West Asia region The Ministry of External Affairs is in regular contact with state governments and Union Territory administrations for better sharing of information and coordinationEfforts remain focused on ensuring the safety security and welfare of the Indian community in the region Indian Missions and Posts continue to operate roundtheclock helplines and are proactively assisting Indian nationalsUpdated advisories are being issued regularly including information on local government guidelines flight and travel situations and consular services the statement addedIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/lpg-ship-jag-vikram-reaching-kandla-on-tuesday-with-20-400-tonnes-cargo-669199.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 20:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/dda-to-launch-heritage-week-activities-today-to-promote-capitals-heritage-669097.html New Delhi April 13 The Delhi Development Authority DDA in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India ASI will launch a Heritage Week programme on Monday to promote the capitalâs heritage The initiative from Monday to Saturday April 13 to 18 will aim to help people especially the youth connect with Delhiâs art and culture and will include an exhibitiondocumentation of conservation efforts in the Mehrauli area the official said in a statementâDDA Vice Chairman N Saravana Kumar said âDelhiâs heritage is a living legacy that must remain central to the cityâs future Through Heritage Week DDA seeks to strengthen public connection especially among the youth with these invaluable historical spacesâââOur continued focus is to ensure that heritage conservation ecological restoration and public placemaking move together as integral elements of Delhiâs balanced and sustainable urban developmentâ he saidâThrough Heritage Week DDA seeks to deepen public awareness and pride in Delhiâs heritage assets encourage community participation and youth engagement and showcase its ongoing efforts in heritage conservation and urban ecology the statement saidâThe larger objective is to inspire the public across age groups to value experience and actively participate in preserving the citys cultural and historical identity it saidâThe weeklong initiative includes student engagement activities a photography competition a student dialogue competition a sketching and drawing competition a storywriting activity exhibitions and a cultural night programme said the statementâAs part of the preevent celebrations the DDA in collaboration with the School of Heritage Research and Management SHRM at BR Ambedkar University also organised heritage walks said the statementâHeritage walks were held on April 3 4 and 5 on âSufis Sultans and Settlers â listening to the tales they whisper to usââ The heritage walk witnessed enthusiastic participation from students families and heritage lovers further reinforcing public interest in reconnecting with Delhiâs rich historyâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/dda-to-launch-heritage-week-activities-today-to-promote-capitals-heritage-669097.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/weather-department-predicts-rain-in-southern-tn-heat-to-intensify-in-interior-regions-669101.html Chennai April 13 The India Meteorological Department has forecast moderate rainfall in parts of southern Tamil Nadu including Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli districts even as rising temperatures are expected across several interior regions of the state According to the latest weather bulletin one or two places in Kanyakumari Tirunelveli and districts along the Western Ghats are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall on Monday These isolated showers are likely to bring brief relief from the prevailing heat in these southern pockets However the rest of Tamil Nadu is likely to experience predominantly dry weather conditionsSimilar dry conditions are also expected to prevail in Puducherry with no significant rainfall activity forecast for these regionsThe IMD has also indicated a gradual rise in maximum temperatures across the interior districts of Tamil Nadu Temperatures in some areas are likely to increase by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius over the next few days contributing to hotter daytime conditionsIn contrast coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are not expected to witness any major change in maximum temperaturesDespite stable temperature levels along the coast the combination of high humidity and heat is likely to cause discomfort among residentsWeather officials have cautioned that such conditions could lead to sultry and oppressive weather particularly during the daytimeIn Chennai the sky is expected to remain partly cloudy throughout the day The maximum temperature in the city is likely to hover between 36 and 37 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature is expected to be around 27 degrees CelsiusThe city is unlikely to receive any significant rainfall and humid conditions are expected to persistMeanwhile the IMD has not issued any specific warning for fishermen along the Tamil Nadu coast indicating relatively stable sea conditions for fishing activitiesAuthorities have advised residents particularly in interior districts to take necessary precautions against heat exposure stay hydrated and avoid prolonged outdoor activities during peak afternoon hoursOverall while southern districts may witness brief spells of rain most parts of Tamil Nadu are set to experience dry and increasingly warm weather conditions in the coming days IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/weather-department-predicts-rain-in-southern-tn-heat-to-intensify-in-interior-regions-669101.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-urges-cec-to-publish-complete-april-9-kerala-voting-data-669108.html Thiruvananthapuram April 13 Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan has sent a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner CEC raising concerns over the delay in publishing detailed and authenticated data related to the Kerala Assembly elections held on April 9 calling for immediate corrective steps to uphold transparency In his letter circulated to the media on Monday Satheesan pointed out that three days after polling concluded the Election Commission is yet to release comprehensive figures on its official website including constituencywise polling data vote percentages and postal ballot statisticsHe stressed that the prompt dissemination of such information is vital to ensure public scrutiny and maintain trust in the electoral processThe opposition leader warned that any delay in making verified data publicly available could lead to uncertainty around an otherwise closely monitored electionHe urged the Commission to act without further delay noting that timely access to accurate data is crucial for stakeholders ranging from political representatives to researchers and the general publicAccording to figures already released by the Commission a total of 7803 per cent of the 271 crore electorate exercised their franchiseThis includes 7501 per cent male voters and a significantly higher 8086 per cent turnout among women while 5704 per cent of third gender voters also participated in the electoral processElections were held on April 9 to choose 140 legislators to the State Assembly with votes scheduled to be counted on May 4Kerala known for its high voter participation and strong democratic traditions has once again recorded robust turnout figuresHowever the delay in publishing granular data has now come under the spotlight adding a procedural dimension to the postpoll discourseWith the counting day approaching attention is likely to focus on how swiftly the Election Commission responds to the concerns raised and whether the complete dataset will be made available in the coming days IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-urges-cec-to-publish-complete-april-9-kerala-voting-data-669108.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-dismantle-mobile-theft-racket-chain-snatchers-held-in-separate-case-669109.html New Delhi April 13 In two separate operations Delhi Police have cracked down on street crime in the SouthWest and Dwarka districts arresting key accused involved in mobile theft and chain snatching cases The actions led to significant recoveries and the solving of multiple cases according to official press releases issued on MondayIn the SouthWest District the staff of Police Station Sagarpur arrested two accused Ayush alias Nikku and Abhishek for their involvement in a mobile phone theft and dismantling racket Police recovered 15 stolen mobile phones an ASUS laptop a Lenovo tablet a charger and dismantled mobile parts from their possession Four theft cases registered at Police Station Sagarpur have been worked out through this operationAccording to the press release âa dedicated teamâ was constitutedâ to curb mobile theft cases in the areaâ Acting on complaints the team apprehended Ayush near Durga Park and Nagarvan Park on April 10 recovering two stolen phones His interrogation led to the arrest of coaccused Abhishek who was found with additional stolen devices and partsPolice revealed the modus operandi stating that Ayush stole mobile phones and supplied them to Abhishek who dismantled them and sold the parts further âEfforts are underway to identify the kingpins suppliers and the entire network behind this illegal supplyâ the release saidIn a separate case the Bindapur police of Dwarka District arrested two snatchers involved in a gold chain snatching incident near Uttam Nagar West Metro The accused identified as Chandan 36 and Rohan Seth 22 were tracked after analysing over 250 CCTV camerasDetailing the operation police stated that the accused were identified through extensive analysis of CCTV footage and technical surveillance âThe policeâ identified the motorcycle rider who was also the owner of the bikeâ the release noted The stolen gold chain was partially recovered from Rohanâs residence along with the motorcycle used in the crimeDuring interrogation the accused confessed to committing the crime due to financial distress and unemployment The case registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS has been successfully worked outBoth cases highlight Delhi Policeâs intensified efforts and âzero tolerance towards crimeâ with further investigations ongoing to uncover broader criminal networks IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-dismantle-mobile-theft-racket-chain-snatchers-held-in-separate-case-669109.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indian-army-iaf-mark-siachen-day-honour-42-years-of-operation-meghdoot-669115.html New Delhi April 13 The Indian Army and the Indian Air Force on Monday saluted the indomitable courage unwavering commitment and supreme sacrifice of Indiaâs brave soldiers defending the worldâs highest battlefield As Operation Meghdoot completed 42 years both forces paid tribute to a legacy defined by valour endurance and operational excellence in some of the harshest terrains and weather conditions on EarthTaking to the social media platform X the Indian Army commemorated the occasion marking April 13 1984 as a historic day It shared a tribute that read Quartered in snow Silent to remain When the clarion calls They shall rise and march againThe Army also shared a video highlighting the significance of the operation describing the extreme conditions under which soldiers continue to serve It noted that at altitudes exceeding 20000 feet where survival itself is a constant challenge Indian troops secured the highest battlefield on Earth on April 13 1984 through Operation Meghdoot The visuals emphasised the soldiersâ âaltitude of courageâ and âsteel spiritâ underscoring how every inch of territory is defended with determination and braveryIndian Air Force also took to social media X and said On this Siachen Day IAF salutes the indomitable courage unwavering commitment and supreme sacrifice of our brave warriors defending the worldâs highest battlefieldAs Operation Meghdoot completes 42 years we honour the legacy of valour endurance and operational excellence in the harshest of terrains and weather conditions the Indian Air Force addedFrom strategic airlift and logistics support to casualty evacuation in extreme highaltitude conditions the IAF continues to sustain operational readiness in the Siachen sector the Indian Air Force addedApril 13 marks Siachen Day commemorating the Indian Armys Operation Meghdoot in 1984 On this day Indian troops landed at Bilafond La Pass and captured key positions on the Siachen Glacier securing a strategic advantage in the disputed region of Kashmir the worlds highest battlefieldThe poem Quartered in snow Silent to remain When the clarion calls They shall rise and march again beautifully captures the spirit of the Indian Armys presence in Siachen It highlights the soldiers ability to remain vigilant and prepared even in the harshest of conditions and to respond swiftly when called upon to defend the nationIndian soldiers have been stationed in the harsh environment of the Siachen Glacier for decades enduring extreme temperatures and challenging terrainThe day marks the historic launch of Operation Meghdoot in 1984 when the Indian Army established full control over the Siachen Glacier thwarting adversarial attempts to claim the strategically vital region It celebrated the 41st anniversary of the famous Operation which was carried out by the Indian forcesSiachen has been a bone of contention between India and Pakistan ever since the Karachi Agreement of 1949 when the area was left undivided due to the hostile terrain and extremely rough weatherOperation Meghdoot was Indias bold military response to what New Delhi calls Pakistans cartographic aggression in the uncharted territory of Ladakh north of map reference NJ9842 where New Delhi and Islamabad had agreed the Line of Control LoC ran up toIntelligence inputs about impending Pakistani military action prompted India to secure strategic heights on Siachen deploying troops via airlifts and airdropping supplies to highaltitude airfieldsThe primary objective behind this operation was to preempt the seizure of Sia La and Bilafond La passes by the Pakistan ArmyLaunched on April 13 1984 this military operation was unique as the first assault launched on the worlds highest battlefieldIt was launched under the leadership of Lieutenant General Manohar Lal Chibber Lieutenant General PN Hoon and Major General Shiv SharmaIt is distinguished by being one of the greatest examples of seamless coordination and synergy between the Indian Army and the Air ForceThe military action resulted in Indian troops gaining control of the entire Siachen Glacier IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indian-army-iaf-mark-siachen-day-honour-42-years-of-operation-meghdoot-669115.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/last-senior-naxalite-neutralised-in-chhattisgarh-encounter-claims-police-669120.html New Delhi April 13 In a major development security forces neutralised a top female Naxalite leader in an encounter in Chhattisgarhâs Kanker district The deceased has been identified as Rupi an Area Committee Member ACM in the Naxalite hierarchy A bounty of Rs 5 lakh had been announced on her headThe encounter took place in the Chhotebethiya area where police and Naxalites exchanged fire resulting in her death in the encounter Kanker Superintendent of Police Nikhil Rakhecha confirmed that Rupi was the last remaining seniorcadre Naxalite in the Bastar region after the surrender or elimination of all other highranking cadresPolice recovered a weapon along with her body from the encounter siteAuthorities had repeatedly appealed to Naxalites to surrender and join the mainstream but Rupi chose to continue her activities leading to the fatal confrontationNaxalism has plagued several states including Chhattisgarh Jharkhand Maharashtra Telangana Andhra Pradesh Odisha and Madhya Pradesh for decades causing immense loss of lives hindering development and creating fear among local populations especially tribals However sustained antiNaxal operations improved intelligence sharing and developmental initiatives have turned the tide dramaticallyOver the past two years several prominent Naxalite leaders have been neutralised while a large number of cadres have surrenderedState governments are actively implementing rehabilitation policies to help former Naxalites reintegrate into society providing them with opportunities for a peaceful and productive lifeIndia is on the verge of becoming almost entirely free from the decadesold scourge of Naxalism with the government intensifying final operations to wipe out the remaining pockets of LeftWing ExtremismUnion Home Minister Amit Shah recently informed Parliament that the country has effectively become Naxalfree with Naxalites now confined to only a few isolated pocketsHe assured that the ongoing security operations would soon clear these last remaining areas as wellThe Centre had set an ambitious deadline of March 31 2026 to completely eradicate Naxalism from Indian soil and significant progress has been achieved in the past two years through coordinated efforts between the Central and state governmentsThe recent elimination of Rupi marks a significant milestone in the governmentâs resolve to end NaxalismWith only a handful of extremists left in scattered pockets officials are optimistic that India will soon be completely rid of this internal security threatSecurity experts believe that the combination of firm police action and welfare measures has broken the backbone of the Naxalite movementThe focus now remains on ensuring development reaches the remotest tribal areas so that the ideology of violence finds no further ground IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/last-senior-naxalite-neutralised-in-chhattisgarh-encounter-claims-police-669120.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sea-of-devotion-engulfs-haridwar-as-baisakhi-snan-draws-massive-crowds-to-ganga-ghats-669122.html Haridwar April 13 On the occasion of the Baisakhi Snan a magnificent spectacle of faith is unfolding in the holy city of Haridwar on Monday Devotees have already begun arriving in Haridwar in anticipation of the Baisakhi holy bath Since early morning devotees from across the country have been streaming into Haridwar taking a sacred dip in the holy River Ganga to earn spiritual merit A massive surge of devotees has gathered at major Ganga ghats including Har Ki Pauri where a palpable sense of enthusiasm and reverence is evident among the pilgrims Alongside the holy bath in the Ganga people are performing rituals and prayers seeking the happiness and prosperity of their familiesDevotees not only performed the ritual bath but also offered prayers and conducted traditional ceremonies seeking peace prosperity and wellbeing for their families The scene was both overwhelming and serene a rare blend of intense devotion and collective harmonyIn light of the massive turnout the local administration remained on high alert A strong police presence was deployed throughout the ghats and adjoining areas to manage the crowds effectively Advanced surveillance systems including CCTV cameras were actively monitoring the situation to ensure safety and prevent any untoward incidents Due to these efforts the event has so far proceeded smoothly with devotees maintaining discipline and cooperationAmid the spiritual fervour emotions ran high one devotee shared his feelings with IANS âI feel incredibly blessed to witness the Ganga Aarti The beauty of the moment moved me to tearsâ Such heartfelt experiences reflected the deep emotional and spiritual connection people feel during this sacred festivalBaisakhi primarily known as a harvest festival will be celebrated on April 14 It holds immense cultural and religious significance especially for the Sikh community marking both prosperity and new beginnings The festival is also observed as the Solar New Year in many parts of IndiaAt the same time Baisakhi carries historical importance as it coincides with the anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre making it a day of both celebration and remembrance Today it stands as a symbol of unity gratitude and resilience bringing people together in faith and reflection IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sea-of-devotion-engulfs-haridwar-as-baisakhi-snan-draws-massive-crowds-to-ganga-ghats-669122.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/adopting-babasahebs-thoughts-will-build-harmonious-empowered-prosperous-state-cm-yogi-669123.html New Delhi April 13 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday issued a detailed public message titled âYogi Ki Patiâ Yogis noteletter a day ahead of BR Ambedkars birth anniversary urging citizens to adopt the ideals of the Constitutionâs chief architect and promote education in everyday life In a post on X CM Yogi wrote âApril 14 marks the sacred birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar Jiâ through whose vision millions of people gained the right to a life of dignityâHe added that âby embracing Babasahebs ideals our government is ensuring that the benefits of schemes reach every poor deprived woman and youthâExpanding on this in his longer note the Chief Minister described the occasion as âan opportunity to express our gratitude to that great personality who drafted the framework of Indias ConstitutionâThe CM emphasised Ambedkarâs intellectual depth writing that âevery word of Babasaheb is inspirationalâ particularly highlighting his vision in the fields of economy and educationQuoting Ambedkarâs enduring message he wrote âEducate organise and struggleâ and noted that Babasaheb was âamong the most educated people of his timeâ who maintained a collection of over 35000 books and studied for â16 to 18 hours a dayâThe Chief Minister also referred to welfare initiatives in Uttar Pradesh stating âBy adopting Babasahebâs ideas our government is ensuring that benefits of schemes reach every poor deprived woman and youthâ including access to housing healthcare sanitation and education He added that targeted programmes have helped âmore than six crore people rise above multidimensional povertyâ with continued efforts toward a âzero povertyâ missionIn a personal appeal CM Yogi urged citizens âKeep good books in your homes read them yourselves and inspire your children to do the sameâ stressing that âonly then will Babasahebâs dream be realisedâHe concluded that âonly by adopting Babasahebâs thoughts will the resolve to build a harmonious empowered and prosperous state be fulfilledâ calling on people to carry forward the legacy of social justice and equalityThe message comes as the country prepares to observe Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14 Tuesday with tributes and public programmes celebrating his enduring contributions to Indian society and governance IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/adopting-babasahebs-thoughts-will-build-harmonious-empowered-prosperous-state-cm-yogi-669123.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pmk-leader-ramadoss-shifted-to-chennai-for-treatment-condition-stable-after-fainting-while-campaigning-669134.html Salem April 13 PMK founder S Ramadoss has been shifted to Chennai for advanced medical treatment following a health setback during the ongoing Tamil Nadu Assembly election campaign party sources said on Monday According to sources the veteran leader is expected to undergo specialised treatment at Apollo Hospitals where a team of senior doctors will monitor his condition He was initially admitted to a private hospital in Salem and later moved to another facility for further evaluation before the decision was taken to transfer him to ChennaiDoctors who treated him in Salem said his condition is currently stable and under control They attributed the health issue to physical exhaustion caused by continuous campaigning along with agerelated factorsâHe had experienced fatigue and a possible drop in blood pressure He is now stable and recovering wellâ a senior doctor saidMedical experts have advised that Ramadoss remain under observation for at least 24 hours and take adequate rest before resuming any political activitiesParty leaders have expressed confidence that he will make a swift recovery and return to campaigning soonThe development comes at a politically sensitive time for the PMK which has been witnessing internal differences between Ramadoss and his son Anbumani RamadossThe fatherson rift over party leadership and strategy has led to parallel political activities and differing campaign approaches drawing attention ahead of the Assembly electionsRamadoss had addressed a public meeting at Pallapatti in Salem campaigning in support of Salem West constituency candidate and sitting MLA Arul as part of the election campaignHowever yesterday shortly after concluding his speech and stepping down from the stage he suddenly fainted causing panic among those presentHis daughter Dr Srikanti along with party members immediately rushed to his aid and arranged for his transfer to a nearby private hospital for emergency treatmentThe incident briefly disrupted the campaign schedule even as party leaders moved quickly to ensure he received timely medical care IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pmk-leader-ramadoss-shifted-to-chennai-for-treatment-condition-stable-after-fainting-while-campaigning-669134.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/if-already-planned-why-didnt-cong-implement-it-when-in-power-jd-669135.html New Delhi April 13 JDU MP Sanjay Kumar Jha on Monday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Sonia Gandhi over her remarks on delimitation and the Womenâs Reservation Bill questioning why such measures were not implemented during the Congressled UPA government Speaking to IANS Jha said âIf it was already planned earlier then why wasnât it implemented when they were in power Who stopped themâHe further added that during the UPA regime when the Bill came up âNitish Jiâ even went out of his way to support it in Delhi Who stopped them from implementing itâHe also argued that the present process marks a significant political and constitutional moment stating âSo when the Bill is brought delimitation will also happen and the number of seats will increase These seats are based on populationâ this is a historical momentâTaking a dig at the Congress party Jha remarked âShe just has to make an issue about everythingâ that is the situation of the Congress todayâThe remarks came after Sonia Gandhi in an opinion article published in The Hindu raised strong objections to the Centreâs plan to introduce Bills during a special Parliament session on April 16 She said the âcentral concernâ was delimitation rather than womenâs reservation calling the exercise âextremely dangerousâ and an âassault on the ConstitutionâGandhi also alleged that the government was attempting to âdelay and derailâ the caste census and criticised the timing of the legislative process which coincides with election campaigns in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal She further claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was trying to âderive political advantage and place the Opposition on the defensiveâIn her article she wrote that the government had âdeclined repeated requestsâ for an allparty meeting after the recent state elections schedule was announced and accused Prime Minister Modi of being âeconomical with the truthâ regarding the Oppositionâs stance on womenâs reservationThe exchange highlights intensifying political sparring ahead of the special parliamentary session with both sides trading sharp allegations over constitutional and electoral reforms IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/if-already-planned-why-didnt-cong-implement-it-when-in-power-jd-669135.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nari-shakti-sammelan-pm-modi-says-india-about-to-make-one-of-the-most-significant-decisions-of-21st-century-669148.html New Delhi April 13 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday addressed the nationallevel Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan and said that the Parliament is on the verge of making a historic decision in the coming days by introducing the amendments to the Nari Shakti Vandan AdhiniyamAddressing the large gathering at New Delhis Vigyan Bhawan the Prime Minister started by paying homage to the martyrs of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and also extended Baisakhi greetings to the countrymennbspDuring this Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also shared a tollfree number 9667173333 which people can give a missed call to support the Modi governments Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam BillsSpeaking about the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam PM Modi said India is about to make one of the most significant decisions of the 21st century I say this with a strong sense of responsibility This decision is dedicated to the Nari Shakti and Nari Shakti VandannbspOur Parliament is going to make a historic decision which will give concrete form to the concepts of the past and fulfil the resolutions of the future A resolve rooted in equality where social justice is not merely a slogan but an integral part of our work culture and decisionmaking process he saidFrom the State Assemblies to the Parliament the end of decades of waiting is 16 17 and 18 referring to April 1618 he saidThe Prime Minister recalled that in 2023 in the new Parliament building the first step was taken towards the Nari Shakti AdhiniyamnbspFor it to be implemented on time womens participation gives strength to our democracy We have called a special session of the Parliament he addedThe Sammellan saw participation from prominent personalities and women achievers across diverse sectors including government academia science sports entrepreneurship media social work and cultureThe event brought together a wide spectrum of stakeholders to deliberate on the role of women in Indias development journeyAddressing the gathering PM Modi said Through this event we are receiving the blessings of mothers and sisters from across the nation I have not come here to wake you up or give you orders but to seek your blessings You all have come here from different parts of the nation and I thank you for your timeEveryone had felt the need for womens reservation for decades and discussions were also held Over 40 years were spent on this deliberation Every party and several generations made an effort towards this Every political outfit took this forward according to their understanding When Nari Shakti Adhiniyam was introduced in 2023 even then every political party passed it with consensus and then everyone had also demanded its implementation before 2029 he saidThe Prime Minister further mentioned that it was unacceptable that a Bill was passed but not implemented Recalling the Oppositions stance he said that the leaders were also very vocal that this be implemented soonnbspKeeping the 2029 deadline and the Oppositions demand in mind we kept deliberating on the ways to do this consulted experts and now we have called for a special discussion on this issue in the Parliament It is our effort that this time too this work is done with dialogue support and consensus I have full trust that the way this Adhiniyam was passed this time too the Parliamentary tradition will reach new heights PM Modi saidThe women of the country will also feel good that everyone has taken this important decision in their favour he addedThe programme is being organised as part of the Centre governments broader push towards womenled development and seeks to underline the importance of greater participation of women in decisionmaking processesThe event comes in the backdrop of the landmark passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in September 2023 which marked a significant step towards enhancing womens representation in legislative bodiesThe legislation provides for onethird reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies a move widely seen as transformative for Indias political landscape IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nari-shakti-sammelan-pm-modi-says-india-about-to-make-one-of-the-most-significant-decisions-of-21st-century-669148.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-police-grant-conditional-nod-to-vijays-tiruchy-roadshow-tighten-security-669152.html Tiruchy Tamil Nadu April 14 With just days to go for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections actorturnedpolitician C Joseph Vijay is set to intensify his campaign in the central region after police granted him conditional permission for a roadshow and party functionariesâ meeting in Tiruchy scheduled for tomorrow Tuesday subject to a stringent set of 27 restrictions According to officials the conditions focus heavily on crowd management traffic regulation and public safety reflecting heightened caution after recent incidents linked to large political gatheringsVijay will embark on a twokilometre roadshow from the airport Police sources said organisers have been instructed to strictly adhere to designated routes avoid overcrowding and ensure that emergency lanes remain unobstructed throughout the processionThe restrictions also include limits on vehicle convoys the use of public address systems and the deployment of volunteers for crowd controlAfter the roadshow Vijay will interact with party cadres and hold a meeting with functionaries where he is expected to issue key electionrelated directions He will then proceed to the neighbouring Pudukottai district to address three campaign meetings as part of his statewide outreachThe campaign push comes at a crucial juncture for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK which was launched by Vijay in 2024 with a promise of clean governance youthcentric policies and an alternative to the entrenched Dravidian political frameworkSince its formation the party has rapidly mobilised support particularly among firsttime voters and urban youth However Vijayâs political journey has not been without controversy A tragic stampede during a TVK event in Karur in September 2025 which claimed 41 lives cast a shadow over the partyâs campaign style and triggered widespread criticism over crowd management lapsesThe incident prompted authorities across the state to enforce tighter regulations on political gatherings especially those involving large public turnouts In this backdrop the Tiruchy event is being closely monitored by the police with additional personnel deployed across key points to prevent any untoward incidentsSenior officers said the administration is committed to facilitating democratic campaigning while ensuring public safety is not compromised IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-police-grant-conditional-nod-to-vijays-tiruchy-roadshow-tighten-security-669152.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/if-women-can-manage-homes-they-are-equally-competent-to-govern-nation-raj-cm-on-nari-shakti-vandan-adhiniyam-669156.html Jaipur April 13 Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma asserted that women are not only capable of governance but can often excel at it He remarked that if women can efficiently manage households they are equally competent to govern the nation with vision and responsibility CM Sharma was addressing women from diverse fields at a programme held at the Chief Ministerâs residence on Sunday where he highlighted the significance of the âNari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyamâ Womenâs Reservation Act passed under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra ModiHe described the legislation as a historic and visionary reform aimed at enhancing womenâs representation in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative AssembliesThe Chief Minister stated that the Act provides for onethird reservation for women in both Houses which will significantly increase their participation in policymakingHe emphasised that this step will ensure womenâs active involvement in achieving the vision of a Developed India by 2047He also urged women to play a proactive role in spreading awareness about the Act across societyCM Sharma noted that since 2014 several major initiatives have been launched by the Central government focussing on womenâs dignity safety and empowermentHe said that schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana Lakhpati Didi Ujjwala Yojana Jan Dhan Yojana Beti BachaoBeti Padhao and the Swachh Bharat Mission have benefitted a large number of women across the countryHe added that both the Central and Rajasthan governments are consistently working towards strengthening womenâs socioeconomic status through targeted welfare measuresHighlighting Rajasthanâs initiatives the Chief Minister said women are excelling in fields such as sports Defence entrepreneurship science education and the arts bringing pride to both the state and the nationHe noted that schemes like the Lado Protsahan Yojana are supporting young girls while the Maa Voucher Scheme is providing pregnant women with access to free sonography servicesAdditionally over 16 million women in the state have become âLakhpati Didisâ reflecting growing financial independence among women Sharma further stated that the Kalika Patrolling Unit has been established and is functioning effectively to enhance womenâs safetyThe Chief Ministerâs Nari Shakti Udyam Protsahan Yojana is promoting women entrepreneurship while the Dugdha Utpadak Sambal Yojana is empowering women in the dairy sector through a subsidy of five rupees per litreSharma also highlighted broader development efforts stating that the âRising Rajasthan Global Investment Summitâ has attracted investment proposals worth Rs 35 trillion with projects worth around Rs 900 billion already under implementation He added that the HPCL Rajasthan Refinery project will accelerate industrial development in the stateFurthermore the completion of Phase 2 of the Jaipur Metro will provide women with safer and more convenient transportation optionsDuring the programme women were given detailed information about various Central and State government schemes aimed at empowerment and inclusive developmentThe event saw participation from women representing diverse sectors including the Department of Women and Child Development the Chief Ministerâs Office industry bodies such as FICCI and CII as well as professionals from education media healthcare law enforcement social work and digital platforms IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/if-women-can-manage-homes-they-are-equally-competent-to-govern-nation-raj-cm-on-nari-shakti-vandan-adhiniyam-669156.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-eases-cafe-2027-norms-cuts-compliance-edge-for-heavy-vehicles-669157.html New Delhi April 13 IANS The government has proposed a softer set of Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency CAFE norms for the 20272032 period offering relief to the domestic auto industry NDTV Profit reportednbspAccording to a revised draft prepared by the Ministry of Power in consultation with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency BEE the government has moved away from a rigid target framework in favour of a phased tightening approach The proposal includes a flatter compliance curve reducing the advantage previously enjoyed by heavier vehiclesKnown as CAFE 2027 the draft represents the third stage of Indias fleetlevel fuel economy road map aimed at aligning the automobile sector with the countrys broader climate and energy goalsThe norms are set to take effect from April 1 2027 and will tighten progressively through FY32 the report saidThe report added that the revised framework marks a notable softening from the September 2025 draft The emission curve has been recalibrated with a new slope formula set at 000158 in FY28 and easing to 000131 by FY32 allowing slightly higher fuel consumption than previously proposedThe draft also includes super credits for electric and hybrid vehicles allowing them to count as multiple vehicles when calculating fleetlevel emissions Plugin hybrids and flexfuel hybrids are expected to receive higher multipliers under the proposed frameworkCredit trading between manufacturers has also been permitted providing carmakers additional flexibility in managing compliance obligationsHowever penalties for noncompliance could run into hundreds of crores of rupees for large manufacturers making the EV and hybrid credit mechanism a significant financial lever for the industry the report saidAdditionally niche manufacturers producing fewer than 1000 units annually have been exempted from compliance requirements offering relief to smallvolume playersIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-eases-cafe-2027-norms-cuts-compliance-edge-for-heavy-vehicles-669157.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ajmer-cleric-meets-indian-envoy-in-russia-calls-for-deeper-cultural-and-spiritual-ties-669160.html Jaipur April 13 In a notable engagement linking diplomacy with civilisational heritage Haji Syed Salman Chishty cleric of Ajmer Sharif Dargah and Chairman of the Chishty Foundation met Ambassador Neelam Rani Consul General of India in St Petersburg The interaction focused on strengthening IndiaRussia ties through art culture spiritual traditions and peopletopeople engagement Dargah officials said on MondayThe meeting took place during Chishtyâs official visit to Russia which included St Petersburg and Moscow Against the historic setting of St Petersburg both sides underlined that the IndiaRussia partnership long built on mutual trust should expand beyond defence and trade Cultural outreach and spiritual heritage were identified as key avenues for cooperationDiscussions included proposals for cultural festivals Sufi music and qawwali programmes classical art exchanges and curated exhibitions reflecting shared traditions A major focus was on strengthening interfaith dialogue and spiritual cooperationChishty noted that the Sufi message of âpeace with allâ finds resonance in Russiaâs diverse religious landscape Regions such as Tatarstan Dagestan Bashkortostan and the Caucasus were highlighted for their strong Sufi traditions offering scope for collaboration Both sides explored structured interfaith dialogues academic exchanges and joint spiritual delegations to translate shared heritage into active engagementEmphasising that lasting international ties rest on human connections the two also identified youth exchanges academic partnerships and cultural immersion programmes as priority areas These efforts aim to widen the reach of bilateral ties beyond official channelsThe discussion also touched upon longstanding intellectual links between the two countries including Leo Tolstoyâs engagement with Indian philosophy and the influence of Mahatma Gandhi on Russian thoughtChishty said the Neelam Rani represents the countryâs civilisational approach to diplomacy and added that IndiaâRussia relations are grounded in shared values of peace and humanity He reiterated his commitment to promoting the message of harmony associated with Khwaja Gharib Nawaz across bordersThe Indian envoy welcomed the visit and appreciated efforts to promote Indiaâs spiritual and cultural heritage She reaffirmed the Consulateâs support for initiatives that deepen cultural ties and strengthen peopletopeople connections between India and Russia IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ajmer-cleric-meets-indian-envoy-in-russia-calls-for-deeper-cultural-and-spiritual-ties-669160.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/from-ghaziabad-to-mumbai-isis-expansive-spy-network-fed-data-for-planned-strikes-669161.html New Delhi April 13 The ISIbacked espionage module which the Ghaziabad Police first busted had surveyed sensitive locations such as naval facilities and airport zones in Mumbai They were in the process of installing solarpowered CCTV cameras at these locations and were planning to send the live feed to their handlers in Pakistan An investigating official said that the module was not just limited to conducting a reconnaissance in Delhi Ghaziabad Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir They had a reach up to Maharashtra as well The questioning of the prime accused Suhail Malik revealed that he was working as a daily wager at a bakery In reality he was on the ISIs payrollWhile residing in Pune Malik had transmitted information about sensitive locations both in Pune and Mumbai Following this he moved to Ghaziabad and continued to work for the ISI He had been heading the espionage module that was busted by the Ghaziabad policeThe espionage module had managed to set up solarpowered CCTVs at railway stations and other crowded locations The agencies are now closely probing the activities undertaken by this module in Mumbai and Pune Malik was in Mumbai for five years between 2020 and 2025 During this period he had conducted a reconnaissance of several locations and provided the ISI with informationAn official said that the targets of this module were largely Army cantonment areas railway stations and the movement of the security personnel The official added that the probe suggests that these persons were focusing heavily on the Indian RailwaysThe espionage module was entrusted with only providing information and was not involved in planning any attack The ISI was in the process of setting up another module to carry out attacks at railway stations and Army cantonment areasAnother official noted that the cameras to capture live feed were not set up overnight It has been in the works for several years and now the security agencies are analysing the extent of information that has been passed on This module was providing information at a very low cost to the ISI so that attacks could be carried out at multiple locations over a period of time The scale of this operation was massive and the busting of this module has managed to avert a major catastrophe an official notedSuhail according to investigators was paid Rs 8000 to install each CCTV camera He has managed to install it at multiple locations over the years investigating officials have learnt This new playbook of the ISI to gather live feed from sensitive and crowded locations has prompted a thorough audit of CCTV cameras being soldFollowing the busting of this module the Maharashtra government has ordered an audit of CCTV systems Further the procurement of CCTV cameras linked to Chinese companies has been put on hold The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority will now have to obtain police clearance before putting up surveillance systemsAn Intelligence Bureau official said that the module had a wide reach and had managed to procure sensitive information from many states The police personnel of these respective states would need to coordinate and gather as much information as possible This cannot be viewed as an isolated module that was just gathering informationIt is equally important that the agencies learn about what has been done with the data collected and how the ISI was looking to use it the official also added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/from-ghaziabad-to-mumbai-isis-expansive-spy-network-fed-data-for-planned-strikes-669161.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-stalin-hits-back-at-fm-sitharaman-over-farm-policy-row-defends-tn-incentives-669162.html Chennai April 13 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday strongly countered Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman asserting that his remarks on agricultural incentives were based entirely on the Centreâs official communication and did not go beyond what was stated in the letter In a post on X CM Stalin said Tamil Naduâs incentive schemes for paddy cultivation have contributed significantly to increased production in the state over the years He maintained that the Union governmentâs communication to the stateâs Chief Secretary clearly suggested discontinuing such incentives and stressed that his interpretation was drawn directly from the contents of the letterâI have not said anything beyond what is stated in the letter There is no need for me to add anything moreâ he said dismissing allegations of misrepresentationThe rebuttal came after Sitharaman said she had written to Chief Secretaries of all states including Tamil Nadu urging them to align agricultural incentive policies with national prioritiesShe emphasised the need to promote cultivation of pulses oilseeds and paddy noting that these crops are in high domestic demand and can improve farmersâ income if supported effectivelyClarifying her position Sitharaman said that offering incentives or bonuses above the Minimum Support Price MSP remains within the exclusive domain of state governments and that the Centre has not curtailed this authorityHowever she accused Stalin of diverting attention from constructive engagement and turning the issue into a political controversy for narrow electoral gainsShe further criticised the DMK alleging that when the nation is seeking solutions the party is creating unnecessary controversies and when the Union government extends cooperation it is being used for electionoriented narrativesThe exchange has intensified political tensions between the DMKled Tamil Nadu government and the Centre ahead of the Assembly electionsIt also reflects a broader debate on federal autonomy policy coordination and the balance between statespecific welfare measures and national agricultural priorities IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-stalin-hits-back-at-fm-sitharaman-over-farm-policy-row-defends-tn-incentives-669162.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/child-killed-12-students-injured-as-school-van-overturns-in-bihars-nawada-669171.html Patna April 13 A nineyearold girl was killed and over a dozen school children were injured after a school van overturned in Biharâs Nawada district on Monday morning police said The incident occurred on Kamlapur Road in the Govindpur block around 815 am on Monday where the vehicle reportedly lost control plunged nearly 20 feet off the road and overturned multiple timesEyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as the vehicle rolled repeatedly before coming to a halt Local villagers who were harvesting wheat in nearby fields rushed to the spot upon hearing the crash They played a crucial role in rescuing the children pulling them out of the wreckage and transporting them to nearby hospitalsAccording to the police one student named Arohi Kumari 9 lost her life in this mishap and two students have critical conditions at the moment Other students are also under the close observation of doctors Preliminary findings suggest that the vehicle belonged to a private school Local residents have alleged that the vehicle was overloaded beyond capacity The vehicle has a capacity to transport 15 students but it was carrying more than 25 at the time of the accidentThe eyewitnesses have also said that the driver of the vehicle was in an inebriated condition and travelling at high speed These factors are believed to have contributed to the accidentPolice have reached the spot and initiated an investigation into the incident Authorities are examining all aspects including vehicle condition driverâs conduct and compliance with safety norms The Nawada police arrested the errant driver and lodged an FIR against him under the relevant sections of rash and negligent driving at the Govindpur police station The district police will also conduct a medical checkup of the driverThe incident has sparked widespread anger among villagers who are demanding strict action against the school administration Residents have emphasized the urgent need for enforcing safety regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/child-killed-12-students-injured-as-school-van-overturns-in-bihars-nawada-669171.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/man-found-shot-dead-in-closed-flat-girlfriend-another-man-arrested-669180.html Kolkata April 13 The bulletriddled body of a young man was recovered from a closed flat in Narendrapur area on the southern outskirts of Kolkata on Monday morning The deceased mans alleged girlfriend and a man have been arrested by the police A pistol and bullets were recovered from beside the body The deceased has been identified as Arup MandalAn investigation into the incident has already begun and Arup Mandals girlfriend and another person have been arrested The police are investigating whether the murder was due to a dispute in their relationshipAccording to the police 37yearold Arup Mandal was found shot dead and two firearms and six rounds of bullets were recovered from the flatThe police are investigating when how and why Arup was shot dead and they are also trying to find out who killed the young manThe family of the deceased claims that they received the news of the death on Sunday midnightArups maternal uncle Shankar Naskar said that an acquaintance informed him of his nephews death That night they went to Arups flat and saw him lying in a bloody stateThe family also claims that Arup used to stay in the flat in Narendrapur due to work No one in the family knew whether he was in a romantic relationship with anyoneHowever some people in Arups family knew a young man named Raju They knew him as Arups friend The police have arrested the young manAlong with this they have also arrested a young woman named Priyanka Das Initial speculation is that the murder was committed due to a relationship dispute as the preliminary investigation has revealed that Arup was close to PriyankaA police officer said that there were injury marks on the head of the deceased Both Raju and Priyanka have been arrested The police have sent the body for autopsy and an investigation has also been startedOn the other hand the shooting incident in the Assembly election atmosphere has created a stir in the area IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/man-found-shot-dead-in-closed-flat-girlfriend-another-man-arrested-669180.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/not-a-grihasthi-yet-i-understand-it-all-pm-modi-hails-womens-empowerment-through-govts-schemes-669182.html New Delhi April 13 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that although he may not be a Grihasthi householder he understands domestic life and that through various government schemes women are becoming economically empowerednbspnbspAddressing the Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan at Vigyan Bhawan the Prime Minister said the path to reaching Parliament is set to become easier for women and their role has become even more crucialParliament is on the verge of creating new history one that will realise the visions of the past and fulfil the resolutions of the future he saidHe emphasised that it was the governments effort and priority to ensure the amendment bill to Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is passed through dialogue cooperation and participation of allWhen the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was introduced in 2023 it was passed unanimously by all parties in Parliament he notedPrime Minister Modi hailed Panchayati Raj institutions as a remarkable example of womens leadership and said Indias Nari Shakti has made immense contributions to nationbuildingThe success of the Jal Jeevan Mission stands as a prime example of how women have played a significant role at the Panchayat level Studies have shown that increased participation of women in decisionmaking leads to greater sensitivity and responsiveness within systems he addedHe listed several flagship schemes that have benefited women including Beti Bachao Beti Padhao the Maternity Benefit Scheme Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana for postbirth support and Mission Indradhanush to ensure timely vaccinations for childrenThe PM said that to address the lack of toilets in schools the government launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan It provides free sanitary pads offers annual financial assistance of Rs one lakh for sports and has opened Sainik Schools for girls aspiring to join the armed forces For later stages of life the Ujjwala Yojana protects women from the hazards of kitchen smoke Har Ghar Nal every house with tap water ensures access to clean tap water at home and Ayushman Yojana provides free medical treatment up to Rs five lakhOur sisters and daughters are reaping the greatest benefits from all these initiatives he said More than 30 million women have become homeowners under government housing schemesTypically when fathers and sons discuss business if the mother enters the room they would often say You go away Now that those women have become economically empowered even the sons say do call mother overI may not be a householder myself but I understand everything about domestic life the Prime Minister observed with a smile He extended his congratulations to all the women of India on the dawn of a new eraFor decades everyone has felt the need to provide reservations for women within our democratic framework Nearly 40 years have passed since discussions began regarding the Womens Reservation Bill This journey involves the efforts of all political parties and multiple generations Every party has advanced this concept in its own distinct manner When the Act was passed in 2023 all political parties unanimously voted in its favour There was also a resounding consensus that come what may it must be implemented by 2029 The women of the country should meet with their Members of Parliament present their perspectives and articulate their expectations he saidOn the day the MPs leave to attend the parliamentary session bid them farewell with garlands of flowers For when the MPs depart carrying the blessings of our mothers and sisters they will be left with no choice but to make the right decision said Prime Minister ModiA special threeday session of Parliament is being convened from April 16 to 18 with the objective of introducing amendments to implement womens reservation The original Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam had linked the reservation to the new census and the subsequent delimitation exercise Due to the delay in conducting the fresh census the government now plans to proceed based on the 2011 census dataFollowing the amendment the number of Lok Sabha seats could potentially increase from 543 to 816 with provisions to reserve onethird of the seats for women while maintaining the existing structure for SC and ST reservations No separate provision for OBC reservation within the womens quota has been made at this stageThe government has planned two major amendments including a separate Delimitation Bill Both are expected to be taken up as constitutional amendments during the upcoming sessionPrime Minister Modi has called upon all political parties to support this historic step in the spirit of consensus that marked the original passage of the Act in 2023 so that Nari Shakti can play a fuller role in shaping the future of a developed IndiaIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/not-a-grihasthi-yet-i-understand-it-all-pm-modi-hails-womens-empowerment-through-govts-schemes-669182.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-to-address-mega-vijay-sankalp-sabha-in-siliguri-today-669006.html New Delhi April 12 Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address a massive âVijay Sankalp Sabhaâ in Siliguri West Bengal on Sunday at 1 pm marking a key moment in the ongoing election campaign ahead of the upcoming twophase Assembly polls later this month The rally is expected to witness a huge turnout with party supporters and local residents gathering in large numbers as campaigning intensifies across the state The event forms part of an extensive outreach programme by the BJP which is aiming to strengthen its presence in the regionEarlier the Prime Minister had addressed three mega campaign rallies across different districts of West Bengal on the same day Following these engagements he participated in a grand roadshow at Bagdogra near Siliguri in the Darjeeling district on Saturday eveningAs the Prime Ministerâs convoy moved through the roads thousands of people lined the streets enthusiastically chanting slogans such as âModiModiâ and âJai Shree Ramâ The atmosphere was charged with excitement as supporters gathered in large numbers to catch a glimpse of the leaderInitially PM Modi was seen seated in the front of his vehicle beside the driver waving to the crowd Later he leaned out of the vehicle window greeting supporters while holding a replica of the BJPâs election symbol the lotus His direct interaction further energised the crowd with chants growing louder and more spiritedThe BJP has launched an ambitious campaign in West Bengal organising over 500 rallies and public meetings to mobilise voters ahead of the upcoming elections The party is deploying its top central leadership along with key state leaders in what is being described as one of its most aggressive election drives in recent yearsIn addition to rallies the BJP plans to begin daily press conferences from April 15 coinciding with Poila Baisakh Each day the party will highlight specific aspects of its manifesto focusing on welfare initiatives cultural identity and development agendas including agricultural reforms womenâs empowerment and infrastructure growth IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-to-address-mega-vijay-sankalp-sabha-in-siliguri-today-669006.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 11:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/twin-earthquakes-hit-jampks-doda-no-damage-reported-669012.html Doda April 12 Two earthquakes struck the Jammu and Kashmir district of Doda in the early hours of Sunday triggering tremors across the region The first earthquake measuring 46 on the Richter scale was recorded at around 422 am at a depth of 10 km Shortly after a second tremor of 30 magnitude occurred at approximately 437 am with its epicentre located at latitude 33090ÂN and longitude 75928ÂE also at a depth of 10 kmDoda lies in the seismically sensitive Himalayan belt where frequent lowintensity earthquakes are common due to the ongoing convergence of tectonic plates As a result such tremors are regularly recorded in the region and typically do not lead to significant damage or strong ground shakingNeighbouring areas including Kishtwar and Bhaderwah are also prone to similar seismic activity although most incidents remain minor in nature and have limited impactExperts attribute the regions vulnerability to the continuous collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates making the entire Himalayan arc one of the most earthquakeprone zones in the world This includes regions spanning Jammu and Kashmir Himachal Pradesh Uttarakhand and NepalUnder the updated 2025 seismic classification and IS 1893 Earthquake Design Code the Himalayan belt has been placed in Indias highestrisk Zone VI reflecting increased seismic hazards Reports indicate that over 60 per cent of the country falls under moderatetohigh earthquake risk zones with concerns also being raised about the possibility of a major earthquake in identified seismic gapsAuthorities including the National Disaster Management Authority and the Bureau of Indian Standards continue to stress the importance of preparedness measures such as earthquakeresistant construction early warning systems public awareness campaigns and regular community drillsFor realtime updates and seismic data officials have advised citizens to refer to the National Centre for Seismology website or mobile application IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/twin-earthquakes-hit-jampks-doda-no-damage-reported-669012.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 11:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-polls-scorching-heat-reshapes-election-campaign-669013.html Chennai April 12 With temperatures soaring close to 40 degrees Celsius across several parts of Tamil Nadu the ongoing Assembly election campaign is being dictated as much by the weather as by political strategy Candidates and party workers are recalibrating their routines to cope with the oppressive summer heat even as they strive to maintain momentum in voter outreach In districts such as Tiruchy and Madurai campaigning now follows a split schedule Activities begin early in the morning pause during the peak afternoon heat and resume only after sunsetWhat was once a continuous day of rallies and doortodoor canvassing has transformed into carefully timed engagements aimed at minimising heat exposureParty cadres on the ground are taking additional precautions Caps scarves and drinking water are being distributed widely among supporters while leaders repeatedly urge people to stay hydrated during public interactionsCampaigns in crowded neighbourhoods and marketplaces continue but with visible adjustments to pace and durationThe toll of the extreme weather is already evident In a recent incident in Thanjavur AIADMK candidate Elamathi Subramanian reportedly fainted while campaigning highlighting the physical strain imposed by prolonged exposure to high temperatures The episode has served as a cautionary reminder prompting candidates across parties to adopt stricter safety measuresSenior leaders particularly those in advanced age groups are among the most cautiousA senior DMK leader who has already crossed 75 years of age said he has modified his daily schedule significantly beginning his campaign at 7 am and concluding by late morning He avoids hot beverages such as tea and coffee opting instead for juices to stay hydrated The leader also said that while providing refreshments to large gatherings is limited by election expenditure regulations party workers have been advised to carry their own water and essentialsCampaigning resumes only after 330 pm once temperatures begin to dipDespite the challenges posed by the heatwave the intensity of the election campaign remains undiminishedPolitical parties continue to push aggressively balancing voter engagement with health precautionsAs polling day approaches the battle for votes is increasingly becoming a test of endurance against both political rivals and the unforgiving summer sun IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-polls-scorching-heat-reshapes-election-campaign-669013.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 11:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kolkata-police-seize-unaccounted-cash-from-four-cars-in-pre-poll-crackdown-669020.html Kolkata April 12 Ahead of the twophase Assembly elections in West Bengal police continue to recover cash and also firearms from different places in Kolkata said a senior police officer on Sunday From Friday evening to Saturday evening members of the polices Flying Squad FS recovered bundles of notes during naka checking at around four places in Kolkata The amounts ranged from Rs four lakh to Rs seven lakh in each case According to the police officer a total of Rs 1824000 was seized Not only money but the police also recovered firearmsThe police gave the details of the recoveries made in the 24 hoursOn Friday evening at around 745 pm the police recovered a cache of notes from a car during a naka check at Park Street crossing Members of the Static Surveillance Team SST were with the officers of Park Street police station during naka checking It was found that the car had a total of Rs 696000 The notes were seized and taken to Park Street police station The police have started an investigation into where all this money came from and where it was being takenOn Saturday morning during a naka checking near Garden Reach Crossing members of the Flying Squad FS recovered lakhs of rupees from a car While stopping the car and searching it they found a brown packet inside When the packet was opened a bundle of money came out which totalled to Rs 218000 The police have started looking for the source of the money and the end userAt the same time near the same area lakhs of rupees in cash were also seizedAccording to the police the money was recovered from a car which was forced to stop in front of Nature Park on Taratala Road The Flying Squad FS members found Rs 410000 in the carIn addition while checking near the Joka tram depot the SST recovered a bag full of money from a car According to the police a white car was stopped with five passengers The bag was found during the search and as it was opened a wad of notes was found The police recovered 10 bundles of 500 rupees with each bundle containing Rs 50000 A total of Rs five lakh was confiscated from the carAlong with the cash the police also recovered weapons in Kolkata Acting on a tipoff a team from the Cossipore police station raided an address in Maniktala in North Kolkata During the search operation the police recovered a countrymade pistol from under the bed of a young man named Asgar Ali Mollah who lives in that house After failing to get any concrete answers from him about the pistol the police arrested him IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kolkata-police-seize-unaccounted-cash-from-four-cars-in-pre-poll-crackdown-669020.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 12:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-bust-rs-47-20-lakh-cyber-fraud-investment-network-three-arrested-669023.html New Delhi April 12 The Crime Branch of Delhi Police has successfully busted a cyber fraud racket operating through a fake online investment platform leading to the arrest of three accused persons involved in cheating an unsuspecting victim of Rs 4720 lakhs officials said on Sunday The accused persons were involved in routing fraudulent financial transactions through bank accounts obtained on a commission basis Additionally bank kit SIM cards and a mobile phone used in the commission of the offence have been recovered from the accused officials mentioned The case pertains to an eFIR registered at PS Cyber South West District on the complaint of a victim who was lured into investing in stocks equities and IPOs through a fraudulent online platformDuring the investigation a current account in the name of Orange Herbs Private Limited was identified as a key conduit wherein Rs 3 lakhs of the defrauded amount was credited Further analysis revealed that the said account was linked to 12 cyber fraud complaints establishing its role as a Layer1 account used for routing cheated fundsUnder the supervision of ACP Ramesh Chander Lamba a team of Crime Branch led by Inspector Satender Poonia and Inspector Sohan Lal Bijarniya comprising SI Gurish Balyan SI Rakesh Kumar ASI Dalbir HC Anuj Kumar Ct Ankit Kumar Ct Amit and Ct Ravi Kumar conducted extensive interstate operations across Haryana Punjab Chandigarh and adjoining regions leveraging technical surveillance and field intelligence Vishal Chauhan a 47yearold resident of Jind Haryana was apprehended and arrested for his involvement in illegal activities He knowingly shared his bank account credentials SIM card debit card and chequebook with coconspirators in exchange for a commission For facilitating these illegal transactions he received Rs 50000 During the arrest three mobile phones linked to the crime were recovered from himRitvik Yadav who served as a mediator in the operation was later traced and arrested in Jaipur Rajasthan He obtained the bank kit and SIM card from Vishal Chauhan and supplied them to other conspirators for a commissionPriyal Pratap Yadav a 22yearold resident of Mainpuri Uttar Pradesh was subsequently apprehended at Kingsway Camp in Delhi A mobile phone used for fraudulent transactions was recovered from himTwo accused Vishal Chauhan and Ritvik Yadav are presently in Judicial Custody Officials said that interrogation revealed that the accused were part of a larger organised syndicate The gang procured bank accounts of individuals and firms on commission ranging from 25 per cent to 40 per cent and used them for routing proceeds of cyber frauds thereby attempting to evade detectionFurther investigation is underway to identify and arrest other members of the syndicateEfforts are ongoing to track down additional accused individuals and to uncover the broader network involved Technical surveillance and field operations are being intensified throughout DelhiNCR and other locationsFurther details are awaited IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-bust-rs-47-20-lakh-cyber-fraud-investment-network-three-arrested-669023.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 12:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/two-brothers-among-3-killed-in-speeding-car-crash-in-mps-dewas-669028.html BhopalDewas April 12 At least three persons were killed and one was critically injured in a horrific road accident on the DewasBhopal Highway near Nevri Phata in Madhya Pradeshâs Dewas district officials said on Sunday The tragic incident occurred around 130 am when a speeding car carrying four youths from Gunai village in Sonkach area went out of control overturned and crashed on the roadsideThe impact was so severe that the vehicle was completely wrecked Three young men died on the spot while the fourth sustained serious injuries The deceased have been identified as Shubham Pradeep and Mohit all residents of Gunai village Two of them were brothers The injured person Sachin was rushed to a hospital in Dewas and later referred to Indore for advanced treatment His condition is stated to be criticalAccording to preliminary police investigation the car was being driven at a very high speed causing the driver to lose controlCCTV footage from a point shortly before the accident site reportedly shows the vehicle approaching at excessive speed Police have not ruled out other factors such as mechanical failure or road conditions and have formed a team to conduct a thorough probeSenior police officials reached the spot soon after receiving information The bodies were recovered and sent for postmortem examinationThe families of the victims have been informed in Gunai village The police have registered a case and are examining all possible angles including whether the driver was under the influence of alcohol or fatigueOfficials have appealed to motorists to strictly follow speed limits and drive cautiously especially during night hoursThe DewasBhopal stretch is known for heavy traffic and such incidents have been reported frequently in the past Local residents expressed grief and demanded better road safety measures including the installation of speed breakers improved lighting and stricter patrolling on the highwayThe district administration has assured full support to the bereaved families IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/two-brothers-among-3-killed-in-speeding-car-crash-in-mps-dewas-669028.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 13:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/first-phase-of-census-2027-in-chhattisgarh-to-begin-from-may-1-669029.html Raipur April 12 As the first phase of the nationwide Census 2027 has already commenced across the country from April 1 the house listing exercise in Chhattisgarh is scheduled to begin on May 1 Preparations for this massive exercise are in full swing in the state The first phase known as the House Listing and Housing Census is a crucial component of the overall census processDuring this phase detailed information about every residential and nonresidential building including its status usage and available amenities will be collectedIn Chhattisgarh house listing and enumeration of houses will be carried out from May 1 to May 30 In line with the Digital India initiative citizens will also have the option of SelfEnumeration this timeFrom April 16 to April 30 families can voluntarily submit information about their households through a dedicated online portal Those opting for selfenumeration will receive a unique SelfEnumeration ID which they must preserve and provide to census enumerators during their visit for verificationThe first phase will record several key details including the number status and type of each building and house its usage residential commercial or other the nature of construction kachcha pakka or semipakka the number of households and availability of basic amenities such as drinking water toilet facilities electricity cooking fuel and internet connectivityThis Census is historic in many ways It will be Indiaâs first fully digital census with enumerators and supervisors entering data directly through mobile phones The entire process will be monitored through the Census Management and Monitoring System All information collected will remain strictly confidential and will not be disclosed even under the RTI ActThis will be Indiaâs 16th national census overall and the eighth since Independence The last census was conducted in 2011 while the one due in 2021 could not be held due to the COVID19 pandemic The first census in India was carried out in 1872 and the first after Independence took place in 1951 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/first-phase-of-census-2027-in-chhattisgarh-to-begin-from-may-1-669029.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 13:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/touched-countless-hearts-pm-modi-expresses-grief-over-passing-away-of-asha-bhosle-669061.html New Delhi April 12 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed grief over the passing away of legendary singer Asha Bhosle Bhosle breathed her last in Mumbai on Sunday at the age of 92Deeply saddened by the passing of Asha Bhosle Ji one of the most iconic and versatile voices India has ever known PM Modi said in a post on XPraising the singers journey he said Her extraordinary musical journey spanning decades enriched our cultural heritage and touched countless hearts across the world Be it her soulful melodies or vibrant compositions her voice carried timeless brillianceIâll always cherish the interactions Iâve had with her the Prime Minister saidPaying tribute to the legendary singer PM Modi said My condolences to her family admirers and music lovers She will continue to inspire generations and her songs will forever echo in peopleâs livesBhosle was admitted to the Breach Candy Hospital on SaturdayDoctor Prateet Samdani revealed that the singer was suffering from several medical complications and passed away due to multiple organ failureIt is sad news that Asha Bhosle has passed away today She was suffering from multiple medical complications and died due to multiorgan failureMaharashtra Culture Minister Ashish Shelar announced the unfortunate news of Bhosles passing away outside the hospitalAsha Bhosles son Anand Bhosle confirmed the news saying that those who wish to pay their last respects to the singer can visit her Mumbai residence in Lower Parel on Monday at 11 amâMy mother Asha Bhosle has passed away today Tomorrow at 11 am people can pay their last respects at her residence he saidHer last rites will take place at Mumbais Shivaji Park on Monday at 4 pmThe film fraternity is in a state of shock after learning about the demise of the legendary singer and several of them have recalled her contributions in their condolence messages IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/touched-countless-hearts-pm-modi-expresses-grief-over-passing-away-of-asha-bhosle-669061.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 15:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/asha-bhosles-immortal-songs-will-forever-resonate-in-our-hearts-union-ministers-669067.html New Delhi April 12 IANS The passing of Asha Bhosle on Sunday has left the nation in deep sorrow with Union Ministers expressing grief and remembering her as a timeless voice whose songs will continue to echo across generationsnbspUnion Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said that Asha Bhosle was the embodiment of a sweet voice and unparalleled singing who elevated Indian music to new heights over decadesHe described her voice as more than a confluence of notes calling it an unspoken emotional bond that cannot be captured in wordsDidi Asha Bhosle ji the embodiment of sweet voice and unparalleled singing elevated Indian music to new heights over decades he saidThe songs she sang will continue to resonate across generations just like this Goyal mentionedThis moment is one of profound emotion and an irreplaceable loss for her family everyone connected to the world of art and millions of fans he addedUnion Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also expressed grief calling the news of her demise extremely heartbreakingHe noted that over a career spanning more than eight decades Asha Bhosle recorded nearly 12000 songs and enchanted generations with her melodies helping Indian music gain global recognitionHer immortal songs will forever resonate in our hearts Scindia statedEchoing similar sentiments Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said he was deeply saddened by her passingHe described her as one of the most successful and prolific singers of Indian cinema whose captivating melodies kept generations spellboundKnown for her range and versatility Asha Jis work in multiple languages includes film music pop ghazals bhajans traditional Indian Classical music folk songs qawwalis Rabindra Sangeets and Nazrul Geetis Puri statedHer melodious voice will continue to live in the hearts of legions of her fans and admirers and inspire upcoming singers and students of music he notedIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/asha-bhosles-immortal-songs-will-forever-resonate-in-our-hearts-union-ministers-669067.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 16:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/those-opposing-vande-mataram-should-leave-country-says-yogi-adityanath-in-bengal-rally-669071.html Kolkata April 12 IANS Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath while addressing an election rally in Nandakumar Assembly constituency in West Bengals East Midnapore district said on Sunday that those who oppose Vande Mataram should leave the countrynbspnbspFrom the land of Uttar Pradesh the holy place of Lord Ram Mahadev and Krishna I have come to the land which has the national song and anthem Those opposing Vande Mataram should leave the country he saidIn his speech the UP Chief Minister mentioned prominent Bengali personalities such as Swami Vivekananda Khudiram Bose Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee and talked about their influence on the countrys national spiritDr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee had said that there cannot be two laws in one nation and that dream has been fulfilled under Prime Minister Narendra Modi The abrogation of Article 370 which was a longstanding ideological objective has now been realised The country is scaling new heights under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi he saidAdityanath also criticised the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal over a rise in political violence in the stateHe said This is the land which produces several scientists and notable personalities including Rabindranath Tagore However Trinamool Congress has made this place a land of polarisation and atrocities The appeasement politics of the Trinamool know no limits It is facilitating infiltration for its electoral advantage The TMC government is not helping in the fencing work of the border just to use infiltrators as their vote bankHe also referred to incidents of violence across the state and severely criticised the TMC governments stance over such incidents including during the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder incidentMamata didi was mute over the horrifying incident of RG Kar Medical College because the goons of TMC were somehow involved in it She remains silent when atrocities are carried out on women and Hindus he addedAll in all the UP Chief Minister held three election rallies in West Bengal on SundayIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/those-opposing-vande-mataram-should-leave-country-says-yogi-adityanath-in-bengal-rally-669071.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 16:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-rejects-chinas-attempt-to-rename-places-reaffirms-arunachal-pradesh-an-integral-and-inalienable-part--669085.html New Delhi April 12 IANS India on Sunday rejected Chinas mischievous attempts to assign fictitious names to places which are part of the country reiterating that territories including Arunachal Pradesh remain an integral and inalienable part of itnbspIn response to media queries regarding China giving fictitious names to places Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal urged China to refrain from actions that cause negativity in bilateral ties and undermine efforts to create a better understanding between Beijing and New DelhiIndia categorically rejects any mischievous attempts by the Chinese side to assign fictitious names to places which form part of the territory of India Such attempts by China at introducing false claims and manufacturing baseless narratives cannot alter the undeniable reality that these places and territories including Arunachal Pradesh were are and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of IndiaThese actions by the Chinese side detract from ongoing efforts to stabilise and normalise IndiaChina bilateral ties China should refrain from actions which inject negativity into relations and undermine efforts to create a better understanding he addedThis is not the first time China has attempted such a renaming of places in IndiaIn May last year the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs released names for some places of Arunachal Pradesh which it refers to as ZangnanAt the time India had rejected Chinas move to assign names to parts of Arunachal Pradesh terming the action vain and preposterousThe MEA had asserted that such creative naming will not change the reality that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of IndiaIn response to media queries on renaming places in Arunachal Pradesh by China Jaiswal said We have noticed that China has persisted with its vain and preposterous attempts to name places in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh Consistent with our principled position we reject such attempts categorically Creative naming will not alter the undeniable reality that Arunachal Pradesh was is and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of IndiaIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-rejects-chinas-attempt-to-rename-places-reaffirms-arunachal-pradesh-an-integral-and-inalienable-part--669085.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 19:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/over-12-lakh-5-kg-lpg-cylinders-sold-to-students-vulnerable-communities-since-march-23-centre-668959.html New Delhi April 11 IANS More than 515 lakh domestic LPG cylinders were delivered on April 10 the government said on Saturday adding that about 1 lakh 5kg FTL cylinders were sold across the country on the same day against a daily average of 77000 in the month of February 2026nbspSince March 23 2026 more than 12 lakh 5kg Free Trade LPG cylinders have been sold to students and vulnerable communities including migrant labourers informed Petroleum MinistryThe government has conveyed that daily quantity of 5kg FTL cylinders in each state available for disbursal to migrant labourers is being doubled based on the average daily supply number of cylinders to migrant labourers during March 23 beyond the limit of 20 per cent mentioned in letter dated 21032026nbspThese 5kg FTL cylinders will be at disposal of the state government for supplying only to migrant labourers in their state with assistance of Oil Marketing Companies OMCsPSU OMCs have organised around 2900 awareness camps for 5kg FTL cylinders during last 8 days wherein more than 29000 5kg FTL cylinders were also sold said the governmentCitizens are advised to avoid panic purchase of petrol diesel and LPG and rely only on official sources for information LPG consumers are requested to use digital booking platforms and avoid visiting distributors Citizens are encouraged to use alternate fuels such as PNG and electric or induction cooktops All citizens are urged to conserve energy in their daily use during the current situation according to the ministryDespite the ongoing geopolitical situation the government has prioritised domestic LPG and PNG supply along with high priority for hospitals and educational institutionsThe government has already implemented several rationalisation measures on both the supply and demand side including enhancing refinery production increasing the booking interval from 21 to 25 days in urban areas and up to 45 days in rural areas and prioritising sectors for supply the statement further saidIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/over-12-lakh-5-kg-lpg-cylinders-sold-to-students-vulnerable-communities-since-march-23-centre-668959.html Sat, 11 Apr 2026 18:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-flagged-lpg-vessel-jag-vikram-safely-crosses-strait-of-hormuz-govt-668960.html New Delhi April 11 IANS The Government on Saturday said in a routine briefing that the Indiaflagged LPG vessel Jag Vikram has safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz even as authorities continue to closely monitor maritime operations amid heightened tensions in the Gulf regionnbspThe vessel carrying around 20400 metric tonnes of LPG with 24 seafarers onboard is expected to reach Mumbai on April 15 the Ministry of Ports Shipping and Waterways saidReassuring the safety of Indian maritime assets the government said all Indian seafarers in the region are safe and no incident involving Indianflagged vessels has been reported in the past 24 hoursIt further added that necessary measures have been put in place to safeguard Indian vessels and seafarers operating in the region with continuous monitoring through a 24x7 Shipping Control RoomThe control room has handled 5973 calls and over 12675 emails since its activation including 128 calls and 319 emails in the last 24 hoursThrough the Directorate General of Shipping DG Shipping the government has facilitated the safe repatriation of over 2009 Indian seafarers so far including 81 in the past 24 hours from various locations across the Gulf regionPort operations across the country remain normal with no congestion reported it saidCoordination is ongoing with the Ministry of External Affairs Indian missions and maritime stakeholders to ensure seafarer welfare and uninterrupted operations according to the governmentMeanwhile the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said Indian missions across the Gulf and West Asia region remain in close contact with the Indian community and are providing assistance and issuing advisories for their safetyThe Government is closely monitoring developments in the region and is in regular contact with state governments and Union Territories to ensure effective coordination the MEA saidIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-flagged-lpg-vessel-jag-vikram-safely-crosses-strait-of-hormuz-govt-668960.html Sat, 11 Apr 2026 18:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ugc-secretary-manish-joshi-to-be-relieved-shyama-rath-to-take-charge-668894.html New Delhi April 11 In a significant administrative reshuffle within Indiaâs higher education sector the University Grants Commission UGC has decided to relieve its Secretary Prof Manish R Joshi from his duties The decision approved by the competent authority will take effect on April 25 2026 Prof Shyama Rath currently serving as Member Secretary of the All India Council for Technical Education AICTE has been entrusted with the additional charge of UGC SecretaryProf Joshiâs tenure was marked by several initiatives aimed at enhancing equity transparency and accountability in universities However his period in office also coincided with one of the most contentious regulatory debates in recent yearsIn January 2026 the UGC introduced new regulations mandating the establishment of âEquity Committeesâ in all higher education institutions and strengthening grievance redressal mechanismsWhile framed as measures to promote fairness the regulations quickly drew criticism from multiple quarters Stakeholders argued that the definitions were ambiguous and risked creating reverse discriminationStudent groups educators and social organisations voiced strong objections leading to widespread protests and petitions The matter escalated into a legal battle that reached the Supreme CourtDuring preliminary hearings the Court observed that the language of the regulations was vague and susceptible to misuse It placed an interim stay on the new rules directing that the older 2012 regulations remain in force until further examinationThe Court also noted that such provisions could potentially deepen social divisions stressing the need for a thorough constitutional review The case originally stemming from petitions filed in 2019 over alleged discrimination in higher education remains pending before the apex courtAgainst this backdrop of uncertainty the appointment of Prof Shyama Rath assumes particular importance He inherits not only the administrative responsibilities of the UGC but also the formidable challenge of navigating a policy dispute that has polarised the academic communityObservers believe his role will be crucial in balancing diverse stakeholder interests restoring confidence in the regulatory framework and steering the higher education system through a period of intense scrutiny and debateThe transition at the UGC thus comes at a sensitive juncture underscoring the weight of leadership in shaping the future of Indiaâs universities IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ugc-secretary-manish-joshi-to-be-relieved-shyama-rath-to-take-charge-668894.html Sat, 11 Apr 2026 08:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-govt-clears-rs-936-lakh-crore-investments-in-22-months-668895.html Amaravati April 11 The Telugu Desam Partyâled coalition government in Andhra Pradesh has approved investment proposals worth Rs 936 lakh crore since assuming office in June 2024 Minister for Information and Public Relations and Housing Kolusu Parthasarathy said on Friday Briefing media persons after the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu the minister said the proposals cleared so far are expected to generate employment for 962 lakh peopleThe Cabinet approved 16 projects in information technology electronics and communications involving an investment of Rs 17459 crore These projects are projected to create jobs for 36411 peopleAmong the major decisions was approval for data centre projects in Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli districts The Cabinet also cleared Credence Realtyâs proposal to establish an IT Park in Visakhapatnam Recognised under the âIT Campus Developerâ category of the Andhra Pradesh IT and Global Capability Centre Policy 40 2024â29 the project will receive applicable incentives Recommended by the State Investment Promotion Board the project entails an investment of Rs 38688 crore and is expected to create 6500 jobsApproval was also granted for the allocation of two acres of land to Feuji Software Solutions Private Limited for an ITITeS campus in Visakhapatnam under the Andhra Pradesh Land Incentive for Tech Hub Policy 40 2024â29 The project involves an investment of â¹425 crore and has the potential to generate 2500 jobsThe Cabinet cleared the allocation of 04 acres of land to Sritech Data Limited for a Cable Landing Station in Visakhapatnam to be built with an investment of Rs 1800 croreParthasarathy said approval was also given to PG Technoplast Private Limited for manufacturing facilities for refrigerators washing machines and air conditioners in Phaseâ1 along with expansion of PCB vertical capacity setting up a research and development centre and a Component Vendor Park in Phaseâ2 The project entails an investment of Rs 1305 crore and is expected to create 2910 jobs IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-govt-clears-rs-936-lakh-crore-investments-in-22-months-668895.html Sat, 11 Apr 2026 08:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tripura-emerges-fastest-growing-economies-in-ne-attracts-rs-2-000-cr-investment-interest-at-bengaluru-conclave-668896.html BengaluruAgartala April 11 Tripura has emerged as one of the fastestgrowing economies in the Northeastern region with GDP performance comparing favourably with other states a top official said Tripura Industries and Commerce Department Secretary Kiran Gitte while addressing a Business Conclave in Bengaluru said on Friday that sustained public investment improved governance outcomes and a growing focus on private sector participation are steadily reshaping perceptions about the states economic potentialAddressing the gathering the senior IAS officer said that the Tripura government is proactively strengthening the Ease of Doing Business framework through a series of policy reforms procedural simplifications and timebound approval mechanismsHe emphasised that Tripura offers significant untapped potential across both emerging and traditional sectorsThis is supported by a skilled talent pool improving connectivity and a responsive institutional frameworkHe encouraged industry participants to explore longterm partnership opportunities with the stateThe Bengaluru roadshow and Business Conclave was organised as a focused outreach initiative aimed at engaging industry leaders investors startups and institutional stakeholders from southern IndiaThe roadshow resulted in the signing of 44 Letters of Intent LoIs and Memorandums of Understanding MoUs amounting to investment commitments worth more than Rs 2000 crore across multiple sectorsThe programme presented a comprehensive overview of Tripuras industrial ecosystem highlighting recent infrastructure developments progressive policy initiatives and sectorspecific investment opportunities with a strong emphasis on investment facilitation and ease of doing businessHighlighting Tripuras strategic geographical location Gitte underscored the states growing economic and trade engagement with Bangladesh which is significantly enhancing regional connectivity and improving access to international marketsHe noted that this strategic positioning is creating fresh opportunities across logistics valueadded manufacturing services and crossborder tradelinked industriesProviding a detailed sectoral perspective Industries and Commerce Department Director Deepak Kumar outlined investment opportunities across priority sectors such as IT and digital services electronics and technologyenabled manufacturing education and skill development healthcare and pharmaceuticals tourism and hospitality agri and food processing bamboo rubber and agarwoodbased industries renewable energy urban infrastructure real estate handloom and handicrafts as well as manufacturing and allied industriesKumar elaborated on the states investorcentric incentive framework availability of industrial land identification of suitable project locations and the endtoend facilitation support being extended to investors from project conceptualisation to implementation and operationalisationHe emphasised that the department is committed to ensuring ease of entry faster approvals and continued postinvestment handholding for all investorsPradeep Krishnaraj Director of Skill Development highlighted Tripuras structured and industrylinked skilling ecosystemHe noted that it is supported by flagship programmes and partnerships designed to ensure a steady pipeline of skilled manpower aligned with emerging sectors and investor requirementsMegha Jain Director of the Urban Development Department outlined Tripuras planned urban development initiatives including integrated townships and redevelopment projectsThese are aimed at supporting sustainable growth modern infrastructure and enhanced private sector participation through PPPbased modelsThe Business Conclave featured detailed departmental presentations interactive discussions and onetoone B2G meetingsDuring these sessions senior state government officials engaged directly with participating investors to understand business interests and clarify policy and procedural aspectsOfficials said that the Bengaluru roadshow successfully strengthened Tripuras engagement with the southern India business ecosystem while reinforcing the states positioning as an investmentready reformdriven and rapidly emerging economy in the NortheastThe event marks an important step ahead of the Destination Tripura Business Conclave 2026 which is scheduled to be held in Agartala IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tripura-emerges-fastest-growing-economies-in-ne-attracts-rs-2-000-cr-investment-interest-at-bengaluru-conclave-668896.html Sat, 11 Apr 2026 08:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/madanis-remarks-a-threat-to-nation-and-justice-system-vhps-vinod-bansal-668902.html New Delhi Nov 29 National Spokesperson of the Vishva Hindu Parishad VHP Vinod Bansal has slammed the statements made by Jamiat UlamaiHind JUH chief Maulana Mahmood Madani on Saturday Speaking to IANS Vinod Bansal said that Maulana Madaniâs remarks pose a serious challenge to Indiaâs nationhood religion culture judicial system and administrative structure He alleged that people who make such statements âpierce the very plate they eat fromâAccording to Bansal leaders like Madani incite Muslim youth and extremists in the name of jihad which is a threat to the countryâs unity and securityBansal said that Maulana Madani is an influential leader of the Muslim community and if he invokes âjihad against oppressionâ to mobilise the youth it effectively means he is indirectly supporting terroristsHe added that Madani should clearly state whether he supports terrorists as his statements point in that direction Referring to the terrorist Dr Umar who carried out blasts in Delhi Bansal asked âWas he also according to Madani a victim of oppressionâHe further said that Indian soldiers posted at the borders sacrifice their lives while chanting Vande Mataram and insulting such heroes is unacceptable under any circumstancesHe demanded strict action from the administration against Maulana Madaniâs statementsBansal also appealed to the Muslim community to distance itself from radical leadership saying such leaders mislead youth with promises of jannat jihad and â72 hourisâ pushing them toward violence and bringing disrepute not only to the nation but to the entire communityBansal also objected to Maulana Madaniâs remark that people who chant Vande Mataram are symbols of a âdead communityâ He said this is an insult to patriotism and should not be taken lightlyIn addition Bansal slammed the comments made by TMC MLA Humayun Kabir regarding mosque construction in West Bengal He said that historically Baburâs son was named Humayun but todayâs Humayun does not have Babur as his fatherâEither he should say that Babur is his father or he should admit that he has adopted Babur and wants to build a mosque on that basisâ Bansal said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/madanis-remarks-a-threat-to-nation-and-justice-system-vhps-vinod-bansal-668902.html Sat, 11 Apr 2026 09:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/such-a-crowd-public-enthusiasm-in-my-rallies-in-bengal-was-not-even-witnessed-in-my-gujarat-pm-modi-668907.html Kolkata April 11 IANS The crowd of common people and public enthusiasm in my campaign rallies in West Bengal this time was never witnessed even in my native state of Gujarat before Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday afternoonnbspEven in Gujarat I could not have arranged such a rally at this time of 12 noon even if I wanted to You hold amazing gatherings here every time I am impressed It is certain from here that changes are coming in this state after May 4 Such enthusiastic gatherings are the trailers of what is going to happen on May 4 the Prime Minister said at a campaign rally in East Burdwan district amid the crucial Assembly elections later this monthThe twophase Assembly polls will be held on April 23 and April 29 and the results will be declared on May 4Speaking on the occasion the Prime Minister said that if the BJP comes to power in West Bengal this time the new government will release a White Paper detailing the instances of corruption during the last 15 years of the Trinamool Congress regime in the stateThe Trinamool Congress is already in panic mode That is why they are campaigning that all welfare schemes in the state will be discontinued if the BJP comes to power I guarantee that not a single welfare scheme will be discontinued Only the shops of corruption and loot of the Trinamool Congress leaders will be closed down said the Prime MinisterSpeaking on the occasion he also made an announcement that if the BJP comes to power in West Bengal this time the first Cabinet led by the new chief minister will pass a resolution allowing implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in the stateThe Trinamool Congress government here had deprived the people of the state for a long time by not allowing implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in the state But those days will be over once the BJP government is here PM Modi saidHe also said that the new BJP government will not only take action against the infiltrators but also against those who had helped them settle in West Bengal by arranging fake identity documents for themIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/such-a-crowd-public-enthusiasm-in-my-rallies-in-bengal-was-not-even-witnessed-in-my-gujarat-pm-modi-668907.html Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-to-scale-nuclear-capacity-to-reach-100-gw-by-2047-report-668908.html New Delhi April 11 IANS India has set a major target to scale up its nuclear power capacity to at least 100 GW by 2047 marking the centenary of its independence as it looks to strengthen longterm energy security and reduce dependence on fossil fuels according to a new reportnbspAs per a report by Khaleej Times the country currently operates 24 nuclear reactors with a combined capacity of 8780 MWe Megawatt electric while eight more reactors with a capacity of 6028 MWe are under constructionGovernment projections indicate that installed nuclear capacity will rise to around 22 GW by the early 2030s before expanding sharply to meet the 100 GW targetTo achieve this more than elevenfold increase India is pursuing a twopronged strategy that includes the development of large reactors such as indigenous 700 MWe pressurised heavy water reactors PHWRs and imported largecapacity units at greenfield sites alongside smaller modular systems like the 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactors BSMRs and 55 MWe SMR55 units the report saidA key milestone in this journey was achieved on April 6 2026 when the 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor PFBR at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu attained first criticality the start of a controlled nuclear fission chain reactionThe development is being seen as a major step in advancing Indias indigenous nuclear technology and ensuring longterm fuel sustainabilityIndias nuclear programme is built around a threestage strategy designed to maximise limited uranium resources while leveraging its vast thorium reservesThe first stage uses PHWRs fuelled by natural uranium to produce plutonium The second stage involves fast breeder reactors that use plutonium as fuel and generate more fissile material than they consume The final stage aims to utilise thoriumbased reactors producing uranium233 to sustain longterm nuclear power generationAccording to the report the PFBR uses uraniumplutonium mixed oxide MOX fuel and liquid sodium as a coolant enabling it to produce more fuel than it consumes while paving the way for eventual thorium useThe 500 MWe reactor is capable of supplying electricity to around half a million homesIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-to-scale-nuclear-capacity-to-reach-100-gw-by-2047-report-668908.html Sat, 11 Apr 2026 14:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/petition-in-sc-seeks-cancellation-of-tamil-nadu-assembly-polls-alleging-rampant-vote-buying-668909.html New Delhi April 11 IANS A petition has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking cancellation of the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections alleging largescale voter bribery through cash gifts liquor and other inducements by major political parties and accusing the Election Commission of India ECI of failing to ensure free and fair pollsnbspThe writ petition filed by Tamil Nadu resident KK Ramesh seeks a direction to the Election Commission of India and the Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer to cancel the 2026 Assembly election in the state on the ground that the electoral process has been vitiated by rampant votebuyingIn the plea the petitioner alleged that major political parties including the DMK BJP AIADMK TVK and the Congress were indulging in bribing voters through distribution of cash and freebies such as laptops colour televisions grinders mixers fans goats and cowsClaiming that the ECI had failed to curb such practices despite being aware of the situation the petition stated Bribery in elections destroys the very basis of a democracy It is necessary to protect the purity and sanctity of the polls which can be ensured only by taking stringent action against those indulging in such bribing activitiesThe plea contended that Tamil Nadu has been categorised by the ECI as an expendituresensitive State due to recurring highvalue seizures during elections but alleged that the poll body has not taken adequate preventive steps to stop voteforcash practicesReferring to past election seizures the petition said that during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections enforcement agencies seized cash precious metals drugs and liquor worth Rs 132483 crore in the state while seizures during the 2021 Assembly polls stood at around Rs 1000 croreAlleging systemic voter inducement the petitioner claimed that in several constituencies voters were paid between Rs 5000 and Rs 10000 per vote and that political parties had devised methods to distribute cash in a manner making refusal difficultThe atmosphere in Tamil Nadu Assembly constituencies is seriously vitiated due to the use of money the plea said adding that candidates elected through such a process would not be true representatives of the electorsSeeking judicial intervention the petitioner has prayed for directions to cancel the Assembly Election of Tamil Nadu and grant any other relief deemed fit in the interest of preserving democratic valuesThe petition further sought any other appropriate orders or directions that the Supreme Court may deem fit in the interest of justiceNotably the broader issue of poll freebies is already under consideration before the apex court in a pending petition filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar UpadhyayIn its 2013 judgment in the Subramanian Balaji case the top court had held that the distribution of free colour television sets by the DMK government after winning the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls could not be treated as a corrupt practice under the Representation of the People ActIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/petition-in-sc-seeks-cancellation-of-tamil-nadu-assembly-polls-alleging-rampant-vote-buying-668909.html Sat, 11 Apr 2026 15:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-faults-govts-diplomacy-as-us-accords-new-role-to-pak-in-west-asia-peace-talks-668910.html New Delhi April 11 IANS Amid the USIran talks in Islamabad the Congress on Saturday targeted the Union government for its diplomatic inability to prevent the US from according to Pakistan a new role in the West Asia peace processnbspJairam Ramesh Congress General Secretary Communications InCharge on social media platform X said The USIran meeting is beginning today in Islamabad The entire world including India are hoping that this is the beginning of a durable peace process between the two countries that will not get derailed by Israels continuing aggression in its neighbourhoodPeace in West Asia must return quickly The Strait of Hormuz must once again revert to the situation that prevailed before the USIsrael assault on Iran began on Feb 28 the Congress leader saidHe noted that Pakistans reported role undermines Indias longstanding strategy of diplomatically isolating Islamabad over terrorismIn a post on X made hours after the ceasefire announcement Ramesh said The entire world will cautiously welcome the twoweek ceasefire in the West Asia conflict between the US and Israel on the one side and Iran on the other The conflict had begun on Feb 28 with the targeted assassinations of the topmost echelons of the regime in IranThe veteran Congress leader also linked the developments to Indias diplomatic positioning saying that the hostilities began shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Israel which he claimed diminished Indias global stature and standingRamesh also questioned why India could not outshine Pakistan in the Gulf conflictrelated talksWhy didnt India as the current President of BRICS launch any peace or mediation initiative especially since Iran the UAE and Saudi Arabia are members of the BRICs the Congress leader asked in a post on XRamesh raised questions on Indian diplomacy saying How has Pakistan managed to carve out a new role for itself despite its role in the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack of April 2025 and the diplomatic engagement India mounted to isolate it following the terror attackThe veteran Congress leader said This failure is especially damming because the Manmohan Singhled Congress government had very effectively isolated Pakistan after the Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-faults-govts-diplomacy-as-us-accords-new-role-to-pak-in-west-asia-peace-talks-668910.html Sat, 11 Apr 2026 15:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-mauritius-strengthen-ties-with-enhanced-strategic-partnership-668703.html Port LuisNew Delhi April 9 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during his visit to Mauritius reaffirmed Indiaâs commitment to deepening bilateral relations with the island nation In a message to Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam Jaishankar congratulated Mauritius for hosting the 9th Indian Ocean Conference and expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegationHighlighting the progress made in just over a year Jaishankar recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs state visit to Mauritius in March 2025 when both governments elevated their ties to an âEnhanced Strategic Partnershipâ He noted that this decision reflects the enduring bonds of history culture and trust between the two nations while also expanding cooperation across key sectorsJaishankar emphasised the importance of development partnership citing the Special Economic Package jointly announced last year which is now being implemented through the Exchange of LettersHe also underscored Indiaâs support in healthcare inaugurating a Renal Transplant Unit at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital and pointed to ongoing projects such as the AYUSH Centre of Excellence and community development initiatives across Mauritius Rodrigues and Agalega Sustainable energy cooperation featured prominently in his remarksIndia has supported Mauritius with ebuses solar power projects and collaborations under the International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuels Alliance An Indian enterprise is also developing Mauritiusâ first floating solar power projectOn defence and security Jaishankar announced the forthcoming appointment of a Defence Attache in Mauritius strengthening maritime cooperation and joint hydrography servicesHe also highlighted capacitybuilding initiatives including the launch of the iGOT Karmayogi portal for Mauritian civil servants making Mauritius the first country to receive a dedicated version of the platform Education and labour cooperation were also noted with agreements between the University Grants Commission and Mauritiusâ Higher Education Commission alongside operationalisation of the labour MoU memorandum of understandingEnergy security remains a priority with India and Mauritius finalising a governmenttogovernment agreement for oil and gas supplyJaishankar concluded by reaffirming Indiaâs commitment under its âNeighbourhood First Policy Vision Mahasagar and Global Southâ priorities stressing that the partnership with Mauritius is both unique and enduring IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-mauritius-strengthen-ties-with-enhanced-strategic-partnership-668703.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-govt-transfers-senior-ias-officers-668704.html Bhopal April 9 The Madhya Pradesh government has issued a major reshuffle of senior Indian Administrative Service officers transferring commissioners and collectors across key departments and districtsâ The order issued on Thursday reflects a wideranging administrative restructuring aimed at strengthening governance and balancing responsibilities among officersâIn the new postings senior officer Krishna Gopal Tiwari 2008 batch Commissioner of Narmadapuram Division has been appointed Commissioner of Social Justice and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in Bhopal Shilpa Gupta 2008 batch Commissioner of Public Instruction has been moved to the post of Secretary Home Department Abhishek Singh 2009 batch who was the Secretary Home Department will now serve as Commissioner of Public Instruction and ex officio as Secretary School Education DepartmentâAmong district collectors several significant changes have been made Kaushlendra Vikram Singh 2010 batch Collector of Bhopal has been appointed Secretary to the Chief Minister and CommissionercumDirector Town and Country Planning with additional charge âRavindra Kumar Chaudhary 2011 batch Collector of Shivpuri has been transferred to the Additional Secretary post in the Narmada Valley Development and Water Resources DepartmentsâPratibha Pal 2012 batch Collector of Rewa will now serve as Collector of Sagar Rajiv Ranjan Meena 2012 batch has been appointed Collector of Dhar while Dharanendra Kumar Jain 2012 batch Collector of Umaria has been posted as Additional Secretary in the Aviation DepartmentâOther notable transfers include Narendra Kumar Suryavanshi 2012 batch Collector of Betul who will now take charge as Collector of Rewa Priyank Mishra 2013 batch moves from Dhar to Bhopal as Collector Sonia Meena 2013 batch Collector of Narmadapuram has been appointed Additional Secretary in the Finance Department Somesh Mishra 2013 batch will serve as Collector of Narmadapuram while Sandeep G R 2013 batch Collector of Sagar has been posted as Labour Commissioner IndoreâFurther changes include Sheetla Patle 2014 batch Collector of Seoni who becomes Secretary of Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission Indore Neha Meena 2014 batch has been appointed Collector in Seoni while Rani Batad 2014 batch has been appointed Deputy Secretary in the Cooperation Department Sudhir Kumar Kochar 2014 batch Collector of Damoh will now serve as Deputy Secretary to the Chief Minister and Executive Director of EPCO BhopalâThe reshuffle also covers younger officers Arpit Verma 2015 batch becomes Collector of Shivpuri Rakhi Sahay 2015 batch takes charge as Collector of Umaria and Sheela Dahima 2015 batch has been appointed Collector of Sheopur Bidisha Mukherjee 2015 batch will serve as Collector of MaiharâPratap Narayan Yadav 2016 batch has been posted as Collector of Damoh Rahul Namdev Dhote 2017 batch as Collector of Mandla Yogesh Tukaram Bharsat 2017 batch as Collector of Jhabua and Saurabh Sanjay Sonawane 2017 batch as Collector of BetulâThe order also relieves several officers from the additional responsibilities they had been holding Sonali Pondhe Wayangankar has been relieved of the extra charge of the Commissioner Social Justice and Empowerment Deepak Arya has been relieved of the additional charge of Executive Director EPCO âTanvi Duda has been released from the role of Labour Commissioner Indore while Kailash Bundela has been relieved of the additional charge related to the Aviation DepartmentâThis sweeping bureaucratic reshuffle is expected to sharpen administrative focus across key districts and departments with the full list of transfers already circulated to all concerned officesâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-govt-transfers-senior-ias-officers-668704.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/fake-loan-app-racket-busted-in-delhi-two-arrested-links-to-foreign-virtual-numbers-probed-668716.html New Delhi April 10 The Cyber Police Station of Delhiâs SouthWest district has busted a major nexus involved in fake loan app fraud under Operation Cyhawk 40 arresting two more accused and uncovering links to virtual numbers originating from Pakistan and Bangladesh officials said on Friday According to police the latest arrests take the total number of accused held in the case to six The two newly arrested individuals have been identified as Karan Kumar 24 and Shami Ahmad 27 both residents of Kapashera Two mobile phones containing incriminating WhatsApp chats were recovered from their possessionThe case pertains to an online financial fraud scheme in which unsuspecting victims were lured through fake loan applications offering unsecured loans After disbursal the accused allegedly extorted money by threatening to circulate morphed images of the victimsPolice said the investigation began after a mule bank account in Kapashera registered in the name of a 23yearold local resident was flagged during analysis of suspicious transactions âThe associated complaints were found to be related to fake loan app scams following which a case was registered and an investigation launchedâ an official saidBased on leads from earlier arrests investigators tracked additional accounts linked to the fraud A Bank of India account in the name of Karan Kumar was found to be involved in multiple complaints prompting further investigation and leading to the arrestsDuring interrogation Karan Kumar allegedly admitted that he had provided his bank account on a commission basis to coaccused Shami Ahmad who in turn passed it on to another person for use in cyber fraud activitiesPolice revealed that the accused were in touch with other members of the syndicate using virtual numbers from Pakistan and Bangladesh âMultiple incriminating WhatsApp chats were recovered regarding operation of fake loan apps management of mule accounts and receipt of cheated moneyâ the police saidInvestigators are now probing whether these virtual numbers were operated by handlers based abroad or by Indiabased criminals masking their identityExplaining the modus operandi officials said once a victim downloaded the fake loan app access to their phone data was obtained by the fraudsters Loans were issued with hidden terms and victims were later threatened using manipulated images The cheated money was routed through mule accounts using UPI and later converted into cryptocurrency such as USDT to conceal the trailBoth accused are reported to be Rapido drivers and were allegedly drawn into the racket through local contacts offering easy money in exchange for bank account accessFurther investigation is underway to identify other members of the network and trace the money trail police added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/fake-loan-app-racket-busted-in-delhi-two-arrested-links-to-foreign-virtual-numbers-probed-668716.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/anganwadi-centres-serving-nearly-89-crore-beneficiaries-minister-668717.html New Delhi April 10 With over 14 lakh Anganwadi centres Anganwadi Didis are reaching pregnant mothers lactating mothers adolescent girls and children serving nearly 89 crore beneficiaries according to Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi She emphasised that Poshan Maahâ and âPoshan Pakhwadaâ have taken the shape of a true âJan Andolanâ with crores of activities taking place across the country âOur Anganwadi workers Anganwadi helpers and ASHA Didis are diligently carrying forward the Prime Ministerâs vision and goals to every household with collective efforts to bring them to fruition The mandate of the Ministry of Women and Child Development is extensive and we are reaching every household and every child across the countryâ she said while addressing an event here âOur children are the future of the nation and will carry forward the resolve of a Viksit Bharat Ensuring that they receive better nutrition is a responsibility we must all take forward together as a Jan Andolanâ she added urging states to learn from one another adopt and adapt best practices and encourage stronger performance within districts especially in aspirational districts The minister also emphasised that âPoshan is a continuous process and called for greater time care and community participation to support the overall and mental development of childrenIn continuation of this national movement the Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched the 8th edition of âPoshan Pakhwadaâ marking the commencement of a nationwide campaign from April 9 to April 23Minister of State Savitri Thakur said that under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi eight Poshan Maahs and seven Poshan Pakhwadas have been organised since 2018 Highlighting the theme of Poshan Pakhwada 2026 âMaximizing Brain Development in the First Six Years of Lifeâ she emphasised that this period is critical as over 85 per cent of brain development occurs in the early years with the first 1000 days being especially important She noted the need to move beyond nutrition alone and focus equally on responsive caregiving and early learning to ensure holistic child development IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/anganwadi-centres-serving-nearly-89-crore-beneficiaries-minister-668717.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/fake-visa-overseas-job-fraud-racket-busted-in-delhi-three-arrested-668728.html New Delhi April 10 The Delhi Police have busted an organised interstate cyber fraud syndicate involved in cheating people on the pretext of providing overseas jobs and visa services police said on Friday According to officials the action was initiated following a complaint received on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal NCRP after which technical surveillance and digital tracking led investigators to Rani Bagh in Delhi where a raid was conducted and key accused persons were apprehendedPolice confirmed that FIR No 1626 dated March 26 under Sections 3184612 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS was registered at the Cyber Police Station South DistrictIn a press release Delhi Police said âCyber Police Station South District New Delhi has successfully busted an organised interstate cyber fraud racket involved in cheating innocent persons on the pretext of providing overseas jobs and visa servicesâThe case began after a complainant alleged that he was contacted via WhatsApp and induced to pay money for an overseas job and visa arrangement However after receiving payments the accused allegedly stopped respondingDuring the investigation police traced the suspects mobile number to Rani Bagh following which a targeted raid was carried out A dedicated team led by Inspector Hansraj SHO Cyber Police Station along with Inspector Abhimanyu and staff members Head Constable Tarun HC Satveer and Constable Vinod conducted the operationThree accused persons have been arrested in the case Nand Kishor Prasad from Hooghly West Bengal Ahmad Hayat Khan from Aurangabad Bihar and Mustaq Khan from Shaheen Bagh New Delhi Police said one of the accused holds an MBA in Marketing and Sales while another is a graduate in History from Delhi UniversityDuring interrogation investigators revealed that the syndicate was allegedly being operated by a mastermind identified as Shadab Mohd Khusnood who was responsible for generating leads through online platformsAs per the press release âThe team conducted a targeted raid at Rani Bagh Delhi leading to the successful apprehension of accused persons and recovery of incriminating materialâA large quantity of digital and physical evidence was recovered including six smartphones two laptops four desktop computers 14 passports fake visa documents forged stamps and seals and other incriminating materials used to create fraudulent credibility for victimsThe modus operandi involved contacting victims through WhatsApp and social media platforms offering fake overseas job opportunities and directing them to fraudulent websites Victims were shown forged visa documents to build trust and were allegedly charged between Rs 15000 and Rs 90000 each before communication was cut offPolice said forensic examination of seized devices is underway to trace additional victims and uncover the full network Efforts are also being made to apprehend the remaining associates of the syndicate operating across different statesAuthorities have advised citizens to remain cautious and verify job offers before making any financial transactions especially those promising overseas employment through unsolicited online messages IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/fake-visa-overseas-job-fraud-racket-busted-in-delhi-three-arrested-668728.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-to-outpace-china-other-economies-as-growth-slows-in-asia-pacific-region-adb-668732.html New Delhi April 10 India is set to outpace the broader Asian region and China even as growth across developing Asia and the Pacific is projected to slow down over the next two years amid geopolitical headwinds according to a report released by Asian Development Bank ADB on Friday According to the ADB analysis economic growth in developing Asia and the Pacific is projected to ease to 51 per cent in 2026 and 2027 down from 54 per cent last year weighed by geopolitical tensions and persistent trade uncertaintyIn contrast Indiaâs growth is forecast to remain relatively robust at 69 per cent in 2026 before accelerating to 73 per cent in 2027 supported by resilient domestic consumptionMost economies in developing Asia and the Pacific will see their growth outlook worsen this year and in 2027 the report noted as it highlighted Indiaâs relative strengthMoreover the ADB said the region is entering this uncertain global environment from a position of strength backed by robust domestic demand steady labour markets and higher public infrastructure spending However risks remain tilted to the downsideGrowth in the Peopleâs Republic of China PRC is projected to decline to 46 per cent this year and 45 per cent next year from 5 per cent last year with continued property market weakness and slower export expansion expected to weigh on activity the report saidA prolonged conflict in the Middle East could push up energy and food prices and tighten financial conditions posing the biggest threat to the regionâs outlook ADB Chief Economist Albert Park saidThe report also flagged that continued volatility in global trade policies could further weigh on growth prospects across the regionDespite these headwinds resilient private consumption and strong demand for artificial intelligencerelated goods are expected to provide some support to regional economiesIn addition oil prices are projected to stay elevated in the near term but would gradually stabilise if geopolitical tensions eased IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-to-outpace-china-other-economies-as-growth-slows-in-asia-pacific-region-adb-668732.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/manoj-tiwari-backs-bharat-ratna-demand-for-mangal-pandey-calls-him-above-the-honour-668734.html Ballia April 10 Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has supported the demand to confer the Bharat Ratna on Mangal Pandey one of the earliest icons of Indiaâs freedom struggle He remarked that while Pandey deserves the countryâs highest civilian award his legacy is far greater than any honour Speaking to reporters Tiwari said he had not been fully aware of the demand earlier but now considers it justifiedâIt is a very valid demand Mangal Pandey truly deserves the Bharat Ratna If Uttar Pradesh Minister Dayashankar Singh takes this initiative forward I will also support it In fact Mangal Pandey is far above the Bharat Ratna but recognition is important and I will raise my voice for itâ he statedMangal Pandey whose name resonates strongly in Indiaâs independence movement was born on July 19 1827 in Ballia Uttar Pradesh He served as a sepoy in the British East India Companyâs 34th Bengal Native Infantry However it was his act of defiance in 1857 that turned him into a symbol of resistance against colonial ruleApril 8 marked the 169th death anniversary of the revolutionary whose actions are widely seen as a catalyst for Indiaâs first largescale uprising against British authority The unrest was triggered by the introduction of the Enfield rifle cartridges which were rumoured to be greased with animal fat deeply offensive to both Hindu and Muslim soldiers Although the British denied these claims mistrust and anger spread rapidly among the sepoysTensions eventually reached a breaking point on March 29 1857 when Mangal Pandey openly rebelled at Barrackpore and attacked British officers His actions ignited a wave of resistance that soon spread across northern and central IndiaFollowing his arrest Pandey faced a courtmartial but remained firm in his stance asserting that his rebellion was a personal decision He was executed by hanging on April 8 1857 a moment that became a defining chapter in Indiaâs struggle for independencePandeyâs sacrifice inspired many others and the uprising of 1857 evolved into a broader movement involving both soldiers and civilians April 8 is remembered as the First War of Independence laying the foundation for Indiaâs eventual freedom His legacy continues to inspire generations of IndiansHis contribution to the Indian freedom movement was acknowledged in 1984 with a commemorative postage stamp issued by the Government of India IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/manoj-tiwari-backs-bharat-ratna-demand-for-mangal-pandey-calls-him-above-the-honour-668734.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mafia-grip-fear-tactics-udf-candidate-points-fingers-at-cpi-668740.html Payyannur April 10 Fresh allegations of intimidation and political violence have surfaced in Payyannur in Keralas Kannur district with UDFsupported Independent candidate V Kunjikrishnan claiming that a mafialike network is operating to silence dissenters His remarks came hours after the poll ended in the backdrop of a latenight attack on the house of his supporter where unidentified assailants smashed window panes and set ablaze a car owned by T PurushothamanThe incident which occurred around 1 am has heightened political tensions in the Kannur regionâI had mentioned in my book and in my speeches that Payyannur is in the grip of a mafia When it became clear that the CPIM candidate and sitting MLA TI Madhusoodhanan was facing a tough contest this is what such forces resort to against detractorsâ Kunjikrishnan saidHe alleged that the sense of security associated with oneâs home was being deliberately targetedâThe concept that a home is a safe place is under attack This was evident throughout the campaign periodâ he noted pointing to what he described as a sustained attempt to create fear among opposition supportersDrawing parallels with his own political past Kunjikrishnan recalled a similar episode during his exit from the CPIM a few weeks back âwhen I was ousted from the party one of my supportersâ bikes was burnt To date no action has been takenâ he said suggesting a recurring pattern of intimidationWhile stopping short of directly accusing the CPIM of orchestrating the latest attack he made a pointed observation saying âI will not say this was done by the CPIM but I know such incidents would not happen without the knowledge of MadhusoodhanâThe UDF has already alleged widespread irregularities including bogus voting and threats to booth agents during polling in PayyannurThe latest incident has added to concerns over postpoll violence in the districtAfter the incident the police have stepped up security in and around Payyannur even as the political atmosphere remains charged ahead of the counting day on May 4Kunjikrishnan who was ousted from the CPIM fought the election as an Independent candidate with support from the Congressled UDF IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mafia-grip-fear-tactics-udf-candidate-points-fingers-at-cpi-668740.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 11:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/from-khalistan-to-islamic-state-isis-expanding-playbook-to-hit-india-overseas-668751.html New Delhi April 10 There has been a rising concern over the number of Pakistaniorigin individuals settled abroad who have associated themselves with the Islamic State Such persons according to Indian agencies pose a big risk to the United States Canada and Europe An Intelligence Bureau official said that these persons are trying to harm Indian interests abroad The Islamic State has been targeting individuals of Pakistani origin with the intention of recruiting them and asking them to hit Indian interests abroad The official said this is more or less like what the ISI expects the Khalistan elements to do The ISI seeks to have Indian interests hit with the help of both Khalistani elements and Islamic Stateinspired persons the official also said Under the radar of these elements are the Hindu Temples Indian diplomatic missions and locations linked to the JewishIndian community This signals a major plot by the ISI which goes beyond India It is looking for similar recruits in several other countries as well and the intention is to hurt India internationally as well The ISI is devising several strategies so that it can target India In recent months investigations by multiple agencies revealed that the ISI was looking to set up homegrown modules It has stepped up its propaganda narrative so that the youth tend to selfrecruit and run modules The Faridabad module was one such example of this plan In addition to trying to target India by setting up homegrown terror modules it has decided to club this with a plan that goes beyond India The recent confession of a Pakistaniorigin man in Canada is proof that the ISI has activated its international plans Muhammad Shahzzeb Khan a man of Pakistani origin confessed before a US federal court to plotting an attack on a Jewish centre in Brooklyn Based out of Canada he was arrested in September 2024 near the USCanada border while trying to illegally enter the United States with the help of a human smuggler He now faces the possibility of life imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to charges related to terrorism He said that he was planning to strike at a Jewish centre on October 7 the anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel Another official said that with such plans in place the Indian missions need to remain on a state of high alert The ISI has been tapping into lone actors to carry out such attacks the official added While such an attack would hurt Indiaâs interests it also creates fear and panic among the Indian diaspora The Khalistanis have done this in the US the UK and Canada and now the ISI wants the Islamic State terrorists to do the same While the Khalistan threat is immense the plan that the ISI wants to undertake through these lone actors is extremely dangerous Another official said that such attacks are aimed at massive destruction It is also meant to send a signal to India that its citizens and interests are not safe anywhere For the ISI such attacks are of utmost importance following the embarrassment Pakistan faced after Operation Sindoor This operation carried out by the Indian Armed Forces to avenge the Pahalgam attack led to the destruction of massive terror infrastructure both in Pakistan occupied Kashmir PoK and Pakistan In a bid to avenge this and save face the ISI has come up with multiple plans to hurt India both within and abroad IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/from-khalistan-to-islamic-state-isis-expanding-playbook-to-hit-india-overseas-668751.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 12:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/industrialist-suicide-case-ktaka-sit-probe-concludes-cj-roy-shot-himself-out-of-depression-during-it-raids-668754.html Bengaluru April 10 The Special Investigation Team SIT has concluded its probe into the highprofile suicide case of Confident Group Founder and Chairman CJ Roy which occurred during Income Tax IT raids at his Bengaluru office Officials have concluded that Roy died by suicide due to depression officials stated on Friday The government had handed over the investigation to the SIT following allegations that pressure from Income Tax IT officials had led to Royâs deathHowever the probe has revealed that Roy had been suffering from depression for a long time and was under medication He had reportedly stopped taking his medication for some time prior to the incidentAccording to the findings Roy had discontinued his prescribed medication about a month before his death which officials believe may have been a key factor contributing to his suicide However the exact reason behind his depression remains unknown The investigation also found that there was no evidence to suggest that any external pressure played a role in his deathWith the probe now complete officials have stated that the SIT is preparing to submit a chargesheet in the case before the courtCJ Roy founder and chairman of the Confident Group allegedly shot himself at his office in Bengaluru on January 30 while an Income Tax raid was underway Police said Roy was alone in his firstfloor office chamber at the time of the incident After hearing a gunshot Income Tax officials rushed in and shifted him to hospital where he was declared deadAccording to police the incident occurred after Roy had been questioned for about an hour and was asked to submit additional documents After handing over one set of records he reportedly returned to his chamber and shot himself in the chestPolice sources had indicated that Roy had been under severe financial stress for several months Royâs business dealings came under the scanner of central investigating agencies with a particular focus on the source of funds used to finance largescale projects Police believe the combination of investor pressure and questioning by tax authorities may have contributed to intense mental stressThe SIT examined all these factors including procedural aspects of the Income Tax raid financial records and testimonies from family members officials and associates before submitting its findings The matter became more complicated in the backdrop of Keralam electionsKarnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara had said the SIT investigation will examine all circumstances surrounding the incident including allegations made by Royâs family that pressure from tax authorities led him to take the extreme step âEverything will be ascertained once the probe is completed Until then it is too early to link the suicide to any specific reasonâ Parameshwara had saidHe had said police would record statements from family members and others connected to the case and assess all emerging aspects before arriving at any conclusions IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/industrialist-suicide-case-ktaka-sit-probe-concludes-cj-roy-shot-himself-out-of-depression-during-it-raids-668754.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 12:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/police-in-jampks-anantnag-arrest-five-peddlers-seize-narcotic-substances-668761.html Srinagar April 10 Police in Jammu and Kashmirâs Anantnag district said on Friday that they have arrested five drug peddlers from whose possession narcotic substances were recovered A police statement said that Anantnag Police launched a major antidrug crackdown across the district arresting five drug peddlers and seizing a significant quantity of narcotic substances in multiple operationsActing on a specific input a raid was conducted at the residential house of Fayaz Ahmad Dar son of Mohd Jabbar Dar a resident of Naina Gund Baba Khalil Sangam after obtaining a search warrant from the courtDuring the search 3 kg 99 grams of charas powderlike substance was recovered The accused Fayaz Ahmad Dar and his son Arbaz Ahmad Dar were arrested on the spot said the officialsA case FIR No 822026 under sections 820 29 NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Bijbehara and investigation is underwayIn another operation a police party from the police post Sangam during naka checking at Naibasti Marhama intercepted a car JK13J0803Two individuals Shahzada Suvaid son of Manzoor Ahmad Shah and WarisulIslam son of Nazir Ahmad Shah both residents of Batagund Tral were found in possession of 488 grams of charaslike substance Both were arrested and FIR No 832026 under sections 820 29 NDPS Act has been registeredFurther a police party from Police Station Anantnag during naka checking at Anantnag bypass near the overhead Danter bridge intercepted Sajad Ahmad Shah son of Gh Rasool Shah resident of Hakhoora BadazgaamOn search charaslike substance in the form of seven sticks weighing 106 grams and powder weighing 88 grams was recovered A case under relevant sections of the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Anantnag police saidThe JampK Police and the security forces have been carrying out antismuggling and antidrug peddling operations across the union territoryIt is believed that funds generated through these unlawful activities and through hawala money rackets are finally used to sustain terrorism in the union territory IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/police-in-jampks-anantnag-arrest-five-peddlers-seize-narcotic-substances-668761.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 12:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gehlot-criticises-delay-cost-escalation-of-pachpadra-refinery-project-from-rs-37-229-cr-to-rs-80-000-cr-668770.html Jaipur April 10 Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday sharply criticised the BJP government for its handling of the Pachpadra Refinery project describing it as the âmega chapterâ of what he termed Intezaar Shastra a metaphor for prolonged delays in development âThe cost has escalated from Rs 37229 crore to nearly Rs 80000 crore reflecting poor planning and politicallymotivated delaysâ he said In a statement Ashok Gehlot alleged that BJP governments caused âgrave injusticeâ to the people of Rajasthan by delaying the project and increasing its financial burdenGehlot wrote on X BJP governments have committed a grave injustice against the people of Rajasthan in the name of this refinery An unnecessary financial burden was imposed upon the public The project cost skyrocketed from Rs 37229 crore to approximately Rs 80000 crore Driven by the politics of creditclaiming the BJP deliberately caused a delay of over seven and a quarter years Despite the challenges posed by COVID19 the Congress government had completed 80 per cent of the work he saidThe BJPs parochial politics have dealt a severe blow to the states economy and employment aspirations of its youth Why after all does the BJP harbour such animosity towards the development of Rajasthan Gehlot questionedFurther while tracing the projectâs origins Gehlot stated that the refinery was conceptualised after the Congress came to power in 2008 He said discussions were initiated with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited HPCL who was initially hesitant to start the project âIt was only after the intervention of then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi that the project was approvedâ he saidHe added that the foundation stone was laid by Sonia Gandhi with the vision of strengthening Indiaâs energy security and transforming Barmer into a major energy hubâThe refinery was meant to place Rajasthan at the forefront of the countryâs oil and energy sectorâ he noted However Gehlot alleged that after the change in government the project âtook a political turnâ and was stalled by the BJPâFor years the project remained hanging The Congress had to stage protests and only under pressure did the BJP restarted the work in 2018â he claimedHighlighting his governmentâs tenure Gehlot said the project was prioritised when Congress returned to power âDespite COVID19 disruptions continuous monitoring ensured steady progress and nearly 80 per cent of the work was completed during our tenureâ he saidHe further argued that delays adversely impacted employment and economic growth âThe youth of Rajasthan lost valuable opportunities due to unnecessary delaysâ he addedCalling the refinery a symbol of the Congressâ commitment Gehlot said âToday as the refinery nears completion its scale reflects our dedication to public welfare This is the true model of development where public interest takes precedence over politicsâThe Pachpadra Refinery is expected to significantly boost energy security and economic activity in the region even as political debate over its execution continues IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gehlot-criticises-delay-cost-escalation-of-pachpadra-refinery-project-from-rs-37-229-cr-to-rs-80-000-cr-668770.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cash-row-justice-yashwant-varma-withdraws-from-impeachment-proceedings-668773.html New Delhi April 10 IANS Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court has withdrawn from the ongoing inquiry proceedings instituted against him alleging grave procedural irregularities denial of a fair opportunity to defend himself and a complete absence of evidence linking him to the alleged discovery of burnt currency at his official residencenbspnbspIn a detailed communication addressed to the inquiry committee on Thursday Justice Varma said he was constrained to write with profound anguish and a heavy heart asserting that the case against him rested on presumptions rather than evidenceThe controversy stems from a fire incident on March 14 2025 at his official residence in Delhi during his tenure as a judge of the Delhi High Court where videos recorded by firefighters purportedly showed the presence of burnt currency in a storeroomJustice Varma said he was constrained to conclude that the proceedings rested merely on the undisputed existence of a storeroom within the premises and the allegation that cash was found there without any foundational evidence establishing his culpabilitynbspI would be doing myself and the institution the greatest disservice by continuing to participate in the present proceedings thereby legitimising a process that calls upon me to answer the unanswerable where did the money come from he stated announcing his withdrawal with immediate effectJustice Varma claimed that the burden of proof had been impermissibly reversed requiring him to disprove assumed facts and innumerable presumptions despite the prosecution failing to establish even a prima facie case This has resulted not only in a reversal of the burden of proof as we commonly understand but also in placing upon me the onerous obligation of proving multiple negatives he saidJustice Varma maintained that no evidence had been led to show that the alleged cash discovered in the storeroom belonged to him or was placed there with his knowledge or consent No charge was ever made and no evidence whatsoever was led to show that any cash was placed in the storeroom by me or at my instance he saidnbspDetailing the circumstances of the March 14 2025 fire incident Justice Varma reiterated that he was not present at the premises at the time and had no knowledge of the alleged cash until after the incident He said that the storeroom in question was a detached structure accessible from an unmanned rear gate and routinely used by domestic staff and maintenance personnelIt defies ordinary logic and common sense to suggest that I would have chosen such a location to store cash Justice Varma said Raising serious objections to the conduct of the inquiry Justice Varma highlighted that the selective reliance on material from a prior inhouse committee IHC probe alleging that exculpatory evidence including the statutory fire report which made no mention of cash was excluded without explanationHe further claimed that several key witnesses including senior officials from the Delhi Fire Services and Delhi Police were dropped after crossexamination revealed inconsistencies in the case against himnbspRaising further concerns about the fairness of the proceedings Justice Varma alleged that key evidence including CCTV footage was withheld despite repeated requests This best evidence that could shed light on the entire incident has been kept away he said adding that even requests for a cloned copy were declinedThe conclusion in the CFSL Extraction Report that data from the CCTV hard drive could not be accessed is highly suspect he stated adding that the DVR itself was never subjected to forensic examinationnbspOn the charge of tampering with evidence Justice Varma said there was simply no material to suggest that he or anyone acting on his behalf interfered with the scene He stated that decisions not to seize or report the alleged cash were taken by senior officials before he was even informed about the fireSimilarly he rejected allegations of giving an evasive explanation asserting that he had consistently maintained that the cash did not belong to him or his family and that they had no knowledge of its presence The charge evidently proceeds on a misreading of my letter he saidnbspExpressing profound disappointment with the conduct of the inquiry Justice Varma said the proceedings had failed to adhere to principles of fairness and due process A rational and fair inquiry would have recognised the complete absence of a prima facie case he remarkedMeanwhile in a parallel development Justice Varma has tendered his resignation with immediate effect to President Droupadi Murmu bringing an abrupt end to his tenure amid ongoing impeachment proceedingsnbspIn his resignation letter he said I do not propose to burden your august office with the reasons which have constrained me to submit this missive adding that it is with deep anguish that he was stepping down It has been an honour to serve in this office the letter readA copy of the resignation was also marked to the Chief Justice of India Surya KantnbspJustice Varma has been at the centre of controversy since burnt cash was allegedly discovered on March 14 2025 at his official residence during his tenure as a judge of the Delhi High CourtImpeachment notices backed by 145 Lok Sabha members and 63 Rajya Sabha members were moved in July 2025 leading to the constitution of an enquiry committee under the Judges Inquiry Act 1968nbspEarlier this year the Supreme Court rejected a plea filed by Justice Varma challenging the Lok Sabha Speakers decision to constitute the enquiry committeenbspPronouncing the operative part of the verdict a Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma of the apex court held We hold that the petitioner is not entitled to any relief in the present caseJustice Varma had questioned the constitution of the enquiry panel on procedural grounds contending that impeachment notices moved simultaneously in both Houses required joint consultation between the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Rajya Sabha Chairman before constituting the probe committeenbspJustice Varma had earlier also challenged the findings of a threemember inhouse enquiry committee constituted by the Supreme Court which concluded that he exercised secret or active control over the cash allegedly recovered from the premisesnbspThe apex court dismissed that challenge as well concluding that the inhouse procedure was fair and just and did not compromise judicial independencenbspBased on the inhouse enquiry report then Chief Justice of India CJI Sanjiv Khanna had recommended initiation of removal proceedings leading to the constitution of a parliamentary enquiry committeeIANSpdsuk https://dailyworld.in/national/cash-row-justice-yashwant-varma-withdraws-from-impeachment-proceedings-668773.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rbi-absorbing-rs-2-lakh-crore-excess-liquidity-via-reverse-repo-auction-668785.html Mumbai April 10 IANS The Reserve Bank of India announced on Friday that it is carrying out a Variable Rate Reverse Repo VRRR auction worth Rs 2 lakh crore with a 7day tenor to absorb excess durable liquidity from the banking system The date of reversal is April 17nbspThe VRRR is used to absorb excess liquidity when the system has a surplus which helps maintain interest rates within the RBIs prescribed corridorThis move follows the RBIs revised liquidity management framework which prioritises VRRR to manage liquidity over longterm repo operationsThe auction aims to withdraw liquidity often used to counteract surplus funds and maintain stability in the monetary system This action is part of the central banks broader strategy to manage liquidity conditions and maintain the stability of the financial systemLast year the RBI discontinued the 14day Variable Rate Repo VRR and Variable Rate Reverse Repo VRRR operations as the main operation for managing shortterm or transient liquidity under a revised liquidity management framework Instead it is now managed primarily through 7day VRRVRRR and other VRRVRRR operations of tenors from overnight up to 14 days at the discretion of the RBI based on its assessment of the liquidity requirement for the systemMeanwhile the RBI is also implementing the Government of Indias programme of borrowing of Rs 820 lakh crore during the first half H1 of the financial year 202627 which was announced earlierGross market borrowings in the Budget estimate BE 202627 were fixed at Rs 1720 lakh crore Since the presentation of the Budget switches of GSec were conducted reducing gross market borrowing to Rs 1609 lakh crore As much as Rs 820 lakh crore which works out to 51 per cent of the total amount is planned to be borrowed in the first half AprilSept of the financial year 202627 The borrowing will be done through the issuance of dated securities including Rs 15000 crore of Sovereign Green Bonds SGrBsIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rbi-absorbing-rs-2-lakh-crore-excess-liquidity-via-reverse-repo-auction-668785.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/hyderabad-cops-begin-conducting-drug-tests-on-rowdy-sheeters-668791.html Hyderabad April 10 Hyderabad cops have started conducting drug tests on all rowdy sheeters in the Hyderabad Police Commissionerate limits The Hyderabad Narcotics Enforcement Wing HNEW decided to crackdown on persons with criminal records or rowdy sheetersThe police have identified 1300 rowdy sheeters across the commissionerate sources said on FridayTo start with the officials conducted tests on 250 rowdy sheeters and of them 190 tested positive Majority of them were found to be using ganja cannabis Those tested positive were sent to deaddiction centresHNEW took the step as it believed that there is strong link between drug abuse and rising crime Many repeat offenders are said to be addicted to drugs This is seen as a major contributing factor to the rise in crimesOfficials believe that drug tests will help the police identify the sources of supply to repeat offendersHNEW is conducting a thorough probe to trace the sources of psychotropic substances Officials hope to identify suppliers and distribution networksThis drive is part of the efforts by the authorities to make Telangana drugsfreeThe Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement EAGLE Force a special wing of the Telangana police has been conducting raids at various places to curb the menace of drugsPolice had already initiated measures to keep a close watch on the history sheetersRecently Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar took everyone by surprise with a midnight visit to the houses of rowdysheeters to check their criminal record current lifestyle and serve them a warning against indulging in crimesWithout a police siren or any noise he went directly to the houses of rowdy sheeters in MD Lines Hashim Nagar and Defence ColoniesThe top cop woke up the rowdy sheeters and enquired about their criminal history current lifestyle livelihood and social behaviourThe Police Commissioner warned them that strict action would be taken if they resort to crimes again They were advised to give up their criminal tendencies and come to the right path IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/hyderabad-cops-begin-conducting-drug-tests-on-rowdy-sheeters-668791.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nagaland-bypoll-over-82-pc-turnout-recorded-in-koridang-npp-seeks-repoll-in-alichen-668792.html Kohima April 10 More than 8221 per cent of the 22390 eligible voters exercised their franchise in the byelection to the Koridang Assembly constituency in Nagalandâs Mokokchung district officials said on Friday However this turnout is lower than the 8806 per cent of 21740 voters recorded during the 2023 Assembly electionsNagaland Chief Electoral Officer CEO Bhagyashree Banayat stated that polling for the byelection was conducted smoothly on Thursday registering an overall voter turnout of 8221 per cent across all 30 polling stationsShe said that following the completion of polling the polled Electronic Voting Machines EVMs and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail VVPAT machines were securely stored in designated strong rooms The storage process was carried out in the presence of contesting candidates or their representatives as well as Central Observers appointed by the Election Commission of India and was fully videographed in accordance with the Commissionâs prescribed storage and security protocolsBanayat added that a twotier armed security system has been put in place for the strong rooms including the deployment of at least one platoon of armed security personnelIn addition 247 CCTV surveillance has been ensured to maintain strict vigilance Reserve EVMs and VVPATs have also been stored separately in reserve strong rooms following the same security guidelines laid down by the Election CommissionShe further said that all contesting candidates have been formally informed to depute their representatives to observe the security arrangements of the strong rooms Candidates and their representatives have also been permitted to remain outside the inner security perimeter to monitor the arrangements while live CCTV footage of the strong rooms has been made available for their viewingThe counting of votes is scheduled on May 4Meanwhile the National Peopleâs Party NPP led by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission seeking a repoll at the Alichen polling station In a statement the NPP alleged serious irregularities and deliberate suppression of voter turnout in the Alichen cluster of polling stationsThe party pointed to a sharp and highly unusual decline in voter turnout in Alichen raising concerns over the integrity of the electoral processAccording to official data only 1323 votes were cast out of 3310 registered voters in Alichen resulting in a turnout of approximately 399 per cent This indicates that nearly 60 per cent of voters were unable to exercise their franchise In contrast neighbouring polling areas recorded significantly higher participation with turnout figures ranging from over 70 per cent to as high as 99 per cent the party notedThe byelection was necessitated by the demise of sitting MLA Imkong L Imchen who passed away on November 11 2024 at a private hospital in Guwahati after a brief illness He was 75A total of six candidates are contesting the byelection The BJP a constituent of the ruling Peopleâs Democratic Alliance PDA has fielded Daochier I Imchen son of the late legislator as the consensus candidate of the alliance Other key candidates include I Abenjang of the National Peopleâs 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 more competitive IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nagaland-bypoll-over-82-pc-turnout-recorded-in-koridang-npp-seeks-repoll-in-alichen-668792.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-busts-fraudulent-call-centre-in-govindpuri-11-accused-including-kingpins-arrested-668793.html New Delhi April 10 In a major crackdown under its ongoing anticybercrime initiative Cyhawk 40 the Delhi Police South District on Friday dismantled a fraudulent call centre operating from Govindpuri and arrested 11 accused people including the masterminds behind the operation The accused have been identified as Sandeep Chaudhary Ashwini Kumar alias Tushar Neeraj Gupta Abhay Kumar Aman Bhagat Aryan Nath Siddharth Chauhan Ankit Gupta Dhruv Akash Gupta and Pawan Kumar Additionally one female partner Ritu Kumari and around 20 female employees have been identified and served notices to join the investigationThe case came to light during scrutiny of complaints on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal NCRP where a fraud of Rs 13200 reported by a resident of Gurugram Haryana was analysed Investigators traced the transaction to a mule bank account used to receive money from multiple cyber frauds across the country The account holder Pawan Kumar was apprehended and revealed that he had shared his bank account and ATM details with his employer in exchange for commission This disclosure led police to a fraudulent firm named Herbitecture HealthcareConsidering the seriousness of the offence a special team from Police Station Saket was formed under the leadership of Inspector Nagender Nagar with supervision from SHO Inspector Dinesh Kumar and ACP Hauz Khas Rituraj The team also included SI Ajay Kumar SI Karan ASI Ashok ASI Prem Raj HC Rajender Constable Vipin and Lady Constable MonikaActing on the information the police conducted a raid at the Govindpuri office where they found a fully operational illegal call centre During the raid 31 employees â 21 women and 10 men â were found engaged in telecalling activitiesPolice seized 35 mobile phones three laptops one desktop computer 15 new SIM cards 35 returned parcels containing medicines and several bankrelated documents cheque books and other incriminating materialsInvestigations revealed that the accused used social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook to advertise weightloss products Interested users were contacted by call centre agents and persuaded to purchase these items Initial deliveries were made to build trust after which victims were misled into making additional payments In many cases products were either not delivered or replaced and false assurances were given Later the accused stopped responding after collecting substantial sumsThe main accused â Sandeep Chaudhary 27 Ashwini Kumar 23 and Neeraj Gupta 23 â were found to have prior experience in similar fraudulent operations and had launched this setup in May 2023Further investigation is underway to trace financial transactions identify additional victims across India and examine the involvement of other associates IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-busts-fraudulent-call-centre-in-govindpuri-11-accused-including-kingpins-arrested-668793.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-files-charge-sheet-in-rs-23-crore-digital-arrest-cyber-fraud-case-668796.html New Delhi April 10 IANS The Central Bureau of Investigation CBI has filed a chargesheet against a Siliguribased accused and a company incorporated by him in connection with a major digital arrest cyber fraud case involving the cheating of a senior citizen in Delhi of nearly Rs 23 crore an official statement said on FridaynbspThe case which was transferred to the CBI following directions from the Supreme Court of India pertains to a sophisticated cyber fraud in which the victim was allegedly intimidated through fake legal notices and impersonation of law enforcement and judicial authorities via video callsAccording to the agency the accused identified as Sagnik Roy has been arrested and is currently in judicial custody The charge sheet also names a company Securing World Social and Economic Development Council which was allegedly used as a front to facilitate the fraudulent transactionsCBI investigations revealed that the bank account operated by the accused and his company was used to receive the defrauded amount from the Delhibased senior citizen The victim was coerced into transferring funds under the pretext of a socalled digital arrest a tactic used by cybercriminals to instil fear by falsely claiming that the target is under legal scrutiny or detentionOfficials said the accused persons posed as law enforcement and judicial officers during video calls creating a sense of urgency and fear which ultimately led the victim to transfer substantial sums of moneyFurther probe has uncovered that the same bank account was also linked to at least two other cyber fraud cases registered in different parts of the country The account was allegedly used to receive proceeds of crime which were later siphoned off through a network of mule accounts to obscure the money trailThe agency issued an advisory to the public urging citizens to remain vigilant against such fraudulent schemes particularly those involving digital arrest tactics It clarified that there is no legal concept of a digital arrest and cautioned people against panicking or complying with such fraudulent callsCitizens have been advised not to share personal or financial information with unknown callers and to verify the authenticity of any such claims with the concerned authorities The agency also warned against fraudulent investment schemes and impersonation calls made in the name of law enforcement or regulatory bodiesThe public has been urged to promptly report any suspicious activity to the national cybercrime portal or local law enforcement agencies to prevent such crimes and assist in timely actionIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-files-charge-sheet-in-rs-23-crore-digital-arrest-cyber-fraud-case-668796.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/strategic-blowback-how-pakistans-taliban-war-enabled-iskps-revival-668800.html New Delhi April 10 When Pakistan entered into a war with the Afghan Taliban little did it realise that it was indirectly making the Islamic State Khorasan Province ISKP stronger Today the ISKP has become a stronger force and even the recruitments have shot up considerably For the Afghan Taliban the ISKP was always an enemy When the Taliban refused an offer from Abu Bakr alBhagdadi the founder of the Islamic State to battle together in Afghanistan both outfits ended up becoming enemiesThe Taliban wanted no interference from the Islamic State and decided to stay away This led to the formation of the ISKP in Afghanistan and since then it has been in a battle with the TalibanThe ISKP was formed to take control over Afghanistan and set up a Caliphate in Pakistan while also targeting India The speed at which the outfit was set up and carried out attacks at will especially in Pakistan and Afghanistan baffled many However after the Taliban took over Afghanistan following the withdrawal of US troops the trajectory of the ISKP went down considerablyBy 2023 the outfit was largely decimated as the Afghan Taliban took on the terror group The Taliban managed to sustain its pressure until late 2025 By this time the Afghan Talibanâs ties with Pakistan had strained considerably Pakistan then accused the Taliban without proof that it was providing the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP a launchpadEven as the Taliban continued to deny this Pakistan decided to attack Afghanistan The ISKP was quick to shift sides The outfit which viewed Pakistan as an enemy was now being backed by the same countryIn fact Islamabad reached out to the ISKP to help it battle both the Taliban and the TTPWhile this has helped the ISKP a great deal the real change began once the war began With the Taliban busy with the war the ISKP has had time to rebuild and create a bigger operational spaceAn official explained that a weakened Taliban automatically translates into a stronger ISKP This is another nuisance that Pakistan has created the official saidThe ISKP while trying to build a stronger base in Afghanistan has its attention largely focused on India It has been striking deals with the Pakistani establishment about furthering its agenda in Jammu and KashmirAn Intelligence Bureau official said that the ISKP is in fact relieved that Pakistan is at war with the Afghan Taliban It has been given breathing space as the Taliban is busy elsewhereThe war being prolonged only means the ISKP gets more time to rebuild into a strong group the official addedAnother official said that Pakistan is so blinded by the war that it fails to realise that the ISKP can turn against it very soon The ISKP after its formation had trained its guns against Pakistan Some of the notable attacks that the ISKP has carried out in Pakistan include a suicide bombing in September 2023 in Mastung Balochistan in which 52 people were killed It also attacked a Shia Mosque in Peshawar in March 2022The ISKP feels that the true Islamic laws are not being followed in Pakistan and it is time to convert it into an Islamic StateWhile the war does help strengthen the ISKP Pakistan has failed to understand that this conflict is also giving both the TTP and Balochistan Liberation Army BLA breathing time Both these groups are in a battle with the Pakistan establishment and they would use this time to regroup and hit harder another official said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/strategic-blowback-how-pakistans-taliban-war-enabled-iskps-revival-668800.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bjps-wb-manifesto-promises-crackdown-on-infiltration-rs-3-000-aid-for-women-unemployed-youth--668801.html Kolkata Apr 10 The BJP on Friday promised a hardline stand on infiltration Rs 3000 monthly assistance for every woman and unemployed youth and setting up the Seventh Pay Commission for state employees within 45 days of assuming power in West Bengal following the Assembly pollsnbspUnveiling its Sankalp Patra for the West Bengal assembly poll Union Home Minister Amit Shah described the document as a roadmap for creating a Sonar BanglaHe launched a blistering attack on the incumbent Mamata Banerjee government alleging that the last 15 years of Trinamool Congress rule had been a nightmare for the people of the statenbspThe BJP Sankalp Patra will guide farmers youth and women giving them a new direction It will offer renewed hope to every citizen who takes pride in Bengals culture and will serve as a roadmap for the creation of Sonar Bangla Shah saidSeeking to make infiltration and border security a central election issue Shah said a BJP government in the state would adopt a policy of detect delete and deport against infiltratorsnbspOur BJP government in Bengal will move with zero tolerance towards infiltration in the state he saidnbspIn Bengal one law will be ensured for all citizens Shah said adding the BJP would also bring a law to ensure that everyone can practise their religion freelyThe BJP also sought to sharpen its campaign around the border issue promising to secure the states frontiers and put an end to cattle smugglingnbspThe manifesto made a strong pitch to women voters promising a monthly transfer of Rs 3000 to women in the state The BJP also promised 33 per cent reservation for women in all government jobs including in the police forcenbspIn another major welfare promise Shah said unemployed youth would receive a monthly allowance of Rs 3000 He also said that the Seventh Pay Commission for government employees will be set up within 45 days of the BJP coming to power in the state https://dailyworld.in/national/bjps-wb-manifesto-promises-crackdown-on-infiltration-rs-3-000-aid-for-women-unemployed-youth--668801.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-highlights-indias-highest-ever-solar-energy-capacity-addition-668807.html New Delhi April 10 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday highlighted Indias achievement in recording its highestever annual solar capacity addition The Prime Minister in a post on X remarked on the significant milestone reached in the renewable energy sector as noted by Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi in an articleJoshi said that India has achieved its highestever annual solar capacity addition of around 45 GW in 202526 nearly doubling the previous years pace and reinforcing its position as one of the worlds fastestgrowing clean energy marketsThe minister said the achievement reflects the countryâs strong commitment to energy security sustainable development and the vision of Viksit Bharat The momentum was led by largescale deployments in Rajasthan Gujarat and Maharashtra which together powered the countrys accelerated transition towards a cleaner electricity systemA key operational highlight was 665 GW of solar installations in March 2026 alone the highestever capacity addition in a single month demonstrating stronger execution capabilities across utilityscale and distributed solar segmentsThe milestone also signals improving ecosystem readiness across domestic manufacturing grid integration and policy support With India having already crossed 150 GW of installed solar capacity this record annual addition strengthens the countrys long term renewable pipeline and supports industrial decarbonization goalsThe continued rise in stateled deployments is expected to boost investments in transmission corridors battery storage green hydrogen and solar equipment manufacturing creating export opportunities for modules inverters and balanceofsystem componentsThe Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited SECI also handed over a dividend cheque of Rs 115 crore 12408 million to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy reflecting healthy sectoral financial performance and publicsector confidence in renewable infrastructure expansionJoshi said India ranks third globally in Renewable Energy Installed Capacity according to the Renewable Energy Statistics 2026 after moving ahead of Brazil in the ranking The International Renewable Energy Agency IREA released the statistics as of December 2025The minister also highlighted that in July 2025 India reached its highestever renewable energy share in electricity generation The renewables met 515 per cent of the countryâs total electricity demand of 203 GW He also said that a total of 28346 GW of capacity from nonfossil fuel sources has been installed in the country as on March 31 2026 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-highlights-indias-highest-ever-solar-energy-capacity-addition-668807.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/maharashtra-governor-calls-for-strengthening-cost-audit-framework-for-viksit-bharat-668810.html Mumbai April 10 Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma on Friday emphasised the critical role of Cost Audit in building an efficient transparent and competitive economy stating that cost competitiveness is imperative for India as it advances towards the vision of Viksit Bharat Inaugurating the National Seminar on Cost Audit for Viksit Bharat organised by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India ICMAI here the Governor said that the vision of a developed India goes beyond economic growth and industrial expansion âIt is about ensuring that every rupee spent every resource used and every decision taken contributes meaningfully to national progressâ he saidDescribing Cost Audit as a âstrategic instrument of economic governanceâ the Governor noted that it helps improve efficiency reduce wastage and ensure optimal utilisation of resources across sectors He said that in an increasingly competitive global environment innovation and quality must be complemented by cost efficiency to give India a decisive advantageThe Governor said that with India entering into Free Trade Agreements and facing increased global competition Cost Audit serves as a vital diagnostic tool for benchmarking continuous improvement and informed decisionmakingHe further underlined the role of Cost Audit in promoting transparency and accountability particularly in sectors such as infrastructure energy healthcare telecom education and emerging areas such as Artificial Intelligence and data infrastructure where pricing has a direct impact on citizensReferring to his role as Chancellor of 29 universities in Maharashtra with over three million students the Governor observed that many students are not adequately aware of the professional opportunities offered by ICMAI He urged the Institute to reach out to universities and colleges especially in smaller cities to create awareness about its courses and examinations and encourage more students to join the professionThe ICMAI national seminar focuses on the strategic importance of cost audit in enhancing transparency improving efficiency and fostering Vishwas trust among stakeholders while contributing to Value creation and aligning with the broader national Vision of Viksit Bharat It also provides a platform for meaningful discussions on emerging trends and the future direction of the CMA profession in a rapidly evolving economic landscape IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/maharashtra-governor-calls-for-strengthening-cost-audit-framework-for-viksit-bharat-668810.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-relaxes-inspection-norms-for-rice-exports-to-europe-668819.html New Delhi April 10 The government has allowed exports of basmati and nonbasmati rice to certain European countries without the mandatory certificate of inspection for a period of six months according to an official notification issued on Friday The requirement for an inspection certificate issued by the export inspection agency will continue to apply only to European Union member states the United Kingdom Iceland Liechtenstein Norway and Switzerland All other European countries have been exempted from this requirement for the sixmonth period the notification saidThe move is aimed at facilitating exports amid rising global demand for Indian riceEarlier the government had said rice exports reached 1295 billion in 202425 while exports of pulses and millets stood at 855 million and 5920 million respectivelyThe figures highlight growing international demand for diversified and climateresilient cereal crops reinforcing Indiaâs role in global food and nutrition securityCommerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had earlier noted that rice exports have grown by 62 per cent between 2014 and 2025Rice production in India is largely concentrated in states such as Uttar Pradesh Telangana and West Bengal Meanwhile Uttar Pradesh Madhya Pradesh and Punjab are among the leading wheatproducing regions in the countryEarlier in February the Food Corporation of India FCI and the World Food Programme WFP had signed a Memorandum of Understanding MoU for the supply of rice in support of global humanitarian operations aimed at combating hunger In this pact FCI will supply 200000 metric tonnes of rice up to 25 per cent broken to WFPThe agreement will be valid for a period of five years from the date of signing and may be extended by mutual consent The price will be mutually agreed on an annual basis with the current price fixed at Rs 2800 per quintal up to 31 March 2026 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-relaxes-inspection-norms-for-rice-exports-to-europe-668819.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 16:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/its-clear-witch-hunting-sarma-also-made-false-allegations-against-gogoi-his-wife-kc-venugopal-668829.html New Delhi April 10 KC Venugopal General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee AICC and a Member of Parliament on Friday accused Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of engaging in clear witchhunting against Congress leader Pawan Khera after making false allegations against another Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi and his wife Speaking to reporters Venugopal said âThis is a witchhunt by Himanta Biswa Sarma He has made clearcut false allegations against Gaurav Gogoi and his wife How many times has he made such baseless claims If there was any truth to these allegations before the elections why didnât he present any proofâHe further criticised the Assam Chief Minister for what he described as contradictory statementsâThe person who made false allegations against Gaurav Gogoi and his family is now accusing Pawan Khera of mischief This is nothing but a clear case of witchhuntingâ he addedVenugopal also expressed confidence about the Congress partyâs prospects in KeralaâWe are going to win in Kerala We will form the government in the stateâ he assertedOn April 7 Assam Police registered a case against Pawan Khera including charges of forgery defamation and criminal conspiracy linked to remarks targeting the family of Sarma and his wife Riniki Bhuyan SarmaEarlier in the day Telangana High Court granted interim relief to Pawan Khera in the case registered against him by Assam PoliceThe High Court granted anticipatory bail to Khera for one week to enable him to file an application for regular bail before the concerned courtJustice K Sujana who had reserved orders on Kheraâs petition on Thursday pronounced the same on FridayKhera had approached the High Court for transit anticipatory bail to enable him to approach courts in AssamAppearing for Khera Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that the FIR registered by Assam Police was a result of political vendettaSinghvi stated that the FIR had been loaded with every possible charge to exert pressure on a political opponent He argued that even if the Congress leaders statements turned out to be wrong the case was one of defamation and there was no reason to arrest himâKhera is not absconding He is ready to cooperate He came to this court only because he was in Hyderabad with his wife when he learnt about the FIRâ Singhvi saidAppearing for Assam Police Advocate General of Assam Devajit Saikia challenged the maintainability of the anticipatory bail petition in Hyderabad He submitted that Khera a resident of Delhi has not shown any reason why he cannot file the petition in AssamAssam Police have booked Khera in a case of alleged defamation forgery and criminal conspiracyThe case was registered against him after he claimed that Riniki Bhuyan holds multiple foreign passports and undisclosed assets abroadA team of Assam Police on Tuesday visited Kheraâs residence in Delhi but he was not present therePolice also put up barricades and placed security outside the residence of Khera and his wife Neelimas house in HyderabadThe controversy began after Kheras press conference on Sunday in which he claimed that Riniki Sarma held three passports undeclared luxury properties in Dubai and also shell companies in the US IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/its-clear-witch-hunting-sarma-also-made-false-allegations-against-gogoi-his-wife-kc-venugopal-668829.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-concerned-over-civilian-casualties-in-lebanon-calls-for-adherence-to-international-law-668833.html New Delhi April 10 IANS India on Friday expressed its concern over the reports of civilian casualties in Lebanon emphasising that the direction of recent events is very disturbingnbspWhile addressing an interministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia in New Delhi on Friday Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called for adherence to international law and respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states He stated that the Indian Embassy remains in touch with the Indian community in LebanonWe are deeply concerned by reports of a large number of civilian casualties in Lebanon As a troop contributing country to the UNIFIL that is invested in Lebanons peace and security the direction of events is very disturbing India has always emphasised the protection of civilians as the foremost priority Observing international law and respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity of states is essential Our Embassy in Lebanon remains in close touch with the Indian community for its safety and security Jaiswal statedAccording to the MEA spokesperson there are about 1000 Indian nationals in Lebanon currentlynbspHis statement comes after a twoweek ceasefire between the United States and Iran took effect on Wednesday with peace talks scheduled to begin on Saturday However Israel has said that the ceasefire does not cover military action in LebanonOn April 8 Israel Prime Ministers Office expressed support for the US decision to suspend strikes on Iran However it mentioned that the twoweek truce does not include military operations in LebanonHours after the temporary truce was announced between the United States and Iran Israel claimed of giving Hezbollah one of the biggest blows by attacking 100 targets in 10 minutes with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisting that Lebanon was not part of the ceasefire dealnbspAsserting that Tehran is beaten and weaker than ever with its missile production machinery destroyed completely Reuven Azar the Ambassador of Israel to India on Thursday told IANS that Israel will continue to respond to the threat posed by HezbollahWe have made this clear and the American administration has confirmed it We were attacked unilaterally by Hezbollah that has violated not only this ceasefire but also terms that were signed last year They were not supposed to operate in southern Lebanon The Lebanese government committed to disarming them but that has not happened Therefore we are defending ourselves especially our border communities which have been heavily targetted by Iranian missiles and antitank weaponry Azar told IANS in an exclusive interviewnbspIsrael Defence Forces IDF said on Wednesday that it has stopped operations against Iran but continues to conduct targetted ground operations against HezbollahIn accordance with directives from the political echelon the IDF has ceased fire in the operation against Iran and is highly prepared to respond defensively against any violation Overnight the IDF conducted a widescale wave of strikes targeting missile launch sites and launchers across Iran in order to significantly degrade its launching capabilities Simultaneously in Lebanon the IDF is continuing to conduct targeted ground operations against Hezbollah The IDF will continue to operate across all fronts to defend Israel IDF posted on XIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-concerned-over-civilian-casualties-in-lebanon-calls-for-adherence-to-international-law-668833.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/afterthought-delhi-hc-quashes-fir-against-lakshmibai-college-professor-over-scst-act-668834.html New Delhi April 10 IANS The Delhi High Court has quashed an FIR lodged against an Associate Professor of Lakshmibai College over allegations of assault and castebased abuse observing that allegations of castebased humiliation were introduced as an afterthought and lacked the essential ingredients required to invoke provisions of the SCST ActnbspAllowing a writ petition filed by Ranjit Kaur a singlejudge Bench of Justice Neena Bansal Krishna set aside an FIR registered in 2021 at Bharat Nagar police station under Sections 323 and 504 of the IPC and Section 3 of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989 along with all consequential proceedingsThe case arose from an incident dated August 16 2021 during a departmental meeting concerning NAACrelated work where an altercation allegedly took place between the petitioner and the complainant Dr Neelam both serving as Associate Professors in the same collegeThe complainant alleged that she was slapped and humiliated in the presence of colleaguesIn its order the Delhi High Court noted that the complainants initial handwritten complaints made on the same day to both the college principal and the police contained no allegation of castebased remarks or humiliation on account of her Scheduled Caste identityThe caste element appears for the first time only in the complaint dated 17082021 to the Principal as a belated addition to an already narrated version of events Justice Krishna observedExamining the statutory requirements under the SCST Act the Delhi High Court said that for an offence to be made out there must be a clear and specific allegation that the accused intentionally insulted or humiliated the victim on account of her caste identityIt is not sufficient that the complainant belongs to a Scheduled Caste and that she was subjected to illtreatment or a physical altercation The nexus between the alleged act and the caste identity of the victim must be clearly and unequivocally established from the very face of the complaint the order saidIt further stated that even in subsequent complaints and statements including the one recorded under Section 164 CrPC the allegations of casteist remarks remained vague and general without attribution of specific wordsThe Delhi High Court also found that only one witness in her statement under Section 161 CrPC had attributed specific casteist remarks to the petitioner which remained uncorroborated by other witnessesA statement of a single witness attributing specific casteist remarks which the complainant herself never once specifically corroborated cannot form the basis of a charge under the SCST Act it heldOn the IPC offences Justice Sharma observed that Sections 323 and 504 are noncognisable in nature and an FIR could not have been registered without prior approval of the Magistrate as required under Section 1552 CrPCThe FIR therefore cannot sustain itself on the basis of these offences either the order addedIn conclusion the Delhi High Court held that continuation of the criminal proceedings would not be legally sustainable and allowed the petitionIn light of the observations made above the petition is allowed and the FIR and all proceedings emanating therefrom are hereby quashed it orderedIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/afterthought-delhi-hc-quashes-fir-against-lakshmibai-college-professor-over-scst-act-668834.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/assam-polls-female-voters-hail-womens-reservation-bill-668672.html Guwahati April 9 Women who arrived to cast their votes in the Assam Assembly election on Thursday hailed the Womenâs Reservation Bill They appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his work towards women empowerment and hoped the Bill will pave the way for women to come forward and raise their voices Notably PM Modi shared a video message on Thursday urging collective support for the Womenâs Reservation BillThe government plans to introduce amendments to the Nari Shakti Vandan Act Women Reservation Act during the upcoming threeday special session of Parliament Under the Bill 33 per cent of seats will be reserved for women in the Lok Sabha and state AssembliesReferring to a signed article posted on his website PM Modi urged citizens to read and share it widely and to motivate political parties to support the legislation He called for collective action during the upcoming Parliament sittings on April 16 17 and 18Waiting in a queue at a polling booth Sagarika told IANS Women should get equal rights as men because politics is also the same for both men and womenIf women dont come forward then how will the country move towards development A country progresses because of its women That is why I liked this step taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi she saidReferring to the article Manju Das added The Prime Minister is doing good work including for the poorDivyamani mentioned how earlier women were forced to stay at home and even put a veil She said Earlier a woman couldnt live for herself Now as the Prime Minister is bringing this Bill women can raise voice for themselvesSignificantly PM Modi stated in his video that empowering women is essential to achieving the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047Another women at a polling booth said Earlier it was difficult for women to leave homes for work The husbands used to be stressed about their wives safety especially during night and so didnt allow us to leave homes Now we are not facing such issues in AssamYouths and young female voters also came out in support of the Bill Moreover they emphasised on the struggles faced by women at workLuna a young voter said I hope the government brings more schemes for women empowermentIf the Bill is passed it will be a very good thing because women are still struggling specially in rural areas So I hope this Bill empowers each and every woman So that all women can thrive to become independent just like men she told IANSAnother youngster added Compared to men females face more struggles at workLuna highlighted that safety is the most important thing for women Crimes against women like female foeticide cases are still taking place in the 21st century so I would request the government to take steps for female protection After this other things can be taken care of she saidShe further said Whenever I am in a male dominated area I still feel unsafe She urged the government to implement stringent laws for the safety of womenA woman who was leaving the booth after casting her vote said Women should first empower themselves before the government does something IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/assam-polls-female-voters-hail-womens-reservation-bill-668672.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-withdraws-from-baramati-bypoll-citing-maharashtras-political-culture-668673.html Mumbai April 9 In a significant political development the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee MPCC has officially announced its withdrawal from the upcoming Baramati Assembly byelection State President Harshwardhan Sapkal confirmed the decision during a press conference on Thursday the final day for the withdrawal of nominationsThe bypoll scheduled for April 23 was necessitated by the untimely and tragic demise of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar While Congress had initially fielded Akash More as its candidate the party has now opted to step back paving the way for a potential unopposed or less contested electionAddressing the media Sapkal explained that the initial decision to contest taken on March 15 was a strategic ideological move against the BJP However a series of highlevel emotional appeals from across the political spectrum led to a change in stance Ajit Pawar was a tall leader of Maharashtra and his accidental death has left a deep void in the states political landscape Sapkal statedWhile we remain ideologically opposed to the BJP we cannot ignore the cultural and emotional traditions of Maharashtraâ he addedSapkal revealed that several top leaders from the NCP Ajit Pawar faction and the Maha Vikas Aghadi MVA had reached out to the Congress leadership to request a withdrawal NCP president and Dy CM Sunetra Pawar reached out multiple times including as recently as Wednesday and Thursday morning emphasising the longstanding relationship between Ajit Pawar and the Congress party Senior NCP leaders including Chhagan Bhujbal and Dhananjay Munde made personal telephonic appeals for the sake of political grace and tradition said SapkalThe state Congress chief noted that NCPSP chief Sharad Pawar had provided counsel on the matter and NCPSP Working President Supriya Sule had expressed similar sentiments regarding a dignified tribute to the departed leaderThe breakthrough came following a meeting with Rohit Pawar Sapkal mentioned that Rohit Pawar visited to seek cooperation and expressed regret over certain immature remarks made by others against Congress recently acting on behalf of the family to mend ties Ultimately our senior leadership discussed the situation at length While we were prepared to fight this election we have chosen to prioritise harmony civility and Maharashtras political culture Sapkal saidConsidering Ajit Dadas long association with Congress and the emotional appeal from his family and colleagues we are withdrawing our candidate Akash Moreâ he added With Congress officially out of the race the focus now shifts to the remaining candidates as Baramati prepares for a poll heavily overshadowed by the legacy of the late Ajit PawarEarlier in a dramatic turn of events Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis personally reached out to the opposition to negotiate the Baramati Assembly byelection According to reliable sources CM Fadnavis made a direct phone call to Harshwardhan Sapkal During the conversation CM Fadnavis reportedly requested the Congress to withdraw its candidate from the Baramati byelection to ensure the unopposed election of Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar who is contesting as the candidate for the NCP Ajit Pawar factionSimilarly the NCPSP Chief Sharad Pawar spoke to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and discussed the withdrawal of the partys nominee in BaramatiThe Congress high command had earlier informed Pawar that they were positively considering the proposal Pawar told reporters âThe Congress has decided to contest the byelection in Baramati It is a national party We cannot tell them what to do but coincidentally this seat has become vacant after the demise of a capable representative from Maharashtra If asked I would advise Congress It would be appropriate for this election to be held unopposed but the decision is up to Congressâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-withdraws-from-baramati-bypoll-citing-maharashtras-political-culture-668673.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/parking-dispute-turns-fatal-in-araria-driver-killed-accused-shopkeeper-lynched-by-mob-668674.html Patna April 9 A minor dispute over vehicle parking escalated into a double tragedy in Forbesganj leaving two people dead and triggering tension in the locality According to police the incident occurred near the Agricultural Produce Market Committee APMC area around 9 AM on Thursday where a disagreement broke out between a driver and a roadside Sattu vendor over parkingThe deceased driver has been identified as Nabi Hussain a resident of the Amauna locality in the Jogbani Nagar Parishad area in the districtThe accused shopkeeper identified as Rahul Chauhan of Ravi Chauhan Tola allegedly attacked Hussain with a sharpedged weapon during the altercation leaving him critically injured Hussain later succumbed to his injuriesFollowing the attack the accused fled the scene prompting anger among local residents A crowd soon gathered and launched a search for himHe was eventually found hiding in nearby bushes after which a mob allegedly assaulted him brutallyRahul Chauhan also died due to the severe beating turning the incident into a case of mob lynchingUpon receiving information police reached the spot and took control of the situationBoth bodies have been sent for postmortem examinationMukesh Kumar Saha the Station House Officer SHO of Forbesganj police station stated that efforts are underway to identify those involved in the mob attackâBoth bodies have been taken into custody and sent for postmortem Those involved in the mob violence will be identified and strict legal action will be takenâ he saidPolice have initiated a detailed investigation into the sequence of events including the circumstances leading to the initial attack and the role of individuals involved in the mob violenceThe incident highlights how minor disputes can spiral into deadly violence raising concerns over law and order and the growing trend of mob retaliation in BiharAn FIR has been registered in this case in the Forbesganj police station The family members of both deceased have been informed about the incidentâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/parking-dispute-turns-fatal-in-araria-driver-killed-accused-shopkeeper-lynched-by-mob-668674.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/raje-gehlot-pilot-together-in-assembly-committee-congress-gets-3-of-16-chairperson-posts-668678.html Jaipur April 9 Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani announced the appointment of chairpersons and members for 16 Assembly committees including 12 general committees and four financial committees In a notable development former Chief Ministers Vasundhara Raje and Ashok Gehlot along with former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot have been included together as members of the Assemblyâs Rules Committee Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani has been appointed as the exofficio Chairman of the Rules Committee constituted by the Legislative AssemblySenior legislators from different parties have been included as members According to the official list the members of the committee include Vasundhara Raje Ashok Gehlot Shrichand Kriplani Chandrabhan Singh Akya Sachin Pilot Harish Chaudhary and Deepti Kiran Maheshwari Out of the 16 committees BJP MLAs have been appointed as chairpersons in 11 while Congress MLAs will head three committeesThe Speaker serves as the exofficio chairman of two committees Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully has been appointed Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee a key financial panel Congress MLA Rajendra Pareek will head the Question and Reference Committee while Narendra Budaniyan has been named Chairman of the Committee on Welfare of Backward Classes The tenure of all committees will run until March 31 next yearIn another significant move Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has been inducted as a member of the General Purposes Committee Traditionally chaired by the Speaker this committee includes 16 members among them senior legislators and the Leader of OppositionNotably the Chief Minister was not part of this panel in the previous term The composition of the committees reflects a mix of senior leadership across party lines particularly in influential panels like the Rules Committee and the General Purposes CommitteeMeanwhile representation of women in leadership roles within the committees remains limited Of the 16 committees only one is chaired by a woman BJP MLA Kalpana Devi has been appointed to lead the committee related to the welfare of women and childrenThe newlyformed committees are expected to play a crucial role in legislative oversight policy review and governancerelated deliberations in the coming yearThe primary role of the Rules Committee is to review amend and recommend changes to the rules governing the functioning of the AssemblyThe newlyformed committee is expected to suggest reforms to ensure smoother and more efficient conduct of House proceedings IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/raje-gehlot-pilot-together-in-assembly-committee-congress-gets-3-of-16-chairperson-posts-668678.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/anganwadi-teacher-tied-to-tree-in-telangana-five-held-668679.html Hyderabad April 9 Five persons were arrested in Telanganas Sangareddy district on Thursday for tying an Anganwadi teacher to a tree over the alleged financial cheating by her husband police said The shocking incident took place in Rasole village in Kangti mandal on WednesdayFew villagers tied Vasanta Kumari to a tree with a rope and humiliated her as her husband Prabhakar had allegedly cheated them in the name of a finance companyPrabhakar had collected money from some villagers in Ramaragidda village under HBM Finance and fled Angered over this some villagers went to Rasole where Vasanta Kumari was attending dutyThey caught hold of the Anganwadi teacher and tied her to a tree Later they released her following the intervention of some village eldersLater Vasanta Kumari lodged a complaint with the police Taking serious note of the incident police launched an investigationFive persons involved in the incident have been identified and arrestedMeanwhile an MLA in Telangana fell victim to cyber fraudstersPalla Rajeshwar Reddy the MLA of Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS from Jangaon constituency lost Rs 1 lakh to the fraudstersThe fraudsters cheated the MLA under the guise of the Vikasit Bharat scheme The accused allegedly promised Rs 10 lakh loans upon submission of the eligibility listThey collected Rs 1 lakh as processing fees Palla Rajeshwar Reddy transferred funds via PhonePeThe MLA grew suspicious when the accused demanded more money He lodged a complaint with Jubilee Hills Police Station in HyderabadLast month a member of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly lost Rs 12 lakh in an online fraudCybercriminals allegedly duped Chirri Balaraju the MLA from PolavaramThe legislator belonging to the Jana Sena Party JSP received a WhatsApp message containing a link in the name of a Road Transport Authority RTA challanThe amount was reportedly withdrawn from his bank account after he clicked on the link On realising that he had fallen victim to cyber fraud the MLA lodged a complaint with the policeA case was registered at Jeelugumilli Police Station Police said the investigation is underway to trace the accused and recover the amount IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/anganwadi-teacher-tied-to-tree-in-telangana-five-held-668679.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/voter-turnout-in-kerala-stands-at-6271-pc-puducherry-crosses-70-pc-mark-668684.html New Delhi April 9 The voter turnout in Kerala Assembly elections was recorded at 6271 per cent and in Puducherry at 7240 per cent as of 3 pm on Thursday according to data shared by the Election Commission of India ECI Meanwhile Assam recorded a robust voter turnout reflecting strong public participation in the democratic process According to the estimated polling trends available until 300 pm the state recorded a voter turnout VTR of 7591 per cent signifying a high degree of electoral participation across various constituenciesThe turnout figures suggest that voters in Assam are coming out in significant numbers despite the usual logistical and weatherrelated challenges Compared to other regions voting on the same day Assam is emerging as one with the highest participation rates underscoring the keen political interest among its electoratePolling for the highstakes Assembly elections in Assam Kerala and Puducherry commenced at 7 am earlier in the dayThe polling is underway for 126 Assembly seats in Assam 140 in Kerala and 30 in Puducherry The results will be announced on May 4In Kerala around 271 crore voters are set to determine who will govern the state Even before dawn broke the electoral machinery was in motion By 530 am the states 30471 polling booths had sprung to life with officials initiating mandatory mock polling proceduresNotably nearly two lakh voters have already exercised their franchise through home votingDespite the formal end of campaigning the final hours saw candidates across all three fronts in a lastmile scramble meeting overlooked voters and key influencers to secure every possible vote underscoring the unusually high stakes and palpable anticipation surrounding this electionIn Assam the main competition is between the BJP and Congress The incumbent BJP is aiming for a third consecutive term while the Congress seeks to regain power since 2016Voting commenced in a single phase at 7 am and will run until 5 pm Long lines of voters were seen outside polling stations from early in the morning Assams 126member Assembly will conclude its term on May 20Polling commenced smoothly across the Union Territory of Puducherry on Thursday morning with voters turning out steadily at booths to elect representatives to the 30member Assembly The election assumes significance as the Union Territory is currently governed by a coalition led by the All India NR Congress AINRC headed by Chief Minister N Rangasamy with support from the Bharatiya Janata Party BJPA keen contest is expected with all major political formations vying for control IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/voter-turnout-in-kerala-stands-at-6271-pc-puducherry-crosses-70-pc-mark-668684.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/uttar-pradesh-under-cm-yuva-initiative-more-than-10-000-innovative-enterprises-spring-up-668688.html Lucknow April 9 Uttar Pradesh is witnessing a remarkable shift in the entrepreneurial journey with thousands of youths making a conscious switch to innovationdriven startup ecosystem rather than getting involved in familyrun businesses The new trend has picked up among the stateâs youth and is witnessing their increased participation in newage sectors The âCM Yuvaâ scheme is the force behind this new trend as several innovationdriven startups are springing up across the state with many youth grabbing the opportunity to turn âjob creatorsâAccording to an official statement more than 10000 innovative enterprises have been established so far in the state under the âCM Yuvaâ initiative indicating a rapid rise in entrepreneurial confidence among young people Youth are moving beyond traditional businesses and making their mark in modern and emerging sectorsAccording to Sarveshwar Shukla Nodal Officer of âCM Yuvaâ and Joint Commissioner Industries schemes like âCM Yuvaâ have not only expanded employment opportunities but are also playing a key role in realising the vision of Atmanirbhar BharatSharing information about the oneofitskind initiative he said Out of the total enterprises established so far under the scheme 10 per cent are based on innovative models As per the vision of the Chief Minister a target has been set to increase this to 25 per cent in the current financial year 202627Sectorwise data shows that food and restaurant businesses have emerged as the top choice among youth with the highest number of 763 enterprises established Other sectors with active participation include computer training with 370 enterprises pathology sampling with 260 fast food with 253 franchisebased models with 253 and online teaching with 189 enterprisesAdditionally emerging sectors such as gyms with 170 enterprises mobile IT and digital platforms with 120 travel and tourism with 117 and cloud kitchens with 117 enterprises are also witnessing rapid growthLucknow with 287 enterprises is said to be spearheading this trend being followed closely by Azamgarh 286 enterprises and Hardoi with 262 enterprises Other leading districts include Jaunpur Ambedkar Nagar Kanpur Varanasi Raebareli Bareilly and Firozabad This initiative has provided a new direction to the startup culture in the stateBanks have played a vital role in strengthening the startup ecosystem Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank has provided loans to the highest number of innovative models totalling 2133 Other major contributors include State Bank of India Bank of Baroda Punjab National Bank and more IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/uttar-pradesh-under-cm-yuva-initiative-more-than-10-000-innovative-enterprises-spring-up-668688.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/good-that-he-didnt-suggest-vatican-naidu-on-jagans-mavigun-proposal-668689.html Amaravati April 9 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday mocked YSR Congress Party President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy over his âMAVIGUNâ proposal and also took a swipe stating good that he didnât suggest Vatican as the state capital For the uninitiated Vatican City is an independent citystate enclaved within Rome Italy and is the spiritual and administrative centre of the Roman Catholic ChurchAddressing a public meeting in Bapatla district the Chief Minister lashed out at the former Chief Minister for mooting âMAVIGUN Machilipatnam Vijayawada Guntur corridor as the state capitalHe made it clear that Amaravati will be developed as the only and permanent capital of Andhra PradeshâAmaravati will not stop even if 1000 psychos like you try to stop itâ said the Chief MinisterHe said 49 parties in the Parliament supported the bill to give statutory recognition to Amaravati as the sole and permanent state capital He said not just NDA partners but other parties also supported itChandrababu Naidu said YSRCP was the only one party to oppose the Bill âWe use to call a leader a psycho but the entire party has become psychoâ he remarkedThe Chief Minister said YSRCP was talking about womenâs dignity and recalled that the same party insulted Amaravati women and indulged in their character assassination He said they also abused his wife in the AssemblyâA rowdy batch exhibiting psychotic behaviour is engaging in perverse arguments They are attacking a newspaper without any provocation They have harassed women This psycho party is in no position to provide an explanation for such behaviourâ he saidAlleging that attempts are being made to destroy the state he called up on people to unitedly defeat such attempts âThe state has already suffered immense losses due to its bifurcation and the actions of previous rulers We have just began the process of rebuilding itâ he saidStating terrorists lurking in forests launch attacks and then flee he remarked that this individual is no different as he operates from a distance spreads malicious propaganda and runs awayâWe are prepared to respond to constructive criticism but they are spreading falsehoods by claiming that Rs 2 lakh crore are being spent on Amaravati The fact is that Amaravati is selffinanced projectâ he saidHe said the YSRCP keep mentioning Vijayawada Guntur and Machilipatnam apparently unaware that this entire area constitutes the CRDA Capital Region Development Authority regionâOut of an aversion to even uttering the name Amaravati they are attempting to create chaos and cause distress to the public It would take me mere moments to have individuals of this nature arrested but the law will be allowed to take its own courseâ he saidâIf individuals intent on creating destruction are allowed to roam free can the people particularly the women of this state ever truly feel safeâ he askedChandrababu Naidu stated that is in the best interest of the people to simply forget about such parties and individuals IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/good-that-he-didnt-suggest-vatican-naidu-on-jagans-mavigun-proposal-668689.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/absolutely-wrong-husain-dalwai-after-maha-cong-councillor-refuses-to-sing-vande-mataram-668691.html Mumbai April 9 As controversy erupted over Maharashtra Congress councillor Fauzia Sheikhâs refusal to sing âVande Mataramâ in Indore Congress leader Husain Dalwai on Thursday termed the act âabsolutely wrongâ He added that it is the national song and that not following it is inappropriate The row broke out after Congress councillors Fauzia Sheikh Alim and Rubina Iqbal Khan declined to sing âVande Mataramâ during a municipal corporation budget discussion citing Islamic beliefsSpeaking to IANS Husain Dalwai said âIt is absolutely wrong These notions that have emerged among some Muslims are misguided Certain leaders claim that reciting âVande Mataramâ is not in accordance with our religion However everyone including Maulana Azad has sung âVande Mataramâ People even went to jail for singing itâHe further added âHowever asking people to sing all six stanzas as suggested by the BJP is also not correct It is acceptable to sing the first two stanzas of âVande Mataramâ It is the national song and not following it is wrong At the same time those insisting on the full version are also wrong and so are those who outright refuse to sing itâEarlier in the day NCPSP MP Fauzia Khan also said that singing the national song goes against my religious beliefsFauzia Khan told IANS Had I been there I too would not have sung it as it goes against my religious beliefs I would have stood there respectfully and upheld the lawShe emphasised that no one particularly a person belonging to a different faith can be compelled to sing the song given that our Constitution guarantees religious freedomMeanwhile on February 11 Husain Dalwai had criticised the Centreâs decision to make it mandatory to play or sing the complete sixstanza version of âVande Mataramâ at official events calling the move âforcefulâ and contrary to earlier decisions regarding the national songâs recognition IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/absolutely-wrong-husain-dalwai-after-maha-cong-councillor-refuses-to-sing-vande-mataram-668691.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/no-govt-events-in-hotels-private-venues-rajasthan-chief-secretary-issues-circular-668692.html Jaipur April 9 In a move aimed at curbing unnecessary public expenditure the Rajasthan government has prohibited its departments from organising events at hotels and private venues As per a circular issued by Chief Secretary V Srinivas meetings exhibitions seminars and ceremonies must as far as possible be held only in government buildings and official auditoriumsThe circular emphasises optimal use of existing government infrastructure and directs all departments corporations autonomous bodies and public sector undertakings PSUs to host their events in governmentowned facilities These include wellequipped venues such as the Rajasthan International Centre RIC Constitution Club Indira Gandhi Panchayati Raj Institute IGPRS Harish Chandra Mathur Rajasthan State Institute of Public Administration HCMRIPA and the State Institute of Agricultural Management SIAM DurgapuraThe circular clarifies that events at private venues or hotels will be allowed only under exceptional circumstances In such cases prior approval must be obtained in a specially called meeting from a committee headed by the Chief Secretary The committee will include the Additional Chief Secretary or Principal Secretary of the Finance Department the Principal Secretary of the General Administration Department GAD and the Additional Chief Secretary or Principal Secretary of the concerned departmentThe state government said that this decision will ensure proper utilisation of public resources and prevent unnecessary expenditure It believes the move will improve efficiency in the delivery of government services while reducing wastage and controlling avoidable costs ultimately leading to better management of funds and more effective governanceWith this directive the government has effectively ended the routine practice of hosting official events in private venues reinforcing fiscal discipline and better utilisation of public assets said officialsThis initiative has been taken for the first time and hence is being discussed across political and bureaucratic corridors Officials said that there are worldclass buildings in Jaipur owned by the state government which remain unused while officials rush to private hotels for different events IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/no-govt-events-in-hotels-private-venues-rajasthan-chief-secretary-issues-circular-668692.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ktaka-bypolls-voting-crosses-54-pc-in-bagalkot-49-pc-in-davanagere-sdpi-cong-workers-clash-668693.html DavanagereBagalkot April 9 The voting process for the bypoll to two Assembly segments in Karnataka on Thursday is progressing briskly Polling at stations in the Bagalkot Assembly constituency crossed 54 per cent while in the Davanagere South constituency it crossed 49 per cent as of 3 PM Polling commenced at 7 AM and voters can exercise their franchise until 6 PMAccording to official data released by the Election Commission of India ECI the voter turnout in Bagalkot stood at 5482 per cent while Davanagere South recorded 4966 per cent Earlier by 1 PM Davanagere South had recorded 3717 per cent turnout while Bagalkot registered 4375 per cent Voting had crossed 20 per cent in the first four hoursMeanwhile a clash broke out between Congress and Socialist Democratic Party of India SDPI workers near Basha Nagar main road in Davanagere during polling today leading to brief tension in the areaThe incident occurred outside a polling booth set up at Millat School According to sources SDPI polling agents had placed a table about 200 metres away from the polling station Congress workers objected to this and insisted that the table which they claimed was set up beyond the permitted limit be removedTensions escalated when table set up by the SDPI agents was allegedly overturned triggering a confrontation between workers of both parties The situation turned tense as arguments quickly escalated into a clashThe incident coincided with the arrival of Davanagere South Block Congress President Ayub Pailwan at the spot further intensifying the situationPolice personnel intervened and after some effort managed to bring the situation under control No injuries have been reported so farFurther the byeelection in Bagalkot witnessed allegations of mismanagement with voters facing difficulties due to the lack of basic facilities at a polling station in AminagadAccording to reports voters who arrived to cast their ballots were left without access to essential amenities such as drinking water The absence of proper arrangements caused considerable inconvenience especially under the scorching heat There were also no adequate provisions for shade forcing people to stand in long queues in the sunAmid these conditions an elderly woman waiting in line reportedly fell ill and collapsed at the spot Locals immediately came to her assistance and arranged for her to be sent for medical treatmentThe incident has raised concerns over the preparedness and arrangements at polling stations during the byeelectionBJP candidate for Bagalkot segment Veeranna Charantimath cast his vote along with his family Speaking to the media later he expressed complete confidence in his victory this time Charantimath who had lost by a narrow margin in the previous election said the atmosphere is favourable this timeMeanwhile allegations of cash distribution to influence voters surfaced during the byeelection in Bagalkot triggering tension in parts of the constituencyReports emerged from Wambe Colony in Navanagar that money was being distributed to voters as an inducement Locals alleged that Rs 500 currency notes were handed outIn a viral video the authenticity of which could not be verified by the IANS a woman is seen showing a Rs 500 currency note and alleging that it was given by Congress members She is also heard expressing dissatisfaction that only Rs 500 was givenMeanwhile tensions escalated when a group of people surrounded a car belonging to Congress leader Santosh Hokarani The crowd alleged that money was being distributed and confronted those in the vehicle Hokarani reportedly got down from the car and questioned the crowd about the incidentA total of 34 candidates are in the fray across the two constituencies More than 2500 police personnel have been deployed at polling stations to ensure that no untoward incidents take place There is a direct contest between the Congress and the BJP in both seatsThe SDPI is hopeful that the intense contest between the BJP and the Congress will benefit the party The results will be announced on May 4In the Bagalkot Assembly segment there are 259 lakh voters and nine candidates in the fray A total of 332 polling stations have been set up The electorate includes 126 lakh male and 132 lakh female votersAround 1564 staff members along with additional security personnel have been deployed to manage and monitor the polling processThe main contest in Bagalkot is between Congress candidate Umesh Meti and BJP candidate Veeranna CharantimathThe bypoll was necessitated by the death of Congress MLA HY MetiIn the Davanagere South Assembly segment authorities have set up 284 polling stations of which 76 have been identified as sensitive Prohibitory orders have been imposed within a 200metre radius of polling stations The constituency has 231 lakh voters with 25 candidates in the fray More than 1000 security personnel have been deployed to ensure safetyCongress has fielded Samarth Mallikarjun while the BJP has nominated Srinivas T Dasakariyappa Afsar Kodlipet is contesting as the Social Democratic Party of India candidateThe byeelection was necessitated by the demise of veteran Congress leader MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ktaka-bypolls-voting-crosses-54-pc-in-bagalkot-49-pc-in-davanagere-sdpi-cong-workers-clash-668693.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/another-ship-with-15-400-tonnes-of-lpg-arrives-from-gulf-668697.html New Delhi April 9 IANS Indiaflagged merchant ship Green Asha which crossed the Strait of Hormuz on April 5 has safely reached Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority JNPA in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday with its cargo of 15400 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas LPG according to an official statementnbspThe arrival of the tanker has come at a crucial time to augment cooking gas supplies in the country amid the West Asia crisis The has moored at JNPAs liquid berth operated by Bharat Petroleum and Indian OilAnother Indiaflagged LPG vessel Green Sanvi had crossed the Strait on April 6 and is expected to reach India soonMeanwhile with the improved situation more LNG cargoes are also expected to arrive which has enabled the government to increase the overall gas allocation to fertiliser plants by 5 per cent to reach approximately 95 per cent of their sixmonth average consumptionThe Ministry of Ports Shipping and Waterways in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian Missions continues to actively monitor the evolving situation in the Persian Gulf regionAll Indian seafarers in the region are safe and no incident involving Indianflagged vessels has been reported in the past 24 hours according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Ports and ShippingThe Directorate General of Shipping continues to closely monitor developments in the tense region in coordination with ship owners Recruitment and Placement Service License RPSL agencies and Indian Missions the statement saidThe DG Shipping Control Room has handled 5647 calls and 12043 emails since activation including 166 calls and 317 emails in the past 24 hoursDG Shipping has facilitated the safe repatriation of over 1803 Indian seafarers so far including 49 in the past 24 hours from various locations across the Gulf regionPort operations across India continue normally with no congestion reported State Maritime Boards of Gujarat Maharashtra Goa Kerala Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry have confirmed smooth functioningThe Ministry continues to coordinate closely with the Ministry of External Affairs Indian Missions and maritime stakeholders to ensure the welfare of Indian seafarers and uninterrupted maritime operations the statement addedIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/another-ship-with-15-400-tonnes-of-lpg-arrives-from-gulf-668697.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-vasundhara-raje-ensures-women-only-stage-at-nari-shakti-vandan-668553.html Jaipur April 9 In a symbolic gesture highlighting womenâs empowerment former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje ensured that only women occupied the stage during the âNari Shakti Vandanâ programme in Banswaraâ Emphasising the spirit of the event she appealed to male leaders present on the stage to vacate their seats and extend their support to womenâThis programme is dedicated to Nari Shakti I request my brothers to support us by giving space to womenâ Raje said âIn response to her appeal all male leaders seated on stage stepped down and joined the audience Women participants who had been seated below were then invited onto the stage âRaje later expressed her gratitude to the male leaders for their cooperation and gesture of respectâAddressing the gathering at the BJP office Raje said the programme was being organised under the guidance of the partyâs national leadership and was launched from the sacred land of Goddess Tripura Sundari revered as a symbol of supreme powerâShe underlined the cultural and spiritual significance of beginning this initiative on this land ââThis programme has been organised under the directives of our National President Nitin Nabin and is being launched from the sacred land of Goddess Tripura Sundari the embodiment of supreme powerâ she saidâRaje described the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam as a mark of selfrespect for women and expressed her gratitude to PM Modi under whose leadership the Parliament approved the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in 2023 Through this legislation women will receive a 33 per cent reservation in the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies she saidâHighlighting recent legislative developments Raje described the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam as a symbol of dignity for women across the countryâShe explained that the law provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies which would ensure greater participation of women in governance and decisionmakingââWith this step women will have a decisive role in shaping the nationâs futureâ she saidâEncouraging active political participation Raje urged women not to treat politics as a parttime activity but as a fulltime commitment to public serviceâEnding her speech on a lighter note she remarked that while 33 per cent of women would now help run the country men might have to take greater responsibility at homeâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-vasundhara-raje-ensures-women-only-stage-at-nari-shakti-vandan-668553.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/punjab-mohali-to-get-multipurpose-exhibition-and-convention-centre-668556.html Chandigarh April 9 Punjab Minister for Industries and Commerce Sanjeev Arora on Wednesday announced the development of a stateoftheart Multipurpose Exhibition and Convention Centre in Mohali near here âThis landmark initiative reflects the governmentâs commitment to positioning Punjab as a preferred destination for global events and investmentsâ Arora said hereDetailing the project he said that the Convention Centre will be developed on approximately 14 acres in the heart of Mohali IT City under a PublicPrivate Partnership model with an estimated outlay of around Rs 250 crore The projects concession period will be 15 yearsHe said the project involves the creation of a stateoftheart convention centre designed to host largescale national and international events with worldclass infrastructure and facilitiesThe project will be completed in two phases with Phase I targeted for completion by December 31 and Phase II by December 31 2027Highlighting the infrastructure components the minister said the convention centre will feature largespan columnfree exhibition halls including two major halls of approximately 40000 sq ft and 15000 sq ft along with conference and breakout rooms retail and food and beverage zones spread over around 15000 sq ft and parking infrastructure for at least 1000 vehiclesHe said the facility will also include worldclass landscaped public spaces and open event areasEmphasising modern design and sustainability he said the facility will incorporate advanced columnfree structural systems efficient traffic circulation and logistics planning integration of modern mechanical electrical and plumbing audiovisual and information technology systems compliance with National Building Code fire safety and accessibility standards and adoption of GRIHA 5Star sustainable design principlesâThis Convention and Exhibition Centre will be a transformational project for Punjab It will significantly enhance our capacity to host global events attract investments and generate largescale employmentMohali is fast emerging as a modern urban and technology hub and such worldclass infrastructure will further accelerate its growth trajectoryâ the minister added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/punjab-mohali-to-get-multipurpose-exhibition-and-convention-centre-668556.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-it-notice-exposes-rs-598-crore-diamond-scam--668557.html Jaipur April 9 A major financial fraud has surfaced in Ajmer after the Income Tax Department issued a notice to a roadside clothes presser over transactions exceeding Rs 598 crore linked to diamond tradingâ The presser Jitendra Kumar who runs an ironing cart in the Ramnagar area was left shocked and frightened upon receiving the notice on April 1 2026 The transactions mentioned involved highvalue diamond and jewellery deals far beyond his meansâAccording to his lawyer Rakesh Thada Jitendraâs Permanent Account Number card was allegedly misused to carry out these transactions The suspicion points towards a diamond trader from Pali The Income Tax Department has also sought an explanation from a private bank manager indicating possible collusionâJitendra said he had no knowledge of any such financial activity Upon legal consultation it emerged that a bank account had been opened using his Permanent Account Number through which all transactions were routed He said âI had no idea why I received such a noticeââDuring the inquiry Jitendra realised that his Permanent Account Number card had been missing for nearly two years It is suspected that the accused identified as Shatrughan Singh from Pali used the lost card to open the accountâTransactions worth over Rs 59850 crore were allegedly conducted using this account Further investigation revealed that the accused also obtained a Goods and Services Tax registration using Jitendraâs Permanent Account Number and set up a firm Ms Manan Enterprises in Surat Gujarat The firm was reportedly engaged in diamond and jewellery tradingâAn FIR has been registered against the accused at Ganj Police Station in Ajmer Jitendra said the incident has disrupted his livelihood He explained that for the past week he has only been running between the police and lawyers IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-it-notice-exposes-rs-598-crore-diamond-scam--668557.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/145-kg-of-ied-recovered-amp-neutralised-in-jampks-shopian-averts-major-terror-incident-668558.html Srinagar April 9 The Indian Armys Chinar Corps in a joint operation along with the Jammu and Kashmir Police averted a major terror incident by recovering and neutralising 145 kg of Improvised Explosive Device IED near Chitragam in Zainapora area of Jammu and Kashmirs Shopian district officials said Taking to its official X account on Wednesday Indian Armys Chinar Corps said OP CHITRAGAM Shopian ChinarWarriors in a joint operation with JmuKmrPolice averted a major terror incident by recovering and neutralising an IED near Chitragam in General area of Zainapora in Shopian The 145 kg IED packed with high explosives and fitted with a remote trigger was surgically handled and destroyed in a controlled manner IndianArmy remains resolute in its commitment to keep Kashmir terrorfreeOfficials said that the Indian Army remains resolute in its commitment to keep Kashmir terrorfreeOfficials added the IED was found along the ZainporaChitargam road in Shopian early morning during the routine sanitisation of the area and was intended to target vehicles of the security forces passing on this roadThe IED was safely defused by the Bomb Disposal Squad which was called in after traffic was momentarily halted on the ZainaporaChitargam roadA homemade bomb or destructive device used by insurgents or terrorists to destroy property and kill or injure people IEDs are typically manufactured from conventional military components chemical substances or discarded explosivesThey are predominantly utilised by guerrilla or terrorist organisations as part of asymmetric warfare urban warfare or in terrorist operationsIEDs are commonly used in unconventional warfare often disguised as roadside bombs or in vehicles Containing a switch an initiator detonator a charge explosive and a container they can range from small pipe bombs to large vehicleborne IEDs VBIEDs capable of immense destructionOften found on roadsides in culverts or buried under surfaces they are highly versatile IEDs are a significant threat to security forces and civilians alike contributing significantly to casualties in conflicts worldwideSecurity forces often use Bomb Disposal Squads BDS to neutralise these threatsRoad opening parties ROPs of the army and other security forces are moved out immediately after dawn to look for IEDs planted by the terrorists on roads and highways in JampampK This exercise is called âsanitisationâ as this exercise ensures the safety of security forces vehicles VIP cavalcades and civilians using these roads and highways IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/145-kg-of-ied-recovered-amp-neutralised-in-jampks-shopian-averts-major-terror-incident-668558.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/polling-begins-across-kerala-amid-high-voter-turnout-expectations-668565.html Thiruvananthapuram April 9 After 23 days of highvoltage campaigning and an equally intense silent push Kerala stepped into decision day on Thursday with around 271 crore voters set to determine who will govern the state Even before dawn broke the electoral machinery was in motion By 530 am the stateâs 30471 polling booths had sprung to life with officials initiating mandatory mock polling proceduresOnce completed and the EVMs sealed a brief lull followed before the real momentum beganBy 630 am queues had already started forming across the stateIn a telling snapshot from Thodupuzha long lines dominated by elderly voters hinted at the deep civic engagement that has come to define Keralaâs electorateAt Chooralmala in Wayanad a region still scarred by the devastating landslide that claimed over 200 lives the act of voting carried an emotional weightSome voters visibly moved recalled how family members who stood with them in 2021 were no longer around this timeThe polling which began at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm spans all 140 constituenciesWith each press of the voting machine the states political fate inches closer to clarityNotably nearly two lakh voters have already exercised their franchise through home votingDespite the formal end of campaigning the final hours saw candidates across all three fronts in a lastmile scramble meeting overlooked voters and key influencers to secure every possible vote underscoring the unusually high stakes and palpable anticipation surrounding this electionSuperstar Mohanlal a voter in the Nemom highprofile constituency in the state capital city was spotted at the queue around 645 am and beside him were rival candidates sitting member and State Education Minister VSivankutty and his Congress rival KSSabarinathan who was seen exchanging pleasantries with himThe third candidate is State BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar Other prominent figures were among early votersUnion Minister Suresh Gopi joined the queue at a polling booth in Guruvayoor as early as 630 am while Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan was seen voting alongside his family in ParavoorBJP candidate R Sreelekha contesting from Vattiyoorkavu cast her vote early citing a packed schedule across her 209 boothsâI am extremely confident of the outcomeâ she said reflecting the optimism candidates carried into polling dayThe scale of the exercise is formidableAuxiliary booths have been set up in select districts to manage crowds while 352 allwomen polling stations and 37 booths managed by persons with disabilities highlight inclusive electoral effortsAdditionally 884 model polling stations have been establishedSecurity remains tight with over 76000 police personnel deployed across the state including Special Police Officers central forces and units from neighbouring Tamil NaduAround 2500 booths have been identified as sensitive with prohibitory orders and enhanced surveillance in placeAs Kerala votes in what is widely seen as one of its most keenly watched elections in recent memory the day unfolds not just as a democratic exercisebut as a vivid expression of public will IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/polling-begins-across-kerala-amid-high-voter-turnout-expectations-668565.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/polling-begins-smoothly-in-puducherry-for-30-seats-668567.html Puducherry April 9 Polling commenced smoothly across the Union Territory of Puducherry on Thursday morning with voters turning out steadily at booths to elect representatives to the 30member Assembly Election officials reported a calm and orderly start with no major disruptions in the early hoursVoting began at 7 am across 1099 polling stations and will continue until 6 pm Authorities expressed confidence that the process would remain peaceful and wellmanaged throughout the day with elaborate arrangements in place to facilitate votersThe election assumes significance as the Union Territory is currently governed by a coalition led by the All India NR Congress AINRC headed by Chief Minister N Rangasamy with support from the Bharatiya Janata Party BJPA keen contest is expected with all major political formations vying for control Chief Electoral Officer P Jawahar said the administration had made comprehensive preparations to ensure a free and fair pollA total of 4836 polling personnel have been deployed supported by 2791 police personnel and 30 companies of Central Armed Police Forces CAPF to maintain law and orderSecurity arrangements have been intensified particularly in sensitive areas As many as 209 polling stations have been identified as vulnerable and five as critical These locations are under strict surveillance with microobservers and CAPF personnel deployed to monitor proceedings closelyOfficials also highlighted extensive measures taken to enhance voter convenienceAround 2000 student volunteers have been stationed at polling booths to assist senior citizens and persons with disabilities ensuring inclusive participation in the democratic processIn the runup to polling enforcement teams maintained strict vigilance under the Model Code of Conduct MCC Authorities seized suspected inducements worth approximately Rs 84 crore during the campaign period This included gold and other precious metals valued at Rs 67 crore Rs 77 lakh in cash and liquor worth Rs 68 lakh indicating robust monitoring mechanismsDespite the end of campaigning on Tuesday evening surveillance teams continued their operations to prevent any violationsElection officials stated that all necessary arrangements had been put in place to ensure that voters could exercise their franchise without difficultyWith a voter turnout of over 82 per cent recorded in the 2021 Assembly elections officials expressed optimism that participation could exceed previous levels reflecting strong public engagement in the electoral process IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/polling-begins-smoothly-in-puducherry-for-30-seats-668567.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-sweeps-un-elections-unopposed-to-ecosoc-bodies-668569.html United Nations April 9 India has swept unopposed the four elections to Economic and Social Council ECOSOC bodies with former senior diplomat Preeti Saran reelected to the Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights CESCR United Nations April 9 India has swept unopposed the four elections to Economic and Social Council ECOSOC bodies with former senior diplomat Preeti Saran reelected to the Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights CESCRIn the elections on Wednesday India was also elected to the Commission on Science and Technology for Development and the committees on NonGovernmental Organisations and for Programme and CoordinationAll the elections were by acclamation which means they were unanimousSaran a former Secretary East at the External Affairs Ministry was reelected in her personal capacity to the CESCR where she had chaired last years sessionShe has been Indias envoy to Vietnam and served in diplomatic missions in Toronto Geneva Dhaka Cairo and Moscow during her 36year career in the Indian Foreign ServiceCESCRs 18 independent experts monitor the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural RightsThe Covenant enshrines for all people economic social and cultural rights such as the rights to adequate food adequate housing education health social security water and sanitation and work according to the UNThe Committee on NGOs is an influential body that examines applications for consultative status and requests for reclassification submitted by civil society groups and has a say on their participation in UN activities by ensuring they are legitimateThe Commission on Science and Technology for Development frames the critical issues influencing the fields of science and technology and how they affect development and a sustainable future according to the UNThe Committee for Programme and Coordination assists the ECOSOC by considering on a sectorbysector basis the activities and programmes of UN agencies to ensure their work programmes are compatible and complementary according to the UNThe council is at the heart of the UNâs mechanism to advance the three dimensions of sustainable development economic social and environmental IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-sweeps-un-elections-unopposed-to-ecosoc-bodies-668569.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/heatwave-intensifies-across-tn-temperature-crosses-37-degrees-in-several-districts-668573.html Chennai April 9 Tamil Nadu is witnessing a steady rise in summer temperatures with heatwave conditions intensifying across the state At least seven locations recorded temperatures above 37 degrees on Wednesday signalling the onset of a stronger and more persistent heatwave this seasonWeather experts attribute the early spike in temperatures to the impact of El NiÃo which is expected to make this yearâs summer hotter than usual across southern India Even in the first week of March several parts of Tamil Nadu had already begun experiencing heatwave conditions with temperatures touching or exceeding 37 degreesAmong the hottest locations recorded on Wednesday Paramathi in Karur district registered the highest temperature at 41 degrees making it one of the most severely affected areasOther districts that experienced intense heat include Erode Vellore Namakkal Madurai Airport Tirupattur and Palayamkottai where temperatures remained significantly above normal levelsThe India Meteorological Department IMD has indicated that there is unlikely to be any major change in maximum temperatures across Tamil Nadu until April 12 This suggests that the prevailing hot and dry conditions are expected to persist over the next few days potentially increasing discomfort among residentsHowever there is some relief in sight Meteorological officials have forecast the possibility of moderate rainfall in certain parts of the state starting next week In particular areas along the Western Ghats are likely to receive moderate showers over the next two days which could help bring down temperatures slightly in those regionsAdditionally parts of Chennai may experience light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms on Thursday according to the Regional Meteorological Centre These localised weather developments could offer temporary respite from the heat though overall conditions are expected to remain warmAuthorities have advised residents to take necessary precautions including staying hydrated avoiding direct exposure to the sun during peak hours and taking care of vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly as Tamil Nadu braces for a hotterthanusual summer IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/heatwave-intensifies-across-tn-temperature-crosses-37-degrees-in-several-districts-668573.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ktaka-bypolls-voting-underway-in-davanagere-south-bagalkot-as-cong-bjp-locked-in-close-fight-668574.html DavanagereBagalkot April 9 The voting at polling stations in the Davanagere South and Bagalkot Assembly constituencies of Karnataka was underway on Thursday Polling commenced at 7 am and voters can exercise their franchise until 6 pm According to initial reports voters are queuing outside polling stations in Davanagere South In Bagalkot as well voting has seen a good start and Naveen Charantimath son of BJP candidate Veeranna Charantimath was among the first ones to cast his voteA total of 34 candidates are in the fray across the two constituencies More than 2500 police personnel have been deployed at polling stations to ensure that no untoward incidents take place There is a direct contest between the Congress and the BJP in both seats The SDPI is hopeful that the intense contest between the BJP and the Congress will benefit the party The results will be announced on May 4In the Bagalkot Assembly segment there are 259 lakh voters and nine candidates in the fray A total of 332 polling stations have been set up The electorate includes 126 lakh male and 132 lakh female voters Around 1564 staff members along with additional security personnel have been deployed to manage and monitor the polling processThe main contest in Bagalkot is between Congress candidate Umesh Meti and Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Veeranna CharantimathThe bypoll was necessitated by the death of Congress MLA HY MetiIn the Davanagere South Assembly segment authorities have set up 284 polling stations of which 76 have been identified as sensitive Prohibitory orders have been imposed within a 200metre radius of polling stations The constituency has 231 lakh voters with 25 candidates in the fray More than 1000 security personnel have been deployed to ensure safetyCongress has fielded Samarth Mallikarjun while the Bharatiya Janata Party has nominated Srinivas T Dasakariyappa Afsar Kodlipet is contesting as the Social Democratic Party of India candidateThe byelection was necessitated by the demise of veteran Congress leader MLA Shamanur ShivashankarappaBJP State President and MLA BY Vijayendra taking to the social media platform X appealed âDear voters of Bagalkote and Davanagere South Assembly constituencies I request all of you to come out in large numbers and exercise your right to vote in the byelection being held today in both constituencies Every single vote is extremely important for the future of the constituency It is through your vote that democracy is strengthenedââI especially urge our mothers and sisters as well as young voters including those voting for the first time to participate in large numbers For a strong Karnataka and a secure future do not miss your right cast your vote and strengthen democracyâ he statedMeanwhile Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday evening appealed to voters in Davanagere South and Bagalkot to support Congress candidates in the byelections scheduled for Thursday April 9 highlighting the legacy of senior leaders and the need to ensure continuity in development IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ktaka-bypolls-voting-underway-in-davanagere-south-bagalkot-as-cong-bjp-locked-in-close-fight-668574.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-polling-16-pc-turnout-sets-pace-cm-vijayan-says-decisive-election-for-states-future-668583.html Thiruvananthapuram April 9 Around 16 per cent of Keralaâs 271 crore electorate have cast their votes within the first two hours of polling on Thursday setting an energetic tone for what Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described as a decisive election for the stateâs future Leading the campaign narrative for the Left Democratic Front LDF CM Vijayan said the mandate would determine whether Kerala sustains its development trajectoryAfter casting his vote he stressed that there should be no interruption to progress and that continuity in governance is essentialCPIM General Secretary MA Baby echoed the sentiment calling the election a vote for continuityâWe do not claim everything was perfect but we have done a lot and that will reflect when people voteâ he said expressing confidence in another term for the Left FrontKey constituency battles underscore the high stakesState Excise Minister MB Rajesh is locked in a keen contest against Congress leader VT Balaram in Thrithala in Palakkad district one of several closely watched seatsThe opposition United Democratic Front UDF however has struck a confident noteLeader of Opposition VD Satheesan after voting in Paravur urged maximum voter participation calling it a fundamental democratic rightHe asserted that the UDF is on course for a decisive mandate âOur assessments clearly show we will cross 100 seatsâ he said adding that public sentiment has shifted in favour of change over the past three months of campaigningThe Bharatiya Janata Party BJP contesting a triangular fight in several constituencies including Nemom projected itself as a potential kingmaker where state BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar is fighting it outâThis time a fractured verdict cannot be ruled out and the BJP will be playing a decisive role in the postpoll scenarioâ said ChandrasekharWith brisk early turnout and sharp contrasts between continuity and change shaping the narrative Keralaâs electorate appears set to deliver an interesting verdict IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-polling-16-pc-turnout-sets-pace-cm-vijayan-says-decisive-election-for-states-future-668583.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/festival-of-democracy-union-minister-pabitra-margarita-urges-assam-people-to-cast-vote-668584.html New Delhi April 9 Voters in Assam turned out in large numbers on Thursday to cast their ballots in the Assembly elections with political leaders highlighting the exercise as a celebration of democracy The contest is primarily between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party BJP aiming for a third consecutive term and the Congress seeking to return to power after being out of office since 2016Union Minister of State Pabitra Margarita casting his vote at polling station No 21 in the Jorhat Assembly constituency described voting as a democratic festival âI have come to cast my vote So yes the festival of democracy is the greatest celebration of democracy I also on behalf of you appeal to our people to come out to cast their vote for democracy for a strong democracyâ he saidIn Diphu BJP candidate Surya Rongphar cast his vote at polling station No 130 and expressed confidence in his partyâs prospects âWe have seen how the BJP has been doing in the last 10 days The people have come out and they are very excited that this time they have decided to form a BJP government againâ Rongphar statedDespite heavy rainfall in Jalukbari and other parts of the state voters braved the weather to exercise their franchiseAt polling stations in Kamrup Block Level Officer Ankur Das highlighted the extensive preparations âTwentyseven cadres have been working since yesterday to set up everything Our team has handled all the decorations The station is equipped with medical facilities cradles for infants breastfeeding rooms wheelchairs for the physically handicapped and an ambulance is on standbyâ he saidPolling began at 7 am and will continue until 5 pm covering all 126 Assembly constituencies Long queues of voters were observed from early morning reflecting widespread enthusiasm and engagement Many voters expressed hope that the incoming government would prioritise development infrastructure and growth in AssamThe 126member Assam Assembly is scheduled to complete its current term on May 20 making these elections pivotal in determining the political direction of the state for the next five years IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/festival-of-democracy-union-minister-pabitra-margarita-urges-assam-people-to-cast-vote-668584.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-polls-ldf-says-people-will-vote-for-continuity-udf-confident-of-decisive-majority-668592.html Thiruvananthapuram April 9 Voting began across Kerala on Thursday with political leaders expressing confidence and urging citizens to exercise their franchise in what is widely seen as a decisive election for the states future Kerala Minister P Rajeev arrived at the Ambedkar Training Centre in Vidya Nagar Colony to cast his vote early in the morningWe are very confident with the people because the people I hope will cast a vote in favour of the continuity of this government And in this constituency I tried my best to fulfil the promises which I had given to the people in 2021 P Rajeev saidAround 16 per cent of Keralas 271 crore electorate had cast their votes within the first two hours setting an energetic tone for the dayIUML leader PK Kunhalikutty expressed optimism for the United Democratic Front UDF saying Let us wait this time UDF will definitely come to power All signs indicate that the majority is in favour of UDF They are expected to secure a clear and decisive majorityCongress leader and State Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan also exuded confidence stating I hope I have made it clear from the beginning to the media that we aim for 100 per cent I have maintained this stance throughout the election process and we will achieve 100 per centHe further added I am very much confident that UDF will come back with 100 plus seats From the very beginning I have been saying this because I have travelled across the state four times in three months I know the trendUDF candidate K Muraleedharan highlighted strong voter enthusiasm at his polling booth People want a change I have been standing in the queue for about half an hour for the first time Previously when I cast my vote at the same booth there was no queue This time however there is a huge queue This is an important area in the electorate so people are actively coming out to cast their votesAfter 23 days of highvoltage campaigning Kerala stepped into decision day on Thursday with polling beginning at 7 am across all 140 constituencies and continuing until 6 pmEven before dawn officials had activated the states 30471 polling booths and conducted mandatory mock polling procedures By 630 am voters had started forming queues indicating strong civic engagementIn areas such as Chooralmala in Wayanad still scarred by the devastating landslide that claimed over 200 lives casting a vote carried emotional significance for some residents who remembered family members lost since the 2021 electionsAs Kerala heads to the polls the outcome of this election is expected to shape the states political and developmental trajectory for the coming years with vote counting scheduled for May 4 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-polls-ldf-says-people-will-vote-for-continuity-udf-confident-of-decisive-majority-668592.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/accused-in-andhra-govt-employees-rape-remanded-to-judicial-custody-668601.html Amaravati April 9 A court in Andhra Pradeshâs Palnadu district sent the accused in the rape of a government employee to judicial custody for 14 days Namala Srinu who was arrested by Macherla town police on Wednesday night was produced before a judge on Thursday morningAfter the judge sent the accused to judicial custody he was shifted to Gurazala subjailA 32yearold woman was assaulted and raped by the accused at her home in Macherla town on April 2The assailant allegedly raped the victim at knifepoint beat her up and inserted an iron rod in her private partsThe victim works as an attender in the Panchayat Raj Department She was separated from her husband and shifted to Macherla from Sattenapalli last year According to police she lives with her young nephew However as her nephew had gone to Sattenapalli to spend school holidays with his family she was alonePolice quoted the victim as saying that the assailant entered the house by asking for some drinking water He tied the woman with a scarf gagged her with a piece of cloth and raped herThe assault came to light after her nephew alerted his friends after he could not contact her on the phone She was found unconscious with her hands and legs tiedPolice shifted the victim to hospital The police investigation revealed that the accused was known to the victimThe accused was identified as Srinivas a daily wage worker from Rajupalem mandal They first connected through Instagram and later developed a close acquaintancePolice had formed special teams to arrest the accused Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu had also directed the police department to ensure justice for the victim and establish the truthThe police managed to nab the accused on Wednesday night and produced him before a court the next day IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/accused-in-andhra-govt-employees-rape-remanded-to-judicial-custody-668601.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/dg-shipping-asks-ports-to-provide-concessions-to-exporters-advises-seafarers-to-remain-safe-668603.html New Delhi April 9 IANS Amid the ongoing West Asia crisis Directorate General of Shipping DG Shipping has directed ports to ensure concessions for exporters with stranded cargo in the waraffected Persian Gulf regionnbspAccording to a circular it has been observed that concessions granted by port authorities particularly relating to detention charges ground rent reefer plugin connected load and similar terminal charges are not being uniformly passed on to the exportersThe DG Shipping circular said that all concessions approved by Port Authorities will be directly and transparently passed on to the concerned stakeholders including freight forwarders and NVOCCs who in turn shall reflect the same to the exportersPort authorities have also been made responsible to monitor compliance at the terminal level to ensure the benefit of such concessions reaches the intended beneficiaries without delayThe regulator advised ports and terminal operators to ensure strict compliance in order to maintain transparency in cost structures protect exporter interests and ensure operational continuity during the ongoing crisisThe move is to ensure that exporters can avail claims under the Rs 497 crore Resilience and Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation RELIEF schemeShipping lines are specifically instructed to maintain full transparency and auditability in such cases DG Shipping said adding the war risk premium being levied on cargo has also undergone changes which may not be fully aligned with the earlier directivesThe matter is being taken up with insurance providers it addedMeanwhile DG Shipping has also issued a safety advisory for Indian seafarers in and around the Iranian watersnbspIn view of the prevailing security situation seafarers ashore are advised to remain indoors avoid sensitive locations and coordinate movements with the Embassy of IndianbspThose onboard vessels are instructed to stay onboard and limit unnecessary shore travel All personnel are urged to remain vigilant follow official updates and stay in continuous contact with company representatives and authorities according to the advisoryIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/dg-shipping-asks-ports-to-provide-concessions-to-exporters-advises-seafarers-to-remain-safe-668603.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/met-office-predicts-rain-thunderstorms-over-kolkata-south-bengal-for-next-two-days-668606.html Kolkata April 9 Following overnight rain the Met office on Thursday predicted rain accompanied by thunderstorms over Kolkata and south Bengal districts for rest of the day and Friday The Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkatas Alipore said that there is an axial line over Gangetic West Bengal stretching from TelanganaDue to this a large amount of water vapour is entering from the Bay of Bengal due to which frequent thunderstorms are occurringAfter Wednesdays thunderstorms Kolkata and rest of south Bengal witnessed four consecutive days of squalls accompanied by moderate rainThe Met office has predicted scattered rain today as well in Kolkata which could jeopardise the IPL match at Eden Gardens between Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super GiantsThere is a possibility of scattered rain in various districts of south Bengal on Thursday and Friday There is a possibility of rain with a windspeed of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour and thunderstormsIt will rain in East Midnapore Howrah Hooghly Jhargram North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas Kolkata and West Midnapore districtsThe rain and thunderstorms will continue for two more days due to the present weather system After that dry weather will prevail which will raise the temperature across the state said a Met department officialThe weather will improve from Saturday onwards There may be scattered rain in some districts on Monday and Tuesday while Kolkata and surrounding districts are likely to remain dryThe intensity of rain will also decrease in north Bengal but the situation is favourable for scattered rain throughout the week The temperature may increase by 4 to 6 degrees Celsius by the end of the week However there is no warning of a heatwave at least till midAprilDue to overnight rain the mercury in Kolkata has dropped to 213 degrees Celsius The maximum temperature is expected to remain below 30 degrees Celsius IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/met-office-predicts-rain-thunderstorms-over-kolkata-south-bengal-for-next-two-days-668606.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jaipur-metro-phase-ii-to-have-41-km-corridor-with-36-stations-to-ease-congestion-668607.html Jaipur April 9 IANS A 41kilometrelong NorthSouth metro corridor from Prahladpura to Todi Mod has been approved for Jaipur under PhaseII of the metro project The corridor described by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma as the citys future lifeline will connect key industrial and residential hubs from Sitapura to VKIA ensuring safe efficient and convenient public transportnbspThe project estimated to cost over Rs 13037 crore will comprise 36 stations and be implemented by Rajasthan Metro Rail Corporation Limited RMRCL a 5050 joint venture between the Centre and the state government said officialsThis corridor will act as Jaipurs lifeline connecting major industrial and residential hubs from Sitapura to VKIA and ensuring safe efficient and convenient transport for the public Sharma saidThe corridor will provide seamless connectivity to key locations including Sitapura Industrial Area VKIA Jaipur Airport Tonk Road SMS Hospital Ambabari and Vidhyadhar Nagar Underground stations are also planned in the airport zone to ensure an integrated metro networkCurrently Jaipur Metros Phase I spans 1164 km from Mansarovar to Badi Chaupar with 11 stations The new phase will significantly expand connectivity reduce traffic congestion and strengthen Jaipurs urban transport system The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved Jaipur Metro PhaseII while the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has cleared the revised cost of the Pachpadra RefineryThe corridor will provide seamless connectivity to key locations including Sitapura Industrial Area VKIA Jaipur Airport Tonk Road SMS Hospital Ambabari and Vidhyadhar Nagar Underground stations are also planned in the airport zone to ensure an integrated metro networkThe Cabinet Committee has also approved the revised cost of Rs 79459 crore for the HPCL Rajasthan Refinery at PachpadraSharma added that the refinery will boost industrial development and generate over 25000 direct and indirect employment opportunities contributing significantly to the states economic growthChief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma termed the decisions historic and expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister stating that they would accelerate the states holistic developmentIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jaipur-metro-phase-ii-to-have-41-km-corridor-with-36-stations-to-ease-congestion-668607.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/thoothukudi-match-manufacturers-in-tn-to-halt-production-from-april-12-to-25-over-rising-costs-668610.html Thoothukudi April 9 The safety match industry in southern Tamil Nadu will remain closed from April 12 to 25 as manufacturers have announced a complete shutdown in protest against the steep rise in raw material prices and alleged hoarding by wholesale traders Industry representatives have urged the state and union governments to step in immediately and initiate discussions to resolve the crisis The shutdown decision was taken jointly by manufacturersâ associations in Kovilpatti Sattur and Sivakasi key centres of Indiaâs match productionThe move is expected to impact nearly five lakh workers directly employed in the sector which generates around Rs 800 crore in domestic trade and Rs 600 crore in exports annuallyManufacturers say the surge in input costs has made it financially unviable to continue operations particularly while maintaining the longstanding retail price of Rs one per matchbox The crisis has intensified following global supply disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict in West Asia involving the United States Israel and IranAccording to industry data the price of paraffin wax has risen sharply from Rs 80 to Rs 165 per kilogram while sulphur has jumped from Rs 26 to Rs 81 per kilogram Phosphorus prices have increased from Rs 605 to Rs 646 per kilogram and potassium dichromate from Rs 276 to Rs 345 per kilogramOther materials such as potassium chlorate carton boxes BOPP reels and match splints sourced from Kerala have also witnessed significant price hikesM Paramasivam president of the National Small Safety Match Association alleged that wholesale traders are hoarding raw materials creating artificial shortages in the marketHe said that despite procurement attempts adequate supplies have not reached manufacturers since the conflict began Describing the situation as critical he warned that the industry cannot sustain operations under current cost pressuresHe urged authorities to take strict action against hoarding practices and ensure fair pricing and availability of essential inputsWith production set to halt for nearly two weeks industry stakeholders fear serious economic consequences including wage losses for thousands of workers and disruption of supply chains unless urgent corrective measures are implemented IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/thoothukudi-match-manufacturers-in-tn-to-halt-production-from-april-12-to-25-over-rising-costs-668610.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/brisk-voting-in-assam-in-first-four-hours-over-38-pc-polling-recorded-668614.html Guwahati April 9 Initial polling trends indicate a steady voter turnout across key regions as voting progressed on Thursday across 126 Assembly constituencies in Assam According to data recorded till 1100 am Assam reported an approximate voter turnout rate VTR of 3892 per cent reflecting moderate participation in the early hours of pollingElection officials noted that queues were visible in several constituencies particularly in rural pockets suggesting a gradual increase in turnout as the day advancesAssam is witnessing a highvoltage electoral battle on Thursday as polling is underway in all 126 Assembly constituencies with the contest largely shaping up as a direct fight between the BJPled NDA and the Congressled opposition alliance The ruling BJP led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is aiming to secure a third consecutive term in office while the Congress party is attempting to stage a comeback after being voted out of power in 2016According to official data a total of 722 candidates are in the fray Prominent names include CM Sarma Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi and Assam Jatiya Parishad AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi Polling has been taking place across 31490 polling stations spread over 35 districtsThe electorate comprises around 250 crore eligible voters including nearly 125 crore women and 318 voters from the third gender categoryAmong political parties the Congress has fielded the highest number of candidates at 99 followed by the BJP with 90 The AIUDF is contesting 30 seats while NDA allies Asom Gana Parishad AGP and Bodoland Peopleâs Front BPF have fielded 26 and 11 candidates respectively Other parties in the fray include Raijor Dal 13 AJP 10 CPIM 3 APHLC 2 AAP 18 UPPL 18 Trinamool Congress 22 and JMM 16 in addition to 258 Independent candidatesThe constituencies of AlgapurKatlicherra and Karimganj South have the highest number of candidates at 15 each In contrast nine seats Rangia Jagiroad SC Hojai Naduar Jonai ST Doomdooma Mahmora Teok and Lakhipur are witnessing straight contests with only two candidates each Out of the total contestants 59 are women with the Congress fielding the highest number at 14 followed by the BJP with sevenCounting of the votes is scheduled for May 4 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/brisk-voting-in-assam-in-first-four-hours-over-38-pc-polling-recorded-668614.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-cm-pays-tributes-to-vicente-ferrer-moncho-on-birth-anniversary-668619.html Amaravati April 9 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday paid rich tributes to the founder of the Rural Development Trust RDT Father Vicente Ferrer Moncho on the occasion of his birth anniversary I pay my humble tributes to a man who served with a humanitarian spirit undertaking numerous development initiatives to foster the progress of 25 million underprivileged and backwardsclass people across the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana the Chief Minister said in a social media postâLet us draw inspiration from Vicente who came from Spain did immense good for the people of the Rayalaseema region and became a revered figure for themâ said Chandrababu NaiduMinister for Human Resource Development Nara Lokesh also paid tributes to Father Vicente Ferrer calling him a gift from God to the poorâI offer my humble tributes to the spirit of service embodied by this great soul Stepping onto the Telugu soil half a century ago Father Vincent Ferrer established the Rural Development Trust RDT and shone as a beacon of hope for countless peopleâ said LokeshâThrough the construction of hospitals educational institutions selfhelp groups sports grounds and permanent housing for the destitute across the Telugu states he stood as a true architect of progress As a tribute to Father Ferrers birth anniversary this year we successfully secured the FCRA clearance for the RDT thereby ensuring that the Trusts services continue to reach the people without interruption I pay my homage to Father Vincent Ferrer a man who through his selfless service will forever live on in the hearts of the peopleâ said the ministerLast month the Centre renewed FCRA permission for the RDTFormer Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had welcomed the renewal of FCRA permissions and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the decisionHe stated that the renewal under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act will ensure the continuation of RDTâs vital services in education healthcare environment and social development across the undivided Anantapur district significantly benefiting the poor and vulnerable sections who depend on the organisationThe YSR Congress Party chief however criticised Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for attempting to claim credit for the renewal questioning why it took nearly a year to restore permissions that were halted on April 21 2025 He pointed out that the delay was due to inaction which forced people along with YSRCP and civil society groups to launch sustained protests demanding restorationHe asserted that the renewal was achieved through public pressure and collective struggle not through any initiative from the ruling leadership adding that attempts to portray it otherwise amount to mere publicity stunts and credit appropriation IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-cm-pays-tributes-to-vicente-ferrer-moncho-on-birth-anniversary-668619.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/in-first-4-hours-assam-records-3892-pc-voter-turnout-kerala-3328-pc-puducherry-3706-pc-668621.html New Delhi April 9 The voter turnout in Assam Assembly elections was recorded at 3892 per cent as of 11 am on Thursday according to data shared by the Election Commission of India ECI In Kerala the turnout was recorded at 3328 per cent while in Puducherry it was 3706 per cent Polling for the highstakes Assembly elections in Assam Kerala and Puducherry commenced at 7 am earlier in the dayThe polling is underway for 126 Assembly seats in Assam 140 in Kerala and 30 in Puducherry The results will be announced on May 4In Kerala around 271 crore voters are set to determine who will govern the state Even before dawn broke the electoral machinery was in motion By 530 am the states 30471 polling booths had sprung to life with officials initiating mandatory mock polling proceduresNotably nearly two lakh voters have already exercised their franchise through home votingDespite the formal end of campaigning the final hours saw candidates across all three fronts in a lastmile scramble meeting overlooked voters and key influencers to secure every possible vote underscoring the unusually high stakes and palpable anticipation surrounding this electionIn Assam the main competition is between the BJP and Congress The incumbent BJP is aiming for a third consecutive term while the Congress seeks to regain power since 2016Voting commenced in a single phase at 7 am and will run until 5 pm Long lines of voters were seen outside polling stations from early in the morning Assams 126member Assembly will conclude its term on May 20Polling commenced smoothly across the Union Territory of Puducherry on Thursday morning with voters turning out steadily at booths to elect representatives to the 30member Assembly The election assumes significance as the Union Territory is currently governed by a coalition led by the All India NR Congress AINRC headed by Chief Minister N Rangasamy with support from the Bharatiya Janata Party BJPA keen contest is expected with all major political formations vying for control Chief Electoral Officer P Jawahar said the administration had made comprehensive preparations to ensure a free and fair poll IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/in-first-4-hours-assam-records-3892-pc-voter-turnout-kerala-3328-pc-puducherry-3706-pc-668621.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/eci-announces-bypoll-to-bhojpur-cum-buxar-local-body-mlc-constituency-668622.html Patna April 9 The Election Commission of India ECI on Thursday announced a byeelection to the Bihar Legislative Council from the BhojpurcumBuxar Local Authoritiesâ Constituency The byeelection has been necessitated due to a casual vacancy following the resignation of JDU leader Radha Charan SahHe won the Bihar Assembly election from the Sandesh Assembly constituency in 2025 Sah was arrested in 2023 by the Enforcement Directorate ED in connection with a money laundering case which has further intensified political and legal scrutiny surrounding himAccording to a statement issued by Rajesh Kumar Singh Under Secretary at the Election Commission the Model Code of Conduct has come into immediate effect in the concerned constituencyAs per the schedule the notification will be issued on April 16 and the last date of filing the nomination will be April 23 The scrutiny of nominations will be on April 24 The last date for withdrawal of candidatures is April 27The date of polling is scheduled on May 12 between 8 am and 4 pm and counting of votes will take place on May 14 The election will be completed on May 15Radha Charan Sah hails from the Barhara block of Bhojpur district His journey reflects a remarkable rise from humble beginnings In the early 1970s his family ran a small jalebi shop near the Arrah railway station where he assisted his father Over time he diversified into business starting with a hotel followed by expansion into real estate rice mills cold storage and hospitality venturesHe owns multiple establishments in Arrah including properties at Ramna Maidan and Shaheed Bhawan as well as a resort on the Bypass Road His business interests also extend to states like Uttarakhand and Himachal PradeshIn addition Sah established a strong presence in the sand trading sector along the Son River in BhojpurUnlike traditional players he reportedly relied on strategic networking and a lowprofile approach to consolidate his position in the business Due to the sand trading business he came under the radar of EDThe upcoming byeelection is likely to draw significant political attention given the evolving dynamics in Biharâs political landscape IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/eci-announces-bypoll-to-bhojpur-cum-buxar-local-body-mlc-constituency-668622.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-bypolls-voting-crosses-20-pc-in-first-four-hours-cong-candidate-brings-a-ram-near-polling-booth-668623.html DavanagereBagalkot April 9 Voting at polling stations in the Davanagere South and Bagalkot Assembly constituencies of Karnataka crossed 20 per cent till 11 AM on Thursday Polling commenced at 7 AM and voters can exercise their franchise until 6 PM According to official data released by the Election Commission of India ECI the voting percentage in Bagalkot stood at 2783 per cent while Davanagere South recorded 2201 per cent Earlier by 9 AM Davanagere South had recorded 901 per cent voter turnout while Bagalkot registered 1187 per centAs part of the Bagalkot Assembly byeelection Congress candidate Umesh Meti cast his vote at Booth No 39 in his native village Timmappur He arrived near the polling booth with a ram adult male sheep adorned with Congress flags and later entered the polling station and cast his vote It may be noted that Umesh Meti hails from the shepherd communityA total of 34 candidates are in the fray across the two constituencies More than 2500 police personnel have been deployed at polling stations to ensure that no untoward incidents take place There is a direct contest between the Congress and the BJP in both seatsThe SDPI is hopeful that the intense contest between the BJP and the Congress will benefit the party The results will be announced on May 4In the Bagalkot Assembly segment there are 259 lakh voters and nine candidates in the fray A total of 332 polling stations have been set up The electorate includes 126 lakh male and 132 lakh female votersAround 1564 staff members along with additional security personnel have been deployed to manage and monitor the polling processThe main contest in Bagalkot is between Congress candidate Umesh Meti and BJP candidate Veeranna CharantimathThe bypoll was necessitated by the death of Congress MLA HY MetiIn the Davanagere South Assembly segment authorities have set up 284 polling stations of which 76 have been identified as sensitive Prohibitory orders have been imposed within a 200metre radius of polling stations The constituency has 231 lakh voters with 25 candidates in the fray More than 1000 security personnel have been deployed to ensure safetyCongress has fielded Samarth Mallikarjun while the BJP has nominated Srinivas T Dasakariyappa Afsar Kodlipet is contesting as the Social Democratic Party of India candidateThe byeelection was necessitated by the demise of veteran Congress leader MLA Shamanur ShivashankarappaBJP State President and MLA BY Vijayendra taking to the social media platform X appealed âDear voters of Bagalkote and Davanagere South Assembly constituencies I request all of you to come out in large numbers and exercise your right to vote in the byeelection being held today in both constituencies Every single vote is extremely important for the future of the constituency It is through your vote that democracy is strengthenedââI especially urge our mothers and sisters as well as young voters including those voting for the first time to participate in large numbers For a strong Karnataka and a secure future do not miss your right Cast your vote and strengthen democracyâ he statedMeanwhile Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday evening appealed to voters in Davanagere South and Bagalkot to support Congress candidates in the byeelections highlighting the legacy of senior leaders and the need to ensure continuity in development IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-bypolls-voting-crosses-20-pc-in-first-four-hours-cong-candidate-brings-a-ram-near-polling-booth-668623.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ajit-pawars-son-parth-pawar-takes-oath-as-rajya-sabha-member-668625.html New Delhi April 9 IANS Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan on Thursday administered the oath to Nationalist Congress Party NCP leader Parth Pawar as a newly elected Member of Parliament MP from Maharashtra at Parliament HouseParth Pawar 35 took the oath in English in the presence of the Leader of the House J P Nadda and Congress Chief Whip Jairam Ramesh and several other leadersnbspHe is the son of NCP leader Ajit Pawar who passed away in a plane crash earlier this yearPrior to Ajit Pawars death his wife Sunetra Pawar had been elected to the Rajya Sabha Following the tragic incident she assumed office as Maharashtras Deputy Chief Minister and subsequently stepped down from the Upper HouseParth Pawar was later elected to the Rajya Sabha with the backing of the NCPs strength in the state Assembly where the party holds 40 MLAs He had earlier contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from the Maval constituency but was defeated by Shiv Senas Shrirang BarneIn a parallel political development NCPSP Legislator Rohit Pawar on Thursday met the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Harshwardhan Sapkal urging him to withdraw the party nominee Akash More for an unopposed election of NCP candidate and state Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar in the April 23 Baramati byelectionnbspnbspRohit Pawars plea is important as Thursday is the last date of withdrawal of nomination at 3 pm for the Baramati byelection in which 47 contestants have filed their nominationsPawar after meeting Harshwardhan Sapkal told reporters I made a request to the state Congress chief for the withdrawal of the party nominee which will pave the way for the unopposed election of Sunetra Pawar in the Baramati bypoll This is necessary as the bypoll is taking place after the untimely demise of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and the unopposed election will be a tribute to him It is now up to the Congress party to make a decision I am quite hopeful about the Congress partys move It is a national party and it will make a decision after the due processRohit Pawar said that the Congress party has taken a stand that the state government should register an FIR in the plane crash in which former Dy CM Ajit Pawar died on January 28nbspHe further added that he has been pressing for the same for a long time and ultimately the FIR was filed in Karnataka with the help of the Congress government therenbspDuring the meeting Rohit Pawar facilitated a video call with Congress incharge Ramesh Chennithala to discuss the sensitivity of the situationnbspFollowing the loss of a stalwart like Ajit Dada it is essential to view this election through an emotional lens as a true tribute to him Rohit Pawar statedAs a family member and a karyakarta I have appealed to Congress to withdraw their nomination he addednbspEarlier Sunetra Pawar had personally reached out to Harshvardhan Sapkal twice to request an unopposed path the Maharashtra Congress leadership has deferred the final decision to the High Command in DelhinbspThe decision to contest Baramati was taken at the national level Therefore any move to withdraw must be discussed with the High Command and follow their counsel a Congress source indicatedIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ajit-pawars-son-parth-pawar-takes-oath-as-rajya-sabha-member-668625.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/infiltration-fails-isi-moves-recruitment-beyond-jampk-to-fuel-kashmir-attacks-668629.html New Delhi April 9 In a major revelation the security agencies have found that the ISI has directed its existing operatives in Jammu and Kashmir to set up modules in multiple states in Northern India The remaining operatives who are hiding in Jammu and Kashmir have been instructed to set up modules in Punjab Haryana and Uttar Pradesh An Intelligence Bureau official said that the purpose is to set up these modules and train the recruits to carry out attacks in Jammu and KashmirThe official added that running modules in Jammu and Kashmir has become tough since there is too much scrutiny following the Pahalgam attack Following this attack security has been tight making it hard for the operatives to go about their businessThe ISI had even tried to activate its overground workers OWGs but owing to thorough scrutiny the plan failed Another official said that the lack of trained operatives and the fact that infiltrations have almost halted have made terror groups desperate This explains why they are exploring multiple modules outside of Jammu and Kashmir the official addedTerror groups such as the LashkareTaiba feel that recruitment should not be limited to Jammu and Kashmir alone There is a chance a module could be busted if they try to set up in the Union Territory These terror groups feel that the scrutiny would be less in other states and it would be a good idea to create new modulesThe plan is to recruit into these terror modules and then train operatives The intention is to train these operatives and deploy them in Jammu and Kashmir Moreover these elements are trying to take advantage of the fact that infiltrating them into Jammu and Kashmir from Punjab Haryana or Uttar Pradesh would be easierAn official said that nearly a thousand operatives are waiting in Pakistanoccupied Kashmir to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir These are battlehardened terrorists and if they manage to enter Jammu and Kashmir the risks they pose would be very highAfter the Pahalgam attack security is at an unprecedented high and infiltrations through the Line of Control LoC and International Border IB have become next to impossible The Indian armed forces are maintaining a state of very high alert to prevent infiltrations Multiple attempts have been made since Operation Sindoor to enter Jammu and Kashmir but they have failedMore details about the setting up of modules in multiple states came out following the arrest of Abdullah alias Abu Hureira an operative of the LashkareTaiba He had managed to evade the security agencies for nearly 16 years His arrest revealed that he was tasked with setting up interstate modulesThe ISI is trying to set up a wider ecosystem beyond Jammu and Kashmir an investigating official said For terror groups such as the LashkareTayba this is part of a revival strategy Jammu and Kashmir is a major selling point for the outfit in order to recruit Even in Pakistan recruitment has dropped significantly post Operation SindoorOutfits such as the LashkareTaiba and JaisheMohammed have found it hard to revive owing to a lack of recruitment Since Jammu and Kashmir remains a large selling point the LashkareTaiba wants to step up operations in the Union Territory A major attack in JampK will act as a major boost for the outfit which would then sell the cause and rope in more youthAnother official said that the interstate modules would not just be involved in recruitment and training They would be involved in providing logistics and also facilitating the movement of arms and ammunition The agencies are putting up a coordinated effort across states to stop such activity the official added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/infiltration-fails-isi-moves-recruitment-beyond-jampk-to-fuel-kashmir-attacks-668629.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/army-rescues-135-tourists-in-north-sikkim-operation-continues-amid-landslides-668630.html Gangtok April 9 The Army has so far rescued 135 stranded tourists from North Sikkim where landslides have snapped road connectivity officials said on Thursday Defence spokesman Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said that the Indian Armyâs Trishakti Corps launched âOperation Him Setuâ to evacuate stranded tourists at Lachen in North Sikkim He said that the evacuation is being conducted in phases So far 135 tourists have been safely evacuated along with 32 light vehicles and 10 motorcyclesApproximately 1000 tourists remain stranded in Lachen with sustained efforts underway to ensure their safe evacuation at the earliest the official addedArmy vehicles have been employed to tow civilian vehicles across steep and snowbound stretches the spokesman said adding that medical emergencies and citizens requiring assistance are being evacuated promptlyAccording to Lt Col Rawat a landslide has disrupted road connectivity between Lachen and Chungthang in North Sikkim severely impacting movement in the region Responding swiftly the Trishakti Corps under Eastern Command of the Indian Army launched âOperation Him Setuâ to restore access and assist stranded touristsDespite severe weather and heavy snowfall troops have opened critical passes and activated alternate routes to facilitate evacuationThe Defence spokesman said that the Border Roads Organisation BRO is working in close coordination with the Trishakti Corps undertaking continuous road clearance snow removal and restoration of connectivity under challenging weather and terrain conditionsThe Indian Army is also working closely with the civil administration providing onground assistance medical aid and facilitating evacuation as conditions permitAnother Army official stated âOur foremost priority is the safety and wellbeing of every citizen Our teams remain committed to providing all necessary assistance on the groundâThe situation continues to be closely monitored the spokesman saidA Sikkim government official also confirmed that multiple landslides have disrupted road connectivity between Lachen and Chungthang The affected area lies close to the IndiaChina border IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/army-rescues-135-tourists-in-north-sikkim-operation-continues-amid-landslides-668630.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/haryana-has-turned-into-crime-state-under-bjp-govt-says-aap-668631.html Chandigarh April 9 The BJP has turned Haryana into a crime state said AAP national media incharge Anurag Dhanda on Thursday Highlighting a horrific murder in Haryanaâs Jhajjar on Wednesday Dhanda said three or four assailants barged into a house in broad daylight fired 14 bullets and walked away while the police and state government slept through it âWhats surprising is that the Congress which never misses a chance to wail about law and order over any incident in Punjab is staying mum despite being the main Opposition party in Haryanaâ the AAP leader wrote on XâWhy does the Congress have such an attachment to the BJP government in Haryana What do you call this kind of relationshipâ he askedThe shooting incident has taken place in the village of Dighal in Jhajjar district on Wednesday where a financier who was smoking a hookah outside his house was shot deadCCTV footage of the incident has surfaced capturing the armed assailants in the crimeMeanwhile upon receiving information about the incident a police team promptly arrived at the scene and has initiated an investigationAccording to reports the deceased has been identified as 26yearold Sahil alias Sonu a resident of Dighal villageCritically injured by the gunfire Sahil was rushed to a hospital in Rohtak where doctors declared him dead It is reported that the attackers arriving in a Scorpio SUV fired between 10 and 15 rounds several of which struck SahilThe sound of the gunfire triggered panic and chaos within the villageVideo footage of the incident has also emerged It showed three or four assailants travelling in a black Scorpio entering the premises through the gateThey proceed to fire continuously at Sahil who was seated in the courtyard of the houseSahil seen wearing a white shirt is struck by the bullets and collapses to the ground Subsequently one of the assailants steps further inside through the gate before all the attackers flee the scene in their vehicleSeveral bystanders rushed towards the spot upon hearing the sound of the gunshots IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/haryana-has-turned-into-crime-state-under-bjp-govt-says-aap-668631.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/baramati-bypoll-cm-fadnavis-makes-surprise-call-to-maha-cong-chief-sharad-pawar-speaks-to-kharge-668633.html MumbaiBaramati April 9 In a dramatic turn of events Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has personally reached out to the opposition to negotiate the Baramati Assembly byelection Thursday marks the final day for the withdrawal of nominations and all eyes are on whether the highstakes battle will turn into an unopposed win for the ruling alliance or a contest According to reliable sources CM Fadnavis made a direct phone call to Maharashtra Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal During the conversation CM Fadnavis reportedly requested the Congress party to withdraw its candidate from the Baramati byelection to ensure the unopposed election of Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar who is contesting as the candidate for the NCP Ajit Pawar factionThis move is being viewed as one of the most surprising incidents in recent state politics It is perhaps the first time that a top leader from the ruling BJP has directly contacted the state head of the primary opposition party to seek a withdrawal of candidacySimilarly the NCPSP chief Sharad Pawar spoke to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and discussed the withdrawal of the partys nominee in BaramatiThe Congress high command has informed Pawar that they are positively considering the proposal Pawar told reporters âThe Congress has decided to contest the byelection in Baramati It is a national party We cannot tell them what to do but coincidentally this seat has become vacant after the demise of a capable representative from Maharashtra If asked I would advise Congress It would be appropriate for this election to be held unopposed but the decision is up to CongressâThis development follows a highlevel meeting on Wednesday where Sunetra Pawar and key NCP leaders met with CM Fadnavis who assured the party leadership that the full strength of the alliance would be behind her candidacyBy reaching out to the Congress President the Chief Minister has demonstrated his commitment to securing a smooth path for Sunetra PawarThe Congress party had previously maintained a firm stance on contesting the seat refusing to back down However Congress has now decided to withdraw from the race as stated by the Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar The final announcement from the Congress party is expected soon after it gets a green signal from the partys high command he said earlier IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/baramati-bypoll-cm-fadnavis-makes-surprise-call-to-maha-cong-chief-sharad-pawar-speaks-to-kharge-668633.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/chhattisgarh-cm-outlines-bastar-20-development-plan-after-meeting-pm-modi-668634.html Raipur April 9 Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has highlighted the significant progress in eradicating Naxalism from the state during his recent threeday visit to Delhi where he held meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP National President Nitin Nabin Speaking to mediapersons Chief Minister Sai credited Prime Minister Modiâs guidance the strong resolve of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the bravery of security forces for successfully rooting out Naxalism from the regionOn behalf of the people of Chhattisgarh he expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister for this achievement Chief Minister Sai particularly focused on the Bastar region which remained deprived of development for nearly four decades due to leftwing extremismHe apprised the Prime Minister about the governmentâs plans to accelerate progress in Bastar through the Bastar 20 development initiative âDuring my time in Delhi I met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed the Bastar 20 development initiative With his guidance we aim to promote development in Bastar enhance agriculture increase the value of forest produce and boost animal husbandry fish farming tourism and homestay projects I am grateful to the Prime Minister and to the people of Chhattisgarh especially the residents of Bastar who have waited decades for developmentâ the Chief Minister saidThe Bastar 20 plan aims to bring infrastructure employment and basic amenities to the tribaldominated region now that peace has been restoredThe Chief Ministerâs Delhi visit is seen as a step towards securing central support for transforming Bastar into a model of inclusive developmentBastar which was once severely affected by leftwing extremism has witnessed a remarkable improvement in the security situation in recent years With the near elimination of Naxal influence the state government is now shifting focus from security operations to largescale socioeconomic developmentThe Bastar 20 plan represents the next phase of this transformation aiming to turn the region into a hub of infrastructure innovation startups tourism and sustainable livelihoods for its predominantly tribal populationThe initiative lays special emphasis on modernising agriculture through better irrigation and advanced farming techniques It also seeks to add significant value to minor forest produce such as tendu leaves and mahua by improving processing packaging and market linkages thereby increasing income for local tribal familiesAnimal husbandry and fish farming will be expanded to create additional sustainable livelihood opportunities in remote areas the chief minister saidTourism and homestay projects form a key pillar of the plan with efforts to promote Bastarâs natural beauty cultural heritage traditional arts and festivals This is expected to generate employment for local youth while bringing economic benefits to villagesThe development blueprint is guided by a core strategy of saturating basic services improving connectivity facilitating growth empowering communities and engaging local people in the development processDuring the meeting the Chief Minister also discussed major infrastructure projects including the expansion of Jagdalpur airport progress on the RaoghatJagdalpur railway line and the establishment of a superspecialty hospital and medical college in the regionHe has extended a formal invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit Bastar after the monsoon season to lay the foundation stones for several key initiatives IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/chhattisgarh-cm-outlines-bastar-20-development-plan-after-meeting-pm-modi-668634.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/railways-to-drive-growth-as-india-targets-3-000-million-tonnes-freight-capacity-by-2030-668635.html New Delhi April 9 Railways are set to play a key role in driving Indiaâs economic growth as the country targets a freight capacity of 3000 million tonnes by 2030 a report has said As per the ASSOCHAMAESCLA report railways currently account for up to 30 per cent of freight movement indicating substantial growth potentialIt highlighted that the sector is undergoing rapid transformation driven by initiatives such as Dedicated Freight Corridors and nearcomplete electrification which are improving efficiency and sustainabilityThe report pointed out the need to increase railâs modal share through capacity expansion further development of Dedicated Freight Corridors greater private sector participation and improved lastmile connectivityIt also underlined the importance of reducing logistics costs currently at around 797 per cent of GDP to enhance Indiaâs global competitivenessDr Surendra Kumar Ahirwar Executive Director Traffic Commercial Railway Board said Indian Railways is undergoing accelerated transformation and evolving into a futureready system He noted that the railways are not only facilitating economic growth but also contributing to it through a vast manufacturing and service ecosystemHe highlighted major drivers of this transformation including improved safety standards rapid capacity expansion continuous technology upgradation adoption of AI and a shift towards endtoend logistics solutions with strong first and lastmile connectivity He also pointed to the need to reduce the cost of container productionAhirwar further said that Indian Railways has added nearly 31000 km of track over the past decade reflecting a significant pace of infrastructure expansionSanjay Bajpai Advisor Railways Council ASSOCHAM said Indian Railways is transitioning from a traditional transporter to a key driver of logistics efficiency industrial competitiveness and economic expansion He emphasised the need for modern terminals improved port connectivity and seamless multimodal integrationHe added that with freight loading already exceeding 16 billion tonnes annually the sector is poised for strong growth supported by infrastructure development policy reforms and digitalisation IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/railways-to-drive-growth-as-india-targets-3-000-million-tonnes-freight-capacity-by-2030-668635.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tripura-bypolls-voting-underway-amid-tight-security-nearly-53-pc-turnout-so-far-668638.html Agartala April 9 Around 53 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 1 pm in the byelection for Dharmanagar Assembly constituency in North Tripura district and the balloting is underway amid tight security arrangements election officials said An election official said that no untoward incident has been reported so far after the polling began at 7 am at the 55 polling stations in the Assembly segment which shares interstate borders with Assam and MizoramBefore the voting started voters turned out in large numbers forming queues at most of the 55 polling stations across the Assembly constituency Polling will continue uninterruptedly until 5 pm in the mixedpopulation constituencyA total of 46142 voters including 23758 women are eligible to cast their votes to decide the electoral fate of six candidates Election authorities along with the state police have put in place elaborate measures to ensure that the polling process remains free fair and transparentOut of the 55 polling stations 11 are managed entirely by women personnel while two stations each are operated by differentlyabled staff and youth polling teams reflecting efforts toward inclusive electoral participationThe Dharmanagar Assembly constituency has remained a stronghold of either the Congress party or the BJP since 2008 with the CPIM last winning the seat in 2003 A multicornered contest has made the electoral battle highly competitiveThe six candidates in the fray include nominees from major political parties smaller outfits and an Independent contender Key candidates include Jahar Chakraborti of the ruling BJP Chayan Bhattacharjee of Congress and Amitabha Datta representing the CPIMled Left FrontDatta a former MLA had won the seat in the 2003 Assembly elections Chakraborti 59 currently serves as the BJPâs North Tripura district VicePresident In addition candidates from the Amra Bangalee party SUCI and an Independent aspirant are also contesting the bypoll further intensifying the competitionThe Left Front and Congress which had entered into a seatsharing arrangement during the 2023 Tripura Assembly elections to jointly challenge the BJP are contesting separately in this byelection adding another dimension to the contest Supported by the Left parties Congress leader Chayan Bhattacharjee had earlier contested the Dharmanagar seat in 2023 but lost narrowly to BJP candidate Biswa Bandhu Sen by a margin of 956 votesThe byelection was necessitated following the demise of sitting MLA and Tripura Assembly Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen who passed away on December 26 2025 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 constituencyThe counting of votes is scheduled for May 4 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tripura-bypolls-voting-underway-amid-tight-security-nearly-53-pc-turnout-so-far-668638.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ujjain-university-faces-row-after-religious-question-appears-in-bcom-bca-exam-paper-probe-ordered-668639.html BhopalUjjain April 9 A major controversy has erupted at Samrat Vikramaditya University in Ujjain Madhya Pradesh after a question in the Foundation Course examination paper for thirdyear BCom BBA and BCA students sparked widespread outrage The disputed question which appeared as Question No 45 in the recent exams stated There is no one other than Allah It provided four multiplechoice options Someshwar Khuda Shaktivan meaning the powerful and Dand Dene Wala meaning the punisherSeveral organisations and Hindu groups quickly raised objections describing the question as sensitive biased and inappropriate for a general foundation course in a secular academic environmentThey demanded strict action against the paper setter arguing that it promoted one religious belief over othersThe issue gained significant attention on social media with posts highlighting the question and calling for accountability from the university located in the sacred city of UjjainTaking the matter seriously the university administration has referred the issue to the Examination Committee for a thorough investigationRegistrar Anil Sharma explained that the universitys ordinances lay down a clear procedure for handling controversial or inappropriate questionsThe committee of subject experts will now examine whether the question aligns with the prescribed syllabus and academic standards If any error is found a notice will be issued to the concerned examiner and further disciplinary action may follow as per the rules he saidThe university has described this as purely an academic matter and stated that the final decision will depend solely on the committees report after reviewing all aspectsOn social media platforms the controversy spread rapidly with users and organisations sharing images of the question paper and criticising it as an attempt to push religious narrative in an educational settingAs the Examination Committee begins its probe students faculty members and various groups are awaiting clarity on whether the question will be deleted from evaluation and what consequences if any will be imposed on those involvedThe university has assured that the matter will be handled strictly according to established rules while maintaining academic neutrality IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ujjain-university-faces-row-after-religious-question-appears-in-bcom-bca-exam-paper-probe-ordered-668639.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-will-choose-bjp-for-development-says-agnimitra-paul-668642.html Asansol West Bengal April 9 BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul on Thursday expressed confidence that the people of West Bengal are ready for political change and will back the Bharatiya Janata Party for the stateâs development and progress Speaking to IANS Paul said the people of Bengal have resolved to bring a BJP government saying that the state has faced âinjustice and harassmentâ over the past 15 years under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her party the Trinamool CongressThe people of Bengal have made up their minds that they want a BJP government for the stateâs development and progress For the past 15 years Mamata Banerjee and her party have cheated us she saidShe described the Prime Ministerâs visit to Asansol as a significant moment for the region âAfter many years the Prime Minister has come to the sacred land of Asansol For us it is a matter of great pride and good fortune that PM Modi is visiting againâ she saidOn the Womenâs Reservation Amendment Bill Paul asserted that the Central government remains committed to womenâs empowerment She said the Prime Minister has consistently worked towards uplifting women and ensuring their participation in governanceThe Prime Minister and the Central government are always with the women At all times the Prime Minister wants women to move forward she notedTargeting opposition parties particularly those aligned under the INDIA bloc including the Trinamool Congress Paul said that any opposition to the bill would expose their stance on womenâs rights âIf they oppose this bill then the women of Bengal and across the country will understand how much these leaders truly support women and how much they stand against themâ she saidAddressing concerns around the Special Intensive Revision SIR of electoral rolls Paul thanked the Election Commission and officials including Gyanesh Kumar for their efforts However she alleged that irregularities in the process were due to pressure from the state governmentâThe responsibility for the removal of valid votersâ names lies entirely with Mamata Banerjee because her government officials are functioning as BLOs AEROs and EROs Due to her pressure uploads were not allowed and whatever confusion has occurred is because of her administrationâ Paul claimedShe further alleged a lack of cooperation from the state machinery in the SIR process accusing the ruling party of attempting to benefit from irregularities in voter lists According to her such practices have persisted over the past decade and a half but the BJP remains confident of overcoming these challenges in the upcoming elections IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-will-choose-bjp-for-development-says-agnimitra-paul-668642.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nagaland-bypoll-around-60-pc-voter-turnout-recorded-in-koridang-assembly-seat-till-1-pm-668643.html Kohima April 9 Nearly 60 per cent of voters cast their ballots in the Koridang Assembly bypoll in Nagalandâs Mokokchung district till 1 PM on Thursday officials said With the deployment of a large number of state and central forces security has been significantly tightened across the entire Assembly constituency following prepoll violence on April 5 and 6 in which one person died several others were injured and a few vehicles were damagedVoting which commenced at 7 AM across all 30 polling stations has so far remained peaceful an election official saidPolling will continue till 4 PM without any break and the counting of votes is scheduled to take place on May 4A total of 22390 eligible voters including 11013 women will decide the electoral fate of six candidates In view of the recent violence the district administration has imposed a night curfew in four villages under the Assembly segment following prepoll clashes that claimed one life and left several others injured two days agoDeputy Commissioner of Mokokchung Ajit Kumar Verma has also ordered the complete sealing of the interstate border between Mokokchung district and Assam from April 7 until 6 PM on April 9These measures have been taken to curb any unauthorised movement prevent the distribution of inducements and check attempts at intimidation or other disruptive activities during the electoral processThe byeelection was necessitated by the demise of sitting MLA Imkong L Imchen who passed away on November 11 2024 at a private hospital in Guwahati after a brief illness at the age of 75The BJP a constituent of the ruling Peopleâs Democratic Alliance PDA has fielded Daochier I Imchen son of the late legislator as the consensus candidate of the allianceOther prominent candidates include I Abenjang of the National Peopleâs 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 more competitiveCongress candidate Chalukumba Ao has contested the seat three times earlier 2013 2018 and 2023 but was unsuccessful on each occasion while Major Toshikaba Retd had narrowly lost the 2023 election as a candidate of the Naga Peopleâs Front NPFA seasoned politician the late Imchen had an illustrious electoral career having been elected to the Nagaland Assembly five times first as an Independent in 2003 then on NPF tickets in 2008 2013 and 2018 before winning on a BJP ticket in 2023The Koridang Assembly constituency is reserved for Scheduled Tribes According to a police official at least one person was killed several others were injured multiple vehicles were damaged and 16 individuals were detained in connection with pollrelated violenceArms and ammunition were also recovered from different locations prompting authorities to impose a night curfew in villages under the constituencyChief Electoral Officer Bhagyashree Banayat said that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure that the byeelection is conducted in a free fair and peaceful manner IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nagaland-bypoll-around-60-pc-voter-turnout-recorded-in-koridang-assembly-seat-till-1-pm-668643.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/haryana-aims-towards-water-sustainability-with-world-bank-funds-668650.html Chandigarh April 9 IANS In a significant push towards longterm water sustainability Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi on Thursday chaired a highlevel meeting with the World Bank Appraisal Mission marking a decisive step forward in the implementation of the ambitious Water Secure Haryana programmenbspnbspThe programme with a total outlay of Rs 5715 crore including a Rs 4000 crore World Bank loan is aimed at improving the efficiency reliability and sustainability of agricultural water use across the statePlanned over a sixyear period the initiative represents a comprehensive and structured effort to strengthen water management systems in the state The project will be implemented through a coordinated approach involving the Irrigation and Water Resources Department which has been allocated Rs 3328 crore the MicroIrrigation and Command Area Development Authority with an outlay of Rs 1500 crore and the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare which will utilise Rs 887 croreThis convergence of departments is expected to ensure integrated planning and effective executionSatbir Singh Kadian Engineer in Chief Irrigation and Water Resources Department informed that the programme has been designed to bring a structural transformation in water governance by leveraging modern technology strengthening institutions and promoting farmercentric interventionsIt will be implemented across 15 clusters covering 4894 lakh acres benefiting a significant portion of the states cultivable command areaA key focus of the initiative is the adoption of datadriven water management systems including digital databases and realtime monitoring mechanisms to improve irrigation efficiency and service deliveryThe programme also emphasises sustainable agricultural practices including crop diversification and the promotion of watersaving techniques such as directseeded riceWith strong administrative backing global financial support and a clearly defined implementation roadmap the Water Secure Haryana programme is poised to emerge as a model for sustainable water management and agricultural resilience in the countryAdditional Chief Secretary Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Vijayendra Kumar Principal Secretary Architecture Pankaj Agarwal Commissioner and Secretary Excise and Taxation Ashima Brar and other senior officers were present at the meetingIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/haryana-aims-towards-water-sustainability-with-world-bank-funds-668650.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/with-nearly-50-pc-polling-in-six-hours-kerala-turnout-surge-puts-record-in-sight-668655.html Thiruvananthapuram April 9 Keralaâs highstakes Assembly election gathered remarkable momentum on Thursday with nearly 50 per cent of the stateâs 271 crore electorate having exercised their franchise by 1 pm raising expectations that the final turnout could challenge longstanding records With polling set to close at 6 pm all eyes are now on whether the state will breach the elusive 80 per cent mark and possibly inch closer to its historic high of 85 per cent recorded in 1960The steady stream of voters across urban and rural booths alike has injected fresh uncertainty into an already tightly contested electionOfficials led by Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Khelkar had set an ambitious target of 85 per cent turnout this timeWhile that benchmark remains challenging the brisk pace of voting has made crossing 80 per cent a realistic possibility something Kerala has not achieved since 1987 when turnout last touched that levelIn recent electoral cycles participation has remained robust but below the 80 per cent thresholdThe 2016 Assembly election which brought Pinarayi Vijayan to power recorded a turnout of around 77 per centFive years later when he secured a historic reelection the figure dipped slightly to about 75 per centThis time with a revised electoral roll placing the total voter base at 271 crore the early surge has left political parties watching developments closelyHigher turnout levels have traditionally produced unpredictable outcomes in Kerala often reshaping electoral arithmetic in the final stretchAcross constituencies long queues and enthusiastic participation cutting across age groups and regions have become a defining feature of the dayPolling officials attribute the strong response to heightened voter awareness competitive campaigning and a keen sense among the electorate about the stakes involvedAs the day progresses the central question remains Will the surge sustain through the afternoon and push Kerala into record territory and more importantly who stands to gain from a higher voter turnout IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/with-nearly-50-pc-polling-in-six-hours-kerala-turnout-surge-puts-record-in-sight-668655.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/assam-records-nearly-60-pc-voter-turnout-so-far-puducherry-at-5683-pc-668657.html New Delhi April 9 The voter turnout in Assam Assembly elections was recorded at 5963 per cent and in Puducherry at 5683 per cent as of 1 pm on Thursday according to data shared by the Election Commission of India ECI Meanwhile in Kerala the highstakes Assembly election gathered remarkable momentum with nearly 50 per cent of the states 271 crore electorate having exercised their franchise by 1 pm raising expectations that the final turnout could challenge longstanding records The turnout stood at 4970 per centPolling for the highstakes Assembly elections in Assam Kerala and Puducherry commenced at 7 am earlier in the dayThe polling is underway for 126 Assembly seats in Assam 140 in Kerala and 30 in Puducherry The results will be announced on May 4In Kerala around 271 crore voters are set to determine who will govern the state Even before dawn broke the electoral machinery was in motion By 530 am the states 30471 polling booths had sprung to life with officials initiating mandatory mock polling proceduresNotably nearly two lakh voters have already exercised their franchise through home votingDespite the formal end of campaigning the final hours saw candidates across all three fronts in a lastmile scramble meeting overlooked voters and key influencers to secure every possible vote underscoring the unusually high stakes and palpable anticipation surrounding this electionIn Assam the main competition is between the BJP and Congress The incumbent BJP is aiming for a third consecutive term while the Congress seeks to regain power since 2016Voting commenced in a single phase at 7 am and will run until 5 pm Long lines of voters were seen outside polling stations from early in the morning Assams 126member Assembly will conclude its term on May 20Polling commenced smoothly across the Union Territory of Puducherry on Thursday morning with voters turning out steadily at booths to elect representatives to the 30member Assembly The election assumes significance as the Union Territory is currently governed by a coalition led by the All India NR Congress AINRC headed by Chief Minister N Rangasamy with support from the Bharatiya Janata Party BJPA keen contest is expected with all major political formations vying for control Chief Electoral Officer P Jawahar said the administration had made comprehensive preparations to ensure a free and fair poll IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/assam-records-nearly-60-pc-voter-turnout-so-far-puducherry-at-5683-pc-668657.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delimitation-move-not-reform-but-power-grab-says-tamil-nadu-cm-stalin-668658.html Chennai April 9 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has strongly criticised the Centreâs proposed delimitation exercise terming it not a genuine reform but an attempt to consolidate political power He also criticised the Centre for linking womenâs reservation with the delimitation process In a post on X CM Stalin said the proposal to increase the number of parliamentary constituencies under the guise of delimitation runs contrary to the BJPâs own slogan of âminimum government maximum governanceâHe argued that expanding constituencies would not enhance governance but could instead tilt political representation unfairlyThe Chief Minister warned that the proposed delimitation process could disproportionately disadvantage southern states such as Tamil Nadu which have effectively implemented population control measures over the decadesHe said the move would effectively âpenaliseâ these states while benefiting those with higher population growth particularly in northern IndiaCM Stalin further expressed concern that such a shift would increase the political weight of northern states in Parliament thereby diminishing the voice and influence of southern statesHe cautioned that this could undermine Indiaâs federal structure and weaken the balance of representation among states While welcoming the proposal to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures Stalin criticised the Centre for linking womenâs reservation with the delimitation processHe described this linkage as politicallymotivated and unnecessary stressing that womenâs reservation should be implemented based on the existing constituencies without delayThe Chief Minister also raised concerns over social justice issues particularly the lack of adequate representation for Other Backward Classes OBCsCM Stalin reiterated the demand for a castebased census stating that ignoring such measures undermines equitable representation and policymakingIn addition Stalin pointed out that despite Indiaâs economic progress the income ceiling for determining the âcreamy layerâ among OBCs has remained unchanged at â¹8 lakh for several yearsHe described this as unjust and called for a revision to ensure fairness and inclusivity Overall CM Stalin framed the proposed delimitation as a move with farreaching political consequences urging a more balanced and inclusive approach that respects federal principles and social justice IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delimitation-move-not-reform-but-power-grab-says-tamil-nadu-cm-stalin-668658.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pakistans-oil-companies-face-crisis-as-govt-holds-up-funds-668665.html New Delhi April 9 Pakistans oil marketing companies are facing an acute liquidity crisis as up to Rs107 billion in unpaid price differential claims remain stuck with industry players accusing the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority of repeatedly shifting documentation requirements instead of clearing dues according to an article in the local media Industry estimates show the first claim of around Rs 27 billion filed in midMarch was only partially settled while subsequent claims worth Rs 7080 billion remain entirely unpaid The cumulative exposure has left companies operating on razorthin margins and struggling to sustain the cash flow as per the article in the Karachibased Express TribuneOfficials say the issue is not transparency but unpredictability Each time OMCs move to comply Ogra introduces fresh documentation demands â from invoicelevel reconciliations to repeated CEO CFO and auditor certifications â effectively resetting the process A revised format was circulated as recently as Monday night with no clarity on whether further changes will follow Each time the industry prepares to comply a new requirement arrives There is no finishing line in sight a senior industry source said noting that some audit firms may refuse involvement as the requirements fall outside of the standard audit scopeThe situation may worsen if the regulatory authority proceeds with a proposal to withhold 10 per cent of the payments until tax reconciliation with the Federal Board of Revenue â a move that could lock up another Rs74 billion for up to two monthsPrice differential claims arise when the government caps fuel prices below procurement cost and the difference needs to be reimbursed Delays force oil marketing companies to bridge the gap through borrowing which adds to the financial strainIndustry officials warn the crisis could soon translate into fuel supply disruptions if the liquidity continues to erode The sector has urged the Ministry of Energy to intervene and has called for immediate settlement of dues a single documentation framework and withdrawal of the proposed move to withhold some of the payments the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pakistans-oil-companies-face-crisis-as-govt-holds-up-funds-668665.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-bypolls-voting-crosses-43-pc-in-bagalkot-37-pc-in-davanagere-668670.html BagalkotDavanagere April 9 The voting process for the bypoll to two Assembly segments in Karnataka on Thursday is progressing briskly Polling at stations in the Bagalkot Assembly constituency crossed 43 per cent while in the Davanagere South constituency it crossed 3717 per cent as of 1 PM Polling commenced at 7 AM and voters can exercise their franchise until 6 PMAccording to official data released by the Election Commission of India ECI the voter turnout in Bagalkot stood at 4375 per cent while Davanagere South recorded 3717 per cent Earlier by 9 AM Davanagere South had recorded 901 per cent turnout while Bagalkot registered 1187 per cent Voting had crossed 20 per cent in the first four hoursBJP candidate for Bagalkot segment Veeranna Charantimath cast his vote along with his family Speaking to the media later he expressed complete confidence in his victory this time Charantimath who had lost by a narrow margin in the previous election said the atmosphere is favourable this timeMeanwhile allegations of cash distribution to influence voters surfaced during the byeelection in Bagalkot triggering tension in parts of the constituencyReports emerged from Wambe Colony in Navanagar that money was being distributed to voters as an inducement Locals alleged that Rs 500 currency notes were handed outIn a viral video the authenticity of which could not be verified by the IANS a woman is seen showing a Rs 500 currency note and alleging that it was given by Congress members She is also heard expressing dissatisfaction that only Rs 500 was givenMeanwhile tensions escalated when a group of people surrounded a car belonging to Congress leader Santosh Hokarani The crowd alleged that money was being distributed and confronted those in the vehicle Hokarani reportedly got down from the car and questioned the crowd about the incidentBJP candidate Charantimath also alleged that there was information that the ruling party has distributed money He further alleged that people from outside areas such as Gokak Arabhavi and Belagavi district have arrived and are staying here and said that this has been brought to the notice of election officialsHe appealed to all youth men and women and senior citizens to come out in large numbers and vote for the BJPAs part of the Bagalkot Assembly byeelection Congress candidate Umesh Meti cast his vote at Booth No 39 in his native village Timmappur He arrived near the polling booth with a ram adult male sheep adorned with Congress flags and later entered the polling station and cast his vote It may be noted that Umesh Meti hails from the shepherd communityA total of 34 candidates are in the fray across the two constituencies More than 2500 police personnel have been deployed at polling stations to ensure that no untoward incidents take place There is a direct contest between the Congress and the BJP in both seatsThe SDPI is hopeful that the intense contest between the BJP and the Congress will benefit the party The results will be announced on May 4In the Bagalkot Assembly segment there are 259 lakh voters and nine candidates in the fray A total of 332 polling stations have been set up The electorate includes 126 lakh male and 132 lakh female votersAround 1564 staff members along with additional security personnel have been deployed to manage and monitor the polling processThe main contest in Bagalkot is between Congress candidate Umesh Meti and BJP candidate Veeranna CharantimathThe bypoll was necessitated by the death of Congress MLA HY MetiIn the Davanagere South Assembly segment authorities have set up 284 polling stations of which 76 have been identified as sensitive Prohibitory orders have been imposed within a 200metre radius of polling stations The constituency has 231 lakh voters with 25 candidates in the fray More than 1000 security personnel have been deployed to ensure safetyCongress has fielded Samarth Mallikarjun while the BJP has nominated Srinivas T Dasakariyappa Afsar Kodlipet is contesting as the Social Democratic Party of India candidateThe byeelection was necessitated by the demise of veteran Congress leader MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-bypolls-voting-crosses-43-pc-in-bagalkot-37-pc-in-davanagere-668670.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ktaka-bypolls-voting-crosses-43-pc-in-bagalkot-37-pc-in-davanagere-claims-of-cash-distribution-made-668671.html BagalkotDavanagere April 9 The voting process for the bypoll to two Assembly segments in Karnataka on Thursday is progressing briskly Polling at stations in the Bagalkot Assembly constituency crossed 43 per cent while in the Davanagere South constituency it crossed 3717 per cent as of 1 PM Polling commenced at 7 AM and voters can exercise their franchise until 6 PMAccording to official data released by the Election Commission of India ECI the voter turnout in Bagalkot stood at 4375 per cent while Davanagere South recorded 3717 per cent Earlier by 9 AM Davanagere South had recorded 901 per cent turnout while Bagalkot registered 1187 per cent Voting had crossed 20 per cent in the first four hoursBJP candidate for Bagalkot segment Veeranna Charantimath cast his vote along with his family Speaking to the media later he expressed complete confidence in his victory this time Charantimath who had lost by a narrow margin in the previous election said the atmosphere is favourable this timeMeanwhile allegations of cash distribution to influence voters surfaced during the byeelection in Bagalkot triggering tension in parts of the constituencyReports emerged from Wambe Colony in Navanagar that money was being distributed to voters as an inducement Locals alleged that Rs 500 currency notes were handed outIn a viral video the authenticity of which could not be verified by the IANS a woman is seen showing a Rs 500 currency note and alleging that it was given by Congress members She is also heard expressing dissatisfaction that only Rs 500 was givenMeanwhile tensions escalated when a group of people surrounded a car belonging to Congress leader Santosh Hokarani The crowd alleged that money was being distributed and confronted those in the vehicle Hokarani reportedly got down from the car and questioned the crowd about the incidentBJP candidate Charantimath also alleged that there was information that the ruling party has distributed money He further alleged that people from outside areas such as Gokak Arabhavi and Belagavi district have arrived and are staying here and said that this has been brought to the notice of election officialsHe appealed to all youth men and women and senior citizens to come out in large numbers and vote for the BJPAs part of the Bagalkot Assembly byeelection Congress candidate Umesh Meti cast his vote at Booth No 39 in his native village Timmappur He arrived near the polling booth with a ram adult male sheep adorned with Congress flags and later entered the polling station and cast his vote It may be noted that Umesh Meti hails from the shepherd communityA total of 34 candidates are in the fray across the two constituencies More than 2500 police personnel have been deployed at polling stations to ensure that no untoward incidents take place There is a direct contest between the Congress and the BJP in both seatsThe SDPI is hopeful that the intense contest between the BJP and the Congress will benefit the party The results will be announced on May 4In the Bagalkot Assembly segment there are 259 lakh voters and nine candidates in the fray A total of 332 polling stations have been set up The electorate includes 126 lakh male and 132 lakh female votersAround 1564 staff members along with additional security personnel have been deployed to manage and monitor the polling processThe main contest in Bagalkot is between Congress candidate Umesh Meti and BJP candidate Veeranna CharantimathThe bypoll was necessitated by the death of Congress MLA HY MetiIn the Davanagere South Assembly segment authorities have set up 284 polling stations of which 76 have been identified as sensitive Prohibitory orders have been imposed within a 200metre radius of polling stations The constituency has 231 lakh voters with 25 candidates in the fray More than 1000 security personnel have been deployed to ensure safetyCongress has fielded Samarth Mallikarjun while the BJP has nominated Srinivas T Dasakariyappa Afsar Kodlipet is contesting as the Social Democratic Party of India candidateThe byeelection was necessitated by the demise of veteran Congress leader MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ktaka-bypolls-voting-crosses-43-pc-in-bagalkot-37-pc-in-davanagere-claims-of-cash-distribution-made-668671.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rbi-holds-repo-rate-at-525-pc-maintains-neutral-instance-amid-global-uncertainty-668466.html New Delhi April 8 IANS The Reserve Bank of India RBI on Wednesday kept the repo rate unchanged at 525 per cent and maintaining the status quo in its latest Monetary Policy Committee MPC meetingnbspThe Standing Deposit Facility SDF rate has been kept unchanged at 5 per cent while the Marginal Standing Facility MSF rate remains at 550 per cent RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said while announcing the MPC decisionThe RBI Governor described 2025 as a challenging year but noted that inflation has eased since the October policy He also highlighted improved efficiency in the banking system as a key support for the economyHighfrequency indicators up to February indicate sustained strength in economic activity Malhotra saidHe added that growth continues to be driven by strong private consumption and steady investment demandGrowth impulses remain supported by robust private consumption and sustained investment demand Malhotra noted Urban consumption is likely to strengthen further aided by the beneficial impact of GST rationalisation and the buoyant services sector he addedHowever the MPC cautioned against global uncertainties The intensity and duration of the conflict along with possible damage to energy and other infrastructure pose risks to both inflation and growth outlooks the Governor notedHe also cautioned that elevated crude oil prices could add to macroeconomic pressures Elevated crude oil prices could increase imported inflation and widen the current account deficit Malhotra saidFurther the Governor warned that weaker global growth prospects may dampen external demand and reduce remittance flows He further state that under the revised GDP series real GDP growth for the previous year is pegged at 76 per centMalhotra said potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could weigh on growth in the current yearHe added that the government has taken proactive steps to ensure the availability of key inputs across critical sectors helping contain supply chain disruptions The Governor also noted that business sentiment continues to remain optimisticIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rbi-holds-repo-rate-at-525-pc-maintains-neutral-instance-amid-global-uncertainty-668466.html Wed, 08 Apr 2026 12:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-highlights-11-years-of-pmmy-calls-it-a-boost-to-self-employment-among-youth-668470.html New Delhi April 8 IANS As the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana PMMY completed 11 years Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the scheme has played a crucial role in promoting selfemployment among the youthnbspTaking to social media platform X PM Modi said Launched exactly 11 years ago today the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana has proven to be immensely helpful in fostering selfemployment among the youth The success of this scheme demonstrates that given the right opportunities an individual can not only become selfreliant but also contribute to the progress of the nationThe PMMY was launched on April 8 2015 with the aim of providing collateralfree credit of up to Rs 20 lakh through Member Lending Institutions including Scheduled Commercial Banks NonBanking Financial Companies and Micro Finance InstitutionsUnder the scheme any eligible individual with a viable business plan for a small enterprise can avail loans for incomegenerating activities across manufacturing trading and service sectors including those allied to agriculture The loans are categorised into four segments Shishu loans up to Rs 50000 Kishor loans above Rs 50000 and up to Rs 5 lakh Tarun loans above Rs 5 lakh and up to Rs 10 lakh and Tarun Plus loans above Rs 10 lakh and up to Rs 20 lakhThe scheme has significantly supported small businesses handicrafts traditional enterprises and agricultureallied activities many of which are key sources of income for rural householdsnbspWomen entrepreneurs in particular have benefited from the initiative as it provides access to credit without the need for collateral or an extensive credit historyTo further incentivise successful borrowers the government introduced the Tarun Plus category in 202425 This category offers collateralfree loans of up to Rs 20 lakh to entrepreneurs who have previously availed and successfully repaid loans under the Tarun categoryAdditionally the government has taken several measures to simplify the loan application process and ensure timely disbursal Platforms such as the Jan Samarth Portal have been launched enabling applicants to access multiple creditlinked schemes through a streamlined and userfriendly processIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-highlights-11-years-of-pmmy-calls-it-a-boost-to-self-employment-among-youth-668470.html Wed, 08 Apr 2026 12:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vvip-chopper-case-delhi-hc-rejects-christian-michels-plea-for-release-668472.html New Delhi April 8 IANS The Delhi High Court on Wednesday dismissed a plea filed by alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam Christian Michel James challenging a trial court order that had rejected his application for release from prison on the ground of having undergone the maximum sentence of seven yearsnbspA Division Bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja upheld the trial courts decision observing that there was no merit in the petitionWe find no merit in the petition The same is accordingly dismissed the Justice Chawlaled Bench saidMichel a British national had approached the Delhi High Court assailing the order of a court below which refused to release him despite his claim that he had already undergone the maximum punishment of seven years for the offences for which he was extraditedEarlier Special Judge PC Act Sanjay Jindal had rejected Michels plea observing that he could not be released as he continues to face charges under Section 467 of the Indian Penal Code a serious offence punishable with life imprisonmentReferring to orders passed earlier by the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court the Special CBI Judge emphasised that most of the issues raised by the accused had already been adjudicated in the past stating Judicial propriety does not allow to reconsider the issues again and again when the superior courts have already given observations on the sameThe trial court had relied on the observation of the Supreme Court in an order passed in February 2023 where the apex court had categorically held that Section 436A CrPC would not apply due to the presence of the Section 467 IPC chargeUnder Section 436A of the CrPC an undertrial prisoner who has spent half of the maximum period of imprisonment prescribed for the alleged offence shall be released on bail except in cases where the offence is punishable with deathMichel an accused in the Rs 3600crore alleged scam relating to the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland faces multiple charges of corruption criminal conspiracy and money launderingHe was extradited to India on December 5 2018 from the UAE On his arrival in India he was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI Days later he was also arrested by the financial probe agency the Enforcement Directorate ED Since then he has been lodged in judicial custody at Tihar JailIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vvip-chopper-case-delhi-hc-rejects-christian-michels-plea-for-release-668472.html Wed, 08 Apr 2026 12:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cong-repeat-offender-has-dalit-virodhi-mindset-bjp-on-rahuls-bahujan-share-remark-668480.html New Delhi April 8 IANS The Bharatiya Janata Party BJP on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Congress calling it Dalit virodhi against Dalits after Leader of Opposition LoP in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi raised concerns over what he described as systemic exclusion of Bahujan entrepreneurs from major public sector contractsThe political exchange follows remarks earlier made by Gandhi in Parliament where he questioned the government over the distribution of public works contracts worth Rs 16500 crore awarded last year He specifically sought details on how much of these contracts were allocated to businesses owned by Dalits Adivasis and Other Backward ClassesResponding to his remarks BJP leaders accused the Congress of having a long history of marginalising Dalit communities rejecting Gandhis criticism of the current governments policiesBJP National Spokesperson CR Kesavan speaking to IANS alleged that the Congress has consistently demonstrated a Dalitvirodhi mindset over the yearsRight from Jawaharlal Nehru to Rahul Gandhi now the Congress Party has been a repeat offender when it comes to disrespecting the dignity of our Dalit community Mallikarjun Kharge himself on multiple occasions has expressed his frustration and made helpless remarks saying that the final decision is not with him though he is Congress President but with the high command he saidKesavan further criticised the Congress leadership structure stating This is how the first family of the Congress party has demeaned and degraded the office of the Congress President into a mere rubber stamp which is now being held by Mallikarjun KhargeContinuing his attack he added No one can forget the way the Gandhi family disrespected Kharge when Priyanka Gandhi was filing her nomination They made him stand outside This is how Congress functions They even denied the Bharat Ratna to Dr BR AmbedkarReiterating his allegations Kesavan said Congress party has a Dalitvirodhi mindset and it is the same thing that Rahul Gandhi practicesMeanwhile Bihar Minister Dilip Jaiswal also criticised Gandhis remarks Speaking to IANS he said Rahul Gandhi should ask his ancestors Jawaharlal Nehru Indira Gandhi Rajiv Gandhi the souls of these people why did you do such injustice Why did they Congress not give them backward castes their rightsIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cong-repeat-offender-has-dalit-virodhi-mindset-bjp-on-rahuls-bahujan-share-remark-668480.html Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mamata-banerjee-files-nomination-papers-proposers-list-reflects-bhabanipurs-cosmopolitan-nature-668485.html Kolkata April 8 IANS West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday filed her nomination from her native Assembly constituency of Bhabanipur in South KolkatanbspThe list of proposers in her nomination form reflected the cosmopolitan nature of Bhabanipur which is considered a cauldron of people from almost the entire countryThe proposers in her nomination form include Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakims wife Ismat Hakim representing the Muslims actressturnedpolitician and Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member Koel Mallicks husband Nishpal Singh Rane representing the Punjabis local Trinamool Congress block President Bablu Singh representing the Biharis and Bhabanipur Education Society representative Miraj Shah representing the GujaratisThe Chief Minister started from her residence at Harish Chatterjee Street in South Kolkata and walked down leading a procession to submit her nomination at the Alipore Survey Building which is barely a kilometre away from her residenceShe was accompanied while leading the procession by Firhad Hakim her brothers Kartik Banerjee and Swapan Banerjee her sisterinlaw Kajari Banerjee and the local party councillor Sandip Bakshi among othersAfter filing her nomination the Chief Minister spoke to the media persons and said that she stays with the people of Bhabanipur round the year My entire life has revolved around Bhabanipur I have stayed in this constituency since my childhood and will continue to stay here forever My entire life and political career have revolved around Bhabanipur So today I take the opportunity to thank and bow to the people of Bhabanipur the Chief Minister saidAs a precaution the police cordoned off a part of the road with guardrails to control the crowd while the Chief Ministers procession was underway with thousands of people gathering on the side of the road The Chief Minister led the procession and waved at the peopleThis time at Bhabanipur the Chief Minister is pitted against the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari who is contesting simultaneously from his native Nandigram Assembly Constituency in East Midnapore district where he is a twotime MLA first for Trinamool Congress from 2016 to 2021 and then for the Bharatiya Janata Party from 2021 to dateTo recall in 2021 Adhikari got elected from Nandigram defeating Mamata Banerjee by a little less than 2000 votes Later she got elected from Bhabanipur in a byelection and retained her chair as the West Bengal Chief Minister for the third consecutive termIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mamata-banerjee-files-nomination-papers-proposers-list-reflects-bhabanipurs-cosmopolitan-nature-668485.html Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-to-hear-pil-challenging-reduction-in-qualifying-percentiles-for-neet-pg-on-april-28--668491.html New Delhi April 7 IANS The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it will hear on April 28 a batch of pleas challenging the reduction in the qualifying cutoff percentile for the NEETPG 202526 examinationnbspDuring a brief hearing senior advocate Gopal Sankarnarayanan appearing for the petitioners submitted that a sufficient number of candidates had already qualified the NEETPG examination to fill all available postgraduate seats and that a reduction in the cutoff was unwarrantedHe argued that vacant seats persisted not due to a lack of eligible candidates but because many qualified aspirants were unable to take admission owing to high feesOn the other hand senior advocate DS Naidu appearing for a candidate supporting the cutoff reduction backed the Centres stand and contended that lowering the percentile would not dilute academic standards as all candidates are required to clear the MBBS qualification examinationHowever the bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe did not go into the merits of the controversy and posted the matter for detailed hearing on April 28The issue stems from a public interest litigation PIL challenging the decision to drastically reduce the qualifying cutoff percentiles for NEETPG 202526Earlier the Justice Narasimhaled Bench had issued notice to the Union government the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences NBEMS the National Medical Commission NMC and the Medical Counselling Committee MCCThe plea filed by advocate Satyam Singh Rajput contended that the decision to lower qualifying standards to abnormally low zero or even negative percentiles after declaration of results and completion of two rounds of counselling is arbitrary and unconstitutional violating Articles 14 and 21 of the ConstitutionIt cautioned that allowing candidates with such scores to enter postgraduate medical training could compromise patient safety public health and the integrity of medical educationDescribing the move as unprecedented and extreme the petition argued that NEETPG meant to act as a national screening mechanism had been reduced to an instrument certifying failure as eligibility and further contended that the rules of the game cannot be altered after the selection process has commencedDefending the decision the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare told the Supreme Court that the cutoff reduction was taken after detailed deliberations by expert bodies in view of a large number of vacant postgraduate seats and to ensure optimal utilisation of healthcare infrastructureIn an affidavit the Directorate General of Health Services DGHS said the challenge was misconceived as it pertained to an academic and policy decision taken within the statutory framework of the National Medical Commission Act 2019Placing data on record the Centre said that for the academic session 202526 around 70000 seats were available including 31742 under the AllIndia Quota AIQ of which 9621 remained vacant after the second round of counsellingIt added that nearly 20000 postgraduate seats were likely to remain unfilled nationwide prompting a review of the cutoffAccording to the Union government the decision rendered over one lakh additional candidates eligible for the third round of counselling without altering inter se merit or compromising standardsIt also highlighted that similar reductions had been undertaken in previous years including lowering the qualifying percentile to zero across categories in 2023Arguing that courts should refrain from interfering in academic and policy matters unless decisions are shown to be arbitrary or unconstitutional the Centre urged dismissal of the petition as devoid of meritSeparately the NBEMS clarified that it had no role in the decision to reduce the qualifying percentile stating that its mandate is limited to conducting the examination and publishing results as per directions of the competent authorities including the DGHS the Union Health Ministry and the NMCIt informed the apex court that the revised cutoff notified on January 13 following government directions made 95913 additional candidates eligible for counsellingThe NBEMS further said that any interference by the top court would affect these candidates who are not parties to the proceedings and referred to a Delhi High Court decision in Sanchit Seth vs NBEMS ampamp Ors which upheld the cutoff reduction and found concerns regarding patient safety and dilution of merit to be unfoundedIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-to-hear-pil-challenging-reduction-in-qualifying-percentiles-for-neet-pg-on-april-28--668491.html Wed, 08 Apr 2026 14:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-introduces-new-lpg-allocation-formula-to-support-key-industries-amid-middle-east-tensions-668502.html New Delhi April 8 IANS Amid rising tensions in the Middle East the Indian government on Wednesday introduced a new formula for LPG allocation aimed at supporting critical sectors such as pharmaceuticals food processing and agriculturenbspAccording to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas the revised policy will ensure bulk LPG supply to a wide range of industries including pharma food polymers agriculture packaging paints steel ceramics glass and aerosolsThese sectors are considered essential for the countrys economic stability and supply chainsUnder the new formula industries will receive up to 70 per cent of their LPG consumption levels recorded before March 2026However the overall allocation has been capped at 02 thousand metric tonnes per day for the entire sectorThe government has clarified that priority will be given to factories where LPG cannot be replaced by natural gasIn such cases these units will receive LPG supply first to ensure uninterrupted productionAt the same time industries are required to register with oil marketing companies and apply for piped natural gas PNG connections through city gas distribution firmsHowever this requirement has been relaxed for units where LPG is an essential part of the manufacturing process and cannot be substitutedThe Centre has also already allocated 70 per cent of packaged nondomestic LPG to statesAn additional 10 per cent allocation will be given to those states that implement reforms related to PNG adoptionThe government has asked states to take three key steps circulate the Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution Order 2026 among all departments quickly utilise the reformlinked LPG allocation benefits and notify policies related to compressed biogas at the earliestEarlier the ministry reported a sharp rise in demand for smaller LPG cylinders Since March 23 around 78 lakh 5kg free trade LPG cylinders have been sold across the countryOn a single day earlier this week sales crossed 106 lakh cylinders compared to an average of about 77000 per day in FebruaryIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-introduces-new-lpg-allocation-formula-to-support-key-industries-amid-middle-east-tensions-668502.html Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/chandrababu-naidu-thanks-prez-murmu-pm-modi-after-amaravati-gets-statutory-status-as-andhra-capital-668199.html New Delhi April 7 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the Centre issued a gazette notification on Monday giving Amaravati statutory status as the sole and permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh This followed after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Amendment Bill 2026 which was passed by the Parliament last weekTaking to the social media platform X CM Naidu wrote âI thank the Union Government led by Honâble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji for his commitment to our state and his guidance all MPs who supported the Bill our state leaders and every citizen who stood with us This is a victory for my people of Andhra Pradesh especially my farmers of AmaravatiâHe also expressed gratitude to President Droupadi Murmu for giving the nod to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Amendment Bill 2026âOn behalf of my people of Andhra Pradesh I express profound gratitude to Honâble President Smt Droupadi Murmu Ji for her gracious assent to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Amendment Act 2026 fulfilling the longcherished dream of our capitalâ he added As per the gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Amendment Act 2026 shall be deemed to have come into force on June 2 2024The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Amendment Act 2026 amended the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014In the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014 in section 5 2 the words âand there shall be a new capitalâ have been replaced with âand Amaravati shall be the new capitalâThe expression âAmaravatiâ includes the capital city areas notified under the provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority Act 2014 reads the explanation of the ActThe Parliament on April 2 gave its final approval to the Amendment Bill officially designating AmaravatiThe Rajya Sabha passed the bill through a voice vote a day after the Lok Sabha cleared itThe enactment has ended years of uncertainty and political flipflops over the capital issue that arose after the 2014 bifurcation of the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh It effectively rules out any future attempts to alter the capitalâs status or revive the previous threecapital modelA total of 35 MPs in both Houses participated in the debate on the bill Barring two MPs of the YSR Congress Party all the MPs supported itYSRCP opposed the bill on the grounds that it failed to address the concerns of farmers who gave their lands for the development of the state capitalThe foundation for Amaravati as the state capital was laid in 2015 when the Telugu Desam Party TDP was in power However after YSRCP came to power in 2019 it stopped all the projects in Amaravati and mooted the idea of three capitalsAfter the TDPled NDA stormed to power in 2024 it decided to develop Amaravati as the only capital The works were relaunched last year IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/chandrababu-naidu-thanks-prez-murmu-pm-modi-after-amaravati-gets-statutory-status-as-andhra-capital-668199.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mumbai-police-seize-drugs-worth-rs-769-crore-smuggler-held-668211.html Mumbai April 7 In a major breakthrough under its ongoing antidrug campaign the AntiNarcotics Cell of the Mumbai Police has seized narcotics worth Rs 769 crore from the Vile Parle area and arrested an alleged drug smuggler officials said on Tuesday The operation was carried out by the Worli Unit of the AntiNarcotics Cell which recovered 7 kilograms and 600 grams of hydroponic cannabis concealed inside a trolley bag The seized contraband is estimated to have a high value in the international marketThe action was part of a citywide special drive launched to dismantle drug networks operating in Mumbai During patrol duty on Ferozshah Mehta Road in Vile Parle East the police team noticed a youth standing with a trolley bagOn spotting the police vehicle he appeared nervous and attempted to flee raising suspicionActing swiftly the police intercepted him and conducted preliminary questioning He identified himself as Adnan Nasir Khan 24 a resident of Mira Road and originally from Nashik officials saidDuring sustained interrogation the accused admitted that the trolley bag contained hydroponic cannabis and that he had come to the location with the intention of selling the drugs A subsequent search of the bag led to the recovery of cannabis packed in white plastic packetsOfficials said forensic examination confirmed the substance to be hydroponic cannabis a highgrade variant cultivated using advanced methods and known to be more potent and expensive than conventional cannabis The seized material was then sealed and taken into custody as evidencePolice also recovered a mobile phone and a passport from the accused both of which have been seized for further investigationA case has been registered at Vile Parle Police Station under Section 20b of the NDPS Act along with other applicable provisionsInvestigators are now probing the source from which the accused procured these drugs and the intended recipients with officials suspecting the involvement of a larger drug syndicate operating behind the supply chainOfficials noted that in the last two months alone the Mumbai Police have seized drugs worth approximately Rs 38 crore as part of its intensified crackdown on narcotics trafficking in the city IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mumbai-police-seize-drugs-worth-rs-769-crore-smuggler-held-668211.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/30-indian-fishermen-repatriated-from-sri-lanka-return-journey-underway-668218.html Colombo April 7 Thirty Indian fishermen were repatriated from Sri Lanka on Tuesday and are currently on their way back home the Indian High Commission in Colombo announced Sharing the update on X the Indian mission said 30 Indian fishermen were repatriated from Sri Lanka today and are on their way homeThe detention of Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities has been a recurring issue often arising from allegations of crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line IMBL in the Palk Bay and Palk Strait region The matter remains a longstanding concern rooted in fishing disputes with regular diplomatic engagement by Indian authorities and appeals from the Tamil Nadu government contributing to periodic releases and repatriationsEarlier on March 14 a group of 14 Indian fishermen was repatriated from Sri Lanka and returned to Chennai after being detained by the Sri Lankan Coast Guard for alleged maritime boundary violations Their release was facilitated through diplomatic intervention by the Indian High CommissionIn subsequent developments nine Indian fishermen were repatriated on March 20 while three others were sent back on March 17In early March a Sri Lankan court ordered the release of eight fishermen from Rameswaram who had been arrested on January 13 for alleged IMBL violations However two others in the same case were sentenced to imprisonment and fines while seven fishermen were kept in a special camp pending repatriationThe issue had also drawn attention in February when Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin urged the Central government to expedite the return of Indian fishermen released by Sri Lankan courts His appeal included cases involving 12 fishermen from Mandapam and Mayiladuthurai who had been arrested between late 2025 and early 2026 with some later shifted to detention centres following court ordersThe matter of fishermen crossing the maritime boundary is frequently raised during bilateral discussions between India and Sri Lanka with both sides emphasising the need for a humane approach while also exploring longterm solutions such as alternative livelihood options and improved boundary management mechanisms IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/30-indian-fishermen-repatriated-from-sri-lanka-return-journey-underway-668218.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/crude-price-surge-impacts-biodegradable-bag-cost-across-tn-668219.html Chennai April 7 A steep increase in the price of biodegradable bags has begun to impact small businesses across Tamil Nadu with traders and manufacturers citing global geopolitical tensions and rising input costs as the primary reasons behind the surge The recent escalation in tensions between the United States and Iran has pushed up international crude oil prices indirectly affecting industries that depend on petroleumlinked inputs including the biodegradable packaging sectorDespite being marketed as ecofriendly alternatives made from plantbased materials such as cornstarch PLA polylactic acid and PBAT biodegradable bags still require a portion of crude oil derivatives during manufacturing making them sensitive to global oil price fluctuationsâNearly 20 to 30 per cent of the raw materials used in biodegradable bags are linked to crude oil derivatives With global crude prices rising by around 20 to 30 per cent in recent weeks production costs have increased substantiallyâ said a manufacturer based in UthukottaiIndustry estimates indicate that the cost of manufacturing one kilogram of biodegradable bags has jumped from approximately Rs 127 to Rs 170 Correspondingly the market price has risen steeply from around Rs 150 per kg to nearly Rs 250 per kg placing additional financial pressure on both suppliers and end usersThe impact of the price hike is already visible at the retail level Small traders who had gradually shifted to biodegradable alternatives following restrictions on singleuse plastics are now being forced to cut back usage to manage expenses âWe now provide biodegradable bags only when customers make purchases worth Rs 100 or more For smaller purchases we are switching to paper coversâ said a shop owner at Parrys Corner in Chennai reflecting a growing trend among petty retailersWhile biodegradable bags emerged as a sustainable replacement for plastic in recent years the current cost escalation is threatening their widespread adoption particularly among smallscale vendorsExperts caution that unless raw material costs stabilise or policy support is introduced the shift towards environmentally friendly packaging could face a setback with businesses reverting to cheaper alternatives despite environmental concerns IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/crude-price-surge-impacts-biodegradable-bag-cost-across-tn-668219.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:51:00 +0530